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• • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Jeff Smyser, City Planner City of Lino Lakes 600 Town Center Parkway Lino Lakes, MN 55014 1200 Wamer Road St. Paul, Minnesota 55106 651.772.7900 October 1, 2003 RE: Pheasant Hills Preserve 12th Addition Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) Dear Mr. Smyser: The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has reviewed the EAW for the proposed Pheasant Hills Preserve in the City of Lino Lakes. We offer the following comments for your consideration. Description (Item No. 6), Physical Impacts on Water Resources (Item No 12) These items describe the proposed bridge to the island as one with one center support pier supporting four 150 foot steel trusses. Bridge descriptions in the EAW lack sufficient detail to allow for full and effective evaluation of that aspect of the project. The EAW should include drawings. DNR permit No. 2001 -6109 authorizes a bridge based on application materials used to review theproject. The bridge partially described in the EAW document is not the same as that authorized by the permit and, therefore, may not be buildable. Additionally, Minnesota Rules Part 6115.0231, Subpart 2., F., requires that bridges be "consistent with the natural surroundings ". Minnesota Rules Part 61 15.0230, Subp. 5 states that, "the project must not exceed more than a minimum encroachment, change, or damage to the environment... ". In short, any bridge over Wards Lake will need to be authorized with a permit for working in public waters, and should be consistent with the natural character of the area We are also concerned about the bridge being privately owned. In 2002, the rules regarding bridges over public waters to islands were changed. Private bridge crossings were permitable in 2001, when DNR permit No. 2001 -6109 was issued for the proposed bridge. Currently, Minnesota Rules Part 6115.0230, Subpart 3., item F., prohibits the construction of crossings that "provide private access to an island." This rule was changed to recognize that it is reasonable to minimize impacts to public waters unless public access is determined to be in the public interest. It was further recognized that private access to an island results in a loss or diminishment of the public's ability to use and enjoy the surface area of public waters. Physical Impacts on Water Resources (Item No. 12) It appears that the stormwater runoff will be handled well. This item mentions that a "preservation area" will be incorporated into the stormwater plan. Its functions are described at the top of page 9. Questions regarding its ultimate effectiveness cannot be answered without some knowledge of its size. The EAW should include this information. An Equal Opportunity Employer Who Values Diversity DNR Information: 651 -296 -6157 1- 888 - 646 -6367 TTY: 651 - 296 -5484 1- 800 - 657 -3929