HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 670RESOLUTION # 670
• A RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO THE UNITED STATES CORPS
OF ENGINEERS REGULATIONS ON LAKE MINNETONKA AND
SUPPORTING LEGAL ACTION BY THE LAKE MINNETONKA CON-
SERVATION DISTRICT TO CHALLENGE THE AUTHORITY OF THE
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
WHEREAS, the City of Orono has spent considerable time in
formulating dock ordinances and marina licensing to regulate docks
and marinas abutting Lake Minnetonka, and
WHEREAS, current dock regulations control the public use
of Lake Minnetonka and try to balance the equities between our
residents who live near the lake and our inland residents who also
have rights to use the lake, and
WHEREAS, the United States Corps of Engineers has proposed
that said federal agency has authority to regulate docks and other
activities on Lake Minnetonka and that said authority is superior to
present agencies who regulate and control activities, namely the
State of Minnesota (DNR), Minnehaha Watershed District, Lake Minnetonka
Conservation District and each local community abutting the lake, and
WHEREAS, the members of this Council have received complaints
• from a large number of our citizens who strongly oppose federal
regulations on Lake Minnetonka because they feel these proposed
regulations are not needed and that the control of the lake is presently
in the hands of the governmental units best able to obtain input from
citizens and the people who are the most capable of protecting this
great natural resource, and
WHEREAS, the present rules and regulations of the state and
local governments plus the special governmental units formed to protect
the lake, adequately and inexpensively manage Lake Minnetonka, and
WHEREAS, the United States Corps of Engineers' proposals
to regulate matters involving Lake Minnetonka results in an expensive
duplication of responsibility and is not needed or desired to protect
the lake.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ORONO, MINNESOTA:
1. The Corps of Engineers is requested to withdraw any
and all of its proposed regulations and any jurisdiction
over Lake Minnetonka.
2. That Lake Minnetonka is presently adequately managed and
regulated by the State of Minnesota, County of Hennepin
and local governmental agencies.
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Resolution # 670
• Page 2
3. That the City strongly supports the Lake Minnetonka
Conservation District taking legal action to challenge
the United States Corps of Engineers' authority over and
on Lake Minnetonka.
4. That the City of Orono is willing to make a reasonable
contribution to the L.M.C.D. for the extra legal costs
to be incurred by the L.M.C.D. in challenging the Corps
of Engineers' jurisdiction.
5. That our United States Senators, Congressional Representa-
tives, and the Governor of the State of Minnesota are
urged to contact the Corps of Engineers and request the
Corps' withdrawal from Lake Minnetonka.
6. That copies of this resolution be sent to the Honorable
Walter Mondale, Hubert Humphrey, Thomas Hagedorn, Wendell
Anderson, Colonel Forrest T. Gay, III, Tade Jude, George
Pillsbury, William Frenzel and to the Lake Minnetonka
Conservation District.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Orono, Minnesota, at a
• regular meeting held March 22, 1976.
Robert L. Searles, Mayor
Attest:
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Walter enson, Clerk -Administrator
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