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Remediation on the horizon for Round Lake? 0 n May 16,2011,the City Council and the pollution poses only an ecological depth ensures that there will always be met with representatives from the risk,remediation of the lake bottom was open water.The first two of these exam- U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service, not prioritized for immediate action.Last ples would come at considerable costs. the U.S.Army,and the Minnesota Pollu- winter lake residents living along the east tion Control Agency(MPCA)to discuss side of Round Lake had noticed quite a Leading up to the May 16 meeting,Round the history of Round Lake and the pos- bit of activity on the lake ice.This activity Lake Resident Cheryl Grudnoske brought sible remediation to the lake bottom. included core samples taken at 135 points in a photo to a City Council meeting around the lake.According to Deepa De showing a bald eagle and its nest. Soon A little history Alwis of the MPCA,the data is forthcom- thereafter,a photo was shared that depict- Round Lake,once a privately owned body ing and the analysis of the data will be oc- ed the nest and two baby eagles.Not just of water,was acquired by the Army in curring this year.De Alwis mentioned that eagles,but other wildlife are surviving and the 1940s in conjunction with the more the micro-organisms such as worms and thriving on and around Round Lake in its than 2,000 acres commonly referred to as algae on the lake bottom play an important current condition including:red squirrels, TCAAP. As a result of operations while role in the ecosystem of Round Lake and chipmunks,rabbits,geese,mallards,deer, manufacturing munitions,ground water as surrounding habitat. loons,cranes,herons,and red fox. well as Round Lake were contaminated. In 1974 the Army declared Round Lake What the analyses show At the May 16 work session,several excess property,and it was then acquired Water samplings have shown that the wa- Round Lake residents were present and by the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service. ter is safe to humans and supports wildlife. voiced their concerns. The potential harm involves heavy metals Environmental contamination was discov- on the lake bottom. Representatives from What's next? ered at TCAAP in 1981,and the site was the Fish and Wildlife Service discussed The results of the sampling will be dis- placed on the National Prioirities list in possible remediation should toxic levels cussed at an agency meeting in June 2011. 1983.In 1984 an ecological risk assess- require invasive action.These include: The City anticipates that a new feasibility ment was completed for Round lake,and capping the lake bottom,dredging out study draft will be available this fall at the it was determined that the pollution en- and/or backfilling all or part of the lake earliest. Opportunities for public involve- dangered the lake's ecology. bottom,and occasionally drawing down ment will then follow.There is more detail Because there is no public the lake level to promote more vegetative about this issue available on the City or private access to the lake, growth along the shoreline. The lake's webiste. Updates will also be posted there. City Council approves preliminary plat for Pulte Fox Ridge project 0 n April 25 the City Council ap- Density veloper construct an east-west trail/board- proved the preliminary plat for Because of elevation changes and drain- walk connection from Keithson Drive to Fox Ridge,Pulte Group's single- age patterns,the site is suitable for less the north-south trail that runs between the family housing development in Arden than two-thirds of the housing density new development and the existing town- Hills.This project will create 39 home called for by City Zoning Code and the homes to the east.They also recommend- sites on land south of Highway 96 and east Comprehensive Plan. Thirty-nine homes ed considering a future on-road trail along of Snelling Avenue North. on a buildable net of 20.07 acres creates Snelling Avenue North.An additional cash only 1.94 homes per acre.At the April 25 contribution from the developer will also Roads meeting the City Council created a land be required. The City Code calls for extending exist- use classification of Very Low Density ing streets into new,adjacent develop- Residential and designated that the Fox Wetland preservation ments when possible. Doing so generally Ridge site falls into that classification. A Drainage and wetland plans will be ap- improves overall traffic flow for homes in Comprehensive Plan amendment will be proved by the Rice Creek Watershed the area,as well as providing better access submitted to the Metropolitan Council for District before construction begins.City for emergency vehicles.The approved approval.The Metropolitan Council staff staff will provide oversight during de- preliminary plat calls for Keithson Drive has already been told about the situation. velopment.Easements for wetland areas to be extended into Fox Ridge.At the end will be established,and signs reminding of the Keithson Addition,Keithson Drive Park dedication homeowners of the buffer areas and their will turn west and follow a curving route Developers of subdivisions are required limitations will be put in place. until it intersects with Snelling Avenue. to make a park dedication in the form of On the south end of the development, land and/or money.There is a formula for Final plat approval Royal Hills Drive will be extended north determining the size of the contribution. On May 4 the final plat was presented to of Arden View Drive to intersect with the The City's Parks,Trails,and Recreation the Planning Commission which recom- new segment of Keithson Drive. Committee has recommended that the de- mended its approval. It will come before 4 the City Council on June 1.