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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/18/2015 Environmental Board MinutesCITY OF LINO LAKES ENIVORMENTAL BOARD MINUTES DATE TIME STARTED TIME ENDED MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT . STAFF PRESENT November 18, 2015 6:31 P.M. 8:02 P.M. Steve Heiskary, Barbara Bor, Nancy Klebba, John Sullivan, Alex Schwartz, Liz Kaufenberg Paula Andrzejewski Marty Asleson, Aubrey Fonfara There was no pre meeting at the Fire Station #2 due to the weather. 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Mr. Heiskary called the Lino Lakes Environmental Board meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. November 18, 2015. 2. APROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Sullivan made a MOTION to approve the agenda. Motion was supported by Mr. Schwartz. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 28, 2015 Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Schwartz made a MOTION to approve the October 28, 2015 Meeting Minutes. Motion was supported by Ms. Klebba. Motion carried 5 - 0. 5. OPEN MIKE Mr. Heiskary declared Open Mike at 6:32 p.m. There was no one present for Open Mike. Close Open Mike at 6:33 p.m. 6. ACTION ITEMS There were no action items APPROVED MINUTES Enivommental Board November 18, 2015 Page 2 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Stream Restoration in Hardwood Creek to Address Biotic Impairment and Peltier Lake TMDL Update, Matt Kocian, Rice Creek Watershed District Biologist Mr. Matt Kocian presented a power point presentation on the restoration efforts and the present condition of Hardwood Creek. This creek flows through Forest Lake, Hugo and Lino Lakes where it empties into Peltier Lake. ag�e��i Hardwood Creek is listed as impaired for dissolved oxygen and where both of the above mentioned fell below state standards. iological integrity Restoration projects were to restore meanders to channelized reach, stabilize the streambanks, mitigate impacts from livestock, and add riparian buffers. By working on the meandering pattern of the creek and making the streambanks more stable the stream power increased, the stream has widen and is clearer. And by working with the farmers and introducing ways to slow down the mitigate impacts from livestock and erosion control the creek has started to improve. Rice Creek Watershed has been supporting a volunteer biological monitoring program (SHEP- Stream Health Evaluation Program) since 2006. SHEP has been monitoring invertebrates on Hardwood Creek. So it appears that with the restoration of Hardwood Creek we are making good progress and meeting the TMDL pollution reduction goals and having positive changes in biota (invertebrates). Mr. Kocian mentioned that Peltier Lake Drawdown is still being discussed. The reason for the drawdown is to reduce the phosphorus to meet state standards. Approximately 62% of the total phosphorus load is internal. There were four different ways to help reduce the internal phosphorus but drawdown has more positive effects that are probable and comparatively affordable. Mr. Kocian stated what the options are and could start in fall after Labor Day and complete before freeze up. Maintain lower water level from freeze up through the end of June. Cost is the big draw for doing just a drawdown with no pumping. Drawdown is done in the winter because it freezes the plants and muck and increases the native plant life. It also packs down the sediments. Ms. Kaufenberg asked is a drawdown something that could be done every year. APPROVED MINUTES Enivommental Board November 18, 2015 Page 3 Ms. Bor asked if drawdown was done frequently what would be the possible side effects to the lake. Would there be loss of fish that live in the lake and the wildlife that depends on the lake? Mr. Kocian said that a drawdown could be done every year but probably every four years. This all depends on the success of the first drawdown. Mr. Schwartz asked what percent of the lake would be exposed. Mr. Kocian stated that with this process 34% of the lake bottom would be exposedpand i would be enough for ecological restoration. Mr. Heiskary said that the drawdown will be monitored and observed. Mr. Kocian said that there are many steps to go through before we can do forward with this project. Need approval from the DNR and then the Commissioner needs to conduct a hearing or else deem the project as beneficial and in the public interest. And then in the late spring or early summer there would be public meetings. B. Heron Rookery Update Mr. Wayne LeBlanc presented his findings on the heron rookery. On November 9, 2015 Marty Asleson and Wayne Leblanc counted the nests on the island. The Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets on Peltier Lake Island seem to be going well. The 2015 count of 224 is good news. The trees that are flashed still have viable nests Mr. Schwartz wanted to know what happened between 2000 -2012 where the count of nest went way down. Mr. Leblanc mentioned that increase in boat traffic, there was a water ski course place too close to the island. Ms. Bor also stated that raccoons were raiding the nests and construction and freeway noise. A lot came into play. Mr. LeBlanc stated that when the water ski course was removed and a no wake zone was established the herons come back. Mr. LeBlanc said that three things need to continue to happen in order to preserve the herons. 1. No -Wake Zone established by Anoka Parks, the cities of Lino Lakes and Centerville, and the DNR is doing the job of keeping disturbing high speed boat traffic away from the herons, improving the water in the north part of the lake and protecting sensitive aquatic plants. 2. Metal flashing on nesting trees reduces predation APPROVED MINUTES Enivommental Board November 18, 2015 Page 4 3. Signs posted around the island to keep people off the island so all nesting birds are free of human disturbance. Ms. Klebba suggested that maybe Kelly Jo from MN Bound may want to furnish cameras. Ms. Bor responded that by using cameras it would validate what is happening to the nests. It takes 2 to 4 years for herons to mature. Ms. Bor stated that Marty Asleson, Wayne LeBlanc and A dedicated many hours to the herons on the island. C. Recycling Updates 1. Recycling Saturday The October Recycling Saturday was very good and brought in 1800 tons of material. nDuke h The Anoka County 2016 budget overall has had an increase. And Lino Lake's parks funds were decreased because that money was reallocated to recycling centers. 2. Art and Essay Contest The Quad Community Press published a short article promoting the contest. And Centennial School District and Lino Lakes Elementary teachers all have been notified of the event. Donating activity passes are Bunker Beach and Zero Gravity Trampoline Park. Ace Solid Waste and Republic Services are sponsoring scholarships for 9-12 grade winners. 3. Survey for Neighborhoods Organics Recycling Drop-off The response from the community has been coming in and it seems residents are positive and interested in the idea of organic recycling in their neighborhood. 7. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Bor made a MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 p.m. Motion was supported by Ms. Klebba. Motion carried 5 - 0. Respectfully submitted, Mary Fogarty Office Tech APPROVED MINUTES