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1 <br /> <br />ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD <br />ITEM 7A <br /> <br />STAFF ORIGINATOR: Andy Nelson, Environmental Coordinator <br /> <br />MEETING DATE: July 31st, 2024 <br /> <br />REQUEST: Update only. <br /> <br />TOPIC: Shenandoah Park Water Quality Improvements Project <br /> <br />______________________________________________________________________________ <br />BACKGROUND <br /> <br />In 2022 the City Council authorized a partnership with the Rice Creek Watershed District to <br />identify potential water quality improvements to reduce volume and sediment/nutrient loading <br />to Rice Lake. Rice Lake is designated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) as an <br />impaired water. The study evaluated potential improvements to Shenandoah Park. <br /> <br />A private ditch system maintained by the City runs through the park, under Birch Street, and <br />discharges into Rice Lake. The ditch serves as the primary stormwater outlet for the residential <br />neighborhood extending south to Coyote Trail. Most of the park area is comprised of partially <br />drained wetland. Staff is of the opinion that opportunity exists for a restoration project that <br />would enhance water quality and provide an improved greenway element to the park. <br /> <br />The City partnered with Rice Creek Watershed District to fund the final report, which was <br />completed in December of 2022. The report included four alternatives of which two, options 3 <br />and 4, were recommended by the Environmental Board for future consideration at the January <br />25th, 2023 meeting. Each of the concepts provided water quality and volume improvements, <br />ecological restoration, and floodplain mitigation. Options for future trail connections were also <br />evaluated. Due to the estimated cost of the projects, it was recommended that the City pursue <br />grant funding through RCWD or other agencies. The City’s 5-year Capital Improvement Plan <br />identified this project for implementation in 2025. <br /> <br />The Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) has established the Watershed Based <br />Implementation Funding (WBIF) Grant Program. The grant program allocates funding to each <br />watershed area for allocation in a collaborative local process. City staff and RCWD have <br />proposed the Shenandoah project for funding through this program. We are currently seeking <br />funding that would include alternative selection and preparation of plans and specifications, <br />estimated at $55,000. Once design is completed, the City and RCWD would pursue additional <br />construction funding through the program. Depending on the alternative selected total project <br />costs could range from $250,000 to $500,000.