04-14-1986 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Use data reported by SHRPD shows that use of the Minnetonka Islands is increasing. However, major variations in some years and the problems inherent in estimating this kind of dispersed use makes it difficult to confirm patterns or rates of change. Summary of the Research Situation Research on recreation use of Lake Minnetonka is characterized by the validity and reliability problems discussed earlier. The valid, reliable studies (LMCD peak boat counts and Water Patrol activity tallies) collect only a limited amount of data. The broad studies --MC access studies and DNR lake use studies -- have been repeated too few times to build a reliable data bas-. These broad studies, after a period of testing, have developed good methods for monitoring conditions on the lake. Specifically, the 1984 DNR study is probably the most valid approach that can be found to study lake and access use. However, the assumptions and resultant analysis methods of this approach require substan- tially more data before reliability can be achieved. This is not to say that the fi•,: ngs of the DNR. study are unreasonable. On the contrary, where comparable studies exist, findings of the 1984 DNR study are similar to those of the other studies. it simply mears that more data must be collected to build a defensible case about the use of Lake Minnetonka. Research V ewed in Light f Task Force Issues The task -ce anal :-1 eight issues in developing its recommendations concern- ing Lake h nnatonke he status and applicability of research with respect to these issues is discus ed here. Primary Issue 1--Adequacy of Bort. and Shoreline Access on Lake Minnetonka An evaluation of adequacy require a measure of adequacy. In this case, the basic measure of adequate public access is one car -trailer parking space per 2C acres of lake surface. This is a guideline developed by the Metro Water Access Task force (Metropolitan Council, Minnesota DNR and Minnesota Department of Energy and Economic Development). It was subscribeu to by the 83TF in develop- ing a recommendation for 700 reliable car -trailer parking spaces on tho lake. This guideline was derived from a broader guideline of one beat per 10 acres of lake surface which has been used ;n water resources planning for some time. This original guideline is based on a variety of research tudies in the 1960s and early 1970s. NeedlEss to say, the actual "safe and surable" boating density depends a great deal on the kind of lake and tt -e of boating being done. The studies behind the original one boat per 10 o e guideline will not be summarized here. Suffice it to say that the current public access guide- lines of one parking space per 20 acres of water was derived by simply allocat- ing half of the density guideline to private access and half to public access. The adequacy of access can, therefore, be evaluated from two perspectives: 1. Adequacy of public boat access, and 2. Adequacy of overall boat density on the lake and the proportion of this density that is allocated to public and private accesses. With regard to Lake Minnetonka, these two it,ms can be addressed for the entire lake and each of its subzonr�_ 23