8.1. SR 06-17-2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES May 23, 2019 John Dietz, Mayor Elk River City Council City of Elk River 13065 Orono Parkway Elk River, MN 55330 MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES CENTRAL OFFICE 500 LAFAYETTE ROAD, BOX 25 SAINT PAUL, MN 55155 651-296-6157 888-646-6367 Re: DNR Advisory Report on the Formation of the Lake Orono Improvement District in Sherburne County Dear Mayor Dietz and City Council Members: I am writing to inform you that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has reviewed the petition submitted to create the Lake Orono Improvement District (LID) and prepared this Advisory Report in accordance with Minnesota Rules, part 6115.0970, subp. 5. We conclude that: • we approve of the proposed boundary for the Lake Orono LID for the purposes of dredging, lake drawdowns, aquatic plant management, in -lake water quality projects, and shoreline projects; and • we recommend that the LID proposers work with the DNR, along with the MPCA, Elk River Watershed Association, Sherburne County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), and other local and regional partners on larger watershed projects as is feasible. Goals of the Proposed Lake Improvement District The goals of the Lake Orono LID, as stated in the LID proposal, are to manage water quality, sedimentation, existing aquatic invasive species (AIS), nuisance vegetation, algae, and to be positioned to cope with future AIS threats. To attain these goals, the LID proposes to engage in the following projects: • Investigate the feasibility for dredging and a partial lake drawdown and carry out those actions. • Dredge approximately 130,000 cubic yards of sediment from Lake Orono to return it to its historic baseline depth. • Manage the invasive aquatic plant curlyleaf pondweed (CLP, Potamogeton crispus), as well as other detected AIS. • Manage native plants and algae if they increase to nuisance levels. • Improve water quality by reducing excessive nutrients in the lake. • Undertake lake research projects and other lake management projects as future needs arise. Background Information on Lake Orono 1. Lake Orono (Lake ID Number 71001300) is classified as General Development (GD). Per the Elk River's Shoreland Overlay District, GD lakes have structure setbacks of 50 and 75 feet above the Ordinary High Water Level (OWHL) for sewered and unsewered properties, respectively. 2. Lake Orono has an area of approximately 300 acres, almost all (94%) of which is considered to be littoral (15 feet deep or less per Minnesota Rules, part 6280.0100, sub 9). Generally, the littoral DNR Advisory Report on Lake Orono Lake Improvement District Page 1