05-14-2012 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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NIINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, May 14, 2012 7:00 o'clock p.m. • (S. Milfoil Weevil Study, Continued) Dawson noted he has recently been appointed as director of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District's AIS program. Aquatic invasive species are non - native species that can cause ecological, economic, and human health harm. Currently zebra mussels and Eurasian water milfoil are a top priority. The Watershed District is interested in finding more tools to combat the AIS problem. The water milfoil harvesting and chemical treatment for milfoil need to repeat on a regular basis. Dawson stated one of the methods for controlling milfoil is the use of weevils, which are self - sustaining. The MCWD currently has three weevil project locations on Lake Minnetonka. It is anticipated to be a three year project with a total cost of $275,000. Marquette stated the MCWD plans on placing 20,000 weevils in Veterans Cove sometime at the end of May or the first of June. An inspection of Lake Minnetonka will also be conducted in the near future to determine the status of the milfoil. Franchot asked what weevils eat. Marquette indicated the weevils only eat milfoil. Franchot asked why they need to test the lake if the weevils only eat milfoil. Marquette stated there are some weevils already in the water but there needs to be a significant number. of • them to deal with the milfoil. The MCWD does have some lakes that have been experimenting with weevils for more than 10 years. The Watershed District would like to try the weevils in other lakes to see if it would help with the milfoil problem on Lake Minnetonka. McMillan asked whether the milfoil in the project areas would also be harvested. Marquette indicated there would not be any harvesting in those areas and that they are attempting to concentrate weevils in one area to help with the milfoil. The idea is that once the number of weevils are self - sustaining, they will control the growth of the milfoil over the long term. McMillan asked whether the MCWD will be speaking with the LMCD about not harvesting in those areas. Marquette stated they will be speaking with the LMCD. Marquette indicated they are contemplating placing a line of buoys to protect the shoreline and to prevent any boats from pulling up to the shore in the study areas. McMillan commented it would be helpful to have the MCWD map out the study areas and the areas that can be harvested and then provide that to the City as well as the LMCD. Marquette stated they are only permitted to use plants from Christmas Lake in her testing to prevent any zebra mussels from entering her lab. Rahn asked how long it would take to measure the results. • Page 2 of 16