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s r , �P,`�OF MIIVrJFSOr9 I!/Iinnesota Department of Natural Resources , O N m w 9 J� OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER �i �,° 500 Lafayette Road �yT�FNA�JRP�Q� St.Paul,Minnesota 55155-4037 August 11, 1997 Stephen W. Farnes P.O. Box 593 Mound, MN 55364 Dear Mr. Farnes: I wish to thank you for showing my staff the erosion problems at Deering Island in Lake Minnetonka on August 4, 1997. I understand that Senator Gen Olson and Representative Steve Smith also joined you and several other area lakeshore ev.'^e�s d��ir)�th� ir�spection of this 3TE�. �'!!y sta�f;e�c�,s t~a,zr�sic� ��o5��ms do exist, especialiy at.��e sauth and east side of Deering Island and at several other nearby locations. , You advised my staff that you were requesting the Department of Natural Resources(DNR)to impose a"no wake"area � on the south side of Deering Island. We understand that you previously petitioned the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District(LMCD)to establish such a"no wake"zone in this area on at least two occasions in the past, and that LMCD has not yet agreed to adopt an ordinance that satisfies your concerns. To clarify our authority in this matter, water surface use zoning can be done in only two ways (reference M.S. §§ 868.201-205&459.20 and Minn. Rule 6110.3000-.3800): (1) the local unit of government would have to propose an ordinance and the Department would need to review it and either approve or disapprove in writing in 120 days, or (2) the local unit of government(s) can request the DNR to propose a rule that would impose water surface use restrictions, subject to final approval by the same local unit of government(s). This applies only in cases: a)where two or more counties cannot agree on restrictions or b)where state or international boundary waters are involved. An exception to these procedures has been made in the case of Lake Minnetonka and White Bear Lake.The Legislature created a lake conservation district for each lake and gave those districts certain authority, including water surface use zoning. No approval for ordinances adopted by these districts is required from the DNR. We understand that the LMCD has indicated a willingness to continue to study this issue. Ps�rou discussed with my staff, the DNR is studying the same issue on the St. Croix and Mississippi River systems. We are attempting to obtain quantifiable data as to the exact effects of boat wakes on the erosion of shoreline. We will provide any of our findings to the LMCD and are willing to assist them in any such studies they may wish to undertake on this complex issue. Staff are also available to advise you and your neighbors in how to deal with the erosion problems you face. Please feel free to contact either Regional Hydrologist Dale Homuth or Area Hydrologist Ceil Strauss at 772-7910 if you desire further information or assistance in this regard. Sincerely yours, �-N� �� Ronald Nargang Deputy Commissioner cc: Senator Gen Olson Representative Steve Smitli LMCD Minnehaha Creek Watershed District , Kathleen Wallace, Regional Administrator D � � C�I�H�11�1 910f1e1 HYd�OIOgISt H:IRNDOC.DNRIDEERING.897 �s u �, AUG �'�Rf�9�a i 612-296-6157, 1-800-766-6000 • TTY:612-296-5484, 1-800-657-3929 • FAX:612-296-4799 An Equal Opponunity Employcr sA Printed on Recycled Paper `a Comaining IOSE Post-Consumcr Wasce By