01-06-1992 Council Minutes Hearing Maxwell Bay Lake Access

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PUBLIC HEARING HELD REGARDING DNR'S PROPOSED LAKE ACCESS ON MAXWELL BAY ORONO CITY COUNCIL - JANUARY 6, 1992 Don Germanson, President of the Lake Minnetonka Lakeshore Owners Association (LMLOA), explained that within their membership, they have identified lawyers who may be able to assist Orono in its fight against this project. He noted that the DNR appears not to want to work with the LMLOA. He explained that he and Denny Meyer just returned from the Brainard area where they gave a presentation on milfoil. He noted that he grew up in Wisconsin on a lake which was infested with. milfoil. He noted that area reacted to milfoil after it was too late to stop it. The same is true for Lake Minnetonka. He noted the key is to be ahead of the spread of any of the exotics. Germanson reviewed a flyer which was distributed to all in attendance which covered the following issues in regards to this project: environment, overcrowding, safety, parking, zoning and tax spending. He reviewed a list of lakes within Minnesota which currently have been infested with milfoil. He then reviewed a list of how money collected from boat licenses and gas tax is spent -by the DNR. He noted the averag4 amount spent per household is approximately $21.40, of which `nearly '$10.00 is dedicated for access purposes. Approximately one -third of the $1.05 spent for "fish and wildlife" programs is-spent for the eradication of exotics. He noted :that is nearly 30 times the amount of money dedicated for access than that for prevention of the spread of exotics. Germanson noted that the Hennepin County boat- launch on North Shore Drive has the proper signage posted, and the DNR's launch on Halihad's Bay has'very little signage with a "no parking" sign posted. He stated that Wisconsin has now found it necessary to charge a launch fee to cover costs involved with these accesses.. Kent Carlson, 3498 North Shore Drive, stated that milfoil could not be- stopped in time and zebra mussels probably cannot be stopped either. He felt that density could be kept at a minimum. He suggested that a launching fee be assessed to cover required inspections to prevent the spread of milfoil and other undesirables. He suggested that the DNR look at the Advance Machine °site in Spring Park for a possible launch. Carlson asked if low areas of the lake and dock areas have been deducted from the calculations to reflect a. true ratio of boats to water densities. Jabbour noted that the Council has addressed every one of those issues. They have suggested that a reduction in net density be considered by utilizing commercial land, such as Gayles Marina, which is for sale. He stated that the DNR does not care about density, and indicated that the DNR lacks a comprehensive plan for development of parking and access around the lake. He urged the citizens to call the LMCD to force the DNR to develop a comprehensive plan and thorough study about - the: issue of launches. 4