44 Lake St. South, Suite A Forest Lake, MN 55025

651-395-5850 | info@clflwd.org

MEETING AGENDA FOR THE CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE COMFORT LAKE-FOREST LAKE WATERSHED DISTRICT

Tuesday, March 5th, 2019

5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District

44 Lake Street South, Suite A, Forest Lake, Minnesota 55025

1. Watershed Activities Update [District Staff]

a) 2-28-19 Administrator’s Report b) Other

2. Watershed Champion Award – Nomination Review Committee [Committee] 3. 2019 Committee Initiatives [Various]

a) Adopt-A-Drain Update b) Lake Tours for Local Officials c) Other Community Engagement Efforts

4. Election of Chairperson [Committee]

Mike Kinney Administrator/M.S./CCA 44 Lake Street South Suite A 651.395.5855 Forest Lake, MN 55025 Michael.Kinney@clflwd.org TO: Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) Board of Managers DATE: February 21, 2019 RE: District Administrator’s Report for the February 28th Regular Board Meeting

General Fund – Administration (1000 series)

• 1001 – Board Administration o Tentative dates for the MAWD Summer Tour have been suggested to be within the range

of June 24 – 28, likely to be held in the Red River Valley, possibly Fargo. • 1003 – General Administration

o As requested during the last audit, staff prepared a yearend summary of unearned grant revenue for 2018 in preparation for the 2018 audit. This was provided to Redpath & Company, who will be leading the effort on the 2018 audit.

o The 2018 audit office visit is scheduled for March 4, 2019. Programs (3000 series):

• 3002 – Permitting o See Permitting Update Attachment o Erin Edison has begun coordinating with other metro area watershed district permitting and

regulatory staff to convene quarterly meetings. The first meeting will be held on March 27th. o Erin Edison partnered with Terrence Chastan-Davis, RCWD inspector, to give a presentation

on erosion control best management practices at the City of Forest Lake’s Area Contractor Continuing Education Workshop on February 1st. 7 contractors were in attendance along with approximately 5 city staff.

• 3003 – Monitoring & Data Assessment

o EOR is in the process of reviewing the WCD’s preliminary 2018 water monitoring data. The full draft report has not yet been received from WCD. We expect to be able to bring it to the April board meeting, as was done in 2018.

o Mike has been in touch with a local firm, LimnoTech, regarding the implementation of lower cost monitoring equipment across the District. A proposed scope of work is in the board packet for consideration.

• 3004 – Non-Point Source Pollution Abatement Program

o On February 14, Mike met with Craig Mell and Jay Riggs to continue the discussion regarding an agricultural framework for the CLFLWD which meets both the water quality as well as the cost-benefit goals of the District. A suitable framework is still in progress since what the District is asking for is outside of the existing cost share structures that they presently use.

• 3005 – Education and Outreach o 3005A Ongoing Initiatives

Events • Staff have arranged for Mulligan’s Bar & Grill at Forest Hills Golf Course

to host the first annual State of the Watershed Public Meeting on April

2

30th. Staff will be touring the location and talking logistics with the owner of the restaurant next week to make sure that it will be able to meet our needs.

Newsletter • The Winter 2018-2019 newsletter has been finalized and sent to the printer

to be mailed out no later than February 26th to all property owners within the CLFLWD. A PDF version of the newsletter is attached.

Publications • 2019 Brings New Funding for Local Clean Water Work By Angie Hong.

Published February 2019 online and in print. https://eastmetrowater.org/2019/02/11/2019-brings-new-funding-for-local-clean-water-work/

• Calling all Watershed Champions by Angie Hong. Published February 2019 online and in print. https://eastmetrowater.org/2019/02/14/calling-all-watershed-champions/

• 3006 – Technical Resource Sharing and Interagency Communication

o Mike and Emily have been in communication with the engineer for the City of Forest Lake and City of Scandia regarding their Local Water Management Plan updates. There is an item on the February 28th agenda pertaining to this.

• 3007 – Research

o Deep sediment cores: The contract with Science Museum of MN (St. Croix Watershed Research Station) has been executed. Core collection will occur later this winter.

• 3008 – Measurement of Progress

o The first draft of the 2018 Progress Report is included in the February 28th board packet. Several pieces of information still need to be finalized before the final report can be brought to the board (i.e. audited financials and monitoring data).

• 3009 – Grant Research and Preparation o Grant Award: For the second year in a row, the District received a conservation grant from

Esri for continuation of our ArcGIS license. The grant was the same amount as last year, which has an estimated value of $10,800 (i.e. we pay $1,200 for the license, retail cost is $12,000).

o Proposals Submitted: Two grant proposals were submitted in mid-February for the Washington County AIS Prevention grant program: Forest Lake Flowering Rush Control (request = $15,248) and Forest/Bone Lake Watercraft Inspections (request = $32,500).

o Reporting Submitted: 2018 grant reporting was submitted for 7 CWF/PCA grants and the CWP loan on February 1st.

o Grant Research: Staff continues to research ongoing and new grant opportunities such as LCCMR and MN Dept. of Health. A resolution pertaining to the LCCMR proposal will be brought to a future board meeting.

• 3010 – Operations & Maintenance – District-Wide

o The Seasonal Technicians, Aidan (before he left) and Rachel, have recently done a lot of work pertaining to the scheduling and tracking of O&M activities, including creating an inspection schedule, combined O&M handbook, and map of projects and facilities. This is in addition to keeping up on the inspections themselves. As the District continues to implement more projects, the organization and upkeep of this program will grow in importance.

3

• 3011 – Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention and Management

o Staff coordinated a Forest Lake flowering rush planning meeting/conference call on February 7th with attendance from Steve McComas (Blue Water Science), Pat Selter (PLM Lake and Land Management), Jerry Grundtner (FLLA), Joe Pallary and Jimmy Marty (EOR), and Mike, Emily, and Jessica (staff). The 2019 treatment plan was discussed in detail, and an action plan was agreed upon which should keep flowering rush in check while not using more chemicals than needed. Further detail will be included in the 2019 AIS Plan which will be brought to the March or April board meeting.

o Jessica attended the watercraft inspection and county-wide AIS coordination workshop on February 21st.

Projects (5000 series):

• 5200 Lakes o 5226 Shields Lake:

At staff direction, EOR has been monitoring dissolved oxygen levels in Shields Lake. The results suggest that the current aerator operated by the City of Forest Lake is providing a less than ideal improvement in DO levels during the winter months. Staff will continue to evaluate the situation to determine if the District may want to work with the City to improve the system.

Mike reached out to the commercial fisherman for the area to request that he evaluate Shields Lake for a rough fish harvest. He indicated that an open water harvest would probably be best for that lake.

• 5800 Interagency Communication o One Watershed One Plan (1W1P) – Lower St. Croix (LSC) River Basin

Mike continues to attend planning meetings and push the ideas of Prioritized, Targeted and Measurable (PTM) Implementation and cost-benefit analysis. As such, staff created several cost-benefit scenario charts to illustrate the cost differential of more or less cost-effective projects ($100/lb of P removed up to $1,500/lb P removed). More information on this topic is included in the February 28th board packet.

Emily continues to work with Laura Jester to respond to partners’ comments on the Land and Water Resource Inventory.

1 | P e r m i t t i n g P r o g r a m U p d a t e ( 0 1 / 1 6 / 1 9 – 0 2 / 1 9 / 1 9 )

Administrative Updates 18-028 North Lakes Academy LMD: Comfort Lake

Applicable Rules: 3.0 New Impervious: 3.2 acres Project Summary: New school building and associated parking. Applied: 8/19/2018 Approved: 2/11/2019 Active: 2/11/2019

18-043 Julian Single Family Home – Erosion Control Only LMD: Forest Lake Applicable Rules: 3.0, 4.0 New Impervious: 0.076 acres Project Summary: Single-family residence and associated driveway. Project received a

variance from the City for setback from Forest Lake. A permit for 3.0 has been issued, project will be brought to the board for approval of 4.0.

Applied: 1/14/2018 Approved: 1/23/2019 Active: N/A 19-001 Groth Single Family Home LMD: Forest Lake

Applicable Rules: 3.0 New Impervious: 0.1 acres Project Summary: Single-family residence and associated driveway. Applied: 1/8/2019 Approved: 1/17/2019 Active: 1/18/2019

19-002 Rafferty Single Family Home LMD: Forest Lake Applicable Rules: 3.0 New Impervious: 0.15 acres Project Summary: Single-family residence and associated driveway. Applied: 1/15/2019 Approved: 1/24/2019 Active: 1/28/2019

19-003 Forest Lake 2019 Street Pavement Maintenance LMD: Forest Lake Applicable Rules: 3.0 New Impervious: 0 acres

Project Summary: Bituminous reclamation on ~8.4 acres of City streets in Forest Lake. Applied: 2/7/2019 Approved: N/A Active: N/A

19-004 Forest Lake 2019 Street Improvements LMD: Forest Lake Applicable Rules: 3.0 New Impervious: 0.1 acres Project Summary: Bituminous reclamation on ~2.33 acres of City streets in Forest Lake. Applied: 2/14/2019 Approved: N/A Active: N/A

2 | P e r m i t t i n g P r o g r a m U p d a t e ( 0 1 / 1 6 / 1 9 – 0 2 / 1 9 / 1 9 )

Permitting Program Metrics1

YEAR TO DATE METRICS

Notes:

1. Current site numbers include all permits that are either active or in the permitting process as of 2/19/2019. 2019 inspection

numbers include all inspections conducted in 2019 as of 2/19/2019 – this may include inspections of projects that are currently

closed out.

2. Residential numbers do not include any homes within residential developments/subdivisions.

3. Totals may not equal the sum of each Lake Management District’s numbers. Some projects are in more than one LMD and

are counted for each applicable LMD.

4. Comfort Lake LMD developments include: Shoreview 1 (Comfort Lake Minor Subdivision) (2 lots), Woods on Comfort Lake (9

lots), and Heims Lake Villas (33 lots). Little Comfort Lake LMD developments include: Liberty Ponds (79 lots) and Birch Lake

Estates (5 lots). Forest Lake LMD developments include: Chestnut Creek (220 lots) and Third Lake Estates (10 lots).

5. The inspection numbers for Little Comfort LMD seem disproportionate to the number of sites because one inspection is counted

for each Liberty Ponds home, but the development of Liberty Ponds is counted as one site for the purpose of maintaining

consistency with the other developments.

Comfort Little Comfort Forest Bone Total3

Current Residential2 6 3 15 11 35

Current Developments4 3 2 2 0 7

Current Commercial 3 1 1 1 8

Current Linear 4 1 6 1 7

Total Current Sites 16 7 24 13 70

Total Inspections in 2019 17 395 28 14 98

Average Inspections per Site in 2019

1.06 5.57 1.17 1.08 1.4

Total Non-Compliant Inspection Items in 2019

12 23 41 7 83

Average Percentage of Non-Compliant Items per

Inspection in 2019

7.06% 6.05% 14.64% 5.00% 8.56%

3 | P e r m i t t i n g P r o g r a m U p d a t e ( 0 1 / 1 6 / 1 9 – 0 2 / 1 9 / 1 9 )

2019 brings new funding for local clean water work By: Angie Hong | February 8, 2019

In 2008, Minnesota voters passed the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to protect and support clean water, healthy habitat, vibrant arts and culture, and beloved parks and trails. Over the past ten years, a sales tax increase of 0.375 percent has generated more than $2.5 billion, $860 million of which has been used to fund water protection and restoration efforts around the state. In 2019, nearly $1.3 million in Clean Water Fund grants will be distributed to local government partners to support a variety of projects including keeping phosphorus out of the St. Croix River, improving water quality in Bone and Moody Lakes, protecting Brown’s and Valley Creeks, and conducting studies to identify the best locations for lake improvement projects in Washington County.

Battling algae in Lake St. Croix: Studies by the St. Croix Watershed Research Station have shown that three times more phosphorus flows into the St. Croix River now than 100 years ago. Though phosphorus is natural, too much phosphorus in the water causes algae to grow out of control, especially in the slow-moving stretch from Stillwater to Prescott which is known as Lake St. Croix. Since 2012, Minnesota and Wisconsin have been working toward a goal of reducing phosphorus loading to Lake St. Croix by 27 percent in order to reduce algae growth and meet water quality standards. Middle St. Croix Watershed Management Organization has identified numerous locations along the St. Croix River between Bayport and Afton where projects would help to filter runoff and repair eroding gullies and ravines. This year, the organization will receive $200,000 in Clean Water Funding to begin installing some of these projects. The organization hopes to reduce phosphorus loading by ten pounds per year, which is equivalent to 5000 pounds of algae.

Cleaner water for Bone and Moody Lakes: Ten years ago, Bone Lake in Scandia was considered to be one of the worst lakes in Washington County. The water was murky, phosphorus and algae levels were high, and the Metropolitan Council gave the lake an “F” on its annual report card. Now, thanks to several large projects led by the Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District, the lake is on its way to better health and has inched its way up to a grade of C+. A new $144,000 grant will help the watershed district to continue this work, implementing additional projects around Bone and nearby Moody Lakes. The district has identified ten high-value projects that will keep an additional 24 pounds per year of phosphorus out of Moody Lake and 90 pounds per year out of Bone Lake.

Saving trout in Brown’s and Valley Creeks: In central Washington County, two large grants will help to fund protection and restoration projects along Brown’s and Valley Creeks, both of which are designated trout streams.

The Valley Branch Watershed District will use a $405,000 grant to stabilize a large ravine that currently deposits seven tons of sediment into the creek each year. The project will help to protect trout spawning sites, which are frequently silted over due to the erosion. It will also reduce phosphorus to Valley Creek and downstream Lake St. Croix by 51 pounds per year.

In Stillwater, $360,000 will help Brown’s Creek Watershed District to develop stormwater harvest and reuse systems with the city and local golf courses in order to minimize groundwater pumping, keep warm water from flowing into the trout stream, and reduce phosphorus flowing downstream to the St. Croix River. The goal is to keep 67-124 pounds per year of phosphorus out of the St. Croix River and lower water temperatures in Brown’s Creek so that more trout are able to survive and reproduce.

Using research to identify high-value water-improvement projects: Two grants will be used to help local government partners identify the best locations and projects to address runoff water pollution in Washington County.

The Carnelian-Marine- St. Croix Watershed District in northeastern Washington County will use $127,800 to conduct subwatershed analyses for six high priority lakes that the district is targeting for protection or restoration: Big Carnelian, Little Carnelian, Square, Jellums, Long (Scandia) and Sand. Using computer modeling software, aerial imagery, and on-the-ground research, the district will identify locations and practices that will best help to keep sediment and nutrients from flowing into these lakes. Potential projects will be ranked with a cost-benefit analysis.

Soil and Water Conservation Districts in the seven-county metro area have been using these types of subwatershed analyses to prioritize clean water projects since 2009. This year, a $200,000 Clean Water grant will help to train new staff and update computer modeling so that it includes newly developed stormwater reduction practices. The funds will also be used to conduct 15 additional subwatershed analyses in metro area counties, including Washington.

Funds generated through the Legacy Amendment will continue to support clean water, habitat, arts and culture, and parks and trails projects until the year 2034.

Angie Hong is an educator for East Metro Water - www.mnwcd.org/emwrep - which includes Brown’s Creek, Carnelian Marine - St. Croix, Comfort Lake – Forest Lake, Middle St. Croix, Ramsey Washington-Metro, Rice Creek, South Washington and Valley Branch Watersheds, Cottage Grove, Dellwood, Forest Lake, Grant, Hugo, Lake Elmo, Newport, Oak Park Heights, Oakdale, Stillwater, St. Paul Park, West Lakeland, Willernie and Woodbury, Washington County and the Washington Conservation District. Contact her at 651-330-8220 x.35 or angie.hong@mnwcd.org.

2/20/2019 Calling all watershed champions | Forest Lake Times | hometownsource.com

https://www.hometownsource.com/forest_lake_times/calling-all-watershed-champions/article_44a194fc-307c-11e9-9e1c-339f58958036.html 1/2

BREAKING NEWS

Forest Lake council selects Girard as �fth member

https://www.hometownsource.com/forest_lake_times/calling-all-watershed-champions/article_44a194fc-307c-11e9-9e1c-339f58958036.html

Calling all watershed championsAngie Hong Feb 18, 2019

Do you know someone in the community who has gone out of their way to protect local lakes and

waterways? Perhaps it is the neighbor who transformed their yard with native plants and

raingardens to reduce runoff pollution. Maybe it is a business or organization working to prevent the

spread of aquatic invasive species. This spring, the Comfort Lake – Forest Lake Watershed District

is launching a new Watershed Champion Award and they are looking for nominations from the

public to help them select the �rst award recipients.  

The purpose of the Watershed Champion Award is to honor individuals, businesses, organizations

and communities who help the watershed district to protect and improve water resources. Examples

of “good deeds” include educating the public, enacting water-friendly public policy, restoring

shoreline and wetland areas, planting raingardens, or even establishing conservation easements to

protect natural resources. 

Submit your nominations online by March 1 at www.cl�wd.org (nomination forms can also be

mailed). Award recipients will be recognized at the CLFLWD State of the Watershed meeting in April. 

Spring workshops offer advice

If you’re tired of the winter cold and snow, begin your spring daydreaming with a lawn or landscaping

workshop taught by local experts.  

Jack MacKenzie, a former golf course superintendent and current member of the CLFLWD citizen

advisory committee, will be leading Turf Talks on March 2, April 6 and May 4 at the CLFLWD o�ce

(44 Lake St. South, Forest Lake). Attend one of the free seminars to learn how to get a better looking

lawn without harming local lakes or groundwater resources. Each Turf Talk will consist of two

sessions. From 8 to 9:30 a.m., MacKenzie will discuss mowing, irrigation, weed control and plant

2/20/2019 Calling all watershed champions | Forest Lake Times | hometownsource.com

https://www.hometownsource.com/forest_lake_times/calling-all-watershed-champions/article_44a194fc-307c-11e9-9e1c-339f58958036.html 2/2

protectants. A second session from 10 to 11:30 a.m. will explore soil testing, fertilizers, and

equipment calibration. People are welcome to attend one or both sessions on any of the three

dates. Register at www.cl�wd.org. 

The watershed district will also host a Blue Thumb – Planting for Clean Water workshop on

Thursday, April 4, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Wyoming Area Library (26855 Forest Blvd., Wyoming). Learn

how to transform your yard with native gardens, raingardens, shoreline plantings, and turf

alternatives that add beauty, provide habitat, and help to protect water resources. During the

workshop, landscaping experts from Chisago Soil and Water Conservation District and the East

Metro Water Resource Education Program will share photos to inspire your creativity and will talk

about resources to help you get started with clean water planting projects. Learn about grants

available through the Comfort Lake – Forest Lake and Rice Creek Watershed Districts and sign up

for a free site visit with staff from the Chisago or Washington Conservation Districts. Workshop

presenters will also talk about a new program designed to help rural and agricultural landowners

create conservation plans for their properties. These plans can help to guide habitat management

and restoration, address erosion or drainage concerns, or identify �nancial assistance for

conservation efforts. Register for this free workshop at tinyurl.com/wygarden2019. 

Angie Hong is an educator for East Metro Water. Contact her at 651-330-8220 x.35 orangie.hong@mnwcd.org.

Zebra Mussels and Starry Stonewort Early Detection and Rapid Response: Current Practice and New Research

Barr Engineering Seminar Notes by Mgr. Schmaltz, February 7, 2019

The Zebra Mussels (ZM) and Starry Stonewort (SSW) Early Detection and Rapid Response (RRP) seminar was divided into two topics of discussion. 1) Current practices and state of the art for detection of, response to, and treatment of these aquatic invasive species - presented by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources staff. 2) The latest research on treatment options - presented by researchers from the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) at the University of Minnesota. In attendance were 60-70 individuals representing lake associations, watershed districts (board & staff), park boards, etc.

I. Summary • The most useful idea for the CLFLWD is to consider having our launch inspectors check

the shore/water around their launch for AIS on weekdays when traffic is slow. • There has yet been a successful RRP for ZMs • At this time there is no clear protocol (algaecide concentration and frequency) for a

SSW RRP • SSW bulb re-sprouting after the plant has collapsed seems to be the big issue with

controlling SSW. Lab work suggests that using a 1% conc of Cutrene Plus will stop SSW bulb re-sprouting.

• A number of comments suggested that hand pulling, including the bulb, was the best approach for early small patch eradication

• My suggestion is to consult with Keegan Lund and Steve McComas if we intend to develop a SSW RRP for our lakes. SSW is spreading rapidly (e.g. most recent is Medicine Lake) so it is only a matter of time before it shows up in our WD.

II. Zebra Mussel update - Kylie Cattor [DNR] • There has yet to be a successful RRP for eradication of ZM • Jim Luoma from USGS in Lacrosse will be testing a new ZM approach this summer in

Lake Minnatonka. Kill villagers with a low dose of a copper(Cu) complex every otherUsed day for 10 days in a row. Will test in one enclosed bay.

III. Starry Stonewort Overview - Keegan Lund [DNR] • SSW is an algae not a plant, but it has a plant like structure similar to Chara • It has a root structure with star shaped bulbs that re-sprout to form new stems. • It spreads to new areas in a lake by boat traffic (cutting pieces that drift) and the

pieces grow downward, eventually forming a dense weed canopy solid to 6 ft down. The structure is more dense than Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM), to the point fish cannot swim through.

Notes of the 2/7/19 seminar on Zebra Mussels and Starry Stonewort Early Detection and Rapid Response

• Lab testing of algaecides is only 1-2 years old. • No successful control has been achieved in lakes.

IV. Recent SSW RRP lake case histories

A. Lake Koronis (2016) • Combined mechanical harvesting with copper based algaecide treatment • 100% reduction in biomass but bulb re-sprouting occurred( big problem)

B. Medicine Lake 2018 (7/29 - 8/6/18) - Keegan Lund [DNR] • Used Chem One (copper sulfate) +Hydrol 191 • Treated every 2 weeks for eight week • Monitoring results: no eradication but…

_Reduced occurrence by 50% _Reduced abundance by 90% _Minimal impact on native plants _Hand pulling in small areas was very effective _Bulb re-sprouting unknown till spring

C. SSW RRP program cost estimates • $30,000 - $50,000

V. SSW Research Program at U of M AIS Project…..Wes Glisson

• Extensive testing of Cutrene Plus (copper complex) in Lab jars • Tested conc of .125 up to 1.0 conc for 14 days and then waited 42 days for any

‘recovery” • .125,.25 and .50--.75 conc had 100% plant collapse but had bulb re-sprouting within

14-42 days • 1.0 conc, weakened the plant (not 100% collapse), but there was no bulb re-sprouting

after 42 days. • Next step is to lake test with bulbs in the sediment and on top of the sediment.

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COMFORT LAKE-FOREST LAKEWATERSHED DISTRICT

Winter 2018-19

INSIDESmart Salting Tips

NEW! Annual Public MeetingNEW! Award Program

Project Spotlight - Shields Lake

WHAT IS A WATERSHED?

BOARD OF MANAGERSJon Spence, President - jon.spence@clflwd.orgJackie Anderson, Vice President - jackie.anderson@clflwd.orgJen Oknich, Secretary - jen.oknich@clflwd.orgSteve Schmaltz, Treasurer - stephen.schmaltz@clflwd.orgWayne Moe, Assistant Treasurer - wayne.moe@clflwd.org

DISTRICT STAFF (651) 395-5850Mike Kinney, Administrator - michael.kinney@clflwd.orgEmily Heinz, Watershed Technician - emily.heinz@clflwd.orgJessica Lindemyer, Watershed Assistant - jessica.lindemyer@clflwd.orgErin Edison, Permitting Coordinator - erin.edison@clflwd.org

The Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) encompasses roughly 49-square miles including the Cities of Chisago City, Forest Lake, Scandia, and Wyoming. The watershed outlets to the northwest to the Sunrise River, which flows northeast through Chisago County before discharging to the St. Croix River. The District is governed by an appointed Board of Managers from both Chisago and Washington counties. Public board meeting are held at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month in the Council Chambers at Forest Lake City Hall, 1408 Lake St. South, Forest Lake, MN 55025.

YOUR WATERSHED DISTRICT

In 1955, the Minnesota Legislature passed the Watershed Act in order to better address water-related issues and concerns occurring within the state at the watershed level. Watershed Districts are special purpose units of government that have been created to help prevent and solve water resource problems on a watershed basis. The boundaries of a watershed generally follow the hydrologic or topographical limits of an area or region.There are 81 major watersheds in Minnesota, some of which overlap into adjoining states. Together, these watersheds make up the State’s ten drainage basins. The Comfort Lake - Forest Lake Watershed is a sub-watershed of the St. Croix River Watershed and is located in southern Chisago County and northern Washington County.

Board of Managers from left to right: Steve Schmaltz, Jon Spence, Wayne Moe, Jen Oknich, Jackie Anderson

Salt can make sidewalks and roadways safer, but it also pollutes lakes and rivers, not to mention harming pets and wildlife, corroding buildings, cars and bridges. Here are some quick and simple tips to help you reduce your salt usage without sacrificing results!

SMART SALTING TIPS

1. ShovelClear walkways before snow turns to ice, and before you apply salt. The more snow you clear manually, the less salt you’ll need.

2. SelectSalt doesn’t melt ice if the pavement is below 15 degrees, so use sand for traction when it’s too cold, or choose a different de-icer

3. ScatterUse salt only where it’s critical. When you apply salt to the pavement, leave plenty of space between granules. A 12-ounce coffee cup of salt is enough to cover 10 sidewalk squares or a 20-foot driveway.

4. SweepClean up leftover salt, sand and de-icer to save and reuse as needed.

More info at www.cleanwatermn.org

Turf Talks: Free Lawn Care Program

NEW! Watershed Champion AwardDo you know someone who deserves recognition for their contributions to local water stewardship? If so, consider nominating them for the 2019 Watershed Champion Award! The purpose of this Award is to acknowledge and honor those whose contributions to water stewardship have helped the CLFLWD achieve its mission of protecting and improving local water resources. The award will be presented at the first annual State of the Watershed public meeting, to an individual, business, organization or community for having demonstrated exceptional stewardship of water resources within the boundaries of the CLFLWD.NOMINATE TODAY: WWW.CLFLWD.ORG/WATERSHED-CHAMPION.PHP

NEW! Annual Public MeetingThe District is proud to hold its first annual State of the Watershed public meeting Tuesday, April 30th from 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. at Mulligan’s Bar and Grill (7530 210th St. N, Forest Lake). The purpose of this meeting is to provide area residents with an opportunity to learn more about what the District does, celebrate the completion of recent projects, and honor this year’s Watershed Champion Award recipients. RSVP TODAY: WWW.CLFLWD.ORG/4-30-19PUBLICMEETING.PHP

SOIL TESTINGFERTILIZATION

WEEDCONTROL

PLANTPROTECTANTS

MOWING

WATERUSE

Back by popular demand! Grab a friend and join us for a FREE lawn management workshop taught by a local turf expert! This time we’ll be offering both 90-minute sessions back-to-back; attend one session, or stick around for both! Food and refreshments provided, along with a FREE GIFT!

Session 1 Topics: Best mowing practices, fertilization guidelines, plant protectants, and optimizing weed control.

Session 2 Topics: Taking soil samples, reading soil tests, and picking the right fertilizer mixture.

Date: March 2nd or April 6thTime: 8:00a.m. - 12:00p.m.Location: Forest Lake City Center, 1408 Lake St S, Forest Lake

RSVP TODAY: WWW.CLFLWD.ORG/EDUCATION.PHP

Want More?Visit us online at www.clflwd.org

Stop-in at 44 Lake, St. South, Suite A, Forest Lake, MN 55025Follow us @clflwd on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Questions? 651-395-5850 or info@clflwd.org

Interested in learning more? The project fact sheet, diagnostic study, and other information can be found online at www.clflwd.org/Shields_Lake_Stormwater_Harvest_Project.php

Project SpotlightShields Lake Stormwater Harvest,

Irrigation Reuse, & Alum TreatmentExcess phosphorous is the number one source of pollution in freshwater lakes. The nutrient encourages algae growth and decreases water quality. This exciting multi-phase project will reduce the amount of phosphorus entering Shields lake and improve the water quality of both Shields and Forest Lake.

Phase One entails impounding/harvesting phosphorous-rich water through the construction of a 1.2-acre pond. This water, originating from the 294-acre tributary to the west, will then be used for irrigation by Forest Hills Golf Course to naturally filter the water before it enters Shields Lake. It is estimated that this system will provide the Golf Course with up to 26 million gallons of water per year. Construction for this phase was largely completed in the fall of 2018 with seeding and prairie establishment to occur in the spring.

Phase Two will be comprised of a whole-lake alum treatment. The purpose of this treatment is to address the internal load, the phosphorus that has built up in the lake sediment over many years. Alum (aluminum sulfate) is a nontoxic liquid that is commonly used in water treatment plants to clarify drinking water and is harmless to humans, animals, and aquatic plants.

Results: The project is expected to reduce phosphorus loads such that Shields Lake achieves its long-term water quality goal and a clear water state, which will also reduce phosphorus loads to Forest Lake!

Funding & Partners: The CLFLWD received a grant through the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment in the amount of $824,000. As a match for the grant funds, the CLFLWD has allocated $206,000 from its own budget to fund this project. It is also important to note that this exciting project would not be possible without our partners at Forest Hills Golf Club.

STATE OF THE WATERSHED2019 PUBLIC MEETING

YOU’RE INVITED!

The Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) will be holding its first annual State of the Watershed public meeting this spring. The event will provide residents with the opportunity to learn more about the District, celebrate the completion of recent projects,

and honor this year’s Watershed Champion Award recipients.

TIME:

DATE:

6:00p.m. - 8:00p.m. | Pre-meeting reception starts at 5:30p.m.

Tuesday, April 30th

LOCATION: Mulligan’s Bar & Grill @ Forest Hills Golf Club

RSVP TODAY ATWWW.CLFLWD.ORG

Learn about your water resources

Get your questions answered

Celebrate your Community

District Office: 44 Lake St. South, Suite A, Forest Lake, MN 55025

www.clflwd.org | 651-395-5850 | info @clflwd.org

SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC MEETING

RECEPTION

PUBLIC MEETING

5:30 -6:00

6:00 -8:00

Arrive early to... • Enjoy complimentary appetizers and refreshments• Cash bar• Mingle with area residents• Meet your Board of watershed Managers• Visit Lake Association booths• Learn about our local County Soil & Water Conservation Districts

History of the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District• What is a Watershed District?• Formation and early years of the CLFLWD

Overview of Completed, Current, and Future Activities • Capital Improvement Projects - Grant dollars put to work• Evolving Programs - Managing resources to meet stakeholder needs

Presentation of Watershed Champion Award • Celebration of award nominees• Presentation of award

Stakeholder Q & A• Overview of available resources• Question and answer period

Closing remarks• Vision for the future

The purpose of the Watershed Champion Award is to acknowledge and honor those whose contributions to water stewardship have helped the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) achieve its mission of protecting and improving local water resources. The Watershed Champion Award and Junior Watershed Champion Award (ages 18 and younger) will be presented annually by the CLFLWD to an individual, business, organization, or community for having demonstrated exceptional stewardship of the water resources within the boundaries of the CLFLWD. Nomination forms are available on the program web-page www.clflwd.org/watershed-champion.php. Award recipients will be named at the annual CLFLWD State of the Watershed event in April, more information on this event can be found on the District’s web-page www.clflwd.org.

Nominations

Award Criteria

Nomination Scoring & Award Selection

Contributions to be recognized must:

• Promote stewardship of water resources within the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District• Demonstrate observable or measurable results toward the District’s water quality goals.• Have been implemented after January 1st, 2015

Examples of contributions include, but are not limited to: raised public awareness of a specific issue (such as responsible road salt use, groundwater conservation, invasive species, etc.), creation of water resource-friendly public policy, protection of a resource via a land trust or wetland restoration, voluntary completion of a rain garden or shoreline restoration project, or economic development that is consistent with good water resource stewardship.

Nomination Scoring:All nominations received by the deadline of March 1st will be scored for consideration by the Selection Committee. Nominations will be scored on a 5-point scale for each of the following criteria: Promotion of stewardship, demonstration of observable or measurable results, and overall impact.

Selection Committee: A five p erson c ommittee c onsisting o f o ne b oard m ember, o ne s taff me mber, an d th ree Ci tizen Ad visory Committee members will review nominations and select the award recipients. Committee members will score each nomination as described above and aggregate scores will be used to help inform the Committee’s decision. More than one award may be given each year. An award does not have to be given each year if no nominee meets the criteria. An award may be given to a previous winner if subsequent contributions justify doing so.

Form of Recognition:A plaque inscribed with the individual’s name, contribution, and date of the award will be presented at the District’s yearly State of the Watershed gathering in April and will thereafter be displayed permanently and prominently at the District office. The recipient’s contribution will be shared with the community through publication in the local newspapers and the Districts annual newsletter. Award recipients will also receive a token of appreciation from the District related to their water resource stewardship contribution.

To nominate an individual, business, organization or community for the Award please provide all the information requested on the nomination form. In order to be considered for the awards presented at the District’s State of the Watershed gathering in April 2019, all nominations must be received by the deadline of March 1st, 2019. Nominations can be submitted in-person, via e-mail to info@clflwd.org, or mailed to the District office at 44 Lake St. South, Suite A, Forest Lake, MN 55025. Attachments that support the nomination are strongly encouraged.

Questions? Contact us at (651) 395-5850 or info@clflwd.org

Watershed Champion AwardComfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District

Program Details - 2019

Nomination Information

Nominee: ____________________________Nominator: ___________________________

Reviewer: ____________________________

Judging Criteria Reviewer CommentsReviewer

ScorePotential

Score

Promotion of Stewardship 5

Demonstration of observable or measurable results

5

Overall Impact 5

Total Score /15

Watershed Champion Award2019 Nomination Scoring Form

103D.331 ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

Subdivision 1. Purpose. The managers must annually appoint an advisory committee to advise andassist the managers on all matters affecting the interests of the watershed district and make recommendationsto the managers on all contemplated projects and improvements in the watershed district.

Subd. 1a. Duties. For purposes of carrying out its duties under this section the advisory committee shall:

(1) elect a chair from its membership;

(2) elect a recorder from its membership;

(3) establish a meeting schedule, which at a minimum meets annually;

(4) consider issues pertinent to the functions and purposes of the watershed district;

(5) review and comment on reports, minutes, activities, and proposed projects of the managers; and

(6) report to the managers the general content of advisory committee meetings and resultingrecommendations.

Subd. 2. Members. (a) The advisory committee consists of at least five members. If practicable, theadvisory committee members selected should include a representative from each soil and water conservationdistrict, a representative of each county, a member of a sporting organization, and a member of a farmorganization. Other advisory committee members may be appointed at the discretion of the managers. Themembers must be residents of the watershed district, except representatives from soil and water conservationdistricts and counties, and serve at the pleasure of the managers.

(b) In addition, the managers may appoint other interested and technical persons who may or may notreside within the watershed district to serve at the pleasure of the managers.

Subd. 3. Expense reimbursement. The managers may reimburse members of the advisory committeefor actual traveling and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of duties in the amount asprovided for state employees.

History: 1990 c 391 art 4 s 24; 1995 c 199 s 15

Copyright © 2018 by the Revisor of Statutes, State of Minnesota. All Rights Reserved.

103D.331MINNESOTA STATUTES 20181