HomeMy WebLinkAboutLDO Environmental Committee Letter 24May2016 •
' 'e, Lake Demontreville
�.o.•,, & Olson Association
...preserve, protect,and improve water and shoreline health
May 24, 2016
Environmental Committee
City of Lake Elmo
3800 Laverne Avenue North
Lake Elmo, Minnesota 55042
Re: No-Wake ordinance for Lake Demontreville & Olson
Dear Environmental Committee Members:
The Lake Demontreville &Olson Association (LDO) is a non-profit organization comprised of the vast
majority of Lake Demontreville and Olson shoreline property owners. The Association would like your
assistance in addressing an important environmental issue that affects Lake Demontreville and Olson
property owners as well as Lake Elmo residents and non-residents who use the public access to Lake
Demontreville and Olson for their enjoyment.
When the two lakes experience high water levels,the shorelines are particularly vulnerable to severe
erosion from the wakes generated by motorized watercraft. This erosion is detrimental to shoreline
properties, water quality, fish, and natural plants that inhabit the lakes and shore. These detrimental
impacts of motorized watercraft have been documented by numerous studies, visual observation, and
of course, simple common sense.
When high water levels occur, generally due to extreme winter snowfall or spring rainfall, the City of
Lake Elmo has the authority to impose a "No-Wake" rule, when motorized watercraft are restricted to
slow speeds until water levels return to normal levels that are not as sensitive to shoreline erosion. It is
the City of Lake Elmo that sets this rule, not the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or
any other governmental body. Many communities use the DNR's Official High Watermark (OHW) as the
benchmark for determining when a No-Wake rule should be imposed.
The DNR has determined the OHM for Lake Demontreville &Olson to be at elevation 929.3 feet. Until
2014,this was the benchmark for determining when the City of Lake Elmo would impose a No-Wake
rule to protect the lakes. In 2013,the then seated City Council raised the No-Wake threshold to 929.7
feet...contrary to the preferences of 85%of the shoreline property owners .
The LDO Association has been the steward of these lakes for many years. We are very concerned about
the long range health of the lakes. We therefore would like you to consider this issue and recommend
that the City Council return the No-Wake threshold to the DNR set OHW level of 929.3 feet.
Our board and membership are available to discuss this request in further detail at your convenience.
Thank you for your consideration,
Roger Johnson, President
Lake Demontreville Olson Association
8048 Hill Trail North,
Lake Elmo, MN 55042
Tele: 651-777-7766
Cc: LE City Administrator
LDO Board Members:
Terry Lizakowski
Fr. Pat McCorkell
Link Lavey
Mark Peterson
Nick Linsmayer
Ron Gritzmaker
Gary Fields
Charles Shultz
Jill Lundgren
Gerald Goracki