Pets visiting an off-leash dog park in Ramsey County are doing so much damage to a wetland that officials are fencing off the pond.

Starting Monday, Ramsey County Parks and Recreation plans to close off access to the pond near the Rice Creek Off-Leash Dog Area in Shoreview.

While the pond seems to the dog a big bowl of water, according to the announcement, it's actually a protected wetland that "helps with stormwater treatment and filtration." In four years, the shoreline has "eroded considerably" as dogs have dug in.

To protect the wetland, all access to the pond will be closed to people and pets and signs will be posted to that effect.

People who want water access for their dogs may visit Matoska Park in White Bear Lake, which lets dogs enter the water.

David Peterson

Crystal

City seeks quiet zones for railroad crossings

Canadian Pacific Railroad trains rumbling into Crystal may soon have to quiet their horns at two crossings.

The city submitted an application to the Federal Railroad Administration late last month to establish quiet zones for Canadian Pacific Railroad crossings at Douglas Drive and West Broadway. In a quiet zone, trains aren't permitted to routinely sound their horns as they approach the crossings.

The noise has been a nuisance for years in nearby neighborhoods, said Community Development Director John Sutter, adding that residents' responses to the plan have been "overwhelmingly positive."

It will cost about $200,000 to install the quiet zone, which will also affect certain traffic movements. If the application is approved, the city anticipates the quiet zone going into effect later this year, Sutter said.

Hannah Covington

Forest Lake

Lake name proposal goes to second hearing

A second public hearing on a proposal to rename a Washington County lake that some residents find offensive will be held March 14.

The official name of the lake, which is within the boundary of Forest Lake, is Halfbreed Lake. Residents who petitioned for the change regard the name as a derogatory description of a person born to parents of Indian and white ancestry, and want it officially changed to Sylvan Lake — the name by which it is already widely known. But the lake appears as Halfbreed Lake on a state waters inventory list and old maps.

An initial hearing was held Jan. 24 before the Washington County Board, where it was noted that the lake is on the border between Forest Lake and Scandia and that Scandia had not been given notice of the hearing.

Commissioners also asked that additional historical information be gathered before the March 14 hearing, which will be held at 9 a.m. in the fifth-floor boardroom at the Washington County Government Center in Stillwater.

Kevin Giles

Cottage Grove

Nominees sought for sustainable awards

Cottage Grove is accepting nominations for its Sustainable City awards, recognizing environmental projects.

Categories include sustainable building or remodeling; energy efficiency and conservation; use of renewable or alternative energy; waste reduction, composting and recycling; environmental awareness and education; water conservation; innovative stormwater management practices; sustainable business practices, and youth leadership.

Residents are encouraged to make nominations. Examples of eligible projects include installing solar panels, creating a rain garden, making home improvements designed to reduce water consumption, and planting native drought resistant landscaping.

Nominations must be received by Feb. 28. Winners will be announced by April 22, Earth Day. More information is available at cottage-grove.org/news-events.

Kevin Giles

Northeast metro

Free help on taxes for seniors, less affluent

Seniors and people of low to moderate incomes looking for help in filling out tax forms may go for assistance from AARP at a number of locations in the northeast metro over the next few months. The service, provided by volunteers who are trained tax preparers, is free and confidential.

Locations in the northeast metro area include Anoka, Blaine, Brooklyn Park, Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids, Cottage Grove, Crystal, Falcon Heights, Fridley, Ham Lake, New Brighton, Oakdale, Roseville, Shoreview, White Bear Lake, Woodbury and several sites in St. Paul.

People will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information on places and times, go to aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide or call 1-888-227-7669.

David Peterson