South metro news briefs: Access added for famed trout stream

If you'd like to head out trout fishing this month, there are two more miles of shoreline to try out along the Vermillion River.

The state has bought a 52-acre area half a mile north of Dakota County Road 66 along County 79, with 4,100 feet of river shoreline.

There's also a 62-acre land buy on the south branch of the Vermillion, south of County Road 66 and west of Hwy. 52.

That parcel has 6,900 feet of shoreline, and is a cold refuge for trout in hot weather.

Hunters, trappers and wildlife viewers will have access as well to habitat for pheasants, turkeys, ducks, doves, deer and other wildlife.

The two cost $384,200, with funding from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund and the Outdoor Heritage Fund. Dakota County also contributed.

The Vermillion is a trophy brown trout stream close to a major metro area. Since 2005, the state has protected nearly 10 miles of its shoreline.

Savage and Prior Lake are jointly offering trees: 13 varieties at the wholesale price, ranging from $8 to $40.

Pickups are 9 to 11 a.m. May 3 at the Savage Public Works Building, though quantities will be limited and sales are first-come, first-served.

The building is at 13770 Dakota Av. Questions can go to 952-224-3400.

Burnsville is selling bare root trees, native shrubs and plants.

The sale is April 26 from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or until all trees, shrubs and plants are sold.

For trees, prices range from $20-$35, two trees per household. They are 5 to 12 feet tall.

Shrubs are 6- to 18-inch bare root stock in packs of 5 for $5 per pack. Pots are $2 each or 3 for $5; the limit is 54 plants and 30 shrubs per household.

To learn more, visit www.burnsville.org/treesale.

Rosemount is planning to rebuild City Hall's roof after a hailstorm severely damaged it last August.

The city will seek bids for the project, expected to cost at least $100,000, in late June or early July. Repairs won't begin until August at the earliest to ensure there's no construction happening during Leprechaun Days in July, according to Director of Public Works Andy Brotzler.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is planning prescribed burns for about 419 acres on the reservation and 65 acres elsewhere in the county.

It's the most ambitious plan ever, the tribe reports.

Off the reservation, the tribe has been asked to help out at:

• Spring Lake Park: About 20 acres south of County Road 82 and northeast of Howard Lake Road.

• Five Hawks Elementary (about five acres north of Hwy. 13 and west of Five Hawks Avenue).

• Shakopee Prairie (Shut­rop Park, about 10 acres northwest of the intersection of county roads 21 and 16).

• Scott County Wetland Mitigation Area, Jordan (about 20 acres south of Hwy. 282 and east of County Road 71).

Shakopee is working with the University of Minnesota to train average folks to help prune trees on public land.

Volunteers will attend eight hours of training and must pass a short exam to become registered. They also will attend two volunteer events before being allowed to prune without supervision.

The next class is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 24 at City Hall, 129 Holmes St. S. The cost is $20.

Volunteer events are June 14, July 8, Aug. 12 and Sept. 6.

More information is at www.shakopeemn.gov/naturalre sources. Click on "Volunteers."