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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-04-97 joint EDC/EAC meeting r CITY OF LAKEVILLE ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION • MEETING MINUTES REGARDING SOUTH CREEK TROUT STREAM ISSUES FEBRUARY 4,1997 PAGE 1 The meeting was held at 7:00 p.m. in the North Meeting Room of City Hall. Staff members in attendance were Bob Erickson, City Administrator; Michael Sobota, Commututy and Economic Development Director; Keith Nelson, City Engineer; Tim Hanson, Assistant City Engineer; Heidi Hamilton, Environmental Engineer and John Hennen, Administrative Assistant. Environmental Affairs Committee (EAC) members in attendance: John Kline, Dee McManus, Tom Emond, Bob Nicholson, Jeff Bonde, and Tom Goodwin. Economic Development Commission (EDC) members in attendance were: Jerry Erickson, Dale Detjen, Bob Vogel, Joan Krejci, Jack Matasosky, Barry Pogatchnik and Jim Emond, Sr. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) representatives were Pat Lynch, Regional Hydrologist; Hazland Hiemstra, Public Affairs; Jerry Johnson, Fisheries; Dirk Peterson, Habitat Specialist; and Jeff Gorton, Fisheries. Also in attendance were Robert Miller, Attorney for Airlake Development; Pat and Sean Regan, Airlake Development, Inc.; Scott Tracy, Summit Envirosolutions; Joni Hubred, Lakeville Publishing; Jim Craven, Sun Current; Nels Nelson, Barr Engineering Company and Dawn Tracy, interested observer. • Mr. Erickson opened the meeting by explaining the purpose of the meeting. He indicated that in a recent interview with Joni Hubred of Lakeville Publishing it became apparent the City was lacking detailed technical information regarding the designated trout streams within Airlake Industrial Pazk. Due to the lack of information, staff felt it was appropriate to have Barr Engineering develop an issues paper on the trout stream issue and present the findings to a joint meeting of the Environmenta] Affairs Committee and Economic Development Commission. MnDNR representatives were invited to participate in the meeting. Mr. Erickson noted that Pat and Sean Regan of Airlake Development, Inc. were present at the meeting. The Regan family has spent several million dollars in acquiring land in Airlake and are concerned about the change in rules regarding development neaz the South and North Tributaries of South Creek. The purpose of the meeting was to address the issues involving the trout stream and exchange ideas regarding current status. Nels Nelson of Barr Engineering Company presented the South Creek Stream Issues paper prepared by Barr Engineering. Mr. Nelson defined the characteristics of a trout stream which includes cool water, stable temperatures and water flows, gravel bottoms and low sediment (silt) load. Mr. Nelson reviewed the North and South Tributaries of the South Creek which were designated as a trout stream by the MnDNR in 1988. Mr. Nelson reported that in 1995, Barr Engineering attempted to catch trout through the use of a seine in a designated portion of the stream but did not fmd any trout. Also in 1995, the MnDNR performed electro fishing and found three trout near the mouth of the • Vermillion River in Farmington. CITY OF LAKEVILLE ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES • REGARDING SOUTH CREEK TROUT STREAM ISSUES FEBRUARY 4,1997 PAGE2 Ban Engineering's opinion of the designated North and South Tributaries of South Creek is that they do not provide good habitat for trout. Studies indicate that a loss of trout habitat results when the watershed of a stream has more than 10-20 percent impervious surface. The amount of impervious surface within the South Creek Watershed is proposed to increase at full development. Other concerns about creating/preserving trout habitat include the fact that Farmington is also proposing development adjacent to the designated trout stream which will create impervious surface above 10-20% and the outlet from Lake Marion which periodically allows warm water to impact the stream. Mr. Nelson highlighted the agencies which have some level of regulation regarding the designated trout stream which include the MnDNR, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Army Corps of Engineers, Metropolitan Council, Vermillion River Watershed Management Organization (VRWMO) and the City of Lakeville. The City of Lakeville and the VRWMO have the greatest opportunity to manage the trout system. Mr. Nelson then proceeded to review the conclusions and issues for consideration listed on pages 19 and 20 of the issues paper. Mike 5obota indicated that the Kinnickinnic River which flows through River Falls, • Wisconsin, is a designated high value trout stream. He contacted staff at the City of River Falls and found that they have 6-8,000 trout per mile above the City and 4-5,000 trout per mile below the City. They currently have management programs established which include an effective 12-15 percent maximum impervious surface policy in specific areas. Any development which has more than 15 percent impervious surface requires the construction of detention ponds, primarily infiltration ponds. At this time, they have no pertinent information regarding the success of the infiltration ponds. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides funding for construction of infiltration ponds in industrial districts. Pat Lynch, Area Hydrologist for the MnDNR, indicated that his agency has not devoted a significant amount of time or financial resources to address issues relating to the designated trout streams in the metropolitan area. Lakeville's designated trout stream is difficult to manage because property owners abutting the stream have not been willing to sell their property to the MnDNR fox access. The MnDNR has recently hired a trout stream coordinator who will act as a resource to cities within the metropolitan area for trout stream management. He hopes that this person will be able to coordinate watershed-wide approaches to stream protection. The preservation of the South Creek trout stream presents challenges because of the significant size of the watershed, existing and future development in Airlake, lack of access to the stream, and the Lake Marion • outlet into the stream. Mr. Lynch indicated that Lakeville may have not received a CITY OF LAKEVILLE ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION . MEETING MINUTES REGARDING SOUTH CREEK TROUT STREAM ISSUES FEBRUARY 4,1997 PAGE3 formal notice informing them of the designation of the trout stream but recalls discussing the issue during a meeting regarding the Highway 50 construction project. Dirk Peterson of MnDNR indicated the Fishery Division has only 300 employees statewide and therefore, is limited in thoroughly addressing the issue. Mr. Peterson indicated that communities with designated trout streams need to examine past development practices and attempt to find new ways to protect trout stream habitat. Mr. Erickson asked MnDNR representatives what the priorities should be when addressing trout stream issues and what will the Mn/DNR do to assist communities in the preservation effort? Mr. Lynch recommended that the City contact the VRMWO and inquire about the possibilities of available grants to help assist in completing further studies. The recently created Mn/DNR Watershed Coordinator position can assist with the public education campaign. The City, advisory committees, VRMWO and MnDNR and other agencies will have to work together to find solutions for the preservation of the trout stream. Regarding the history of the trout stream, MnDNR representative Jeff Gorton indicated • that in 1978 a resident contacted MnDNR and indicated he felt a portion of the Vermillion River had the necessary habitat to support trout. In 1981, MnDNR completed a study which indicated there was potential to develop a trout stream from the Rambling River Pazk in Farmington upstream into Lakeville. Mr. Lynch also indicated that Lakeville is second to none when addressing environmental issues. He explained that MnDNR does not have any authority beyond 300 feet of the designated trout stream which severely limits the DNR's ability to protect the trout stream. Environmental Affairs Committee Member Kline indicated that the document entitled "Report on the Status of DNR Metro Region Trout Resources" does not indicate what it will take to preserve trout streams. The Environmental Affairs Committee and staff cannot make sound decisions without having information on the maximum amount of impervious surface area which should be allowed on a development. Mr. Kline believes there must be some other agencies in other states which have an abundant number of trout streams which can answer these questions. Dirk Peterson indicated the MnDNR is in the process of receiving information from the state of Washington. Mr. Peterson indicated that the Minnesota Chapter of Trout Unlimited has indicated a willingness to provide funding for resource documents. Mr. Peterson indicated that all agencies involved need to work together and set priorities on how to address the issue. EDC Member Joan Krejci • indicated it may be appropriate to involve a facilitator to work with a task force CITY OF LAKEVILLE ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES • REGARDING SOUTH CREEK TROUT STREAM ISSUES FEBRUARY 4,1997 PAGE4 representing the vazious agencies and advisory committees involved to address the issue. Mr. Erickson indicated that agencies need to work together to approach the legislature to provide funding to study the issue. Mr. Erickson indicated that in the spring advisory committee members should walk along the designated trout stream to see the conditions of the streams. Mr. Erickson added that staff and the Environmental Affairs Committee are in an extremely awkwazd position since there are currently no known protective measures except for limiting development. Pat Regan of Airlake Development, Inc., and land owner of over 450 acres of property in Airlake Industrial Pazk indicated he is concerned with the preservation of the designated trout stream but that his family will not stop mazketing the property. He believes MnDNR rules have changed since they purchased the property. Mr. Lynch indicated the MnDNR has not changed the regulations which govern the 300 foot corridor. Mr. Erickson wrapped up the meeting by asking both the Environmental Affairs Committee and Economic Development Commission to develop and recommend strategies to address the trout stream issues at their next meetings. Afrerwazd, the • chairpersons or designated committee representatives should meet to develop a unified position. Mr. Erickson thanked all representatives in attendance at the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully sub fitted, ohn Hennen, Administrative Assistant ATTEST: ~ , Tom Goodwin, Environmental Affairs Committee Secretary Joan' e~ci, Economic evelopment Commission Secretary