04/02/2007 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • WS Item # 1 WORK SESSION MEMORANDUM Item # 1 To: City Council From: Marty Asleson Date: April 2, 2007 Re: Stream Health Education Program cc: Michael Grochala Requested Council Direction Request to update Council on the Volunteer Citizen Stream Health Evaluation Program called SHEP. SHEP (Stream Health Evaluation Program) is a unique partnership between FMR Minnesota Waters, the Rice Creek Watershed District, the City of Lino Lakes and several other public and nonprofit agencies. Volunteers receive free training in collecting and identifying aquatic invertebrates (i.e. bugs), who will then put their training to work both in the field and in the lab. It is a rare opportunity for those interested in conducting and performing professional - quality analysis. SHEP volunteers will be among the first in the nation to produce reliable, quality data that meets regulatory agency muster and can be relied upon to appraise water quality, and therefore contribute to its protection. Streams to be monitored are located in the Rice Creek watershed, which includes portions of Ramsey, Anoka and Washington Counties. Streams include Rice, Hardwood and Clearwater Creeks. Participation with SHEP is also a 2007 goal of the Lino Lakes Environmental Board Trevor Russel from MR together with community volunteers presented some of their findings at an earlier Environmental Board meeting. The Environmental Board made a recommendation that findings be presented to the Lino Lakes City Council. Mr. Russel and community volunteers will be present at the work session to present findings.