04-24-2000 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Physical Features Big Island encompasses approximately 250 acres in area, of which approximately 50 acres is wetland. A navigable channel actually separates Big Island into two distinct islands. The shoreland ranges from flat, low wetland areas near the lake level to steep and often eroded bluffs extending as much as 30-40' above lake level. The topography is hilly. The highest point on the island is 988', nearly 60' above lake level, located near the south end of Morse Island Park. Soils on Big Island are mapped as Hayden loam and clay loam, typical of soils located in central and northern Orono. Beach sand soils occur in a number of flat, low areas near the shoreline. Except for scattered clearings to accommodate individual cabins or recreation areas, the island remains heavily vegetated with hardwood species typical of the "Big Woods". Services Big Island is provided with only a minimal degree of municipal services. There is no municipal sewer or water on the island, hence the use of individual septic systems and wells is common. The island is provided with telephone service and electric power via lines from the mainland. Police protection is minimally provided by the City of Orono and the Hennepin County Sheriff. Fire protection is provided by the Long Lake Fire Department although response time is understandably poor due to the lack of roads or bridges connecting the island to the mainland, and access to the island makes firefighting extremely difficult. Other services such as street repair, snow removal, inspections, and rev'ar garbage remr val are difficult, uneconomical and in some instances virtually ii, .possible to provide to residential property located on the island. Access There are no improved roads on Big Island. A limited system of roadways and alleys was platted more than a century ago in the Morse Island Park and Pleasantview subdivisions, which primarily created narrow lakeshore lots but also resulted in a small number of inland lots not abutting the lakeshore and needing access to the lake. These platted corridors exist today as walking trails which on occasion are used for vehicular access. Since most lots do abut the shoreline, use of the interior roadwav system has been primarily by the owners of interior lots, and by ovviiers of lakeshore lots with shoreline slopes that prohibit direct lake access. Vehicular access is necessary for nearly all island properties on occasion, hence the interior roadways are an important transp-mation element for Big Island. Overuse of the road system by residents or the general public is of concern, since the roads are not improved. Erosion and trespass are two main issues, because the roadways ere not marked and they often traverse steep slopes, especially where lanes extend to the lakeshore. CMP3B-40