Forest Township Road Information

Road Issues Contact information:
Ron Gernandt: (507) 339-1813
William Malecha: (612) 423-4500
Charles Peters: (507) 744-2118

Ron Gernandt, Forest Township Supervisor, is the first person to contact for all issues related to Township roads, ditches, bridges and culverts.

Township Roads
Forest Township maintains 35 miles of roads. Forest Township maintains the road right-of-way of township roads which includes both roads and ditches, on each side of the road, 33 feet from center. The Township also maintains culverts on township roads and replaces about 5% of culverts yearly. Gravel is added to the township roads on a three year rotation.  When gravel and dust control is placed on the road is dependent on the weather. The Township maintains the roads that are highlighted.

Ditches
The Township periodically cleans ditches of silt and debris. Vegetation in the township ditches is moved 7 feet on each side of the road two times each summer. In addition, the Township will cut or spray brush and trees encroaching on the roadway. The Township is also responsible for controlling noxious weeds, as listed by the MN Department of Agriculture. This is usually done by only spraying the problem areas.

Driveways
Property owners who have driveways entering township roads are responsible for the upkeep, costs, and replacement of culverts when necessary. Installing a driveway requires a completed and filed Forest Township Driveway Permit Application. This is to ensure proper material and size of culverts for drainage and proper placement for safety. Only galvanized steel culverts will be allowed. A $600 deposit is required and is fully refundable upon the final inspection of an approved driveway.

Snow Removal
It is unlawful to deposit snow onto public roadways or to push snow across public roadways per Minnesota Statute 160.2715. Snow deposited or pushed onto the road can create hazards to the public and future snow removal operations. Citizens that violate this statute could face misdemeanor and/or civil penalties if the snow creates a hazard that contributes to an accident. The Township snow removal/sanding trucks will be out as soon as possible following a 2” snow event. The Township is not responsible for any damage resulting from snow thrown in the road right-of-way.