06/02/2010 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Agenda Item 5B Staff Originator: Marty Asleson Environmental Board Meeting Date: Environmental Board June 2, 2010 TOPIC: Anoka County Ditch 10 -22 -32 Historic Review /Request for Support Background: Anoka County Ditch (ACD) 10 -22 -32 is located in the NW corner of Lino Lakes with a small portion in Columbus Township. A series of separate and new ditch improvements has occurred over the years, since the first ACD 10 ditch was constructed in 1890. Each new recorded ditch segment added to ACD 10 overlapped the previous ditch section. Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD), the ditch authority for 10- 22 -32, intends to consolidate these ditch segments into one legal ditch branch. The Rice Creek Watershed District is requesting a resolution of support from the cityfor the use of the District's authorities under the watershed law and metropolitan surface water management act to repair and /or maintain public • drainage ditches, including 10- 22 -32, located in the city. In legal terms, they are looking for municipal concurrence for the drainage authority to use its alternative authorities under the watershed law. • This request has been prompted by the district's efforts to systematically inspect and repair the legal drainage systems in the district (approximately 100 miles) as necessary. In Lino Lakes this includes Anoka County Ditch (ACD) 10- 22 -32, ACD 25, ACD 72 and ACD 53. Since the Rice Creek Watershed District recently started the repair report on ACD 10 -22 -32 system, and as they progress through the repair report, they want to make sure they have the City's concurrence to use the authorities granted under the watershed law and surface water management act to pay for the work required. This is important to RCWD for the following reasons: 1. If they stay under the narrow confines of the ditch law, the district would have to do a re- determination of benefits and damages which would add unnecessary costs to any project. 2. Watershed law would allow them to set up a stormwater charge system which is more equitable since the land use is no longer just agricultural. 3. It allows the District to better address the protection and enhancement of wetlands and other water resources as part of any project to repair and maintain the system.