Sugar Lake Association Bog Assistance Policy Note: The SLA Board shall annually review this policy and may cancel this policy at any time without prior notice.
The Minnesota DNR requires a permit to be issued for the removal of any migrating cattail bog (“migrating bog”) from a lake.( A migrating bog is not rooted.) SLA will seek an approved DNR permit annually to remove migrating bogs from April through October from Sugar Lake that are smaller than 15 by 15 feet or 225 square feet of the year. The DNR permit will require the SLA to get approval from the DNR for any migrating bog larger than 15 by 15 feet. View our current DNR permit here. By annually obtaining a DNR permit, the SLA intends to assist all Sugar Lake property owners with migrating bog removal from in front of their property. All property owners (both members of the SLA and nonmembers) may choose to remove a migrating bog under SLA’s DNR permit if they follow the rules as outlined in the following policy adopted by the SLA. Furthermore, the SLA will provide financial assistance, where applicable, for such migrating bog removal to any SLA member who is a member in good standing. If a property owner does not want to use the SLA permit, the owner must obtain its own permit prior to removing a migrating bog. Options for removing a migrating bog under the SLA Permit: 1. A migrating bog can be removed personally by a property owner. A property owner may dispose of the migrating bog at the Wright County Compost Facility. Wright County’s facility is located at 505 County Rd 37 NW, Buffalo. Open Tuesday and Thursdays 9-6 and second and third Saturdays 8-12. 2. A property owner can contact an approved vendor and request them to remove the migrating bog. If a property owner is relying on the SLA’s permit for removal, the following steps are required: 1. Contact SLA’s bog liaison by clicking here. 2. Property owner will be asked to provide needed information on a form provided by the SLA. The form will include at a minimum the property owner’s name, Sugar Lake address, phone number, size of bog, picture of bog and plans for disposal. If the property owner is hiring an approved vendor, the company name of the selected vendor and the cost estimate given will be provided. In addition, all property owners relying on the SLA permit will indemnify the SLA from any liability for the work to be performed. 3. The SLA liaison will provide an approval of the submitted plan to property owner. If the migrating bog is greater than 225 square feet, the liaison will seek approval from the DNR prior to advising the property owner if its plan is approved. Financial support for SLA members: All SLA members are responsible for at least the first $500 of fees to have a migrating bog removed. SLA will pay the amount in excess of $500 (or any remaining excess after a greater than $500 contribution provided by the SLA member.) Following the SLA bog liaison’s approval of a member’s plan where the member has chosen to contact an approved vendor for removal services: 1. Member pays vendor directly in full for services received. 2. Member provides a copy of the paid invoice to SLA’s liaison and requests its reimbursement less the contribution it has made for the removal. 3. The SLA liaison will process promptly the reimbursement with the SLA treasurer. 4. For the bog policy, a member in good standing is defined as anyone who was a paid member as of August 1st in the prior year. No financial assistance shall be provided to nonmembers. Nonmembers are responsible for all costs incurred when using an approved vendor. Vendors: The following Vendors have been identified by the SLA as having experience in removing individual bogs from your property as well as larger ones requiring removal at a landing. The vendors have agreed on behalf of the SLA to follow the requirements of the SLA permit with the DNR which includes proper disposal of the bog material. If the property owner desires assistance to remove a bog, the property owner needs to make its own arrangements with one of the listed vendors below and is solely responsible for payment to that vendor for services. Reimbursement of charges, if any as provided by this policy, will be done after the service is completed to the property owner's satisfaction and the property owner submits the required information for reimbursement to the SLA. 1. JK Landscape Construction (320)558-4445 2. Persimmon Lawn and Snow (612)250-5830 3. Midstate Tree Service (320)420-1138 |