Those beautiful leaves of fall can become a traffic hazard and water polluter and can lead to flooding if they plug culverts and storm drains.
Barb Huberty of Rochester Public Works said Rochester residents are required by law to keep leaves out of streets and highways and off public land to keep them from being washed into streams or making roads slippery.
If homeowners can't compost the leaves or mulch them in their yards, they should bring them to the Olmsed County compost site at 305 Silver Creek Road N.E., across from the county recycling plant.
It's open daily during daylight hours. Some waste haulers will take leaves as part of their service.
