2019 Annual Report 2020 Work Plan & Budget · 2020-04-29 · 3 | Page 2019 Annual Report 2019...

Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District

2019 Annual Report 2020 Work Plan & Budget

Cover Image: Moody Lake alum treatment

2 | P a g e 2 0 1 9 A n n u a l R e p o r t

2019 ANNUAL REPORT & 2020 WORK PLAN AND BUDGET

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Introduction ..........................................................................................................................3

II. 2019 Board of Managers ..................................................................................................3

III. 2019 Citizen Advisory Committee Members ...................................................................4

IV. 2019 Technical Advisory Committee ...............................................................................4

V. 2019 Staff and Consultants ..............................................................................................5

VI. Background .....................................................................................................................6

VII. History of Significant Events ...........................................................................................8

VIII. Financial Report ..............................................................................................................9

IX. 2019 Financial Audit ..................................................................................................... 13

X. District Programs ........................................................................................................... 13

A. District Rules and Permitting Program ........................................................................... 13

B. Monitoring and Data Assessment................................................................................... 14

C. Nonpoint Source Pollution Abatement (Cost-Share) Program ........................................ 17

D. Education and Outreach ................................................................................................. 17

E. Technical Resource Sharing and Interagency Communication ....................................... 19

F. Research ........................................................................................................................ 20

G. Measurement of Progress ............................................................................................... 20

H. Grant Research & Preparation ....................................................................................... 20

I. Operations and Maintenance .......................................................................................... 20

J. Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention and Management .................................................. 21

XI. Capital Improvement Projects ........................................................................................ 25

XII. 2020 Work Plan and Budget .......................................................................................... 29



I. INTRODUCTION Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 103D.351 and Minnesota Rules Section 8410.0150, the Board of Managers of the Comfort Lake–Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD or District) submits its 2019 Annual Report. The District was established by petition order of the State of Minnesota in 1999. This report is intended to inform readers of the District's 2019 activities, plans, goals, and objectives, and describe its projected work plan and budget for 2020. The District invites comments and suggestions on the report. The District submits its Annual Activity Report to the Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, and the Director of the Ecological and Water Resources Division. Copies are available from the District Administrator or at www.clflwd.org.

This report provides background information on the District; summarizes budgets, levies, and the 2019 audit; summarizes the District’s programs and activities completed in 2019, and presents a work plan for 2020. For a more information please see the 2019 Progress Report and 2019 Yearend Summary Infographic. Both are available at www.clflwd.org.

II. 2019 BOARD OF MANAGERS Jon Spence, President 25582 Comfort Dr. Chisago City, MN 55013 Appointed County: Chisago Term Expires: September 2021 Stephen Schmaltz, Treasurer 22735 Hayward Ave. N. Forest Lake, MN 55025 Appointed County: Washington Term Expires: September 2020

Jackie Anderson, Vice President 25484 E Comfort Dr. Forest Lake, MN 55025 Appointed County: Chisago Term Expires: March 2022 Jen Oknich, Secretary 23140 Melanie Trail N. Scandia, MN 55073 Appointed County: Washington Term Expires: September 2021

Wayne Moe, Assistant Treasurer 22877 Mallard Ave. N. Scandia, MN 55073 Appointed County: Washington Resigned: October 2019

Jim Dibble, Manager 9559 North Shore Trail N. Forest Lake, MN 55025 Appointed County: Washington Term Expires: September 2022

(Left to right): President Jon Spence, Vice President Jackie Anderson, Treasurer Steve Schmaltz, Secretary

Jen Oknich, Manager Jim Dibble

http://www.clflwd.org/




III. 2019 CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS Jerry Grundtner Forest Lake, MN 55025

Curt Sparks Forest Lake, MN 55025

Sam Hathaway Scandia, MN 55073

Bruce Anderson Forest Lake, MN 55025

Randy Schumacher Forest Lake, MN 55025

Jack MacKenzie Forest Lake, MN 55025

Doug Toavs Chisago City, MN 55013

Tom Furey Scandia, MN 55073

The Citizen Advisory Committee did not have a chairperson in 2019 for lack of an interested volunteer.

IV. 2019 TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Representatives from each of the District’s cities and counties, state agencies, neighboring watershed districts, and the Metropolitan Council comprise the District’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The TAC provides assistance with the development of the District’s watershed management and capital improvement plans, rules and specific projects, as well as support for the CAC. Members of the TAC are:

Name(s) Organization Dan Fabian Board of Water and Soil Resources Jim Shaver, Mike Isensee Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District John Pechman, Jason Lind Chisago City Jerry Spetzman, Susanna Wilson-Witkowski Chisago County Jessica Jagoe Chisago County Dept. of Env. Services/Zoning Craig Mell Chisago SWCD Sherry Stirling, Jeanette Peterson Chisago Lake Township Patrick Casey, Ryan Goodman, Tim Olson City of Forest Lake Neil Soltis, Ken Cammilleri City of Scandia Mark Erichson City of Wyoming Robb Linwood City of Wyoming Fred Weck City of Wyoming Melissa Glenna Franconia Township Judy Sventek, Joe Mulcahy Metropolitan Council Jeffrey Berg MN Department of Agriculture John Freitag MN Department of Health Jen Sorensen, James Bedell MN Department of Natural Resources Nick Tiedeken MN Department of Transportation Eric Alms MN Pollution Control Agency Phil Belfiori, Nick Tomczik, Lauren Sampedro Rice Creek Watershed District Jay Riggs, Erik Anderson Washington Conservation District Maureen Hoffman, Stephanie Grayzeck Souter Washington County



V. 2019 STAFF AND CONSULTANTS For the majority of 2019, the District employed four full-time staff members and one seasonal staff. An Administrative Assistant and second seasonal staff were hired later in the year. Staffing has consistently adapted each year to the needs of the District based on the WMP and Board direction since the hire of District Administrator Kinney in February 2014. In addition, numerous independent contractor consultants provided all necessary accounting, legal, public information and other services to fulfill its obligations, goals, and objectives within budget. The following staff and consultants served the District in 2019:

Staff (in alphabetical order)

Position Address Telephone E-mail

Blayne Eineichner

Project Coordinator

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

(651) 395-5857 [email protected]

Emily Heinz Watershed Technician


Trey Jonas Seasonal Technician


Michael Kinney District Administrator


Jason Kuennen Seasonal Technician


Jessica Lindemyer

Watershed Assistant


Garrett Miller Watershed Technician


Peter Brennhofer Seasonal Technician

(No longer employed with CLFLWD)

Erin Edison Permitting Coordinator/ Watershed Technician

Rachel Funke Seasonal Technician

Consultants Services Address Telephone E-mail

Laura Larson Clifton, Larson, Allen

Accountant 220 South Sixth Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55402


Meghan Funke, Greg Graske Emmons and Olivier Resources

Engineers 7030 6th Street North Oakdale, MN 55128

(651) 203-6049 [email protected] [email protected]

Andy Berg Abdo, Eick & Meyers, LLP

Auditor 4810 White Bear Pkwy White Bear Lake, MN 55110

(651) 426-7000

[email protected]

Ken Carlson North Risk Partners

Insurance 2010 Centre Pointe Blvd. Mendota Heights, MN 55120


mailto:[email protected]














Chuck Holtman Smith Partners, PLLP

Attorney 400 Second Ave. S. #1200 Minneapolis, MN 55401


Consultants Services Address Telephone E-mail

Erik Anderson/ Tara Kline/ Matt Downing Washington Conservation District

Technical Advisors

455 Hayward Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128

(651) 330-8220 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Craig Mell/Casey Thiel Chisago SWCD

Technical Advisors

38814 3rd Ave. North Branch, MN 55056

(651) 674-2333 [email protected] [email protected]

District office at 44 Lake Street South, Forest Lake, MN.

VI. BACKGROUND The Comfort Lake–Forest Lake Watershed District (District) was established in 1999 after citizens petitioned the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) to replace the existing Forest Lake Watershed Management Organization (FLWMO) in order to address water quality and flooding issues. The petition included the area encompassed by FLWMO plus the drainage area of Comfort Lake in Chisago County (former Joint Ditch No. 1 (JD 1) drainage area).

The District encompasses roughly 49 square miles in northern Washington County and southern Chisago County, including portions of the cities of Chisago City, Forest Lake, Scandia, and Wyoming, and Chisago Lake Township, and Franconia Township. The District transects both metropolitan and outstate (i.e. outside of the metro) counties, with roughly 60 percent of the watershed within Washington County and 40 percent in Chisago County.

The District is managed by a five-member Board, with three members appointed by Washington County and two members appointed by Chisago County. The Board of Managers includes the positions of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer which are elected annually. The Comfort Lake–Forest Lake Watershed District’s first Water Management









Plan (WMP) was approved by the Board of Water and Soil Resources in October 2001 with the most recent minor WMP update completed in April 2018. In 2019 the District began the process of its 10-year major WMP update, to be completed no later than September 2021. The Board of Managers, with the help of its Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC), adopted the following mission statement:

The mission of the Comfort Lake–Forest Lake Watershed District is to protect and conserve its water resources. The District will use sound scientific water management approaches, technologies, and methods. The District will develop a uniform, integrated approach to water management within a rapidly changing and urbanizing area.

Map of CLFLWD Lake Management Districts



VII. HISTORY OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

1983 The Forest Lake Watershed Management Organization is established under the Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act.

1987 The original boundary is expanded to include the drainage areas of Bone Lake and Twin Lake. 1998 A petition is filed with State of Minnesota to establish the Comfort Lake–Forest Lake Watershed

District under MS 103D (Watershed Law). 1999 The State of Minnesota orders the establishment of the Comfort Lake–Forest Lake Watershed

District. The former Forest Lake Watershed Management Organization is dissolved. 2001 The first Watershed Management Plan is completed and adopted. 2005 The first full-time administrator is hired and a local office is opened in Forest Lake. 2006 Local projects enhanced with water quality/quantity features including pervious parking lot at the

new Keys Restaurant, Lakeside Park and Broadway Avenue enhancement, and numerous other development projects.

2007 The Watershed and Lake Water Quality Modeling Report and Capital Improvement Plan are completed.

2008 The Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act authorities for the District are authorized by the Legislature, providing expanded authority to raise funds for projects. Comprehensive Water Management Plan amended to include the Capital Improvement Plan. Rules are formally adopted, and a permit/regulatory program to control development impacts begins.

2010 The Six Lakes Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Study is completed. The Sunrise River Water Quality and Flowage petition from Chisago County is accepted by resolution, and the District Engineer is directed to complete a preliminary engineering report.

2011 The Sunrise River Water Quality and Flowage Preliminary Engineer’s Findings are accepted, and related projects are incorporated into the draft Watershed Management Plan. The 10-year revision of District’s Watershed Management Plan is completed and adopted later that year.

2012 The Sunrise River Water Quality and Flowage Project is ordered, and two fish barriers are installed at the inlet and outlet of Bone Lake to control carp population.

2013 Two Whole Farms Plans are completed. A large agricultural project that included treatment of horse farm manure runoff and an iron sand filter is completed near Bone Lake.

2014 Aquatic Invasive Species Action Plans for four different lakes, a Moody Lake Diagnostic Study, and the Target Retrofit Project are completed. A Rapid Response Program/Plan for Aquatic Invasive Species is also adopted.

2015 The Bone Lake Diagnostic Study was completed, and significant progress was made on the Hilo Lane Stormwater Retrofit Project, the Bixby Park Project, and the Moody Lake Wetland Restoration feasibility study. The Bone Lake inlet and outlet fish barriers were retrofitted to reduce flooding impacts and turtle mortality.

2016 The Bixby Park Water Quality Improvement project was completed, and implementation began on the Hilo Lane Stormwater Retrofit, Moody Lake Wetland Rehabilitation, and Forest Lake Wetland Treatment Basin projects. Program Assistant and Watershed Assistant were added to staff.

2017

Three major capital improvement projects were completed: Hilo Lane Stormwater Retrofit, Moody Lake Wetland Rehabilitation (Phase 1), and Forest Lake Wetland Treatment Basin (aka 3rd Lake Pond). The District was awarded over $1M in grants for implementing more projects.



2018 District rule revisions and a minor Watershed Management Plan amendment were finalized. Four significant capital improvement projects were completed: Moody Lake Wetland Alum Treatments, Moody Lake Whole-Lake Alum Treatment (phase 1), Bone Lake Wetland Restoration (Edell), and Shields Lake Stormwater Harvest and Irrigation Reuse System. A Watershed Technician/Permitting Coordinator was added to full-time permanent staff.

2019 The following projects were completed: Moody Lake Whole-Lake Alum Treatment (phase 2), Shields Lake Stormwater Harvest & Irrigation Reuse System (Phase 2), Shields Lake Alum Treatment (phase 1), and Shields Lake Fish Barrier Upgrade. Another Watershed Technician and a Project Coordinator were added to full-time permanent staff.

VIII. FINANCIAL REPORT The District is funded by ad valorem taxes levied on properties within the District through statutory authority in the MN Watershed (M.S. 103D) and the Metropolitan Surface Water Management (M.S. 103B) Acts. These funds, along with grants, loans, bonds, and special assessments can be used to fund District projects and programs. The District’s permit program is funded in part through the collection of permit fees.

At a minimum, M.S. Chapter 103D requires that watershed districts have the following programs:

• General/Administrative: conducting the business of the District • Regulation: administering the District’s rules and permits • Planning: administering the District’s watershed management plan and budgets • Maintenance of Projects and District Owned Facilities • Capital Projects • Public Relations: administering the requirements of reporting to and notifying the public

The budget must be adopted and certified on or before September 15th of each year. M.S. Chapter 103D.911 requires that the managers hold a public hearing before adopting a budget.

The District’s annual operational and project budgets are generally greater than the District levy, as the District supplements its annual levy through its reserve fund and grants. Upon adoption of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) in 2008, the District adopted a level multi-year levy strategy that built reserves for future project work. The reserve fund and the annual levy are also supplemented with grant dollars. It is the District’s intention to continue this practice and to partner with its counties and cities to leverage multi-governmental funding and grant opportunities for appropriate projects and programs, including the use of sub-watershed levies and bonding. Also critical to the financial management of the District is the use of 0% interest, 10-year amortized, loans from the Federal Clean Water Act Fund, administered through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). The use of the grants and loan programs through the state and federal clean water programs allows the District to accelerate projects and to reach water quality goals much sooner than is common practice.

The pie charts on the following page break down 2019 budgeted expenses and revenues by category. The Financial Report/Budget Comparison table provides a recent history of the District’s past budgets, levies, and grants.



2019 Expense Budget

Administra�on $214,410

Projects $897,432

Programs $1,101,899

Levy $1,300,000

Permit Fees and Other Revenues

$116,000

Clean Water Partnership Loan

$900,000

Grants $585,035



2019 Estimated Revenues



Financial Report / Budget Comparison

2018 Actual (audited) 2019 Budget 2019 Actual

(audited) REVENUES:

Levy $1,002,413 $1,300,000 $1,297,721 Grants & Other $676,633 $1,601,035 $564,956

TOTAL REVENUES $1,679,046 $2,901,035 $1,862,677 EXPENDITURES: Administra�on $238,153 $214,410 $251,244 Programs:

General Program Development $13,609 $30,614 $25,001 Rules and Rulemaking $13,735 $581 $5,322 Permi�ng $128,272 $166,032 $147,598 Monitoring and Assessment $137,018 $247,794 $147,967 NPS Abatement (Cost-Share) $34,077 $84,180 $49,947 Educa�on & Outreach $72,552 $93,638 $99,411 Tech. Resource Sharing $26,924 $123,138 $128,833 Research $7,034 $9,166 $47,906 Measurement of Progress (WMP) $3,862 $7,045 $5,110 Grant Research & Prep $27,800 $20,731 $23,238 Opera�ons & Maintenance $28,295 $64,786 $65,548 AIS $161,018 $254,194 $253,531

Projects: General Project Development $126,792 $47,097 $56,192

Floodplain $0 $0 $0 Lakes - District-Wide $29,262 $68,555 $23,537 Lakes - Individual Lake Projects $709,365 $670,200 $671,163 Streams $3,450 $5,921 $617 Wetlands $127,822 $77,732 $55,330 Upland Resources $0 $0 $0 Groundwater $3,617 $10,291 $435 Public Educa�on $0 $10,872 $0 Interagency Communica�on $10,016 $6,814 $18,979 Land Acquisi�on and Management $18,297 $581 $15,989

Reserve Fund Alloca�on $379,851 TOTAL EXPENDITURES $1,920,970 $2,593,593 $2,092,898

Revenues over expenditures (nega�ve numbers shown in parentheses) ($241,924) $306,812 ($230,221)

Fund balance - January 1 $980,613 $908,167

Fund balance - December 31 $738,689 $960,022



IX. 2019 FINANCIAL AUDIT The 2019 financial audit office visit was completed by Abdo, Eick and Meyers, LLP, on March 2-3, 2020. The final audit documents include the District’s Annual Financial Report and the Independent Auditor’s Report on Compliance with Minnesota Legal Compliance Guide of Local Governments for the year ended December 31, 2019. A complete copy of the 2019 financial audit report is available by contacting the District office or visiting the District’s website at www.clflwd.org/AnnualReportsandAudits.php.

X. DISTRICT PROGRAMS

A. District Rules and Permitting Program

In order to fulfill requirements mandated by the State, as well as provide guidance to local communities, the CLFLWD adopted Rules on December 18, 2008. The District rules and information on its permit program and materials can be found on its website at www.clflwd.org/permitting.php.

Revisions to the District rules went into effect on March 12, 2018. One significant result of the rule revisions was an increase in Erosion Control permit issuance due to the reduction in the applicability threshold from 200 cubic yards of disturbance to 50 cubic yards of disturbance (in addition to other threshold changes). Erosion control is critical to water quality, and a strong regulatory program for land use alterations is the foundation of a successful water quality program.

In 2019, there were 44 permit applications: down slightly from 47 in 2018. All applications were reviewed by staff and the District Engineer, Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc. Over the course of the year, 82 permits were active at various times and 805 site inspections occurred (both of which increased from 2018 figures). Compliance rates of these inspections were evaluated in the 2019 Progress Report and determined to be at 95.6% compliant, which is measured as “Excellent” by the District’s progress evaluation metric for the permitting program. It is anticipated that a high level of permit activity will continue in 2020. Appendix A contains a summary of the permits and variances issued in 2019. No applications were denied.

(Left to right): Bee pollinating a purple prairie coneflower, ducks feeding along the shoreline of Forest Lake, invasive common carp removed from Shields Lake

http://www.clflwd.org/AnnualReportsandAudits.php

http://www.clflwd.org/permitting.php



B. Monitoring and Data Assessment

In 2019, Bone, Keewahtin, Forest, and Comfort lakes were meeting their 2020 and 2030 water quality goals according to their latest 5-year average phosphorus concentration, clarity and lake grade; Keewahtin was meeting its 2040 goals for these parameters. Little Comfort was meeting its 2020 and 2030 water quality goals for lake grade only. The table below summarizes major District lakes and whether they are meeting their 2020, 2030 or 2040 goals for 5-year average phosphorus concentration, clarity and lake grade.

District Lakes’ Goal Statuses Lake Mee�ng 2020 Goals? Mee�ng 2030 Goals? Mee�ng 2040 Goals?

Moody Lake Bone Lake Phosphorus

Clarity Grade Phosphorus Clarity Grade

Litle Comfort Lake Grade Grade Shields Lake Lake Keewah�n Phosphorus

Clarity Grade Phosphorus Clarity Grade

Phosphorus Clarity Grade

Forest Lake Phosphorus Clarity Grade


Comfort Lake Phosphorus Clarity Grade


Baseline monitoring continued in 2019 with a multi-partnership approach. The District contracted with the Washington Conservation District (WCD) for technical services associated with the majority of the monitoring program. Volunteers, through the Metropolitan Council’s Citizen-Assisted Monitoring Program (CAMP) collected water samples, took Secchi depth and surface water temperature, and recorded basic user perceptions and weather information. The use of volunteers not only results in a savings to the monitoring budget but also builds relationships between the District and local lake associations and stakeholders. In 2019, eight volunteers participated in CAMP, collecting data on six lakes including Moody, Bone, Second, Keewahtin, Forest (3 basins), and Comfort lakes.

The District contracted with WCD to monitor water quality and flowage at 22 sites including eight stream monitoring sites and 14 in-lake monitoring sites. Monitoring reports can be found on the District’s website at www.clflwd.org/data.php.

In addition to ongoing baseline water monitoring, the District performed more targeted monitoring for four studies and projects across the Bone, Little Comfort and Comfort lake management districts.

These monitoring efforts track the quality of the District’s water resources and help assess the effectiveness of District projects, following the principle of implementing adaptive

http://www.clflwd.org/data.php



management. Adaptive management is an interactive approach of implementation, evaluation, and course correction. Future conditions and technological advances may alter the specific course of actions detailed in the District’s CIP. Continued monitoring and course corrections responding to monitoring results offer the best opportunity for meeting the various management goals. Through adaptive management effective best management practices (BMPs) and capital improvement projects can be determined.

Lake Grades

MPCA Lake Type DNR Public Water

Classification

Lake Grade

Lake DNR ID Acres 2019 5-yr Avg

Birch 13-0042-00 33 Shallow Wetland C

Bone 82-0054-00 221 General Lake B- B-

Comfort 13-0053-00 218 General Lake B- B-

Elwell 82-0079-00 16 Shallow Wetland C- C-

Forest (West) 82-0156-00 1,086 General Lake B+ B-

Forest (Middle) 82-0156-00 364 General Lake C+ C+

Forest (East) 82-0156-00 790 General Lake B C+

Forest (All Basins) 82-0156-00 2,240 General Lake B- C+

Fourth Lake 13-0022-00 8 Shallow Wetland D D

Heims 13-0056-00 90 Shallow Lake C-

Keewahtin 82-0080-00 75 General Lake A A

Lendt Lake 13-0103-00 42 Shallow Wetland B+ B+

Little Comfort 13-0054-00 36 General Lake C C

Moody 13-0023-00 45 General Wetland C- D-

Nielsen 82-0055-00 37 n/a Wetland F+

Second 13-0025-00 75 Shallow Wetland B+ B+

School 13-0057-00 47 Shallow Wetland C-

Sea 82-0053-00 50 Shallow Lake B-

Shields 82-0162-00 30 Shallow Wetland D F+

Third Lake 13-0024-00 42 Shallow Lake B+ B+

Twin Lake 82-0157-00 19 n/a Wetland B B 5-yr Avg = Most recent five year average (2015-2019)



Progress towards District phosphorus and Secchi goals

Lakes (in order of increasing TP)

2019 Growing Season Average

10-Year Average 5-Year Average

2010-2019

Years of

Data

Existing (2015-2019)

Years of Data

2020 District

Goal

2030 District

Goal

2040 District

Goal

Phosphorus Concentration (µg/L)

Keewahtin 15 16 9 16 4 20 20 20

Comfort 26 33 10 31 5 40 33 30

Bone 27 35 10 31 5 40 30 30

Forest 34 35 10 36 5 37 33 30

Forest East 32 36 9 37 5 37 33 30

Forest Middle 51 38 9 39 5 37 33 30

Forest West 20 34 10 32 5 37 33 30

Heims -- 43 2 33 1 40 40 40

School -- 52 2 52 2 50 40 40

Little Comfort 58 56 10 61 5 40 40 30

Birch -- 97 2 97 2 60 60 60

Moody 60 103 10 93 5 60 40 40

Shields 128 212 8 208 5 100 60 60

Secchi Depth (ft)

Keewahtin 13.4 14.8 9 13.8 4 10 10 10

Comfort 5.3 5.4 10 6.0 5 5 5 7

Bone 4.9 4.7 10 5.1 5 4 7 7

Forest 7.3 5.9 10 6.5 5 5 6 7

Forest East 7.9 6.6 9 7.2 5 5 6 7

Forest Middle 7.0 6.4 9 7.0 5 5 6 7

Forest West 7.1 5.0 10 5.4 5 5 6 7

Heims -- 2.8 1 2.8 1

School -- 2.7 2 2.7 2 4 4.6 4.6

Little Comfort 4.5 4.7 10 4.1 5 5 5 7

Birch -- 4.2 2 4.2 2 3.3 3.3 3.3

Moody 2.4 2.5 10 2.2 5 3.3 4.6 4.6

Shields 2.5 2.9 8 2.3 5 4.26 4.26 4.26 ## = meets District Goal; ## = does not meet District Goal

Note that the Forest Lake and Bone Lake 2030 goals are proposed changes that will be considered during the next major plan amendment.



C. Nonpoint Source Pollution Abatement (Cost-Share) Program

Residential Program Technical and financial assistance was made available to residential property owners in the District who wished to plant native species on their property to provide wildlife habitat, control erosion, and protect water quality. The District began a new program in 2016 that provided 100% cost-share grants to homeowners in an amount up to $500 for the purchase of native plants. 2019 marked the second year in which the District solely offered plant grants as part of its cost-share program. The District partners with Washington Conservation District (WCD) and Chisago Soil and Water Conservation District (CSWCD) to implement this program.

In 2019, CLFLWD, WCD, and Chisago SWCD staff performed 21 site visits in order to engage with interested homeowners. As a result of those site visits, five projects were completed in 2019, with several more slated for completion in 2020. Below is a summary table showing the total number of projects implemented in each county since the beginning of the District’s cost-share program in 2006.

Cost-Share Project Implementation Summary County Number of Tradi�onal Cost-

Share Projects Implemented 2006-Present

Number of Plant Grant Projects Implemented 2006-Present

Washington County 40 18 Chisago County 7 3 TOTAL 47 21

Agricultural & Rural Land Program Using information from studies and field transect surveys of all existing cropland within the Bone Lake drainage area, the District has been working to reduce the highest pollutant loads through a variety of programs, best management practices, and projects. In 2019, the District continued landowner outreach and began work under a Clean Water Fund grant for the Bone Lake Subwatershed Assessment (SWA) Implementation Project. Outreach and project feasibility will continue into 2020.

D. Education and Outreach

The District sustained a high level of education and outreach activity in 2019 with the help of the Watershed Assistant and East Metro Water Resources Education Program (EMWREP). The EMWREP 2019 Annual Report is available at www.clflwd.org/education.php. Appendix B contains the District’s winter 2018/2019 newsletter that was mailed out to all District residents. Below is a summary of education and outreach activities performed by the District in 2019.

Residential “plant grant” native planting

https://www.clflwd.org/education.php



Ongoing Activities:

• Hosted first annual State of the Watershed Annual Public Meeting and introduced first Citizen Watershed Champion Annual Awards program

• Presented at local lake association meetings (Bone Lake, Forest Lake, Comfort Lake) • Visited classrooms and conducted hands-on activities with Lakes International

Language Academy • Hosted booths at Forest Lake High School Career Fair and Agriculture Open House

events • Increased Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) involvement in education and outreach

activities • Worked with Citizen Advisory Committee to develop District stakeholder awards

program framework • Provided continued support for new and existing Master Water Stewards and Master

Watershed Stewards • Hosted 8 Turf Talk education programs Presented by Master Watershed Steward &

CAC member Jack MacKenzie • Maintained increased social media presence • Maintained increased level of “in-house” (i.e. created by the District for the District)

informational material and mailer development • Assisted in the planning and execution of a Non-point Source Education for Municipal

Officials (NEMO) workshop • Hosted educational booth at the Chisago County Children’s Water Festival in

partnership with the Chisago County Water Resources • Presented to area contractors on the topic of erosion control best management practices • Hosted booth at the City of Forest Lake’s Arts in the Park event • Hosted group of Century College students who visited the CLFLWD office and learned

about watershed districts and jobs in the water resources field

Citizen Advisory Committee Activities:

• The District’s Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) met on a monthly basis and provided regular updates at District board meetings. Updates included input on District programs such as aquatic invasive species management, cost-share grant program, and education/outreach opportunities.

• CAC participation in education and outreach remained steady with members assisting District staff to implement the District Watershed Champion awards program and facilitate resident input regarding the Watershed Management Plan Update.

(Left to right): Forest Lake High School career fair booth, Chisago County Children’s Water Festival,

Lakes International Language Academy storm drain chalk day pictures



Master Watershed Stewards: In 2019 the District continued its support of the St. Croix Master Watershed Stewards program. Participants completed interdisciplinary coursework related to water quality and implemented a capstone project of their own design to educate their community about the importance of protecting water resources. In 2019 Jack MacKenzie, 2017 Master Watershed Steward graduate, continued his “Turf Talk” workshops aimed at teaching local homeowners about the important relationship between lawn care and water resources. These talks will continue throughout 2020, and information on times and locations are posted to the District website regularly: www.clflwd.org.

Master Water Stewards: In 2019 the District continued collaborating, through the East Metro Water Resource Education Program, with the Freshwater Society to train Master Water Stewards. Two residents from the District, Jean & John Schreckeis (Lake Keewahtin) completed the program. Master Water Steward Tom Furey (Bone Lake), who was certified in 2018, helped a neighbor to complete a shoreline upland native planting; joined the watershed CAC; and is working with Scandia area partners to create a gravel bed tree nursery and promote native plants for pollinators and clean water.

E. Technical Resource Sharing and Interagency Communication

One Watershed, One Plan In 2018, organizations in the Lower St. Croix (LSC) watershed began the One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P) planning process. This process continued through 2019. CLFLWD staff and Board of Managers played an active role in the process by attending regular meetings, reviewing and providing input on planning documents, assisting with plan writing tasks, and assisting with website creation and other outreach tasks. Fifteen local units of government participate in the Lower St. Croix One Watershed-One Plan process. More information is available at www.lsc1w1p.org.

Watershed Management Plan Amendment In 2019, the District began preparations on its major 10-year Watershed Management Plan (WMP) update. Interagency and public outreach was the first primary task in the process and included request for agency priority issues, request for Citizen Advisory Committee priority issues, online public input survey, public kickoff meeting at Forest Lake Arts in the Park, initial planning meeting with Technical Advisory Committee, and small group listening sessions. News, event postings and other information on the WMP 10-year update can be found at www.clflwdplanupdate.org.

Ongoing Interagency Communication The District coordinates with other agencies on a regular basis in order to implement the majority of its programs and projects. It is estimated that at least 70% (likely more) of the District’s activities are coordinated with another organization or agency. Some of the agencies and organizations that the District regularly coordinates with include: local municipalities, neighboring watershed districts, Chisago and Washington Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Chisago and Washington Counties, Chisago Lake Improvement District, MN Dept. of Natural Resources, MN Pollution Control Agency, MN Dept. of Transportation,


http://www.lsc1w1p.org/

http://www.clflwdplanupdate.org/



Metropolitan Council, St. Croix Watershed Research Station, East Metro Water Resources Education Program, and more.

F. Research

In 2019, the District worked with St. Croix Watershed Research Station (SCWRS) for a second phase of lake deep sediment core collection. Cores were taken on Bone Lake and School Lake in 2019, and the final report will be available by July 2020. In 2019 the District worked with Claros Technologies to field test a new phosphorus absorbing media. More details can be found in the 2019 Progress Report.

G. Measurement of Progress

In 2015, the District began a comprehensive effort to evaluate progress toward the goals and metrics described in the District’s 2012-2021 Watershed Management Plan, resulting in the creation of the District’s first annual comprehensive Progress Report in 2016. 2019 marked the fourth year that the District created a comprehensive Progress Report. The report is available on the District’s website at: www.clflwd.org.

H. Grant Research & Preparation

The District applied for $1.6 million in grant funds for fiscal year 2019. A total of 12 grant applications were submitted by the District. A total of $248,260 in grant funds were awarded to the District in FY19. (Note that grant awards do not necessarily result in actual grant revenue in the same year).

The District received an additional $57,000 from partner organizations to further District activities within the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention and Management Program. Contributing partner organizations include Chisago County, City of Forest Lake, Forest Lake Lake Association, Comfort Lake Association, Bone Lake Association, City of Scandia, and Scandia-Marine Lions Club.

I. Operations and Maintenance

The purpose of the Operations & Maintenance Program is to continue regular operational activities and address maintenance needs of District-owned projects and facilities. In 2019, the District performed inspection and maintenance activities on the following projects/facilities: Bixby Park Water Quality Improvement Project water control weirs, Shields Lake Stormwater Harvest & Irrigation Reuse System, Bone Lake inlet and outlet fish barriers, Shields Lake fish barrier, and Moody Lake winter aeration system. The latter three facilities help control populations of rough fish, such as carp, that disturb lake-bottom sediments and reduce water quality. The fish barriers reduce the ability for carp to spawn and reproduce, and the aeration system increases wintertime oxygen levels in Moody Lake in order to help gamefish populations survive and keep rough fish populations under control. The Shields Lake Stormwater Harvest & Irrigation Reuse System prevents 77-94 pounds of phosphorus from entering Shields Lake, reducing algae growth significantly. It will restore up to 26 million gallons of water per year for aquifer recharge and provide Forest Hills Golf Course rain water and surface water for irrigation, reducing the need for groundwater pumping. The system went online in fall 2019; 2020 will be the first full year of operation for the project.




Moody Lake aeration system thin ice/open water patch and warning signage

J. Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention and Management

In 2019, the District continued a high level of involvement in the prevention and management of aquatic invasive species (AIS) on all major lakes. Regular updates were provided at monthly board meetings throughout the growing season. The latest report can always be found on the District’s website: www.clflwd.org/AISUpdates.php.

The following yearend reports and summaries were completed for the year 2019:

• AIS Program Yearend Summary • Watercraft Inspection Program Yearend Report • Bone Lake Zebra Mussel Rapid Response Report • Moody Lake: Curly-leaf Pondweed Delineation & Assessment • Bone Lake: Curly-leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Watermilfoil Delineation & Assessment • Shields Lake: Curly-leaf Pondweed Delineation & Assessment, Carp Removal Project

Report • Forest Lake: Curly-leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Watermilfoil Delineation & Assessment,

Flowering Rush Delineation & Assessment • Comfort Lake: Curly-leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Watermilfoil Delineation &

Assessment, Point-Intercept Macrophyte Survey

In spring 2019 the District partnered with several other agencies and local stakeholders to implement its zebra mussel rapid response plan after discovering zebra mussels in Bone Lake. An eradication treatment was performed and, to date, no additional zebra mussels have been discovered. The District and partners will continue to perform surveys on Bone Lake to monitor for new infestations. In fall 2019 the District performed a carp removal on Shields Lake. A second round will occur in spring 2020.

As in previous years, the District contracted with Blue Water Science to complete several AIS surveys. Using information from the surveys, the District coordinated four curly-leaf pondweed treatments (Moody, Bone, Shields and Forest lakes) and two rounds of flowering rush treatment on Forest Lake. Additionally, one round of manual flower removal was performed on flowering rush in Forest Lake. The District did not treat Eurasian watermilfoil in 2018 or 2019 but continued to coordinate the surveys. Management of curly-leaf pondweed and flowering rush in Forest Lake was a joint effort between the District, the Forest Lake Lake

http://www.clflwd.org/AISUpdates.php

https://www.clflwd.org/documents/2019AISYearEndReport.pdf

https://www.clflwd.org/documents/Combined_2019YearendWatercraftInspectionSummaryReport.pdf

https://www.clflwd.org/documents/BoneLakeRapidResponseReport_FINAL02192020.pdf

https://www.clflwd.org/documents/BoneLakeRapidResponseReport_FINAL02192020.pdf

https://www.clflwd.org/documents/1-MoodyR19-CLPdelineationandassessment12-5-19.pdf

https://www.clflwd.org/documents/2-BoneR19-CLP-EWMDelineationandAssess12-5-19.pdf

https://www.clflwd.org/documents/3-ShieldsR19-CLPdelineationandassessment12-5-19.pdf

https://www.clflwd.org/documents/4-2019_WSB_FinalReport_ShieldsLake_2019CarpRemovalProject.pdf

https://www.clflwd.org/documents/4-2019_WSB_FinalReport_ShieldsLake_2019CarpRemovalProject.pdf

https://www.clflwd.org/documents/5-ForestR19-CLP-EWMdelineationandassessment12-20-19.pdf

https://www.clflwd.org/documents/6-ForestR19-Floweringrush12-20-19.pdf

https://www.clflwd.org/documents/7-ComfortR19-CLPdelineation-assessment-PIsurvey12-20-19.pdf

https://www.clflwd.org/documents/7-ComfortR19-CLPdelineation-assessment-PIsurvey12-20-19.pdf

https://www.clflwd.org/documents/8-ComfortR19-PIsurvey12-20-19.pdf



Association, and the City of Forest Lake. Communication with the lake associations on Bone, Comfort, and Forest lakes were a key component of AIS prevention and management in 2019 and will continue in 2020. Management of two new invasive species occurred as well – water hyacinth and nonnative phragmites on and near Bone Lake. The District will continue to monitor these populations in 2020.

The District continued conducting watercraft inspections at public access points on Forest, Bone and Comfort lakes through a joint powers agreement between the District and Chisago County, and also by hiring several of its own inspectors to perform additional inspections. In 2019, there were 7,069 inspection surveys performed over 3,918 hours at public accesses within the CLFLWD. This includes inspections by both the MN Department of Natural Resources, the CLFLWD-Chisago County joint program, and locally hired CLFLWD inspectors. The figures below show the total number of inspection hours per public access in 2019 and the District-wide total inspection hours and number of inspections performed each season since 2014.

Inspection numbers vary each year, but overall show an increasing trend compared to when the program began. A major factor in the District’s ability to perform more inspection surveys and hours at accesses is funding, which comes from multiple sources such as local tax levy, grants, and partner organization contributions. In 2019, the District’s watercraft inspection program received funding contributions from the following sources: Washington County AIS Prevention Aid, Chisago County AIS Prevention Aid, City of Forest Lake, City of Scandia, Forest Lake Lake Association, Bone Lake Association, Comfort Lake Association, Scandia-Marine Lions Club, and the District’s tax levy.

(Left to right): Barrier installation for Bone Lake zebra mussel treatment, Carp removal on Shields

Lake, Nonnative phragmites near Bone Lake.



2019 Inspection Hours Per Access

Inspection Hours and Number of Inspections (2015-2019)



Flow map showing the lakes that were visited by watercraft before coming to either Forest Lake, Comfort Lake or Bone Lake. Each line represents at least on boater who traveled from another

Minnesota lake to a CLFLWD lake.



XI. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS Below are descriptions of several capital improvement projects and pre-project studies that the District worked on in 2019. More info on projects is available at: www.clflwd.org/projects.php.

Moody Lake Alum Treatment

The second round of a split-application whole-lake alum treatment on Moody Lake occurred in October 2019 (the first round occurred in October 2018). Splitting the alum treatment into two rounds improved buffering, thus enabling Moody Lake to maintain a more stable pH during the treatments. The alum treatment addresses the internal phosphorus loading in the lake that comes from phosphorus-laden sediments in the lakebed. In addition to adsorbing dissolved phosphorus in the water column, the alum treatment de-mobilizes this phosphorus in the sediment so that it will not dissolve into the water column. These two effects of the treatment reduce the phosphorus available to feed algae and subsequently improves water quality. It is predicted that the alum treatment, in combination with the upstream wetland rehabilitation project, will bring Moody Lake to its long-term water quality goal of a summer average phosphorus concentration of 40 micrograms/L. The District received $135,000 in Clean Water Funds for this project.

Whole-lake Alum Treatment on Moody Lake in October 2020

Moody Lake Wetland Restoration Project

By the start of 2019, the first two phases of this project, which entailed work on Wetlands A/B, were completed. At the end of the 2018 monitoring season, results showed that the project achieved a 56% reduction in phosphorus concentration at a monitoring point located downstream of the project and upstream of Moody Lake, compared to pre-project conditions. This equates to an estimated phosphorus load reduction of 376 pounds per year. The ultimate goal for the entire project will be to attain a 68% reduction in phosphorus concentration at this monitoring point, or 445 pounds per year. The District proposes to achieve the rest of the phosphorus reduction with the third and final phase of the project: Wetland C. During winter 2019/2020 the District began work on Wetland C, located downstream from Wetlands A/B. A water level control device will be installed in order to slow the flow of water, allowing suspended solids and pollutants to drop out of the water column. Construction will wrap up by spring 2020 and post-construction effectiveness monitoring will occur. The District received two grants for this project totaling over $500,000.

(Left) Moody Lake Wetland C Construction

http://www.clflwd.org/projects.php



Bone Lake Partially Drained Wetland Restorations

Landowner coordination and project feasibility continued through 2019. The proposed wetland restorations are located along the tributary identified as the single highest source of phosphorus loading to Bone Lake. These wetland restorations are estimated to reduce watershed phosphorus loads to Bone Lake by 50 pounds per year, or 9% of the total load reductions needed for Bone Lake to achieve its in-lake water quality goal. Additionally, the restored wetlands will provide suitable habitat for a diverse assemblage of wetland plants and animals. In 2020, the District plans to complete construction the remaining wetland restorations. The District received a Clean Water Fund grant in the amount of $88,000 for this project.

Bone Lake Subwatershed Analysis Implementation

This project proposes the implementation of 10 best management practices (BMPs) identified as having the lowest cost, highest benefit ratio as it relates to phosphorus reduction to downstream Moody and Bone Lakes. These BMPs are estimated to reduce watershed phosphorus loads to Bone Lake by 90 pounds per year and to Moody Lake by 24 pounds per year, and reduce watershed sediment loads to Bone Lake by 8.2 tons per year and to Moody Lake by 4.9 tons per year. The District received a Clean Water Fund grant in the amount of $144,000 for this project.

Shields Lake Stormwater Harvest, Irrigation Reuse System and Alum Treatment

The stormwater harvest and irrigation reuse system wrapped up in 2019, and the system went online in the fall. This component of the project is predicted to result in a phosphorus load reduction of 77-94 pounds per year for Shields Lake, reducing algae growth significantly. It is also estimated to restore up to 26 million gallons of water per year for aquifer recharge and provide water supply for Forest Hills Golf Course irrigation. Currently, the golf course withdraws approximately 12 to 30 million gallons of water each year from the Mt. Simon aquifer, a deep, regionally significant aquifer, as well as the Tunnel City, Wonewoc and Eau Claire aquifers.

The first round of a split-application whole-lake alum treatment on Shields Lake occurred in October 2019 (the second round will occur in fall 2020). The project is predicted to reduce phosphorus loads such that Shields Lake achieves its long-term water quality goal (summer average phosphorus concentration of 60 micrograms/liter) and a clear water state. This will subsequently result in an estimated phosphorus reduction of 531 pounds per year to Forest Lake.

(Left) Project Rendering (Right) Stormwater Harvest Pond



Washington Judicial Ditch 6 Iron-Enhanced Sand Filter

This project will treat 50% of the subwatershed runoff with an offline, multi-cell iron enhanced sand filtration (IESF) treatment system. The headwaters of Washington Judicial Ditch 6 (WJD-6) is dominated by wetlands and contributes nearly half of the total phosphorus load in the WJD-6 system, most of which is dissolved and difficult to remove with traditional best management practices. The IESF will reduce watershed phosphorus loads to Forest Lake by 85 pounds per year. The estimated cost-benefit based on preliminary designs is in the range of $700-$1,000 per pound of phosphorus removed. A more refined phosphorus reduction and life-cycle cost benefit will be completed as part of the feasibility design study in 2020. This project was identified through multiple rounds of diagnostic monitoring which found that WJD-6 is the second largest contributor of water flow and phosphorus loads to Forest Lake, second only to Shields Lake which is currently addressed by implementation of the Shields Lake Stormwater Harvest, Irrigation Reuse System and Alum Treatment project. The District performed project feasibility, landowner outreach, preliminary design, and submitted a Clean Water Fund grant application for this project in 2019. In early 2020 the District was awarded $747,400 in grant funds to implement the project.

Hayward Avenue Cattail Harvest

This project will remove phosphorus and other nutrients from the soil in a wetland located off Hayward Avenue near Forest Lake. The emergent parts of the invasive hybrid cattail plant (Typha x glauca leaves, stems and flowers) will be harvested and removed from the wetland ecosystem. This will remove phosphorus from the wetland soils and decrease the amount of phosphorus being transported out of this wetland into Forest Lake. The estimated phosphorus reduction to Forest Lake is 11 pounds per year based on some preliminary monitoring from the North Ottawa Impoundment project. There is currently not enough research and data to support with a high level of confidence the potential phosphorus reduction and life cycle cost estimate for cattail biomass harvesting. This project was identified through the Forest Lake Diagnostic Study and consequent Hayward Avenue Feasibility Study. The District received Watershed Based Funding in the amount of $78,760 for project implementation in the Hayward and Castlewood subwatersheds.

Castlewood Subwatershed Agricultural Best Management Practices

In order to reduce cropland erosion and nutrient loading to Forest Lake tributaries, the District will implement agricultural best management practices (BMPs) on a 50-acre farm field in the Castlewood subwatershed. This project will reduce phosphorus loading to Forest Lake by an estimated 5 pounds per year. Due to wet conditions during the planting season, BMP implementation was delayed and is now slated for 2020. The District received Watershed Based Funding in the amount of $78,760 for project implementation in the Hayward and Castlewood subwatersheds.

Forest Lake Enhanced Street Sweeping Study & Implementation

In 2017 and 2018, the District developed an enhanced street sweeping plan for the City of Forest Lake that optimizes phosphorus removal from increasing sweeping frequency with the cost of additional sweeps. The plan made recommendations for a functional enhanced street sweeping plan that was adopted by the City of Forest Lake as part of their regular street maintenance program. The final report can be found at: www.clflwd.org/data.php. Using information from the study, and with assistance from the CLFLWD and Rice Creek Watershed District, the City of Forest Lake applied for and was awarded a Clean Water Fund grant in the amount of $220,000 to




purchase an air regenerative vacuum street sweeper. In 2019, the City used the new sweeper to implement the enhanced sweeping program as recommended by the plan. CLFLWD partnerd with the City and University of MN to log sediment collection data and test on the lab in order to quantify actual load reductions achieved by the program. Results are expected in spring 2020.

Forest Lake Wetland Treatment Basin (aka 3rd Lake Pond Project)

In 2019 the District continued working on establishing the wetland buffer surrounding the project basin. In 2017, the project converted the existing degraded wetland basin from a phosphorus source to a phosphorus sink, removing an estimated 56 pounds per year from that tributary. Project effectiveness monitoring was performed throughout the spring and summer months in 2017 and 2018. Results indicated that the project exceeded its goal of reducing phosphorus concentrations by at least 24%. It will take several years for the wetland buffer to become fully established.

Little Comfort Lake Subwatershed Studies

The Little Comfort Lake Phosphorus Source Assessment was completed in 2018, identifying the need for further diagnostic monitoring and project targeting. In 2019 the District began the Bone Lake Outlet Wetland Feasibility Study, an upstream contributor to Little Comfort Lake. Findings from the study are available at www.clflwd.org/data.php. Additionally, the District is partnering with the St. Croix Watershed Research Station to collect paleolimnological core samples on School Lake, which will inform phosphorus reduction strategies in the Little Comfort Lake subwatershed.

Sunrise River Drained Wetland Restoration

The purpose of this project is to address, on a sub-regional scale, water quality improvements that address concentrated and polluted flows generated from a ditch that discharges to the Sunrise River downstream of the Bixby Park project and the City of Forest Lake. The proposed project will modify an existing ditched wetland complex located on 41.7 acres of District-owned tax forfeited property to increase water quality treatment potential and storage capacity. The proposed project diverts flow from an existing drainage ditch system out of Heims Lake at the Highway 61 culvert, through a pre-treatment cell, and then diffuses the flow into the wetland complex located on the Tax Forfeit property owned by the District. The project will result in annual phosphorus reductions of 54 pounds per year, helping to restore and protect Comfort Lake which ultimately drains to the St. Croix River through the Sunrise River. Life cycle costs and reduction in total suspended solids (TSS) will be calculated as part of the project feasibility design study to begin in 2020. The project was identified for targeted implementation through the District’s 2012 Sunrise River Water Quality and Flowage Project and the 2010 CLFLWD District Six Lakes TMDL Study. The District performed project feasibility, preliminary design, and submitted a Clean Water Fund grant application for this project in 2019. In early 2020 the District was awarded $492,000 in grant funds to implement the project.




XII. 2020 WORK PLAN AND BUDGET The 2020 budget and levy were adopted on September 5, 2019, with an approved expense budget of $2.8 million and watershed-wide ad valorem levy of $1.4 million. A summary of the final budget and funding sources is provided below.

2020 Expense Budget

2020 Estimated Revenues

Administra�on $351,345

Projects $951,763

Programs $1,540,346

Permit Fees and Other Revenues

$123,500

Levy $1,400,000

Grants $971,777

Clean Water Partnership Loan

$856,693



2020 Expense Budget Overview

*District staff costs (wages, benefits, PERA, payroll taxes) are allocated to different sec�ons of the budget using the breakdown from the current year’s work plan



2020 Estimated Revenue Overview

Revenue Source Description Estimated 2020 Revenue

2020 LEVIES $1,400,000 General Fund $250,000 Insurance Levy $8,200 Projects/Programs to support WMP/CIP $1,141,800

2020 LOAN $856,693

Clean Water Partnership Loan $856,693 2020 ESTIMATED GRANT REVENUE $971,777

FY20 Clean Water Fund: WJD-6 Headwaters Iron-Enhanced Sand Filter $373,700 FY20 Clean Water Fund: Sunrise River Drained Wetland Restoration $246,000 FY20 AIS Prevention Aid: Forest Lake Flowering Rush Management $5,143 FY20 AIS Prevention Aid: Forest Lake Curly-Leaf Pondweed Management $5,143 FY20 AIS Prevention Aid: Forest and Bone Lake Watercraft Inspections $16,500 FY20 Invasive Species Control (Forest/Bone/Shields/Moody combined) $12,477 FY19 Watershed Based Funding: Castlewood & Hayward Subwatersheds $31,504 FY19 Clean Water Fund: Bone Lake SWA Implementation $57,600 FY18 Clean Water Fund: Moody Lake Alum Treatment $67,500 FY17 Clean Water Fund: Shields Lake Stormwater Harvest $82,400 FY17 Clean Water Fund: Bone Lake Wetland Restorations $8,800 FY17 Clean Water Fund: Forest Lake Enhanced Street Sweeping Plan $3,600 FY16 Section 319: Moody Lake Wetland Rehabilitation $61,410

2020 ESTIMATED OTHER REVENUES $123,500

Forest Lake Lake Association $4,500 Bone Lake Association $2,500 Comfort Lake Association $500 City of Forest Lake $30,000 City of Scandia $1,000 City of Wyoming TBD Chisago County $5,000 Permit Fees $80,000

TOTAL ESTIMATED REVENUE $3,351,970

*Excess revenue is placed in Reserve Fund for future projects.



2020 Work Plan Overview

Permit Number Permit Name Permit Status Rule 2. Rule 3. Rule 4. Rule 5. Rule 6. Rule 7. Rule 11.18-023 Shoreview One Subdivision Issued X X X18-028 North Lakes Academy Issued X X18-041 Forest Lake Retail Issued X X18-043 Julian Single Family Home Issued X X19-001 Groth Single Family Home Issued X19-002 Rafferty Single Family Home Issued X19-003 Forest Lake 2019 Street Pavement Maintenance Issued X19-004 Forest Lake 2019 Street Improvements Issued X19-005 Menards Warehouse Addition Issued X X19-006 Liberty Ponds Single Family Home 12 Issued X19-007 Liberty Ponds Single Family Home 13 Issued X19-008 Tollberg Single Family Home Issued X19-009 Cherry Hill Minor Subdivision Under Review X X19-010 Lisu Church Site Improvements Under Review X X19-011 Liberty Ponds Single Family Home 14 Issued X19-012 Woltjer Single Family Home Issued X19-013 Wyoming Elementary School Issued X19-014 D.C. Contracting Single Family Home Issued X19-015 Liberty Ponds Single Family Home 15 Issued X19-016 Forest Lake Sportsman Club Issued X19-017 Bailey Grading and Storm System Tie-in Issued X19-018 Erickson Single Family Home Issued X19-019 Saunders Grading Issued X19-020 Liberty Ponds Single Family Home 16 Issued X19-021 Sill Single Family Home Issued X19-022 Geske Septic System Issued X19-023 Liberty Ponds Single Family Home 17 Under Review X19-024 Halver Grading and Future Home Issued X19-025 Gross Building Pad Approved X19-026 Houle Single Family Home Issued X19-027 A-1 Mini Storage Issued X X19-028 Shoreview Two Subdivision Under Review19-029 Radtke Single Family Home Issued X19-030 Oxton Single Family Home Issued X19-031 Vargas Single Family Home Issued X19-032 Sklavenitis Single Family Home Issued X19-033 USS Solar Sources Community Solar Garden Issued X X19-034 Brown Single Family Home Issued X19-035 Nolan Single Family Home Issued X19-036 Aadland West Subdivision Under Review19-037 Ryan Single Family Home Under Review19-038 Poferl Garage Addition Issued19-039 Hauble Single Family Home Issued X19-040 MNDOT SP 8212-31 TH 97 Issued X X19-041 Whispering Pines Parking Lot Expansion Issued X X19-042 Hickle Single Family Home Issued X19-043 Waddle Lot Under Review X X

Appendix A - Summary of Permits and Variances Issued

KeyRule 2.0 - Stormwater ManagementRule 3.0 - Erosion ControlRule 4.0 - Lake, Stream, Wetland BuffersRule 5.0 - Shoreline & Streambank Alterations Rule 6.0 - Watercourse & Basin CrossingsRule 7.0 - Floodplain & Drainage AlterationsRule 11 - Variances

Visit www.clflwd.org/permitting.php for more info.

www.clflwd.org/permitting.php

Appendix B - Winter 2018/2019 Newsletter

44 L

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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 - [email protected] Anderson, Vice President - [email protected] Oknich, Secretary - [email protected] Schmaltz, Treasurer - [email protected] Moe, Assistant Treasurer - [email protected]

DISTRICT STAFF (651) 395-5850Mike Kinney, Administrator - [email protected] Heinz, Watershed Technician - [email protected] Lindemyer, Watershed Assistant - [email protected] Edison, Permitting Coordinator - [email protected]

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, andbefore you apply salt. The more snow you clearmanually, the less salt you’ll need.

2. SelectSalt doesn’t melt ice if the pavement is below15 degrees, so use sand for traction when it’stoo cold, or choose a different de-icer

3. ScatterUse salt only where it’s critical. When youapply salt to the pavement, leave plenty ofspace between granules. A 12-ounce coffee cupof salt is enough to cover 10 sidewalk squaresor a 20-foot driveway.

4. SweepClean up leftover salt, sand and de-icer to saveand 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 [email protected]

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.

2019 Annual Report 2020 Work Plan & Budget · 2020-04-29 · 3 | Page 2019 Annual Report 2019...

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Transcript of 2019 Annual Report 2020 Work Plan & Budget · 2020-04-29 · 3 | Page 2019 Annual Report 2019...