Citizen Advisory Committee 7:00 PM, Wednesday, May 8, 2019 – Capitol Region Watershed District 595 Aldine Street, Saint Paul, MN 55104 Agenda 7:00
I)
Welcome, Announcements, Updates, and Introductions
7:05
II)
Public Comment for Issues Not on the Agenda (3 minutes per person)
7:08
III)
Approval of the Agenda
7:09
IV)
Approval of Minutes A) Approval of the March 13, 2019 Minutes
7:10
V)
District Initiatives for Review, Comment and Recommendations A) Website Update (Bromelkamp) B) Watershed Management Plan (Eleria) C) Elect CAC Officers
8:10
VI)
CAC Initiatives A) CAC Tour (Doneux) B) Service Learning Student (Lilly)
8:20
VII)
Project and Program Updates A) History Study Update (Doneux) B) Como Park BMPs Design Update (Kelley) C) 2018 Permitting Review Update (Hosch)
8:45
VIII) CAC Observer Update
8:50
IX)
Discussion A) New & Old Issues B) CAC Observer for May 15 and June 5, 2019 Board of Managers Meetings
9:00
X)
Adjourn
Materials Enclosed
Our mission is to protect, manage and improve the water resources of Capitol Region Watershed District.
Citizen Advisory Committee Meeting Wednesday, March 13, 2019, 7:00 p.m.
CAC Members Present: Gwen Willems Bob Simonet David Arbeit Cheryl Braun Mary Lilly Richard Weil Tom Elko Nicole Soderholm
Others Present: Britta Belden, CRWD Belinda Gardner, CRWD Joe Sellner, CRWD Mark Doneux, Administrator Shirley Reider, Board of Managers Dendy Lofton, Limnotech
Members absent: Richard Weil, w/notice Steve Duerre, w/notice Pat Cavanaugh, w/notice Kathryn Swanson, w/notice Mike MacDonald, w/notice Carol Zierman, w/notice Michelle Ulrich, w/notice William Barton, w/notice Welcome, Announcements, and Updates Ms. Willems opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m. Mr. Duerre asked for any announcements or updates and introductions. III. Approval of Agenda CAC 18-007 Motion: To approve the CAC March 13, 2019 agenda. Arbeit/Simonet Unanimously approved IV. Approval of Minutes A) March 13, 2019 CAC Meeting Minutes CAC 18-008 Motion: To approve the March 13, 2019 minutes as amended. Arbeit/Soderholm Unanimously approved 1
V. District Initiatives for Review, Comment, and Recommendations A)
Villa Park Analysis (Sellner)
Mr. Sellner presented The Villa Park Wetland report. The Villa Park Wetland system is intended to treat a significant portion of the runoff from the Lake McCarrons watershed. Monitoring data from as early as 2005 indicated that the system was acting as a source of phosphorus rather than trapping it under certain flow conditions. Based on this data, portions of the wetland system were dredged in 2013 to increase its ability to settle and retain sediment and phosphorus. Mr. Sellner reported on the problems and concerns. Since the dredging project in Villa Park, five years of post-dredging data have been collected. CRWD has evaluated whether dredging resulted in significant improvements to the performance of the Villa Park system. A series of statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate changes in performance as a result of dredging and to characterize the system’s current performance. The results confirmed that, prior to dredging, the wetland system was discharging water with a significantly higher phosphorus concentration than the inflow. In general, dredging had a positive impact on the quality of discharge to McCarrons. However, under certain flow conditions, the system has periods where significant treatment is not occurring. Additionally, the system continues to be a source of orthophosphate during low flow periods. Orthophosphate is a type of phosphorus readily available for use by aquatic plants and algae and could contribute to lower water quality in Lake McCarrons. There was a discussion about the statistics. Mr. Arbeit asked about conversations post project. The CAC thanked Mr. Sellner for his presentation. B)
Como Lake Management Plan (Belden)
Ms. Belden presented on the Como Lake Management Plan. The development of the Como Lake Management Plan has been underway since April 2018. The CRWD Board of Managers and the Citizen Advisory Committee have been involved throughout the development process by providing input and guidance on key deliverables along the way. In addition, two stakeholder groups were established to inform the development of the Como Lake Management Plan—the Agency Advisory Group (AAG) and the Public Advisory Group (PAG). The first meetings for both the AAG and the PAG and were focused on gathering input on Como Lake issues and goals. The second meetings for both groups focused on reviewing potential actions for in-lake management and watershed management to achieve total phosphorus (TP) load reductions in Como Lake. The third and final meetings for both groups will be held the end of March to review the draft Como Lake Management Plan. Using input from the Board, CAC, AAG, and PAG along with the latest lake management science, staff has worked with LimnoTech to assemble a draft Como Lake Management Plan (CLMP). The draft CLMP details an adaptive management approach for improving Como Lake and meeting the goals identified during the input process. The draft CLMP identifies recommended actions for lake management, watershed management, and community engagement. It also provides an implementation plan that includes schedule, lead agency, costs, and financing. Mr. Arbeit asked about target reduction and State standards for shallow lakes. Ms. Belden replied that the State standard for watershed is 60% TP load reduction. Mr. Arbeit commented on the cost of the plan. Ms. Belden confirmed what the costs are and the association of the graph. Ms. Belden commented that the CLMP “Our mission is to protect, manage, and improve the water resources of the Capitol Region Watershed District.”
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is an extension of the 2002 plan. Ms. Lofton stated that the management and actions of the lake are better known. Mr. Simonet commented on the health of the lake and asked about water safety. Ms. Belden replied that Como Lake is a shallow lake and is not designated as a swimming lake. Ms. Belden commented that the lake is not tested for bacteria or toxic algae blooms that could be harmful to people. Mr. Arbeit commented that we should know if the lake has been tested and put up signage that warns people of the health of the lake. Mr. Arbeit recommended that we be prepared to answer the questions from anyone who is asking about the safety of recreation on the lake. Ms. Lofton commented that there are EPA standards for Como Lake and that it is listed as impaired for Phosphorus. Ms. Lilly commented that an organizing body should ensure any partner responsible for monitoring speak up and take ownership of the lake. Ms. Soderholm mentioned that it adds to the community managing expectations. Ms. Reider mentioned that we should be aware about our communication and marketing about the word healthy because the word does not mean safe lake to swim. Ms. Willems commented that it would be good to know which individuals will be engaged citizens in making Como Lake healthy. Mr. Arbeit commented on the alum treatment. He said that some people will be concerned about the herbicide treatment. Ms. Belden replied that the goal is to have workshops to create a learning opportunity and conversation about both treatments. Ms. Belden replied that she will speak more about how they made the decision the effectiveness of the treatments. The CAC thanked Ms. Belden for her presentation. VI. CAC Initiatives A) Service-Learning Student Update (Lilly) Ms. Lilly provided an update. The student learner, Nat will work on profiles in blog style on the Master Water Stewards (MWS) website with intent to encourage MWS recruiting. Lindsay will identify which MWS she wants to contact and help Nat interview three stewards. VII. Project and Program Updates None. VIII. CAC Observer Update Ms. Lilly said she attended the last Board meeting and was impressed by the meeting. She was interested to learn about the permitting program. IDDE plan and Board approved permits. She learned about the project at Allianz field and other educational outreach opportunities. Next MAWD meeting on April 9 and the Clean Water Summit is in May. IX. Discussion a. New & Old Issues b. CAC observer for March 20, 2019 and April 3, 2019 Board of Managers Meeting A) New & Old issues B) CAC Observer for the Board of Managers Meetings March 20, 2019 and April 3, 2019 Pat Cavanaugh volunteered for March 20 Board of Managers meeting. X. Adjourn CAC 18-009 Motion: To adjourn the March 13, 2019, CAC Meeting. “Our mission is to protect, manage, and improve the water resources of the Capitol Region Watershed District.�
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Braun/Simonet Unanimously approved The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM. Respectfully submitted, Belinda Gardner W:\05 Citizen Advisory Committee\Minutes\2018\March 13, 2019 Draft Minutes.doc
“Our mission is to protect, manage, and improve the water resources of the Capitol Region Watershed District.�
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Help shape the future of nearby lakes and the Mississippi River!
Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) is hosting conversations with residents to learn more about the needs and interests of your community, desired improvements and opportunities to work together to better manage rainwater runoff and achieve cleaner waters. Your input will help guide development of CRWD’s 2020 Watershed Management Plan. Once created, the plan serves as the road map for our work through 2030.
We want to know:
What are the valuable resources of your community?
How is your community affected by the health of lakes and rivers?
What future improvements would you like to see for your community & environment?
Join us at one of the events below to share your thoughts: Monday, May 6th, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Capitol Region Watershed District Office: 595 Aldine St, Saint Paul, MN
Kids’ Activities Provided
Monday May 13th, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Hallie Q Brown Community Center: 270 N Kent St, Saint Paul, MN Thursday, May 30th, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church: 700 Snelling Ave S, Saint Paul, MN Tuesday, June 4th, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Arlington-Hills Community Center: 1200 Payne Ave, Saint Paul, MN Please RSVP for one of the four meetings at: http://crwdcommunityworkshops.eventbrite.com/
Food Bell Museum Ticket Drawing
Can’t attend an event? Please fill out an online survey at: www.capitolregionwd.org