2010-07-22_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Chuck Westerberg Mr. Westerberg referenced an article in today's newspaper regarding potential extraneous issues and corporate interests at the state level indicating a lack of support for lake treatment and water quality; and questioned the impact of shore line management. Mr. Welling noted that shore line management was a factor and important, but it was only one area of the broader picture, with situations variable from lake to lake across the state. Bob Terry Mr. Terry questioned the permit process with Lake Owasso currently under the grandfather rule and future changes in that rule by the DNR; and questioned if this would cause permit fees to significantly increase; and questioned why previously the DNR fees funded only a portion of the program, and why in the future it will need to be funded entirely by the application fee structure; and whether the fees covered actual costs. Mr. Welling explained that even though Lake Owasso was grandfathered, in 1976 some cumulative limits were put into effect by order of the Commissioner at that time, with few exceptions, for management of aquatic plants, and that they, as with all rules and laws, had been revised periodically since their inception. Mr. Welling noted that one recent change was to remove the grandfather clause for those lakes so they could be regulated in the same manner as the rest of the lakes in the State of MN, since there was no clear reason for their exclusion. Mr. Welling noted that it had been a recent action of the legislature requiring that permit fees collected for aquatic plant program implementation and management should pay for the program in its entirety, while presently only paying for approximately one -third of the program which necessitated the fee increase. Mr. Welling opined that it was possible that there would be an exemption for like -wide control of invasive species; however, he noted this portion of the rule was still under consideration by the governor's office. Edward Roberts Mr. Roberts questioned whether the legislation had been passed yet, noting that a fee cap exists under current regulations. The proposed removal of the fee cap will result in a substantial increase for Lake Owasso residents and recommended that the fees should not apply to non- native, invasive species, since the association was managing aquatic vegetation for the general public, not just residents of the lake. Mr. Welling advised that the provisions, as stated by Mr. Roberts, were included in the proposed Statute, which was available for public and legislative review forty -five (45) days before adoption once they are back in session; but estimated that adoption would most likely happen during the 2011 legislative session. Mr. Roberts expressed frustration that the Lake Owasso Association was attempting to do something good, but that at every turn, additional requirements and /or fees were enacted, and with the limited window of opportunity for herbicide treatments at appropriate temperatures and the need to delay treatment pending a DNR inspection and permit approval, it created difficulties. Mr. Roberts opined that such obstinacy and obstruction created ill will among 5