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ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD <br />AGENDA ITEM 7B <br /> <br /> <br />STAFF ORIGINATOR: Andy Nelson <br />MEETING DATE: January 4th, 2022 <br />REQUEST: Discussion/Update Only <br />TOPIC: Water Quality Project Updates <br /> <br /> <br />Background <br />With support from the Environmental Board and in recognition of the critical importance of <br />water quality, City staff regularly pursue collaborations with other organizations for larger water <br />quality projects. Overviews of three potential projects that are currently being evaluated are <br />included here. Additional information and updates on the progress of these projects will be <br />provided to the Environmental Board in the future. <br /> <br />VLAWMO/Lake Amelia Drainage Area Collaboration <br />The City is working with VLAWMO to prepare a feasibility study for a water quality <br />improvement project for the drainage area northeast of Amelia Lake. The study will outline <br />some options for a potential project to improve the quality of water draining to Amelia Lake. <br />This area is currently served by an existing private drainage ditch. Surrounding properties have <br />experienced isolated flooding over the last 5 years. The study will outline a long-term <br />management plan to maintain and address water quality as the surrounding watershed develops. <br /> <br />Winters Wetland Bank <br />The City’s Natural Resources Revolving Fund Plan, approved in 2017, identified potential <br />wetland bank sites in the City. With the completion of the Wollan Park wetland bank, staff has <br />been evaluating opportunities to establish a new bank. <br />The Winter property is located in an area guided for office/residential use in the City’s <br />Comprehensive Plan, but also includes a large potential Greenway Corridor. The site was <br />previously evaluated by the Rice Creek Watershed District as a potential wetland bank site. Staff <br />recently completed a Draft Prospectus with the assistance of WSB and Associates. Once we <br />have received feedback from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), the <br />Army Core of Engineers (ACOE), and Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) staff, City staff