1d Environmental Comm AppointeeCITYOF
CHANHASSEN
MEMORANDUM
ffir~ Center Drive, PO Box 147 TO:
,anhassen, Minnesota 55317
FROM:
Phone 612.937.1900
3neralE,~x 612.937.5Z~9 DATE:
;ineering Fax 612.937. 9152
,/ic Safqy £ax 612.934.2524 SUB J:
'b wtvt~: ci. chanhassen, mn. us
Scott Botcher, City Manager
Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Specialist
August 10, 2000
Appointment to the Environmental Commission
The City Council interviewed Peder Otterson at the July 24, 2000 work session for
the vacant position on the Environmental Commission.
Attachments
1. Application
7tV of Chauhasse,. A ,growi,g comnno~it~ with clean/,kcs, m~ditT schools, a cha,,i,v dow,tow,, thm.in¢ businesses, a,d beaut/fid/~,zrks./{ creat v/ace to/i~,e, work, and vla=
ill Sinclair
Environmental Resources Specialist
City of Chanhassen
650 City Center Drive, P.O. Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Dear Ms. Sinclair:
8750 Lake Susan Court
Chanhassen, MN 55317
July 5, 2000
Ug, ~'2'~
JUL 0 ~ 2000
Cl~-Y Ur
I am interested in the current vacancy on the Environmental Commission. I am a hydrologist
with the Department of Natural Resources where I have been involved with environmental issues
and water for the past 20 years. Various duties in the past have included work as area hydrologist
in NE Minnesota, supervisor of the statewide shoreland management program, coordinator for
DNR Waters environmental review and Project WET (Water Education for Teachers ).
Currently, I am in Community Stewardship where I am helping to implement DNR's emerging
efforts on Smart Growth and Conservation Connections.
I also served a stint with the Ground Water Section where I did some work on public water
supply and the need for conservation. The City of Chanhassen has an approved emergency water
supply and conservation plan. I believe that there is a "teachable moment" associated with the
lawn watering restrictions that will be going into place in mid-August during the reservoir
repairs. Instead of just telling people when they can and can't water, I believe the City should be
pushing information and education on proper lawn maintenance that will help to reduce the need
for both water and fertilizer. I have enclosed a photo copy of a page from the Freshwater
Society's "FACETS of Fresh Water," Spring, 2000, as an example of what ! have in mind.
Two years ago, I attended an excellent class at the Arboretum on Sustainable Landscaping.
Through them and the Minnesota Extension Service, I believe there could be cooperation in
perhaps doing a seminar specifically aimed at Chanhassen land owners and developers that might
help get over the unhealthy co-dependency of bluegrass turf, fertilizer and water. Perhaps the
City could help by not only encouraging shade trees as it has done in the past, but also seed
mixtures and demonstration plots of prairie plants and other native vegetation more suitable to
our clay soils and climate.
Having mentioned both the Extension Service and Freshwater Society, I would also like to
reference the excellent shoreland workshops that they have teamed up to do in partnership with
some of the Metropolitan conservation districts and parks. The one I attended in Bloomington
this spring was excellent. It would be great if Chanhassen could also sp.onsor such a workshop,
but if not, at least its citizens should be encouraged to attend one of the other workshops. Please
let me know what you think about these suggestions and my interest on the env. commission.
Sincerely,
Peder Otterson