Square Lake & Wilder Lakes Environmental Impact Research
One of our three targeted legal advocacy issues in our Protect & Preserve Square Lake and Wilder Forest mission is the Environmental Impact of the potential MCYP sale on Square Lake and Wilder Forest natural resources. We hope to engage Stinson to research, develop, and present legal and scientific arguments describing the negative impact.
To that end, SLA Officer Lynn Mecum has undertaken preliminary research on the lakes of Wilder Forest, which we share with you below, in this first installment of selective information, research, and ideas that our SLA Board is advancing on your behalf
In this initial installment of Lynn’s “Wilder Lakes Environmental Studies” research, you’ll find a debrief of her recent conversation with Tom Langer, Permit Program Manager and Aquatic Ecologist, at Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District (CMSCWD) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-langer-ba528391/. Tom works with our friend Mike Isensee, Administrator at CMSCWD, who Lynn and I respect and value greatly (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-isensee-6b093b7/.
Lynn and Tom have highlighted important Environmental Impact research relating to buffer zones, sand blankets, and jurisdictions of May Township lakeshore zones, directly related to the Natural Environmental Lakes within Wilder Forest.
Additionally, you’ll read about Lynn’s preliminary research on the Wilder Forest lakes.
Commendations and thanks to Lynn for her invaluable, continuing research. More to follow, in future Square Roots blog posts. Lynn is seeking volunteers to help with her research. Please contact her if you’re interested in helping with this mission-critical research.
From: Lynn Mecum
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2023 4:48 PM
To: Jim Seidl; Alicia Blanchard; Mark Diessner
Subject: Tom Langer Lakeshore Zones & Authorities within CMSCWD, Lake Buffer Zone, and Sand Blankets
I spoke to Tom Langer, Riparian Permit Specialist with CMSCWD. My reasons for speaking with him was to understand buffer zones, sand blankets, and the jurisdictions of the lakeshore zones. This information should help us identify the potential steps that May Township may take depending on how MCYP wants to use the Natural Environmental Lakes within Wilder.
We have already heard from MCYP that they want to create a 200’ beach on one of the Wilder Lakes. From this and previous information, it may be difficult or impossible for them to receive a permit for a beach or even a sand blanket. If they can’t get a permit for a beach, they might try to sneak in a sand blanket, so I included information about that too. Without a permit, Square Lake would be their only option.
See the Lakeshore Zones & Authorities within CMSCWD graphic in Tom’s email to see all of the authorities involved in considering lakeshore zone projects. There is a level of complexity involved. Tom said that established buffers would prohibit beaches and sand blankets. I don’t know if the Wilder Lakes already have established buffers, but I will try to find out.
In attempting to keep this brief, I’ve included key points from the Watershed Rules that Tom mentioned in his email.
BUFFER ZONE
1) Page 29 (c). Natural Environmental Lake: 75’ buffer zone. If a lake or wetland is a groundwater-dependent natural resource, the buffer will be 100’. (So, the buffer would either be 75’ or 100’)
2) Page 31 (c). Altering vegetation, except for (i) vegetative enhancements, as approved in writing by staff; and (ii) the removal of invasive exotic species or of trees for disease control or revegetation. A tree larger than 6" in diameter at a point 2' above the ground may be removed only on written authorization from District staff on a determination that the function of the buffer will not be diminished. (This may again affect their plan to put in a 200’ beach and also a walking path around the lakes)
SAND BLANKET
3) Page 38, 5.7. Exceptions. A permit is not required under this rule for the following activities if the stated conditions are met.
5.7.2 Laying sand blankets along shorelines if: (See Tom’s comments in his email)
(a) The sand blanket is not along the bank of a stream, creek, or river.
(b) The sand does not cover emergent vegetation, unless already authorized by an MNDNR Aquatic Plant Management permit from the Department's Division of Fisheries. (Because of the emergent vegetation, it would not be allowed without an already authorized permit)
(c) The sand must be free of toxins or heavy metals, as defined by the MPCA, and must contain no weed infestations such as, but not limited to, purple loosestrife, glossy buckthorn, reed canary grass and Eurasian water milfoil, or animal life infestations such as, but not limited to, zebra mussels or their larva.
(d) The sand layer must not exceed 6" in thickness, 50' in width along the shoreline, or one-half the width of the lot, whichever is less, and may not extend more than ten’ water ward of the ordinary high-water mark. (Would not meet their 200’ beach requirement)
(e) Sand installation may only be repeated once at same location, not exceeding same amount and dimensions of the original sand blanket. (Tom said that sand blankets are easily eroded, so this is not a good solution)
(f) Beaches that are operated by governmental entities, and available to the public, shall be exempted from the width restriction.
(g) A natural zone of native shoreline plants of the same depth and equal to 20 percent of the width of the sand blanket shall be maintained adjacent to the sand blanket.
To: Lynn Mecum
From: Tom Langer
Subject: Sand Blanket follow up
Date: January 24, 2023 at 3:10:16 PM
Hi Lynn,
Thank you for the phone call and discussion.
For specific information on Watershed Rules related to sand blankets, please reference section 5.7.2. Again, this section is not exclusive and there are many situations where sand blankets are not permittable (e.g. if the watershed has an established buffer for the parcel). Section 5.7.2 simply highlights in cases where it can be implemented, how it shall be installed and how it can be maintained.
Please feel free to share a link to our website Rule page which contains the graphic I mentioned that illustrates the different lakeshore zones and entities with authority that need to review and provide approval to any shoreland development and shoreline alterations. As you can see there are many entities that oversee different but some overlapping aspects to lakeshore properties.
Lastly, since the shorelines are critical to the ecological health of lakes, there is a strong benefit if lakeshore owners choose to go above and beyond the rule requirements. I will always encourage every lakeshore owner to maintain or restore as much natural shoreline condition as possible (i.e. shoreline trees, leaving woody debris, establish vegetated buffers) and leave/create as small of an access point or sand blankets to the lake as possible. The premise is Take a little, protect a lot and your lake will thank you.
Thank you,
Tom Langer
Riparian Permit Specialist | Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District
11660 Myeron Rd North | Stillwater, MN 55082
Phone: (651) 275-7452 | Cell: 507-276-8056 : www.cmscwd.org
From: Lynn Mecum
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2022 2:58 PM
To: Jim Seidl
Cc: Mark Diessner; Alicia Blanchard
Subject: Environmental studies on Wilder Lakes
Greetings,
I have included lake studies for Terrapin, Mays and Clear Lakes which are located almost entirely within Wilder Forest. I understand that there is one private property adjoining Terrapin Lake. All studies are on the CMSCWD website and prove how unique these lakes are and how and why they need to be protected.
1) Terrapin, Mays, Clear Lakes Diagnostic Study (Study completed by EOR in 2016 for CMSCWD). https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2xoywdvo179hw6j/AABnUCIEhV3uBnFuP72l1eoGa?dl=0
a) Part 1: Lake Goals and Management Recommendations.
b) Part 2: Lake Water Quality and Phosphorus Sources.
c) Part 3: Project Update: 2016 Aquatic Plant Survey Results.
d) Fish Community Survey of Clear, Mays, & Terrapin Lakes Washington County.
2) Terrapin Lake (additional studies)
a) Terrapin Lake Water Monitoring Data (Lake Water Quality Data from 2012-2021). https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bzh434z6liarpnw/AACYCa3ejIdA9-h49JmnZW0na?dl=0&preview=2021+Terrapin.pdf.
b) Terrapin Lake Watershed Management Plan (CMSCWD Watershed Management Plan, Water Quality Rating A in 2020). https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yi15z7t558mpv9k/AABlsZWcB9-368pkqjOJyP0Da?dl=0&preview=Terrapin+Lake+WMP+2021.pdf.
c) Additional documents specific to Terrapin Lake are listed under. https://www.cmscwd.org/terrapin-lake.
3) Mays Lake (additional studies). https://www.cmscwd.org/mays-lake.
4) Clear Lake (additional studies). https://www.cmscwd.org/clear-lake.
Lynn Mecum