6.4. SR 04-20-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The attached EAW explains in detail the environmental issues and mitigation measures associated with the proposed project. These issues will not be reiterated in this memo. The Council is encouraged to review the EAW. The comment period for the EAW ended on March 25, 1998. The city receive only one comment on the EAW. That comment was from the Department of Natural Resource (DNR) and is attached to this memo. In addition, the city has had the DNR, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BSWR), and Sherbume County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) involved with the project for over two years. The concems of the referenced agencies have been included in the project's design. The project has also been explained to Sherbume County and the Elk River Watershed Board. Shoreland Ordinance The City's Shoreland Ordinance identifies considerations and conditions for grading in a wetland and Shoreland District; most notably Sections 904.08 3. B. iv. a. and 904.08 7. A. & B. None of the sediment disposal is proposed is within the Shore Impact Zone and erosion control measures will be implemented. The project as proposed clearly meets the standards and conditions set forth in the Shoreland Ordinance. Floodplain The Lake Orono Improvement Project will obviously involve work within the floodway limits of the lake and river. Floodway is that portion of the floodplain where obstruction that may impede flood waters are not allowed. Section 902 4.D.iii of the Elk River Code of Ordinances does allow an exception for the temporary storage of dredge spoils that assures removal of materials from the floodway based on flood warning time available. August through October was picked as the time period for the project partly because of typical low rain fall. The flood potential is extremely low during this period of the year. The material that will be temporarily stored with in the floodway limits comes from the lake in the first place and will not limit the lakes potential to store runoff. In addition, the lake will be drained during the project, further adding to its potential holding capacity for flood waters. The only foreseeable issue is that the river diversion at the mouth of the Elk River could possibly impede flood waters. In the unlikely event that there is a flood hazard during the time period that the project is conducted, the river diversion can be quickly altered to avoid obstructing flood waters, thus meeting the exception in Section 902 4.D.iii. Recommendation Lake Orono is a aesthetic, recreation, and economic resource for the entire community. Keeping the lake as a resource is consistent with the Master Park Plan and the City of Elk