8.1. SR 06-17-2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Any AIS management should be accompanied by regular lake vegetation surveys, and with the guidance of the DNR's Aquatic Invasive Species Program. It is important to recognize that although CLP is invasive, this plant is still beneficial to fish and wildlife, especially in the early spring when it may be the only plant that can provide cover, habitat, and foraging areas. A balance of managing plant communities and nuisance vegetation should be carefully considered. Overall, lakes need aquatic vegetation for a variety of ecological purposes and it would not be favorable to remove the majority of vegetation without implementing restoration efforts, especially if the stated goals are to improve wildlife habitat, improve algal growth, promote fishing, reduce erosion, and improve water quality. Some vegetation is preferable to no vegetation, even if that vegetation is CLP. The petition also states that the LID will engage in additional actions to monitor, manage, and prevent additional AIS infestations. These actions include contracting for AIS inspections at the public boat landing, educating property owners and lake users about AIS detection and prevention. The DNR strongly supports these practices. The most efficient way to manage AIS is to address it early, before it rises to nuisance levels. Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum; EWM) is present in four basins in Lake nrnnn'c iinctraam watarcharl [Ria Faala I ittla File and Mitrhall I nleac• all in rhorhimno r'niintvl cn FSA/nn could get into Lake Orono as well. The DNR encourages the LID to work with the City of Elk River, Sherburne County, and local DNR Watercraft Inspection Program staff to promote these additional activities. The DNR cautions the proposers that AIS growth is lower than it could be. Most of the lake is less than 15 feet deep, and therefore theoretically capable of having vegetation growth. Current vegetation distribution is limited by the lake's low water clarity, but if water quality improves and clarity increases, it may spark increased vegetation growth, including CLP. If this occurs, the LID should remember that this may be a consequence of improved water quality and not necessarily negative. The LID should therefore continue to work very closely with the DNR Aquatic Invasive Species Program to ensure that any AIS management remains in balance with overall water quality improvement goals. The LID should contact the local Aquatic Invasive Species specialist Christine Jurek (christine.iurek@state.mn.us, 320-223-7847) for further guidance on AIS management. Native Vegetation Management The LID proposes to manage native aquatic vegetation and algae, should these rise to nuisance levels. The DNR recognizes that management of nuisance levels of native vegetation is sometimes necessary for navigation or recreational purposes, but in Lake Orono, reduction of native plant overgrowth may not be necessary or beneficial. The majority of the areas where plant growth is common are areas that are less than five feet in depth and are not ideal for recreation due to these shallow depths. These areas should be maintained for habitat instead. In addition, the removal of native aquatic plants may result in more algal growth and an increase in turbidity in the water and is thus inconsistent with plans to reduce algae proliferation and improve water quality. The dredging plans may also have adverse impacts on the lake's native plant community. Many of the areas targeted for dredging may include floating -leaf or emergent vegetation that provides high quality DNR Advisory Report on Lake Orono Lake Improvement District Page 6