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implementation based on political participation rather than sound technical <br />judgement. <br />Inconsistent Listin Two water bodies in the GLWMO aze proposed to be added to <br />the list -- Lake Owasso and Bennett Lake. Lake Owasso is a major resource in our <br />community and supports a full range of recreational uses. It is proposed to be <br />classified as a Category I Lake (supports direct contact recreational activities) in our <br />second-generation plan. Bennett Lake, on the other hand, is a small, very shallow <br />water body that will be classified as a Category II Water Body (supports indirect <br />contact recreational activities). <br />Our data shows significant improvement in the water quality of Lake Owasso over <br />the past decade. In 1999, the average summer phosphorus concentration was 32 ug/L <br />-- rather good when compared to other lakes and water bodies in our community. In <br />fact, a quick scan of the "1999 Study of the Water Quality of 113 Metropolitan Area <br />Lakes" published by the Metropolitan Council identifies numerous water bodies with <br />significantly worse water quality than Lake Owasso that are not included on the <br />proposed list. The purpose of this comment is not to suggest that Lake Owasso <br />should not receive additional attention. Rather, it is to recognize that other similar or <br />more degraded water bodies aze not listed. <br />Overall, the GLWMO supports the MPCA's proposal to expand the criteria used to <br />develop the List of Impacted waters to include excess nutrients. We aze concerned, <br />however, that the proposed criteria may result in a list that is overly large and inconsistent <br />when compared to all water bodies in Minnesota. Such an expanded list could <br />unrealistically raise public expectations and cause already scarce resources to be further <br />diluted. <br />Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed rules. Please contact me at <br />(651) 490-2220 if you would like to discuss these comments or the proposed rules in <br />more detail. <br />Sinc rely, <br />Karl P. Keel, P.E. <br />GLWMO Technical Staff <br />