06-09-2025 - Agenda Packet City Council - regular meeting

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uatic Invasive Saecies Management Stubbs Bay currently has two aquatic invasive plants: curlyleaf pondweed (CLP) and Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM). The lake association, in cooperation with the Lake Minnetonka Association (LMA), has been managing these with herbicide treatments, and the LID would assume these treatment programs. The LID also proposes a monitoring program to detect the introduction of any new aquatic invasive species, and to devise and implement a program to manage zebra mussels should such a program become feasible. Any plant AIS management should be accompanied by regular lake vegetation surveys, and with the guidance of DNR's Aquatic Invasive Species Program and Aquatic Plant Management Program. A Lake Vegetation Management Plan (LVMP) has been developed for Stubbs Bay, and any vegetation projects or programs undertaken by the LID must follow this plan as well. The LID should contact the local Aquatic Invasive Species specialist April Londo (April.Londo@state.mn.us) for further guidance on aquatic plant management in general and AIS management in particular, and the local AIS prevention specialist Rafael Contreras-Rangel (Rafael.Contreras-RangeI@state. mn.us) for further guidance on preventing AIS. The DNR also suggests that the LID contact Habitattitude (https://www.habitattitude.net) for further information on the proper handling of unwanted aquarium pets and to conduct workshops for LID residents on the proper surrender of unwanted pets and disposal of aquarium water and plant trimmings. Impact of Climate Chan Climate change could impact the environmental health of Stubbs Bay in several ways. These include shifts in the viable living zones of species; increased precipitation and increased intensity of precipitation events; and expected increase in water temperatures. Shifting living zones for species may result in additional AIS being introduced into the bay. Water temperatures have already risen approximately 3-4 degrees Fahrenheit since 1970, and are expected to increase further; this will result in longer growing seasons and accelerated and more abundant growth of both plants and algae. Finally, increased precipitation and increased intensity of precipitation events would increase the amount of storm -event runoff reaching the bay, resulting in increased sediment and nutrient inputs. Maintaining the Health of the Native Plant Community The proposal mentions this as one of its possible projects and programs but does not offer any specifics on how to implement it. As the LID's efforts to reduce AIS abundance in the bay yield positive results, more of the littoral zone would become available for growth of native plants. These areas could become colonized naturally, or the LID could pursue planting efforts. DNR encourages the LID to consult with the DNR's Aquatic Plant Management staff for further guidance on any active measures the LID should take to further this goal. Continued regular aquatic vegetation management surveys will provide the data necessary to guide these decisions. Recommendations/Conclusions Natural shoreland restoration The proposal does not include projects designed to restore natural vegetation along the shoreline, but this would be an appropriate project for the LID to pursue and it would help reduce phosphorus originating from shoreline runoff. Phosphorus adhering to sediment running off from riparian properties is a common source of phosphorus contamination in lakes, and replacement of turfgrass at the water's edge with a buffer composed of native grasses, 281