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. . ... - '~ August 10, 1970 I am Donna Larsen of the League of Women Voters Rice Creek Watershed Inter-League Study Committee, and I wish to express our concern that Arden Hills should consider any effects that its pork plan will have on the total Rice Creek Watershed. I represent nine local Leagues of Women Voters (Arden Hills, Blaine, Fridley, New Brighton, Roseville, Shoreview, St. Anthony, St. Paul, and White Bear Lake) all of whom represent areas which either drain into or use waters from Rice Creek. For over two years the Rice Creek Inter-League Study Committee has been meeting and compiling information on water reS01ITCeS, development, and water problems of Rice Creek. The wo.tershed includes the area outlined in red on this map. Forest lake is at the northern end, White Bear Lake at the east, Fridley at the west where the creek drains into the Mississippi River, and here is Arden Hills. This is the Lino Lakes area that is being considered by the Metropolitan Council for a metro- politan park. The Metropolitan Council Park Reserve Board considers Lino LaJees and the Rice Creek Watershed as one of three top priority areas in the metro area for preservation through parks and open space. Decisions made in any of the 27 villages within the watershed--even if it concerns only a small part of it--may have a pronounced effect on another part of the watershed downstream. For instance, we feel that Arden Hills should consider whether its park plans would change the ability of the surface to hold water so that the possibility of flooding downstream is hot increased. Long Lake receives the w1ters from Rice Creek and the w~ters from the Lake Johanna drainage area--parts of New Brighton, Roseville, Shoreview and Arden Hills. This area includes over 7,000 acrea. Much water converges,at Long Lake when the amount of surface run-off upstream is increased. I understand that Arden Bills is aware (through experience) that the decisions b,' one community regarding water drainage can have a great impact on another community's water problems. Another important consideration is the current action of the Ramsey, Anoka, and Washington 60unty Commissioners. Parts of each of these counties lie within the Rice Creek Watershed. The commissioners have joined together to study the resources and problems within the watershed; and their action may result in the formation of a watershed district. If a w~tershed district is formed, the district managers will cooperate in a study to develop an overall plan for w1ter resource management within the boundaries of the Rice Creek Watershed. The district would have power and resources to carry out projects according to its plan and priorities. We also feel that consideration should be given to the effect on wildlife in the area and to the fact that the wetland cannot be recreated once it is altered. Considering all these factors and the possible effects on other communities, we feel it is important that decisions concerning the park be delayed until cooperative, overall plans for the w1tershed have been worked out. Thank you for the privilege of being heard tonight on behalf of our nine leagues and the Rice Creek Watershed Inter-League Study Committee.