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4111 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 come from the lake in the first place and will not limit the lakes potential to store runoff. In addition, the lake will be drain 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. Project Cost Estimate • Figure #1 attached details the estimated project costs, the total of which is approximately $750,000. The project is proposed to be paid for by assessments to lake owners and general tax funds. The proposed project time frame included in Figure #1 outlines the assessment process. 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 River's Comprehensive Plan. The design of the project more than adequately addresses any environmental concerns and meets the standards in the City of Elk River Code of Ordinances (Shoreland, Floodplain, Excavation, and Conditional Use Permits). The Lake owners are apparently willing to pay for a major portion of the cost of this project at this time and appropriate lands adjacent to the lake are currently available for the disposal of sediment. Now is the time to do this project. However, no permits can be issued for the project prior to the completion of the environmental review process. If after reviewing the comments received during EAW process the City Council finds the request has the potential for significant environmental impacts, the project should be modified to address the issues raised and an Environmental Impact Statement(EIS) must be prepared. Staff does not anticipate this happening. •