2010-07-22_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Invoice D Ramsey County Public Works Invoice #PUBW- 010287. Chair Ferrington noted that this invoice was the result of a motion from the GLWMO Board at their last meeting to move forward and capitalize on timing constraints for the study and inclusion in Mr. Noonan's work schedule and conversations with the Lake Owner's Association who had already submitted their permit request for herbicide application in the lake. The intent of the GLWMO motion during the last Board meeting was to obtain the data prior to application of the herbicide in order to qualify for the potential grant applications to the DNR. MOTION Member Manzara moved, Member VonDeLinde seconded approval of payment to Ramsey County Public Works in the amount of $2,128.56 for the June 2010 Aquatic Weed Survey on Lake Owasso. Chair Ferrington advised that the first draft of the report had been received by him and Mr. Petersen and asked if the Board members wanted a copy of the first draft for their comment, or if they preferred that Chair Ferrington and Mr. Petersen interact with Terry Noonan for more direction of what the GLWMO wanted in the report; noting that if individual Board members preferred formal input at this stage, and in accordance with Open Meeting Laws, that discussion would need to occur at the Board's next formal meeting. Chair Ferrington suggested that another option would be for him and Mr. Petersen to provide their comments back to Mr. Noonan for a revised report that could be posted to the GLWMO website as DRAFT report, assuming approval by the Board at their next formal meeting. Member Eckman suggested that individual members receive a copy of the report and direct their comments, suggestions, or questions to Chair Ferrington; and expressed her preference to compare this report with previous reports. Follow -up discussion included Ramsey County's annual management of the park area on the north side of the east bay of Lake Owasso and status of their application of Triclopyr through a permit approved by the DNR for maintenance of weeds in a swimming area and how it could have impacted data; need for the GLWMO to be informed by Ramsey County of any planned treatments; need for the DNR, as issuer of both permits, to take into consideration joint treatment and timing; and recognition that the treatment done by Ramsey County Parks is for control of any aquatic plants in the swimming area, irrespective of whether they were invasive or not. Further discussion included current lack of the mechanisms in place to know when various governmentally- approved actions for herbicide application are taken by those governing bodies; further discussion needed with both Ramsey County parks and local Lake Owners' Associations, as well as independent land owners who may be applying pesticides; and the need to obtain this information and track the data to determine impacts to water quality, and which treatments were effective, their location and timing. Mr. Petersen advised that Ramsey County Parks Superintendent Greg Mack, along with their staff person Jody Youngers make annual decisions on herbicide spraying of public beaches in the county to manage aquatic vegetation in those areas; with the County having done so for over fifty (50) years or as long as they operated public beaches and launch facilities. 10