5.3. SR 02-10-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Mayor & City Council Rebecca Haug, Environmental Technician January 30, 2003 Update on Fecal Coliform Contamination at Lake Orono City Beach, Elk River MN In response to the attached letter sent to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (M-PCA) on September 4, 2002, regarding the fecal coliform concerns found in Lake Orono and the Elk River this past summer, representatives from the MPCA, Sherburne County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), Sherbume County Zoning Administration, Liesch Associates and the City of Elk River Building and Zoning Department met on June 21, 2003. During the meeting, the MPCA informed the group that they plan to conduct an assessment of all feedlots identified in the Elk River Watershed of Sherbume County and possibly Benton County. Any potential or actual impacts to waters of the state discovered dmS~g this assessment will be documented and comected. The MPCA is currently analyzing all data and information available in the watershed to determine if the Elk River meets all criteria to be placed on an impaired waterways list. If the Elk River meets the criteria to be on the list, it would be good because then the Elk River would be eligible for federal funding. It would be bad to be on the list because it would portray a negative image of the Elk River. However, due to the state's budget, the MPCA is uncertain of what work they will be able to accomplish. In addition to the feedlot assessment by the MPCA, Sherburne and Benton County SWCD are beginning a simultaneous joint Federal Clean Water Act 319-funded project to assess the need and implement required Agricultural Best Management Practices (Ag BM-Ps) in the entire Elk River Watershed. The money will be available for a three (3) year period with manure management as the focus; however, the funding is contingent upon the state's budget because the Federal Clean Water Act grant goes through the MPCA prior to being distributed to the Counties. Sherburne County Zoning will continue to utilize their Manure Management Ordinance when complaints are received, as well as continue to require compliance inspections on septic systems when homes are sold or permits pulled. The City of Elk River will also continue to require compliance inspections on septic systems when homes are sold or permits pulled and continue sampling the Lake Orono City Beach for fecal coliform. Liesch Companies has revised the document entitled "Preliminary Assessment RePort of Fecal Coliform Contamination at Lake Orono City Beach, Elk River, MN" dated January 2003. This report is attached for your review. -