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<br />The Elk River Vision <br />A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional <br />service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity <br />Request for Action <br /> <br /> <br />To <br />Parks and Recreation Commission <br />Item Number <br />7.2 <br />Agenda Section <br />Action Item <br />Meeting Date <br />May 13, 2020 <br />Prepared by <br />Amanda Erickson, Environmental Coordinator <br />Item Description <br />Approve Lake Orono Restoration and <br />Enhancement (LORE) Project <br />Reviewed by <br />Brandon Wisner, Stormwater Coordinator <br />Reviewed by <br />Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director <br />Cal Portner, City Administrator <br /> <br />Action Requested <br />Discussion of LORE project planned to begin in late summer 2020. <br /> <br />Recommend, by motion, approval of the LORE plans. <br /> <br />Background/Discussion <br />Lake Orono is a shallow 300-acre lake that captures 611-square-miles of watershed. Over time, sediment has <br />accumulated and settled in the lake causing negative impacts on the aquatic health and navigation. The LORE <br />project plans to remove approximately 125,000 cubic yards of sediment material to help improve the overall <br />quality and health of the lake. In 1998, Lake Orono was drawn down and sediment was dredged. At that time, it <br />was expected the dredging would need to be done again in approximately 20 years. <br /> <br />The overall project budget is $3.25 million which includes $1.5 million in grant funding from the state and $1 <br />million from the Active Elk River Local Option Sales Tax fund. The remaining portion will be paid for by <br />adjacent lakeshore property owners and the City of Elk River. <br /> <br />The goal of the LORE project is to remove sediment build up and ultimately improve the navigational depth of <br />Lake Orono. In doing so, invasive plants should be reduced, the health of aquatic wildlife improved, and crews <br />will also be able to add fish habitats before refilling the lake. <br /> <br />Currently, city staff are working with the DNR to ensure the proper permits are in place and the LORE meets <br />all state and local regulations. The city contracted with WSB & Associates to manage the design, contracts, and <br />the 429-assessment process. Before dredging can begin, a temporary drawdown of the lake is necessary which <br />requires a permit from the DNR. The city proposes to complete the drawdown process by mid-September of <br />2020 and return the lake to normal levels by the spring of 2021. <br /> <br />Financial Impact <br />None <br /> <br />Attachments <br /> LORE 90% Plan Set showing dredging locations, proposed depths and habitat improvements