Brainerd residents reminded not to mow grass into streets

As summer approaches, staff at the city of Brainerd are reminding residents not to leave grass clippings in the street when mowing their lawns.

"When grass and leaves are blown into the street, this debris finds its way to our storm sewer, in which most of our pipes have direct access to the river," City Engineer Paul Sandy wrote in an email Monday, May 24. "This increases phosphorus in the river and lake system and leads to large algae blooms. The City’s MS4 permit (stormwater permit) considers grass clippings or other debris in the street as an illicit discharge, and the City must report instances of this occurring."

Anyone who sees residents leaving lawn clippings in the streets should talk to those responsible or report the activity to the city engineering department

A brochure on best lawn care and landscaping practices is available on the city’s website at http://bit.ly/CityLawnCare .