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3a. Lake Lucy Access CITYOF C HANHASSEN 690 COULTER DRIVE • P O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 ' 1 (612) 937-1900 MEMORANDUM TO: Don Ashworth, City Manager FROM: Lori Sietsema, Park and Recreation Coordinators ' DATE: August 22 , 1989 SUBJ: Lake Lucy Access Attached please find information on all of the potential sites for a public boat access on Lake Lucy that are still considered feasible, i .e. Dirks property, Christenson property, and Greenwood Shores Park. The Park and Recreation Commission has reviewed all of the sites except the Christensen property. That option was presented late in the process and as there are some time constraints on this project, it was not able to be reviewed. A fourth alternative discussed was the mechanical lift. DNR ' representatives indicated that they would not approve a mechani- cal lift as equal access and therefore it would not serve our purposes. A "mini" lock was researched. Such would require the ' dredging of the channel and installation of a device that would lower or raise a boat to the appropriate level. It was estimated that such would cost $100, 000 to $150,000 to design and install. ' As you are aware, this item has been delayed so the Mayor could meet with the Commissioner of the DNR, Joe Alexander. This meeting was to determine if the DNR would somehow compromise on ' their position. Attached please find a letter from Commissioner Alexander. I I C { 1 Van DorErr 1 Hazard: StalbngsA ArchiNen•Enpin ws•Planws August 7 , 1989 i Ms . Lori Sietsema Park and Recreation Coordinator City of Chanhassen 690 Coulter Drive G O8 1989 Chanhassen , Minnesota 55317 I Dear Lori : CITY,OF CHANHASSEN This letter serves as an addendum to the Lake Lucy Access Study ' that we completed in February of 1989 . That report analyzed four sites around Lake Lucy and assessed their suitability for construction of a boat access . The report concluded that the Dirks property located in the northwest corner of the lake was the most suitable of the four sites examined . A concept sketch and corresponding cost estimate for construction of an access on the Dirks site was prepared and sent to the City on April 5 , 1989 . Since that time , two events have occurred that require an addendum to the original study . First , the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources ( DNR) has requested that the City of Chanhassen consider a "scaled down" access on the Greenwood Shores Neighborhood Park site . Secondly , a property owner on the north end of the lake has offered to sell approximately 5 acres of land for the installation of an access . Additional comments for each of these two sites are as follows . Greenwood Shores Neighborhood Park When the access study was completed in February of 1989 , it was assumed that the Lake Lucy access was to contain a loop system configuration with central parking for 7 cars and trailers . Recently , the DNR requested that the City of Chanhassen consider a "T" type configuration access with 4 head- in parking spaces for cars and trailers , located on the Greenwood Shores site. Plate No . 1 contains a concept sketch of such an access . The proposed access site is located in the undeveloped portion of Greenwood Shores Park . The area is heavily wooded. Topography in the area of the proposed access is relatively flat so fill will be necessary to ensure proper slope for the boat ramp . Soils in the area appear to be a mixture of organics and fine grained sediments . The soil conditions are classified as poor but would likely support the proposed improvement . More detailed soil investigation is recommended prior to proceeding with final design. 3030 Harbor Lane North Bldg.ii, Suite 104 Minneapolis, MN. 55447-2175 612/553-1950 Ms Lori Sietsema August 7 , 1989 Page 2 The boat access is proposed to begin at the end of the present ' gravel drive near the lift station . The access will consist of a 20 foot wide drive , a "T " turn around and four head-in parking spaces . A gravel surface is proposed consistent with the present ' surfacing in and around the lift station ..area . The exact layout of the facility can be adjusted in the field to preserve large trees in the area . Dredging to obtain a two and one-half ( 2 1/2) foot water depth is estimated to extend outward approximately 75 ' feet from the shore. When this site was reviewed in February of 1989 , the following conclusion was reached , "Use of the parcel for an access would , however , terminate use of the property as a neighborhood park . Due to the size and shape of the site , accommodation of both uses ' would be impossible . Additionally , construction of an access would have a detrimental impact on adjacent residences due to the close proximity of existing homes and on the entire neighborhood area . " ' The scaling down of the access lessens some of the concerns that were voiced in the February report . Installation of the access will still have some impact on the Greenwood Shores neighborhood ' due to the introduction of cars towing trailers to the local street network . If the access is limited to four spaces and if the lake does not become a popular fishing site , the negative impact on the surrounding neighborhood will be minimal . However , if in future years the water quality and fishing in Lake Lucy drastically improves , the site may cause noticeable disturbances , particularly to those properties abutting the park . If fish habitat improves and the facility becomes popular , the limitation of four parking spaces combined with the physical layout ' of the facility may cause problems and disturbances . Since the access will be totally screened by the existing tree cover , it will be impossible for arriving cars and boats to immediately determine if parking is available . Vehicles towing trailers will have to ' enter the access area , turn around near the boat ramp and exit the park if all of the parking spaces are occupied . Under this scenario , the City will need to enhance enforcement efforts to ' prevent illegal parking . Additionally , boat and trailer parking may occur on neighborhood streets unless specifically prohibited by City ordinances . ' Major construction items and their corresponding costs for the Greenwood Shores access are as follows : Clearing and Grubbing $ 2500 Excavation 2400 Common Borrow 4400 Rock (Class 5 ) 4300 • mg 1 M s . Lori Sietsema August 7 , 1989 Page 3 , Channel Excavation $ 600 Sod 1600 Seed 150 Boat Ramp 5000 Erosion Control 900 , Subtotal $21 ,850 Contingency ( 10%) 2 185 ' TOTAL EST . CONST . COST $24 ,035 Christensen Property ' Recently , a property owner on the north end of the lake approached the City of Chanhassen regarding the sale of approximately 5 acres of land for a boat access . For discussion purposes , the site which is identified on Plate No . 2 will be known as the Christensen property . The Christensen property consists of a total of 8 .9 acres . The concept plan assumes that five acres will be divided off of the southern portion of the site with an easement providing road access . The proposed 5 acre park /boat access site consists of approximately 1 1 .8 acres of lake area wetlands and 3 . 2 acres of higher ground . The heavily wooded higher ground slopes from north to south with an elevation change of 20-25 feet. However, minimal grading and land alteration is anticipated to construct the access and parking due to a large flat area adjoining the lake. Preliminary information indicates that 400 feet of wetlands and lake dredging will be required to get the channel to the center of the north arm of the lake. Soundings should be done to determine the amount of excavation necessary to achieve a 2 . 5 foot water depth . The proposed construction would entail a paved roadway from Lake Lucy Road to a point just south of the two private drives then a gravel surfaced roadway beyond . Parking for four ( 4) cars with trailers configured in a loop system along with the concrete boat ramp will fit on the property . The final location for the access drive , ramp and parking lot would best be done following a detailed survey of the site to locate trees and topographic features . Soil conditions appear to be good and no major problems are anticipated . Some soil testing is recommended near the lake to determine the most economical yet stable construction approach . The lake area dredging could be accomplished with either typical winter excavation or hydraulic excavation as described in the feasibility report for the Dirks access . I The Christensen site contains adequate land area to accommodate a full turnaround boat access . Although situated in a residential area , the site ' s road access is from Lake Lucy Road which is classified as a collector street. Adequate separation exists between existing residences and the proposed boat access site. If the easement arrangement is determined to be unacceptable , the City I ' Ms . Lori Sietsema August 7 , 1989 Page 4 may be able to acquire a strip of land extending northward up to the right-of-way on Lake Lucy Road . Construction of an access will require subdivision of the existing ' 8 . 9 acre site. The current zoning ordinance stipulates a density of one unit per 10 acres in areas where sanitary sewer is unavailable . In order for a subdivision to occur, a variance may be necessary . Major construction components and corresponding costs for the Christensen site are as follows : Clearing and Grubbing $ 3000 Excavation 1300 ' Rock (Class 5 ) 17000 Bituminous Paving 4400 Channel Excavation 5900 Sod 2450 Boat Ramp 5000 Erosion Control 1500 Subtotal $40 ,550 Contingency ( 10% ) 4 ,055 TOTAL EST . CONSTR . COST $44 ,605 From an engineering perspective, both the Greenwood Shores Park site and the Christensen site are feasible for construction of a boat access . Both sites do , however , contain constraints as identified herein . In addition to the development cost of the ' Christensen site , funds will be necessary for acquisition of the property . The acquisition cost of the site is expected to be approximately $85 ,000 bringing the total development cost of the Christensen site to $129 ,605 . If you need additional information on either of these two alternates , please feel free to contact me. Very truly yours , VAN DOREN-HAZARD-STALLINGS , INC . �co HaAAL R. Scott Harri , P .E . RSH : fa I I '--, LAKE 1 N LUCY I / / /*— 2.5' DEPTH I ACCESS CHANNEL ' too' I 11:J 41 GG.5 IS O O' ---------- - 011ikr- \4 / / 1 / 1 I I 1cr 1 n i EXISTING I > 1 I GRAVEL LIFT STATION PARKING LOT 4 cars/trailers \ I D I `♦ `,- D ■``` I I ... .'. ... N LAKE "`k ` I `.i i ANN I I I PROPOSED LAKE LUCY BOAT ACCESS 0 GREENWOOD SHORES PARK � I Stallings f ARMet hIs•ER•1^••rI•P1 Plate No. 1 1' 1 -' ----------. \ l _ ROAD 1 , I1 ROAD EASEMENT , 'i ,:A.,- D ‘ \ - -----'//1 'ThiTh-\--\. 1 200 ‘1 ROAD EASEMENT I /ice 1 1272.29' 1 / —11•--—— - 1 I o (f ACRES 11`I \\ '1 POND 11 Ilt ' 11 Cv---"\... • I / / °a� �\ �'D GRAVEL'` \ PARKING LOT / • - 4-- 4 Cars/Trailers -- ,- r • ` - i r s (4.-L.'1.21--.....___ 6.....„ L r '` LAKE LUCY I _'`ACCESS CHANNEL r ' ,4%,,N 9 , i PROPOSED LAKE LUCY It BOAT ACCESS Van Doren Hazard I Stallings ..... �.•ov•••,••P1 Plate No. 2 - rip i Ne! x VanDorenv Hazard Stallings April 5 , 1989 ' Ms . Lori Sietsema Park & Recreation Coordinator , City of Chanhassen 690 Coulter Drive Chanhassen , Minnesota 55317 ' Re: Feasibility Study for Lake Lucy Boat Access VHS Project No. 89-304 1 Dear Lori : We are pleased to present to you the results of the feasibility I study concerning boat access to Lake Lucy . The study was conducted per your authorization dated March 16 , 1989 . The study set out to answer two questions : 1 ) How does the access and parking fit on the property? and 2) What will it cost? We will address each question in order then follow with our summary . The property in question is Outlot A , Lake Lucy Highlands , located on the south side of Lake Lucy Road in the northwest corner of Lake Lucy. The property is approximately 1080 feet long by a nominal 11 width of 300 feet . Nearly 70 percent of the area is marshy with the remainder consisting of slightly higher ground . The property is part of the City ' s designated wetland . Plate No. 1 illustrates one possible layout . The facilities would include a 20 foot wide drive, parking for seven (7 ) cars with trailers , boat ramp and a fifty foot ( 50 ' ) wide access channel to reach a navigational depth of water to operate an outboard motor. The layout is consistent with current DNR standards . Two culverts will be needed to maintain present drainage patterns . ' A portion of the access drive near Lake Lucy Road would cross a portion of the designated wetland . There is no other alternative location to avoid the wetland while keeping the drive on the property. There is , however , some land area noted as high ground which could be reclaimed as wetland to compensate for the taking . APR 0 6 1989 1 CITY OF CHANHASSEN 3030 Harbor Lane North Bldg.II, Suite 104 Minneapolis, MN. 55447-2175 612/553-1950 { I /1 / / I / / lLA KE i - ---- ,;- - ♦ (-361 RCP KE LUc ii ' IGHL. % % Outbt A S ►,' r 12' CMP 4 I I II I // ' 1.,---hiph ground .. ., rr • \•\ O \ I iJ n \ PARKING LOT \ .. 7 cars/trailers CO I • I a 1 \\ c__ LAKE r ` LUCY I/ \ \ ,, I IACCESS." \ 'R CHANNEL \ \ / I V I PROPOSED LAKE LUCY BOAT ACCESS , I OUTLOT A i LAKE LUCY HIGHLANDS VI HazarcID°rEn Stagings IArchitects•Ew,i0..n•.N Plate No. 1 II The proposed boat access channel will include marsh land excavation ` and below water lake dredging . The channel in the lake area would extend an estimated distance of 500 feet based " on a lake bottom II contour map and information received from an adjoining homeowner who is contemplating the same activity . The construction work includes minor grading , bituminous paving , I culvert installation , marsh area excavation , lake dredging , boat ramp , signing and restoration. No concrete curb and gutter is II included nor recommended . It is anticipated that the most economical approach to the access construction is to "float" the drive across the marsh area. With this approach , long-term settlements are predictable and would cause the curb to become II dysfunctional . All surplus excavated material and the marsh and lake area dredgings are projected to be disposed of off- site. There is no space available on this site for disposal of excavated II material . Two methods of lake dredging were studied . One method involved II conventional excavation equipment , i . e. backhoes or drag lines . This method could only be done in the winter when the ice cover was sufficient to support the equipment . The second method involves a wet vacuum process . The material would be pumped to a lay down II area where natural drying would occur. It could then be loaded and trucked off-site. This procedure could be done during the summer months . The more conventional excavation method resulted in the I lower cost and , therefore , is used in the following cost summary : Clearing & Grubbing lump sum $ 1 ,500 II Excavation & Fill 3600 CY 12 ,000 Drive & Parking Lot Paving 3900 SY 32 ,500 Culverts 115 LF 7 ,500 Boat Ramp lump sum 5 ,000 II Boat Access Channel 3750 CY 23 ,000 Erosion Control 1500 LF 4 , 500 Seeding & Sodding lump sum 5 ,000 1 TOTAL ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION COST $ 91 ,000 Engineering , testing , legal , I administrative, contingency and miscellaneous - 30% $ 27 ,300 TOTAL ESTIMATED PROJECT COST $118 ,300 II SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS II 1 . Parking and access can fit on outlot A . 2 . Layout of facilities is consistent with DNR regulations . I 3 . The project would require a winter and summer season to complete. I II II 1 4 . Soil borings and a boundary and topographic survey are recommended to be obtained prior to making a major financial commitment . The layout and cost estimate were based on a number of assumptions . A study update should then be prepared . ' 5 . Add $15 ,000 to condense the construction period to one season . ' We trust the information presented herein will assist you in evaluating the overall merits of this project . ' We will be glad to review this report in detail at your convenience . Very truly yours , VAN DOREN-HAZARD-STALLINGS , INC. R. Scott Harri , P . E . ' RSH : fa I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Lake Luc y Study Access Stud 1 City of Chanhassen 1 February, 1989 1 I I 1 I 47 VanDoren 1 Hazard Stallings 1 architects • Engineers•planners topEka • wichita • minnEapolis• kansas city I I • 1 I IILAKE LUCY ACCESS STUDY IIINTRODUCTION/PURPOSE ~ IIThis report provides an overview of potential public access Ilocations on Lake Lucy in north central Chanhassen . For the purposes of this study , "public access " is defined as a publicly Iowned or controlled parcel of land whose purpose is to provide Iaccess to Lake Lucy . Lake Lucy is categorized by the State of Minnesota as public waters . Facilities at a public access include required entrance roads , IIparking , a boat ramp and associated facilities . Standards utilized IIby the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources ( DNR) require the provision of one parking space for every 20 acres of surface water . 1 Lake Lucy consists of a total of 135 acres necessitating the provision of seven parking spaces . II PLANNING CONTEXT II IPublic access to Lake Lucy is being sought for two primary reasons . The first is related to a lake clean up project and the second is Idue to City policy . Over the past 10 years , a variety of studies of water quality have been done for lakes throughout the Twin IICities Metropolitan Area . Lake Riley , located in south central IIChanhassen , has frequently been included in such studies . The II I • 2 watershed affecting Lake Riley as a number of tributary lake 9 Y y s including Rice Marsh , Lake Susan , Lake Ann and at the north end , , Lake Lucy ( Figure 1 ) . All of these lakes and their surrounding drainage areas have an impact on Lake Riley . Because of the , physical connection each of the lakes , the clean up of Lake Riley requires clean up efforts on each of the lakes in the watershed including Lake Lucy . In August of 1985 , a report entitled "Lake Riley Diagnostic Study" ' was completed by Barr Engineering . The report identified water quality problems in a number of lakes including Lake Lucy . Based partially on that report , the Riley-Purgatory Watershed District ' in conjunction with other state and local agencies applied for federal (EPA) funding under the Clean Lakes Act to specifically ' identify problems and effectuate clean up procedures . The total project which carries a cost of just under one million dollars involves a thorough analysis of problems in the watershed area and 1 follow up actions including but not limited to fish kills and restocking , fish barriers , aeration systems , weed harvesting and , chemical treatments . Under federal guidelines utilized for the Clean Lakes Program , all ' lakes within a watershed area that receives federal assistance are required to provide public access . Additionally , it is the policy , of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to require public access prior to the restocking and continued stocking of game fish . At the present time , Lake Lucy is the only lake in the Lake Riley ' 3 I I 0 , 2 '0 1 ► I ► I I O Scale in Miles 1 2 i 1 ► 1 Lak. Scale in Kilometers i Lucy I L aka �� rie Ann Areas not Contibuting to Surface Water Drainage. ISUB WATERSHED 1 % I SUBWATERSHE' '' 1 J I 2■ L•. ■ Rice Lake c,� Marsh L.k• `.s Susan 1 ' Li SUBWATER SHED 3 -\ ' I ` ) y/ L.k. I RI/.y I I I Figure 1 I Lake Riley Watershed 1 1 Lake Luc Access Stud N v v . II 4 Watershed without either an existing public access or an access under construction . As a result , this study is investigating ' potential locations that will satisfy both federal and state criteria for public accesses . Federal arid state agencies are on record as stating that without a public access to Lake Lucy , the Lake Riley Watershed clean up project will not be funded . In addition to the federal and state access requirements tied to the clean up funding , policies adopted by the City of Chanhassen , encourage public access . The 1980 Comprehensive Plan states , "Chanhassen has a long standing goal of providing a public access on each lake within the city. The community contains all or part i of ten lakes which are legally public waters and , as such , should be accessible . Because it is impossible for everyone to live on a lake , the establishment of public accesses is imperative if the entire community is to enjoy the amenities associated with lakes . " The provision of an access to Lake Lucy would also fulfill the goal , identified in the Comprehensive Plan . POTENTIAL ACCESS LOCATIONS With two exceptions , Lake Lucy is surrounded entirely by privately owned land . Exhibit 2 identifies the ownership of parcels contiguous to Lake Lucy. The City of Chanhassen maintains a neighborhood park ( Greenwood Shores) on the east side which is labeled as parcel 1 . The DNR owns a parcel on the north end of the , lake that is designated as parcel 19 . The remaining shoreland is 5 1 _ E a� *VIM, � � o _ I �'. UCY 1 LU Y WWI? A i��s��l LANE W S' `j ■ 64 C ti(3(1- 484It. 1 LAKE vJ 1)1) 14 ------- 18 17`. 15 1 16 - �.�I_...„ .siliEZ Fra■Na ce 4 Oa �1s` .:` • ■ A. 24 ii ins KE {` � i= r ERR/SON .,.a i ; 4K( < /r ��/ E I�'^� �:1 aff• -0ENE WI w w r. 1 a 24 24 ,n ■ 1e_ -ill 1 iv . ,...., .. „ .). , 1".* -j_,...%' J/ \\ I LAKE ANN 11 1i i . l‘ I 1 City of Chanhassen 9 Dale Carlson 17 R. Christensen Figure 2 1 2 Jeff Farmakes 10 Alfred Olsen 18 Warren Phillips 3 Dan Fisher 11 Ron Knudlen 19 ONR 5 Jam Folsom 12 Gerald Hoffman 20 Rosalie Dodd Property Ownership 5 James Buehring 13 Jim Schluck 21 Mark Sancta 6 Tom Hickey 14 Theodore Coey 22 Eric Rivkin 7 William Ward 15 Joseph Morin 23 Judith Dirks II8 Ed Neuinski 16 Brian Tichy 24 Prince R. Nelson 0 Lake Luc Access Stud y y N 6 privately owned with the majority associated with single family residences . One notable exception exists . Prince R . Nelson owns , a substantial tract of land along the south and western shorelines of the lake . The total frontage owned by this individual ' constitutes approximately 33% of the entire lakeshore . 1 POTENTIAL ACCESS CONSTRAINTS The identification of an access site on Lake Lucy is hindered by a number of factors including property ownership , wetlands and the limited size of the lake which results in limited shoreline I availability . In general , the northern end of the lake contains wetland areas which either prohibit access or result in expensive dredging operations . The eastern side of the lake is developed ' into single family lots . As was noted previously , the southern and western shores are under one ownership . Privacy and security , concerns of the property owner realistically preclude acquisition of any of the southern and western shoreline areas . Additionally , large portions of this area are designated as Class A wetlands by the City of Chanhassen . Despite these limitations , four sites have been identified as possible access points to the lake . The sites ' are shown on Exhibit 3 . Site A - Greenwood Shores Park Greenwood Shores Park contains approximately 3 . 5 acres . Because ' of its location , the park has lakeshore on both Lake Ann and Lake I . 7 �COUH CRErV ' '°''F:?' l� °f • �, �UCY LANE LV Y �• It Q tall a 4 a • lFtl4 I . LAKE is itti ._,.____„:7=1.:_i___________,;_______ . \ID*pirainn fe. -. -__-__ .. ?) 401111111 EKE , ��,` �, ARRISON .. LAKE LUCY B ! 401 :` "i 1 , 1N _ •& - 4 / gA !: I oill ILIAD NI ill D Iv 111 • co I i/ 11 d �/ \i I _ LAKE ANN /,' 1 MI *-- .. ;... 1 Figure 3 I Potential Sites 1 1 N 0 500 1000 2000 Lake Lucy Access Study Y Lucy . The Lake Lucy shoreline is approximately 100 feet in length . The park is classified as a neighborhood park and primarily serves ' the surrounding Greenwood Shores residential area . The land area of Greenwood Shores Park is sufficient for construction of a boat access and associated parking . Use of the , parcel for an access would , however , terminate use of the property as a neighborhood park . Due to the shape and size of the site , accommodation of both uses would be impossible . Additionally , construction of an access would have a detrimental impact on adjacent residences due to the close proximity of existing homes r and on the entire neighborhood area . Access to the park is via Utica Lane which is designed to serve as a local street . Site B - Dodd Property I The shape of Lake Lucy creates a peninsula on the north end . The peninsula , in plan view, appears to be a good location for a public access . The owner of the peninsula also owns a 33 foot wide parcel ' of land which connects to Lake Lucy Road ( Exhibit 3 ) . This parcel could be used to provide road access to the peninsula area . ' In the field , however , one gains a different perspective of the Dodd property . The 7 . 9 acre parcel consists of a heavily wooded i knob bordered on the northwest side by a large wetland area . The wetland area is designated as Class A by the City of Chanhassen . ' Development of the parcel as an access is possible , however , the 9 project would substantially impact the wetland areas and the cost of the road and the boat ramp construction would be extremely high due to soil conditions and topography . According to the Carver County Soil Survey , soils in the wetland area are exclusively marsh , muck and deep peat . Site C - DNR Property Site C consists of approximately 1 . 5 acres of land owned by the Minnesota Wildlife Heritage Foundation which is administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) . The property which lies immediately north of Site B presently contains a trail used by pedestrians , skiers and snowmobiles and an identification sign . Road access to the DNR property could be via the 33 foot wide strip of land identified on Exhibit 3 as "Road Access " . The land comprising the DNR site is virtually 100% wetland . The area which is designated Class A by the City of Chanhassen contains exclusively marsh soils according to the Carver County Soil Survey . As such , the land is essentially undevelopable due to soil ' conditions and adverse impacts to the extensive wetland area . 11 Site D - Dirks Property I Site D which lies on the northwest side of Lake Lucy contains approximately 7 acres of land . The parcel which is presently vacant contains a mix of upland and wetland areas . According to 10 1 the Carver County Soils Survey , the southwestern portion of the property consists of Terril Loam soils which can support road construction . Wetlands on the property occur along the lakeshore and along the northeastern portion of the site . The upland area has been used for agricultural purpos.2s in the past . Construction of an access on the property appears to be feasible , with some disturbance of the wetland area . The wetlands along the shoreline would have to be modified to allow the placement of a boat ramp and some modification of the wetlands along the northeast may be required for turn around construction . The site is large , enough to allow for the creation of new wetland areas to replace I the disturbed areas as a migitation technique . Installation of a boat access will require dredging in Lake Lucy . At the present time , the quantity of dredging is impossible to estimate because of the lack of accurate bottom contour , information . In general , the northern portion of the lake including Site D is shallow requiring excavation at the access and , in all probability , a channel from the access to areas of the lake with adequate depth for boating . OTHER OPTIONS One additional option for providing access to Lake Lucy has been has been mentioned in recent years . The option consists of ' connecting Lake Lucy to Lake Ann via a new channel along the route . " 3 11 ' of the existing natural creek . This option has not been seriously ' investigated but preliminary inquiries have revealed potential major problems . The primary problems are water quality and lake elevations . At the present time , Lake Ann has significantly better water quality ' than Lake Lucy . Lake Ann has a normal water elevation approximately 1 foot above Lake Lucy . If the two lakes are ' connected by a major channel , the flow into Lake Ann may increase adversely affecting the water quality in Lake Ann . Additionally , restrictions on Lake Ann limit boats to electric motors only . It ' would present operational problems to require boat launching at Lake Ann which prohibits gasoline motors as the method of reaching ILake Lucy on which gasoline motors are presently permitted . ' RECOMMENDATION In light of the information presented herein , only one option appears viable if the City of Chanhassen elects to install a boat access on Lake Lucy . Site D , the Dirks property , has the highest ' potential of providing an access site which minimizes the disturbance of wetlands . Additionally , the site is located along Lake Lucy Road which is classified as a collector route . Based on the information available at this time , the site has the ability to accommodate an access that will meet DNR criteria while satisfying the EPA funding requirements for the Clean Lakes Project . I [ © ? [I J STATE OF 1La DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES /.//- `' - C el / � ✓,.177,/500 LAFAYETTE ROAD, ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55155-4037 I OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER ONR INFORMATION - (612)296-6157 II Date: August 17, 1989 II To: Paul Swenson I Trails & Waterways Director Larry Shannon II Fish & Wildlife Director Fran: Joseph N. Alexander Commissioner II Subject: Lake Lucy II On Tuesday, August 15, I met with Mayor Don Chmiel and Councilman Workman of Chanhassen regarding the Lake Lucy access and the II application for improving the water quality in five lakes including Lake Lucy. The present status of the public access on Lake Lucy seems to be a II stumbling block. Please coordinate an effort to explore some area of agreement. I My opinion on the importance of public accesses need not be detailed. However, I do have an equally strong opinion on water quality. Maybe there is some middle ground. I c: Mayor Chmiel II II II i II 1 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER IiL0A �- Riley-Purgatory-Bluff° Creek Watershed District I , Rile g ator Y I o � Engineering Advisor. Barr Engineering Co. 7803 Glenroy Road Minneapolis, MN 55435 830-0555 Legal Advisor: Popham, Haik, Schnobrich&Kaufman L °`° 3300 Piper Jaffrey Tower Minneapolis, MN 55402 ' 333-4800" 1 (612 ) 334-2609 August 17, 1989 Curtis J . Sparks Chief Program Development Section Division of Water Quality Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 520 LaFayette Road St . Paul, Minnesota 55155 1 RE: Lake Riley Chain of Lakes Improvement Project Work Plan Our File Number 38260101 Dear Mr . Sparks : At the last meeting of the Board of Managers of the Riley-Purgatory-Bluff Creek Watershed District, the undersigned was directed to respond to your letter of July 27 , 1989, I concerning the Work Plan for the Lake Riley Chain of Lakes Project. In attendance at the meeting were citizens representing the Lake Lucy and Lake Riley homeowners , and Laurie Sietsema, the Park and Recreation Coordinator of, the City of Chanhassen. The homeowners expressed support for the project and resolution of the Work Plan issues . I was directed to contact the MPCA to restate the District ' s request that funding remain available for the project. The Managers discussed the efforts by Chanhassen to obtain an access to Lake Lucy. Chanhassen is considering alternatives and is focusing on two alternatives to provide public access to Lake Lucy. Please inform the undersigned if any additional actions are required of the Managers to retain the funding for the project . �. I Page 2 ' Mr. Curtis J . Sparks August 17, 1989 The Managers also directed a reply to your letter of July 27 , 1989, to Conrad Fiskness, Chairman of the Board of Managers. In your letter you suggest the selection of an extension date for the project following review of the MPCA and EPA's comments on the Work Plan. You also responded to the Manager ' s request that the MPCA make the decision on the proposed Work Plan in order to insure an objective evaluation of the public. The Managers continue to believe that the MPCA should make the evaluation of the Work Plan comments and suggestions. Given the funds of the District and the position of the MPCA, the following comments represent an effort to keep the project funded and on schedule. The Managers have discussed with municipal officials and residents the fact that the primary focus of the project is reduction and control of pollution loadings. This will require regulations and ordinances to control land use activities that contribute nutrients to the lakes . The control of non-point discharges to the lakes is the major project objective , not the nutrients presently contained in the lake bottom sediments. The financial resources of the District at this stage have been exhausted, and that it has not received reimbursement either from the MPCA/EPA or requested funds from the municipalities of Eden Prairie and Chanhassen for their share of project costs. I offer the following as a course of action. Chanhassen has , not made a final decision regarding the public access to Lake Lucy. Since that access is essential to the continuation of the project, all parties can use this interval to address the Work Plan issues. The project agreement identifies several commitments : One requires support of the DNR Fisheries Management Program. This includes initiation and resolution to the satisfaction of the MPCA of the implementation of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Project, including retenone treatment, fish barrier construction, restocking and winter aeration to prevent fish kill . It also ' includes assignment of financial and managerial responsibility for operation, maintenance, and equipment replacement of the Lake Riley aeration system and the fish barriers . These arrangements, together with the ten restated Work Plan elements set forth in the contract, have been delayed because of the uncertainty regarding establishment of access to Lake Lucy. Based on my review of the Work Plan comments received from the MPCA/EPA, the lake management objectives are fairly well in place. All parties, area residents and local governments have the same objective ; the maintenance and improvement of the water quality of the lakes . An essential item lacking at this point is 11 Page 3 Mr . Curtis J. Sparks - ' August 17, 1989 the numerical establishment of goals to reduce existing nutrient ' loadings to the lakes . Current nutrient loadings are causing problems and the goal is to minimize the nuisance algae and other conditions by reducing the nutrient loadings . The benefits of ' reduced nutrient loadings by a fixed amount can be estimated using models to project results based on a reduction of 25 or 50 percent of the existing nutrient loadings to the lakes. With a nutrient reduction goal agreed upon, the District and Cities can then identify the land use controls needed to achieve that goal. During the time taken to acquire the Lake Lucy access, the District will confirm the municipal support for the Fisheries Management Program by adoption of resolutions by the Watershed District, Eden Prairie and Chanhassen. This leaves issues raised ' by area residents and government officials regarding the chemical treatment proposed in the Work Plan. A suggestion would be to delay any MPCA/EPA decision on the application of chemicals until such time as the DNR Fisheries Management Project has been completed and in operation. Monitoring can then occur and the physical condition of the water bodies proposed for chemical treatment can be assessed to determine whether chemical or other types of treatment are needed. -,It may be that the condition of the lake, bed, tree stumps , vegetation, or other factors would avoid the need for or prevent the effective application of chemicals . Also, the DNR Fisheries Management Project may substantially improve the watershed condition, and chemical treatment may not be desired. The establishment of numerical goals for reducing nutrient loadings is not dependent upon, and should not be delayed by reason of differences over, the application of chemicals. If the District could proceed in the above manner with the agreement of Chanhassen and Eden Prairie, no hearings would be ' required. The Managers are ready to obtain agreements with the Cities regarding the DNR Fisheries Management Project and the willingness to make the regulatory changes required to control non-point pollution sources. Proceeding in this manner allows for a focus on the non-point control measures required of the District and Municipalities. Other maintenance, such as a weed, may be required on a continuing basis and can be included in the regulatory and land use control management program. I What is needed today is MPCA/EPA assurance that funding is able and that the requests for reimbursements which have,, been submitted by the District to the Agency are paid. The Managers informed the residents that all areas of concern should 1 Page4 1 Mr. Curtis J. Sparks _ August 17, 1989 be fully considered; that the Lake Lucy access be acquired, and that future expenditures be focused on the- important item of non-oint source controls. They also restated their position that the MPCA/EPA as the sponsors of the project are fully conversant with the issues and should make the Work Plan decision. Your Agency has an abundance of information. The approach suggested in this letter allows the project to go forward without continuing disputes and lack of agreement on the nutrient reductions to be achieved. The Managers request the MPCA's decision on the Work Plan, and believe it can be made without incurring substantial expenditures. Very truly yours, Raymond A. Haik Attorney for the District RAH : jm Copy: Riley-Purgatory-Bluff Creek Board of Managers Barr Engineering ,Mayor and Council of the City of Chanhassen Mayor and Council of the City of Eden Prairie 893ZBDH 1 1 1 I 1