01-19-2022 EC Minutes1
Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC)
Regular Meeting
6:00 pm
January 19, 2021
Members Present: Kristin Fulkerson, Jeff Harken, Greg Hawks, Markus Fischer, Leslie Elhadi, Scot
Lacek, Julia Adams.
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Jill Sinclair, Environmental Resources Specialist; Joe Seidl, Water Resources Engineer
Guests: Terry Jeffery, Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District Interim Director
Minutes: December minutes were approved.
Guest Presentation: Terry Jeffery, Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District (RPBCWD)
Interim Director. Terry started by sharing the history of watershed districts and the beginning of
RPBCWD. The Metro Watershed Act in 1955 created districts. The Riley Purgatory Wate rshed District
formed in 1969 from a petition by Duck Lake property owners. Bluff Creek was added to the district in
1984. A major responsibility of the district is flood protection and mitigation. Also responsible for
protecting stream channels and groundwater (making sure there is a groundwater supply). The district
also works to protect or enhance water quality. The district cover 7 cities, 50 square miles and has the
most surface water features of any metro district. The 1910/1911 survey shows lots of wetlands. Most
of these have been drained for agriculture and development. The district has a map of capital
improvement projects for the district. All of the projects come from the 10 year plan that the district
develops. The district wants to work with groups and entities to promote water quality and implement
projects. Current and future projects include: Pioneer Trail wetland restoration– primary purpose was
to reduce erosion in the creek due to flashy flows, restoring the wetland increases storage capacity and
theoretically reducing water volume in creek; Upper Riley Creek Ecological Enhancement (Fall 2022-
2024) – this project will reconnect floodplains between Hwy 5 and Lake Susan, will require significant
tree removal and re-meandering of stream bed. Trees removed will be stuck into the banks as
revetment. The Center for Watershed Protection has a publication on how to use trees for water quality
and watershed protection. The district would like to improve stormwater features in city projects. It
would like a group of people to review barriers to doing stormwater projects that have multiple benefits.
The district can also help with MS4 education goals. Terry showed the management plan with the 10
year rated project list. Upper Riley Creek rated high and that’s why the project is being implemented.
The commission asked about the quality of Lake Susan. Terry said it was poor. The district has found
carp spawning in Lake Susan Park pond and Rice Marsh Lake. The carp population continues to
increase in Lake Susan. There’s high phosphorous in the lake. 2021 was the worst year so far. The
district will take core samples from the wetlands to measure the nutrients to determine if that is a cause.
A Use Attainability Assessment (UAA) has been done for every lake. It determines how much nutrient
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loading is done externally and how much is due to internal sources. The results make a difference as to
what kind of projects are needed to improve water quality. The commission asked what the top 3 things
the public should know about the district. Terry said: 1.The district exists. Many people don’t know
about it. 2. No matter where you live, you’re impacting water quality. It’s easy for non-lakeshore
owners to believe they don’t have an effect on the lake. Water quality for lakes is not just the
responsibility of lakeshore owners. The commission talked about how to make people aware of the
district. A video might be a good idea. Maybe the district could work with Chanhassen high school to
have some students create a video. Terry said volunteers are also needed for projects. He will need
volunteers to plant the Pioneer wetland. Terry said the district is in need of residents for the Citizen
Advisory Council. The watershed board is made up of 5 members. There are currently 4. Terry
thanked the commission for the opportunity and Jill said she would share Terry’s contact info with the
commission.
Water Education 2022: The focus topic for 2022 is Water. Under the topic of Water, the commission
divided it into two main subjects: Conservation and Protection. Some commissioners thought the focus
should be on protection since there are so many lakes. It was asked if the city uses educational signs. Jill
said it does. Perhaps then a simple nice sign with a QR code could be made about the topic. There
should be a one month campaign in July to focus on reducing irrigation demand. Irrigation is a big topic
and there’s enough education needs to go the whole summer. Examples could be shown like how much
water is used during a shower or how much water comes out of a faucet. The commission should
promote rain barrels. The watershed district will probably be selling them. The commission could help
promote the sale. Kristin asked if there should be an education event this year. In the fall? Seems too
quick to organize one for spring. Yes, the commission agreed an event is needed. A youth event too.
Maybe trivia night? At the brewery? A contest would interest the youth. Do a contest at the fall event
or do a contest over the summer. Track it on the website and show guesses. Do an interactive game
over social media like Instagram, tik tok or an interactive website. Promote it at the high school. Use a
contest as a promotion for the fall event. Would be an opportunity for water related games – shooting
water at a target; scavenger hunt for water resources; guess how water gets into lakes. Terry said
Eleanor, the education person at the district, could help create an event. Maybe have a BBQ or picnic or
food trucks at a park as an alternative to the brewery location? The commission needs to create
blurbs/facts for social media. The sign QR code could go to social media? Need to add event planning
to Work Plan. Commission developed annual education campaign:
Conservation Protection
Indoors Outdoors Outdoors
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Water
wise
Water
wise
Lakeshor
e buffer,
lawn care
(promote
grants!)
Sump
pumps
no
mow
may
Rain
barrel,
irrigati
on
Irrigati
on, car
washin
g
Irrigati
on, car
washin
g
Lawn
fertiliza
tion
Leaves,
phosph
orous
Garbage
disposal,
medicati
on and
HHW
disposal
Salting,
snow
remova
l
(Jeff) Jeff Scot Greg Kristin Leslie Scot/Julia Markus/Joe S. Markus Kristin
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Arbor Day poster contest theme: The commission discussed and decided on ‘Trees are Terrific…And
Keep Us Cool!’ Jill will send invites to the local schools.
City updates:
Avienda will probably be adding more housing development this year.
Moments Senior Living is schedule to be built this year. It’s located on W 78Th St, next
to Lake Ann Park.
The Byerly’s retail area is looking to add some stand alone retail buildings on the site.
Commission applications are due at the end of the month.
General Discussion:
Greg shared that the watershed district approved the engineering study for Upper Riley Creek
project. One of the board members resigned.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm
Minutes prepared by Jill Sinclair