Lake Madison Development Association
Lake County Water Quality
Committee Meeting
Minutes of July 28th, 2011
SD Ass. Of Rural Water Building, SD 57042
The meeting was called to order by Emily Haakinson at 7pm. Members present
were: Emily Haakinson, Dale Droge, Bryan Schwartz, Craig Johannsen, Larry Kotten,
Charlie Stoneback, Robert Todd, Walt Schaefer, Cory Heidelberger, Chuck Robins,
Jan Nicolay, and Mayor Gene Hexom. Others present: Jeremiah Corbin.
Haakinson began discussion with status of aeration project in the Harbor. Circulators are not in the water yet, the eXpert company has had “legitimate” delays; however we are now next on the list and have been told they will be in the water on Tuesday, August 2nd. Larry Kotten and Chuck Robbins had comments as they have both been in contact with Kerwin of the eXpert company as well. It’s a wait and see type of deal. Robbin’s concern was our 1 year ‘contract’, which Kerwin told Haakinson they would keep; no matter what date the units were put it, they would stay in for a year. Kotten stated that was a promise that would be dependent upon the company’s permit with Game, Fish, & Parks; although they will probably be granted an extension.
Haakinson went on to inform everyone of a grant for bank stabilization that she’s looking into for a homeowner on peninsula point. The homeowner’s daughter contacted the county looking for assistance as their shore is being eroded and vegetation and trees will be lost. FEMA has a grant available, called The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) which has a cost-share of 75%/25%. Jan Nicolay thought that we need to inform everyone so that anyone with shoreline loss or doing a restoration project could have the option to apply for the grant. **There are a couple of down-sides. The application process can take up to two years and construction can’t start until the environmental review is complete and the grant funding has been awarded. Engineering and cost-benefit analysis information is also needed to complete the grant application. Haakinson is going to look into this further to get application deadline information and see if the county could apply as a whole with one application that could include a number of homeowners. If this is possible, we would put notice in paper, notify all Lake Associations and do our best to reach all interested/applicable parties.
The Lakeside construction topic was touched on again; however Haakinson said Steve LaBay, Wildlife Biologist- Fish Habitat and Angler Access with SD GF&P, has told her that it would be great if our ordinance stated they need to get the permit through GF&P before any work is done around the Lakes. Haakinson has talked to Deb Reinicke, Lake County’s Planning, Zoning, and Drainage Officer, and she said that when they come in for building permits, etc she tells them they need to get GF&P’s permit as well. Kotten suggested looking at Minnehaha’s Ordinances as a guideline.
Charlie Stonebeck addressed the group and wanted to know what future projects were going to be done and what the group’s future plans/agenda is. Nicolay stated that the previous Water Quality group had a number of project ideas and we will discuss them at our next meeting to decide which project is most desirable as well as attainable. The group also decided to get back on track where we left off with the ordinances. Next and future meetings will be split in half: first being open for discussion and handling all new business, and then during the second half we will go through the ordinance and suggest revisions.
Dale Droge presented results on the testing he’s done in the area, in regards to the phosphorus levels. His handout showed three charts depicting dissolved and total phosphorus for the “Hwy 34 – North Golf Course” “Gehl at Bypass Culvert” and “9th Street Bridge” locations.
Our next meeting will be held back at DSU Science Center on August 23rd, 2011 @7pm.