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City of <br />Elk — <br />River <br />City of Elk River <br />City Council <br />Resolution 20-11 <br />A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Elk River Support a Request <br />to the Department of Natural Resources Commissioner regarding the <br />drawdown of Lake Orono <br />WHEREAS, the City of Elk River Minnesota (the "City") is home to Lake Orono, a <br />shallow 300-acre lake that captures runoff from a large watershed. Sediment has accumulated <br />over time, diminishing aquatic health. In 1998, the lake was drawn down and sediment was <br />removed by dredging; and <br />WHEREAS, the City has collaborated with the Lake Orono Improvement Association <br />(the "LOIA") for over five years to improve the overall health of Lake Orono and develop <br />the recently approved Lake Orono Management Plan; and <br />WHEREAS, the City began design plans for the Lake Orono Restoration and <br />Enhancement (the LORE) project with the goal of removing accumulated sediment and <br />improving overall aquatic health and wildlife habitat, utilizing state funding and other local <br />funding sources; and <br />WHEREAS, on March 5, 2019, Governor Tim Walz signed bill (I -IF 80) which included <br />$1.5 million in grant funding to assist with the LORE project. Additionally, $1 million of <br />funding was secured through a local option sales tax which was approved via referendum in <br />November of 2018 and subsequently by the State Legislature. Securing these funding sources <br />shows strong state support; and <br />WHEREAS, the City was petitioned for the creation of the Lake Orono Improvement <br />District (the "OLID") on April10, 2019, and Established by Order on July 21, 2019; and <br />WHEREAS, the City desires to drawdown the water level of Lake Orono for the purpose <br />of removing accumulated sediment by means of the LORE project. Drawdowns require <br />approval from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (the "DNR") pursuant with <br />Minnesota State Statue 103G.408 either via direct Commissioner approval or by obtaining <br />permission from at least 75% of riparian landowners; and <br />WHEREAS, it is the understanding of the OLID and LOIA that an opt -out option has <br />been utilized by the DNR in the past. Collecting signatures for support is often labor and <br />time intensive; and <br />[ J WHEREAS, the LORE project has received funding directly from the state and illustrated <br />V wide support from local officials for the overall goal of the project. The LORE project will <br />PONEAE1 BI <br />NAWRE <br />