Resident Letter, Channel Dredging

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Howard W. Meagher 3980 Dahl Rood Mound, Minneftoto 55364 Tol: 472-2167 Moiling Addroftt: Box 66, Novorre, Minn. 55392 Gloria McDonald, Chairwoman Orono Planning Commission At your meeting Tuesday^ September 6th# I made a few remarks concerning the water quality of North Arm. I agree with you 100% that a 6' dock access to navigable water using the short est route over the marshland area is the way to go. It was only after the DNR Official explained the Northshore Marina problem, that I realized that his recommendation of dredging the current 110* channel in the north end of North Arm was a complete contradiction based upon his comments justifying dredging at North Shore Marina. As you will recall, he stated that the original dredging at Northshore Marina really caused the current problem, because it created an area for boat dockage, and that the boats and not the dredging caused the eventual problem due to propeller agitation of the many boats moving in and out of their slips. The lower the water the more movement of slit, etc. The DNR Representative agreed with the current request from Northshore on the premise that no further damage could occur, and, of course, this is questionable in the opinion of many lakeshore residents. Now, let's look at the contradiction. If the 110* channel at the north end of North Arm were dredged, conditions that would exist: below are the 1. A channel docking area for six residential lake homes. This means twelve boats (two for each property owner). The residents will have guests coming and going by boat. Also, if the channel is navigable it would be public domain. 2. The boat activity in this new dredged channel would produce the same disturbing results that are now apparent in Maxwell*s Bay. Propeller action would stxr up the bottom and the nutrient affluent would be carried south to other areas of North Arm. Spawning beds, etc. would also be affected in the adjacent areas