2011-05-26_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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Plan Summary Land and Water Resource Inventory The water resources within Grass Lake Watershed include Snail Lake, Grass Lake, Wabasso Lake, Lake Owasso, Bennett Lake, Lake Emily, Shoreview Lake and Lake Judy as well as a number of nearby ponds and wetlands. The watershed also includes upland areas and wetlands that interact with climate, soils, vegetation, groundwater and other factors to influence the local water resources. Each of these factors is discussed in the land and water resource inventory section of the plan. Short summaries of key data and planned actions for each of the major water bodies is included in Appendix A. Regulatory and Non - Regulatory Framework A number of different agencies are responsible for managing land and water resources within the Grass Lake watershed. These agencies and their responsibilities are summarized in the regulatory and non - regulatory framework section of the plan. Management Standards The Grass Lake Watershed Management Organization works closely with its member communities and others to evaluate water resources and implement protections and improvements. The management standards section of the plan clarifies these responsibilities and lays out the lake and wetland classification systems that guide management goals. The Grass Lake Watershed Management Organization has also established stormwater management standards to be implemented through member city plans and ordinances. Issues Identification This watershed management plan establishes a number of goals to address the issues identified through the planning process. Issues, goals, and potential solutions were identified for watershed -wide concerns and concerns specific to each lake in each of the broader categories. The primary identified issues are • Water Quality and Quantity of Water Resources The lakes, ponds and wetlands within GLWMO are an important asset to the local and regional community. The water quality of each resource is a key factor influencing the type of habitat provided and the recreational suitability of the waterbody. Improvements in water quality are needed in some lakes and ponds (Bennett Lake, Lake Emily, Lake Judy, Shoreview Lake, Westwood Village, Kroiss Ponds, Owasso Lake and Willow Pond) while protection of water quality is needed for others ( Wabasso and Snail Lakes). In addition, fluctuating water levels impact the public's use and aesthetic enjoyment of the waterbodies. Specific issues for each lake are identified in the plan. These issues often concern water quality, water levels, recreation and lake usability.