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Gem Lake News Page 5 of 8 Springtime Maintenance Helps Water Quality by Jim Lindner, City Council member As I write this, we’ve just received nearly a foot of snow, but the calendar says Spring officially began on March 20 meaning that it won’t be long before regular lawn work will resume. Regular lawn and outdoor home maintenance can help stormwater systems perform better. Here are some tasks you probably already do that can help improve stormwater management. Repair plowed or snowblower damage to yards. Snowplows and snowblowers can dig into yards destroying grass and other ground covers. Disturbed vegetation allows soil to wash onto roads or into drainage ditches allowing silt to collect in storm sewers or ditches, which in turn impedes stormwater flow. Reseeding turf grass or replacing sod greatly helps keep soil in place, in your yard. Sweep driveways or sidewalks. Our vehicles collect sand on our tires and when we enter our driveways this sand falls off and can be washed into storm sewers or ditches. Like the situation mentioned above, this sand can impede stormwater flow. You can sweep your driveway, collect the sand, then use it to fill low spots in your yard. Clean gutters and downspouts. Leaves from last fall are probably collecting in gutters all around town. Keeping gutters and downspouts clear of leaves and other debris will help assure rainwater will flow properly away from your home’s foundation thereby minimizing the risk of water damage both inside and outside of your house. Consider purchasing a rain barrel. Rain barrels collect water from your gutters which you can then use to water your lawn or garden. Springtime is nearly upon us and performing the tasks we typically do around our yards and driveways has benefits beyond your property lines. They can help keep the stormwater flowing so it won’t lead to localized flooding which can damage homes and property. For more stormwater information relating to Gem Lake, reach out to the Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization at www.vlawmo.org or the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District at www.rwmwd.org. Borrow Recycling and Food Scrap Containers for Events Ramsey County residents can borrow recycling and food scrap containers from the Ramsey County Environmental Center in Roseville. Residents can serve up to two recycling and two food scraps containers for any temporary event such as graduation parties. Recycling container can be used to collect bottles and cans. Food scraps containers (organic recycling) can be used to collect food waste and non-recycled paper. Contact the Ramsey County Environmental Center to reserve recycling and food scraps containers. Residents can reserve containers up to six months in advance. To reserve call 651-266-0200 or by email at PH-EHEventERecycling@ramseycountymn.gov The Lakes Dispensary Celebrates Grand Opening on March 21 The wait is finally over for cannabis enthusiasts in the Gem Lake area. The Lakes Dispensary officially opened its doors on March 21, welcoming a crowd of curious neighbors, longtime advocates, and first-time visitors to its comfy, welcoming storefront. The grand opening featured knowledgeable staff on hand to guide guests through a curated selection of flower, edibles, and concentrates all sourced from licensed Minnesota cultivators. Ribbon- cutting festivities drew a lively turnout, with neighboring business Bear Dogs providing free hot dogs to everyone. Staff expressed enthusiasm about bringing a welcoming, education-first approach to local cannabis retail. "We want everyone who walks through our door to feel comfortable asking questions and leaving informed.” Whether you're a seasoned consumer or simply curious, the shop invites residents to stop in, browse, and discover what responsible, locally-focused cannabis retail looks like.