2000-06-08_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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community looks like in the `improved' condition of the past five years. Actions under objective #Z will provide a contemporary assessment. Milfoil The discovery of Eurasian watermilfoil in Lake Owasso. The GLWMO plan' drat has been drafted includes specific water quality management actions for Lake Owasso (Table 5-3 in that plan). The management guidance in the GLWMO phn should also be used to prescribe reasonable management of Lake Owasso water quality. Action la. Monitoring lake condition to assure its high quality. Specific monitoring activities and responsible parties are: - Annual water quality monitoring (TP, CLA, SD), 10-12 times per season -Ramsey County. - Annual aquatic plant survey -Ramsey County. - Regular milfoil inspections -Ramsey County and Lake Owasso Association. Action lb. Upon the determination that any of the above action duesholds are reached, the Lake Owasso Association, Ramsey County and the GLWMO should work together to evaluate and implement appropriate mitigative measures. Because the watershed is fully developed and stormwater management systems have been implemented, there is the expectation that phosphorus inputs to Lake Owasso will not increase. Thus, it is prudent that the GLWMO continue its management activities to assure the high water quality drat has been achieved. Objective #2 Prevent Eurasian watermilfoil from becoming problematic. It is highly likely drat Eurasian watermilfoil will be introduced into Lake Owasso. When that happens, the likelihood of milfoil becoming established increases with the level of disturbance to native plants in the lake. The Lake Owasso Association has been controlling nuisance aquatic plants in excess of what is normally allowed in other lakes. On the one hand, this has been beneficial and widely appreciated by lake residents and lake users. However, with respect to milfoil, the greater the area of the lake that is subject to control represents a greater opportunity for milfoil to gain a foothold and become established, should it be introduced. Thus, to offer a greater degree of protection from milfoil becoming problematic, should it be introduced, the Lake Owasso Association should evaluate their aquatic plant control strategies to balance die risks and benefits. Lake Owasso is intensively and actively used for surface recreational activities. Bode the lakeshore residents and the lake visitors are attracted to the lake because it provides an enjoyable environment for these active uses. These active and intense uses also increase the likelihood of milfoil becoming established by increasing die risk of it being introduced and by damaging native aquatic plants which would otherwise provide a less hospitable environment for the aggressive milfoil. It is clear at this time that the Lake Owasso Association desires to continue aquatic plant control activities to provide for active lake recreation as it has in the past. To the extent dial milfoil has not become established in light of its prevalence in nearby lakes, provides an argument that intensive control and recreation are compatible. However, this strategy may be tempting fate. The Lake Owasso Association should critically evaluate their overall strategy in recognition of the threat of milfoil becoming established in their lake and the practical impossibility of eliminating it from the lake once introduced. Management actions presented here are consistent with active nuisance aquatic plant control and active and intense recreation in Lake Owasso. Action 2a. The Lake Owasso Association should establish a contingency fund of $5,000 to $10,000 to be used to control milfoil should it be discovered in Lake Owasso.