Corps Of Engineers

[gitnby]

There have been several posts in the past about the COE. As a lakefront homeowner, I have had several dealings with the corps relating to Shoreline Management and Dock Permits, etc.

I find them to be very easy to work with and very professional. I have had several trees on Corps land damaged by storms. They ask me to take a picture, send it to them, and they reply with instructions on removing them. In one case, they came out to inspect and they suggested I take down a tree that was diseased before it fell and damaged my home.

I have a vegetation management permit and have had it renewed several times with no problems. On the other hand , I have 2 neighbors that have misused that privilege, and have been fined. In one case, they put a 10 year ban on a permit, which just recently was reinstated.

Below are the basic tenets of the Shoreline Management Plan taken directly from their website:

Vegetative management permits are issued for constructing footpaths, clearing small brush, and mowing. Adjacent landowners must obtain a permit from the Project Office prior to any modification of vegetation in the area. An application must be submitted, accompanied by a detailed drawing to show the complete scope of work requested. Forms and assistance in completing the Vegetation Management Application are available at the Project Office. After completing an application, an on-site inspection by a ranger is required prior to issuance of a permit. Shoreline modifications are subject to the following restrictions:

· Trimming of trees is prohibited.

· No flowering trees or shrubs such as dogwood, redbud and serviceberry may be removed regardless of size.

· Trees larger than two inches at DBH(4.5 feet from ground level) may not be removed.

· Only hand-operated tools may be used. The use of heavy equipment such as tractors is prohibited.

· Burning on public lands is not allowed.

· Placement of permanent or mortared structures on public lands is not allowed.

· No personal property is allowed to be stored on public lands.

· Driving on public lands is not allowed.

· The use of any type of chemicals on public lands is not allowed.

Mowing and removal of brush may only be permitted in an area adjacent to a habitable structure. The limits of mowing will depend on the proximity of the privately owned dwelling adjacent to the government boundary. The maximum distance of mowing will not exceed 200 feet from the habitable structure. The ranger will determine the distance of permitted mowing at the time of the site inspection. A ranger must inspect areas proposed for mowing before any modification is done.

Pedestrian access paths six feet or less in width may be constructed to the shoreline. The path must follow a meandering route to prevent erosion and to avoid the need for removal of trees and vegetation. Natural materials, such as creek gravel or wood chips, which blend in with the environment, may be used on the footpath. The permit does not convey the right to construct any structures (steps, bridges, etc.) in connection with the path.

Only dead trees that present a potential safety hazard to a boat dock or other structure will be approved for removal. A ranger must have previously inspected the dead trees before they may be cut. Burning on government property is prohibited.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I remember when the tornado went through the Pomme de Terre area and damaged a lot of trees. Some people got fined then and cried foul because the COE had told people they could cut down heavily damaged trees on public property. Apparently a broken branch on a view blocking tree wasn't what they meant by heavily damaged.

[gitnby]

I remember when the tornado went through the Pomme de Terre area and damaged a lot of trees. Some people got fined then and cried foul because the COE had told people they could cut down heavily damaged trees on public property. Apparently a broken branch on a view blocking tree wasn't what they meant by heavily damaged.

Pomme de Terre is in the Kansas City District, Table Rock is in the Little Rock District, which is the group I have had good experiences with.

My guess is that someone "heard" that you could cut down heavily damaged trees after the storm and then went ahead and did it. You need to contact the Corps and they will tell you exactly what you can and cannot do.

I have had 3 separate occasions when I had to contact the Corps about storm-damaged trees,and they handled it well every time!

[MOPanfisher]

We will even write it on a permit and give you a copy. I well remember the tornado incident at Pomme.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Gitnby, my reference was to people who tried to take advantage of the storm to enhance their view of the lake. They were claiming that the trees were damaged when in fact they only had minor branch damage. The COE didn't buy it and some were fined, but of course they cried foul.

[dtrs5kprs]

You can understand the purpose of the plan, but in the financial situation we are in, it is really tough to justify the effort and expense placed on this.

Storm damage aside, a lot of the developed shoreline areas look awful due to trees damaged or killed by the high water events.

Don't have property in the fight, but it bugs me as a taxpayer.