March 2011 Gem Lake Newsletter - Laserfiche WebLink

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Gem Lake NewsPage 3 of 6 A report on storm water runoff in the city was recently completed by the Ramsey Conservation District for the Vadnais Lake Area Watershed Management Organization (VLAWMO). The report was recently presented to the City Council for initial review. In most sections of the City of Gem Lake, storm water is properly running off, bringing a minimum of pollutants into the water body of Gem Lake. However, the report did highlight that one area of the city's business section has certain topographical features that do not allow for optimal runoff. This part of town is contributing more than an average amount of pollution to the lake. The report suggests various options to retrofit the area so that storm water gets absorbed where it falls and less pollution reaches the lake. The report was discussed in more detail at the City Council Workshop at on March 14. The Ramsey County Conservation District divided Gem Lake into three main sections. Sections One and Two comprise most of the residential sections of the city. These sections were determined to consist primarily of low density housing and large Ramsey County Conservation District Pinpoints Gem Lake Pollution open spaces with plenty of green space. Due to these factors, it was determined that they are contributing very little in terms of total phosphorous (TP) and total suspended solids (TSS) that reach the water body of Gem Lake. Due the green space, most of the potential pollution coming from storm water runoff is being properly absorbed in place. With the Gem Lake business district, particularly in the area surrounding the County Road E and Highway 61 intersection, the amount of impervious ground cover (blacktop, etc.) means that storm water runoff doesn't have a chance to sink into the soil. Instead, it ends up in Gem Lake or its surrounding wet lands. The Ramsey County Conservation District suggested various ways to retrofit sections of the business district in order to cut down on pollution. Suggested methods include the incorporation of grass swales and biofiltration into areas there are large swatches of parking lots and blacktop. Installing a grass swale would require replacing turf grass with native plants that improve filtration. Biofiltration improves the ability of the soil to absorb and filter potential pollution. The report will be discussed in more detail at city council meetings this spring. City Discusses Goals for 2011 (continued from page 1) The following were some of the potential goals for the next 12 months: *Attract redevelopment to the Hoffman's Corner area. *Clean up city ordinances, in terms of vague language and gaps in definitions. *Complete the MS-4 2010 Report, a state mandated report on storm water run-off. *Add definitions and other meat to the Gateway Ordinance (Number 107) including information on incentives the city might be willing to provide to developers. *Deal with storm water run-off issues that have emerged as a result of a Ramsey County Conservation District and their recent report entitled "Gem Lake Storm Water Retrofit Assessment." City goals will be discussed in more detail at future City Council Meetings, especially as it regards priorities, said Gem Lake Mayor Bob Uzpen. As always, involvement and input from the public will be key to setting the agenda for the year. For more information, please contact Bob Uzpen using the contact information on page 6.