05/13/2002 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION APRIL 17, 2002 what the Rice Creek Watershed District has done in Hardwood Creek and also what the District is proposing to do. Ms. Westrick continued stating the District conducted a study because the Hardwood Creek is a major tributary to Rice Creek and a major contributor to eutrophication of Peltier Lake. Because there are a relatively high phosphorus and sediment loads, the District has explored different treatment options. The District has determined the hybrid pond/wetland system type of treatment would be best at the end of Hardwood Creek. This option would not remove all of the pollutants and more monitoring would have to be done upstream. Mr. Steve Hobbs, District Administrator, stated the District wants to look at the system as a whole and do a major restoration project. The District has applied for a grant to complete this project. The project would also include acquiring conservation easements along the creek. The District wants to improve water quality in the creek and hopes the project will allow the creek to behave more naturally. He stated the District would like the City to be a partner in this project. Councilmember Carlson stated she is surprised that Hardwood Creek enters Peltier on the north end of the lake. She asked if the south end of the lake will benefit from this project. Ms. Westrick stated there are several sources of phosphorous in the lake. The creek probably contributes up to 40% of that so improving the creek will improve the whole lake long term. Councilmember O'Donnell inquired about the funding source for this project. Mr. Hobbs stated the Legislative Commission allocates money from the lottery every two years to improve water quality in the state. The District is committed to doing the restoration project even if the grant is not received. Other sources of funding could come from other grants, cities and private foundations. Councilmember Reinert inquired about what the District would ask from the City if the City did become a partner in the project. Mr. Hobbs stated the District would like support for the project from the City along with any financial support that is available. Cities can also help with acquiring the easements. Councilmember O'Donnell asked if the City has any funds in the budget for this type of project. Finance Director Rolek stated the City does have some funds available but they are usually allocated for local surface water management projects. The City would take this project into consideration during the planning process if a formal request was submitted.