02-09-1987 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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OTEER FTATE LALE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS As part of this study, contacts were made with ten other states concerning exam- ples of lake management programs that might provide approaches to the plan for Lake Minnetonka. The following in a brief summary of findings for each state. Overall, it appears that a lake management plan addressing the issues outlined in this report is not a completely new idea, but it has few parallels. Most states appear to plan lakes in one to two ways: 1. as part of a larger plan (e.g., stream watershed, local comprehensive plan), or 2. as a series of unrelated, topical plans mandated by general planning or environmental statutes (e.g., shorcland planning, water quality improve- ment, surface use conflicts, fisheries management). In only one case described below, Lake George, New York, is the lake seen as the central resource. In only two cases, Lake George and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, were significantly different sets of authorities and management tech- niques used in planning and managing a lake. It is recommended that the manage- ment plan for Lake Minnetonka include analysis of the approaches and methods used on these two lakes. Few other examples exist that provide more insight that the lake planning activities already underway in Minnesota. Wisconsin Wisconsin provided two comparable situations - the Yahara River Chain of Lakes in Madison and Lake Geneva. Although the Yahara Chain, principally lakes Mendota and Monona, are smaller than Lake Minnetonka and serve a smaller urban area, they appear to be about in the same situation concerning access, oseage, surrounding development and plan- ning. Working with Dane County and the Southwest Wisconsin Regionai Planning Commission, the municipalities in this chain of lakes are doing a comprehensive Aquatic Study covering moat of the issues of concern to LMCD. This will be a good study to monitor as the Lake Minnetonka plan is being done. However, few new ma nggement or control mechanisms appear to be forthcoming on these lake.. Lake Geneva is somewhat different in this regard. this is a heavily used re- sort lake in southeastern Wisconsin. The major concern is for water quality - similar to the situation on Lake Minnetonka 15 to 20 years ago. A plan it be- ing developed by the Southeast Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission to deal 'ith the situation. Concerning general recreation use, there are ordinances for surface use and dock development. However, enforcement is left to the five communities .round the lake. Lake Geneva has a very interesting mixture of authorities, ranging from a Lake Level Corporation to a Water Safety Patrol to an Environmental Agency. There is a Rood deal of private, non-pr,fit support and contn4 of the" agencies. Each has a defined rule to play in managing Lake Geneva. The management of the "I