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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, August 13, 2018 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />14. LMCD — Continued <br />- Mechanical harvesting <br />- Hand removing weeds <br />- Weed removal divers <br />Schleunig noted the variations in the bays and conditions helps dictate what management method is <br />utilized. <br />As it relates to AIS management through harvesting, in 2015, 576 acres were covered, with 1,000 tons of <br />AIS being removed through the use of three mechanical harvesters, one high speed transporter, and one <br />conveyor. Since 2016, two mechanical harvesters used partly due to budget. In 2017, 261 acres were <br />treated, with more than 637 tons being removed. After removal, the AIS is trucked off site and <br />composted. <br />The harvesters are staffed with a site supervisor and seasonal interns consisting largely of college <br />students. The interns undergo significant training consisting of classroom and on the water training. The <br />interns are required to attain the DNR lake service provider certification. The LMCD also follows the <br />manufacturer recommendations for mechanical harvesting. <br />Schleunig reviewed the following items associated with mechanical harvesting: <br />— The weeds are cut and then the debris is skimmed from the lake. <br />- The cutters cut anywhere between 1 and 5.5 feet deep depending on water depth. <br />- The weeds are stored on the harvester or transferred to a transport barge or a shore conveyor. <br />- The LMCD monitors aquatic vegetation amounts and types frequently throughout the day. <br />- The LMCD may reach out to the MN DNR for assistance with plant identification. <br />- Zebra mussels are removed along with the vegetation. <br />- An occasional turtle that is captured is returned unharmed to the lake. <br />- The offload sites are cleaned. <br />- Lakeshore owners are allowed the use of offload sites with appropriate MN DNR transport permit. <br />Schleunig stated the harvesters help prevent the spread of AIS and that last year the LMCD implemented <br />two pilot programs. One was a private -public partnership for use of the offloading sites and the other was <br />allowing residents to use one of the trucks for a fee. In addition, the LMCD researches new ways to <br />address the ecology and safety on Lake Minnetonka in consultation with the MN DNR. <br />Other lake protection and safety elements include the following: <br />- Reducing biomass, which consists of organic matter/vegetation and blue-green algae <br />- Navigation routes <br />- Water quality due to nitrogen/phosphorus runoff <br />- Monitoring recreation and fishing on the lake <br />- Picking up trash, leaves, lake vegetation lost watercraft/toys, logs, etc. <br />- Maintaining offload sites <br />- Monitoring on -water hazards, nuisances, and ecological concerns <br />A video was played depicting a harvester removing milfoil. <br />Page 5 of 14 <br />