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9.1. SR 07-17-2017Request for Action To Item Number Mayor and City Council 9.1 Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Work Session July 17, 2017 Brandon Wisner, Stormwater Coordinator Item Description Reviewed by Lake Orono Management Plan Presentation Cal Portner, City Administrator Reviewed by Action Requested Support the goals and strategies of the 2017-2020 Lake Orono Management Plan and support the advancing of its detailed implementation plan as presented by the Lake Orono Water Quality Committee (LOWQC) members; direct staff to outline the framework of the city’s involvement. Background/Discussion In June of 2016, staff presented an overview of concerns for Lake Orono as requested by the LOWQC at the council work session. Since then, staff has continued to work with this group on developing an updated Lake Orono Management Plan. The LOWQC members will give a brief PowerPoint presentation outlining the desired goals and strategies. Financial Impact None at this time; see reference in the PowerPoint presentation. Attachments  Lake Orono Association Water Quality Management Plan Presentation  Minutes from the 2017 Annual Meeting of the LOIA Report Findings & Conclusions July 2017 Lake Orono Management Plan Executive Summary •Lake Orono is a shallow 300-acre lake that drains a large watershed of 611 square miles (71% of Sherburne County, 67% of Benton County) •The LOWQC have been working with partners to examine the health and integrity of the lake as well as advocate for its protection since 1995 •A 2016 survey of lake residents, the public, business and government entities points to the many positive attributes the lake holds •While many enjoy the lake for its aesthetic, ecological, wildlife, fisheries and recreational appeal, the lake is unfortunately suffering the consequences of human development in nearby and upstream regions •Recreational opportunities are hindered by curly-leaf pondweed, native plant overgrowth, algae proliferation and steady sediment build-up Executive Summary •The Elk River continues to be the main driver of the conditions in the lake and recent studies indicate the Elk River transports ~200,000 acre-feet of water downstream each year •Further, the Elk carries upwards of 40,000 - 60,000 lbs of phosphorus and as much as 3 - 7 million lbs of sediment annually •Sediment deposits are greater where water velocity slows, such as where the Elk flows into Lake Orono (Upper Lake Orono) and beyond the “pinch points” that separate the basins of the lake •These areas were dredged in 1998, and a model predicted that at the estimated rate of deposit the areas would be refilled in roughly 20 years (based on LOWQC observations…this prediction is accurate) Executive Summary •Data involving the ecological conditions as well as a city-wide survey of stakeholder use and perceptions of Lake Orono were collected as a part of this management plan update •An Alternatives Analysis was created to outline the concerns and challenges to be addressed and also the potential remedies •The report recommends specific goals, actions and opportunities for the LOWQC to follow •These specific conclusions have been researched extensively and discussed with a multitude of entities including City of Elk River staff, area residents, State of Minnesota staff, as well as regional legislative officials Aquatic Plants & Sedimentation Executive Summary (goals and strategies to achieve them) The LOWQC recommends the following goals take place in order to preserve and enhance the ecological and aesthetic integrity of Lake Orono: 1.That our 2017 – 2020 lake Orono Management Plan be adopted by the Elk River City Council o Ensure that goals are realistic, attainable, and funding paths determined, supported by concrete action plans and evaluation mechanisms 2.Implement a comprehensive program to alleviate current ecological stressors and recreational impairment, brought about by excessive non-native vegetation, native plant overgrowth, algae proliferation and sedimentation o The LOWQC will investigate the feasibility, financial and political support for two primary tools – dredging and a partial lake drawdown, for implementation during 2017-2020 Executive Summary (goals and strategies to achieve them) 2.Alleviate current ecological stressors and recreational impairment (continued) o Establish a program to remove 120,000 cubic yards of sediment to return Lake Orono to its historic baseline depth: an average of 5’ or greater To be funded from a combination of 50% from State Legacy funds or State bonding capacity, 25% through lake property owner assessments and 25% from a very modest city-wide tax o Pursue land best management practices to extend this investment in lake and river infrastructure to a 30-year life cycle o Put in place a consistent Lake Vegetation Management Plan to effectively address invasive plants, native plant overgrowth and algae proliferation It is proposed the plan be funded through the creation of a Lake Improvement District (LID) and/or Friends of Lake Orono Fund Executive Summary (goals and strategies to achieve them) 3.Maintain, restore or establish natural upland buffers to encourage wildlife, help prevent decline in species, deter Canada geese, and provide enjoyment for future generations o Primary strategy will be the Lake Orono Improvement Association partnering with the Sherburne COLA and using City of Elk River programs and educational mediums 4.Increase public awareness and use of Best Management Practices targeting the reduction of sedimentation, phosphorus and salt inputs from upstream and shoreline sources to Lake Orono o Same strategy as goal 3 5.Build the public perception and “brand” of Lake Orono as a quality recreation destination, valuable community asset and safe lake o Primary strategy will be using Lake Orono Improvement Association and City of Elk River communication tools, programs and educational mediums 2017 Water Quality/Use Improvement Actions •Contracted for a Curly-leaf Pondweed Removal Public Waters Demonstration Site •Organized Aquatic Plant Herbicide Treatments to 20 individual properties •Contracted for June and July Point-Intercept Surveys (at twice as many points as previous mappings) •Volunteers continue seasonal lake health reporting as part of the MPCA Citizen Lake Monitoring Program and the City continues TMDL efforts •The LOWQC provides ongoing education via websites, Facebook, quarterly newsletters, e-news direct mail and email distribution lists •Volunteers do seasonal AIS mapping, lake health monitoring through City funded chemical testing and the City conducts contaminant testing •Finalizing plans for next City Council worksession and public open house Lake Orono Management Plan Question & Answer The LOWQC recommends the following goals take place in order to preserve and enhance the ecological and aesthetic integrity of Lake Orono: 1.That our 2017 -2020 lake Orono Management Plan be adopted by the Elk River City Council o Ensure that goals are realistic, attainable, and funding paths determined, supported by concrete action plans and evaluation mechanisms 2.Implement a comprehensive program to alleviate current ecological stressors and recreational impairment, brought about by excessive non-native vegetation, native plant overgrowth, algae proliferation and sedimentation o The LOWQC will investigate the feasibility, financial and political support for two primary tools -dredging and a partial lake drawdown, for implementation during 2017-2020 •Establish a program to remove 120,000 cubic yards of sediment to return Lake Orono to its historic baseline depth: an average of 5' or greater •To be funded from a combination of 50% from State Legacy funds or State bonding capacity, 25% through lake property owner assessments and 25% from a very modest city-wide tax •Pursue land best management practices to extend this investment in lake and river infrastructure to a 30-year life cycle o Put in place a consistent Lake Vegetation Management Plan to effectively address invasive plants, native plant overgrowth and algae proliferation •It is proposed the plan be funded through the creation of a Lake Improvement District (LID) and/or Friends of Lake Orono Fund 3.Maintain, restore or establish natural upland buffers to encourage wildlife, help prevent decline in species, deter Canada geese, and provide enjoyment for future generations o Primary strategy will be the Lake Orono Improvement Association partnering with the Sherburne COLA and using City of Elk River programs and educational mediums 4.Increase public awareness and use of Best Management Practices targeting the reduction of sedimentation, phosphorus and salt inputs from upstream and shoreline sources to Lake Orono o Same strategy as goal 3 5.Build the public perception and "brand" of Lake Orono as a quality recreation destination, valuable community asset and safe lake o Primary strategy will be using Lake Orono Improvement Association and City of Elk River communication tools, programs and educational mediums • Lake Orono Improvement �iation 2016 Financial Statement and 2017 Budget Balance Forward: !Bank of Elk River Bank of Elk River -Savings Income·. Dues Annual Dinner Progressive Dinner 2017 AIS Grant -01 SSWC 2017-CLP Removal Public Wate� Demonstration Site 2017 AIS Grant -05 SSWC 2017-Point-Intercept Survey Data Refresh 2017 AIS Grant -01 City Reimb 2017 AIS Grant -05 City Reimb Interest Earned Total Income Expenses: Annual Picnic Printing/Supp lies/Misc Domain Name/Web Host Postage Coalition of Lake Assoc MN Lake & River Dues 2017 AIS Grant -01 Disbursement 2017 AIS Grant -05 Disbursement Directors & Officers Liab Ins Total Expenses !Balance: 2016 Budget 4,233 l 2,253 1,225 200 - - - 1,425 200 198 103 200 -- - 637 1,337 6,574 j Notes: 35 X $35 25 x$8 2016 Actual 3,733 ! 2,753 1,635 288 60 - - 1.94 1,985 170 28 103 167 - - - - 637 1,105 7,367 j 47 36 2017 Budget Notes: 4,612 l 2,755 1,400 40 X $35 240 30 X $8 - 1,736 1,485 304 250 1.00 5,416 200 148 103 250 50 100 2,130 1,950 637 5,567 1,216 I