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Elk River ^-~ <br />Municipal Utilities <br />13069 Orono Parkway <br />Elk River, MN 55330 <br />Apri12, 2007 <br />To: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission <br />Jerry Takle <br />Jerry Gumphrey <br />Jim Tralle <br />From: Bryan Adams <br />Subject: Proposed Black Dirt Ordinance <br />phone: 763.441.2020 <br />c' I~ax:763.441.8099 <br />vl <br />With summer approaching, water consumption will increase due to lawn sprinkling. <br />Please refer to the graphs in the financial section for actual values. The northwest area of <br />the Twin Cities including Elk River, have very sandy soil making moisture retention for <br />lawns very difficult. Many cities at the urging of the DNR are requiring 4" of black dirt <br />under lawns as a strategy to increase moisture retention and thereby conserving water. <br />We have surveyed the cities listed below and have received the following information. <br />Otsego -developers must use 6" of black dirt where the ground is sandy. <br />Rogers - no policy yet. Much of Rogers is heavy clay. They will be annexing <br />additional areas with sandy soils but will encourage developers to use <br />6" of black dirt. <br />St. Michael/Albertville - is under consideration but no policy. DNR is <br />encouraging them to adopt a policy. <br />Big Lake -requires 4" of black dirt for seeded lawns and 2"of black dirt under <br />sodded areas. <br />Becker -requires 3" of black dirt by homeowner, not developer. <br />Ramsey - no requirement. <br />Monticello -requires 4" of black dirt. <br />Andover -requires 4" of black dirt. Winter construction developer puts money <br />in escrow. <br />Zimmerman -requires 4" of black dirt. <br />Brooklyn Park -requires 4" of black dirt. <br />