12-09-2002 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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littoral habitat and encourages the elimination of natural emergent and upland vegetation along the shore that acts as a buffer for the lake. There is a need for alternative shoreline treatments that are attractive, protect against erosion, protect natural littoral habitat and function as a vegetative buffer for the lake. Although alternative treatments exist, there Is a general lack of examples or demonstrations available for public viewing on Lake Minnetonka. Therefore, opportunities for interpretation and education, where lakeshore owners can visualize environmentally sensitive alternatives, do not presently exist. All three phases will include interpretive features and information at locations highly visible and accessible to the public. The Gray’s Bay Public Access and Launch is currently a private marina and is undergoing redevelopment as a public water access for boats on trailers. As such, the shoreline area, which has been used as a commercial site, could be restored with native vegetation to serve as a buffer to filter runoff. Runoff from the entire marina site currently drains directly to Lake Minnetonka. Redevelopment could correct the management of storm water using infiltration galleries and basins estimated to remove more than 90% of the sediment, nutrients and other pollutants entering the lake and that would greatly reduce the volume of runoff. There is an opportunity to vegetate infiltration areas with native prairie, shrub and woody species. ___ __________ The Minnehaha Creek Headwaters area is currently operated as a public boat launch and parking area, a City Park and includes the Outlet Control Structure and Emergency Spillway forming the outlet for Lai\e Minnetonka and the Headwaters of Minnehaha Creek. The area is expected to be redeveloped to exclude the public water access and associated parking. Restoration of selected shoreline areas could serve as a native vegetative buffer, hard cover could be reduc'd and an access for shoreline fishing could be built to compliment the outlet/headwaters area. Overall, operation costs associated with the Headwaters of Minnehaha Creek would be reduced and resolution of safety issues associated with the outlet is possible. Hennepin County will upgrade the Gray’s BayAftfayzata Bay Causeway (Highway 101). Much of the shoreline area on the Wayzata Bay side of the causeway is unstable and undergoing erosion from prevalent wind wave action. A portion of the east side of the causeway is currently used as a makeshift public access for boats and parking. Traffic and site distance related safety issues are involved with this access location. In addition, severe shoreline erosion and degradation is ongoing around the access area. The Causeway upgrade will involve a new urban section road surface and pedestrian path. The boat access location and associated trailer parking will be eliminated. Shoreline areas on both sides of the causeway could be stabilized by a variety of techniques including soil bio*engineered slopes with shrub and C:\My Oocum«ntsWCWDVOr*ys Bay B(o\planam*n<lmerrt doc 3