Red Lake Watershed District focuses on Four-Legged and Pine Lake improvements

Les Torgerson, Board Member, and Myron Jesme, Administrator from Red Lake Watershed District (RLWD) were on hand at the Clearwater County Board of Commissioners meeting on June 14, 2016 to explain the highlights of accomplishments in the 2015 Annual Report. They especially wanted to bring attention to two projects within Clearwater County that are being worked on. One is in the Four-Legged Lake watershed; and the other in Pine Lake watershed. 

Four-Legged Lake: Les Torgerson pointed out that in the Four-Legged Lake chain of lakes over the years, and most recently in 1999, that the raising of a culvert without Drainage Authority permission, is resulting in increased flooding to major county roadways and properties of upstream landowners. 

“Raising a drainage system three feet is illegal, and there are damages from this,” he stated. 

“It used to be pasture, and now it is under water,” stated some landowners.

They are now in the process of reconciling this with plans for a construction project likely to the previous level, three feet lower, which conincided with the County Engineer, DNR, and RLWD recommended elevation, with a probable gravity-fed system. This affects the southwest and the northwest areas of Four-Legged Lake. The RLWD will maintain the system for the whole district, they said.

Landowners are now paying ditch tax. A hearing is in process to consider the flood damages to landowners. 

Pine Lake: The Pine Lake Property Owners Association made a request to the RLWD to stabilize the water level in the lake, especially in late summer, for example, by making a flood reduction project when money is available. 

Water can be stored, which improves water quality. 

“Some want Pine Lake to be a duck versus a fish lake,” said Myron Jesme. “There is resistance to that.” 

Nathan Nordlund, Clearwater County SWCD is working to stabilize the shoreline at Pine Lake with Gary Lane, a RLWD staff member. Landowners are offered $1,500 per acre to establish the required buffer strip, otherwise there is no compensation. 

“There are so many changes, that I believe the monitoring of the ditch projects is very important,” Mr. Torgerson said. “The RLWD is required to provide data for applying for grants.”

Clearwater Lake: They stated that Clearwater Lake is considered to be very clear, but one concern is sediment that goes in. Levels are maintained by a dam. 

Commissioner Dan Sten-seng stated that U.S. Fish and Wildlife are buying up many easements in the County, and wanted to know if RLWD gets involved in this, to which they answered not unless there is a request, as those are privately owned easements.

“Natural resources are among our most valuable resources to preserve,” Mr. Torgerson stated.  He said he has seen what happens to watersheds that are not maintained. 

Highway Department  business at the meeting included paying of bills in the amount of $47,524; and approval to purchase GPS related equipment in the amount of $9,078 by Engineer Dan Sauvé. He brought the proposed Road and Bridge Program spanning from 2017 to 2021 for Board review and  map indicating locations of the anticipated projects. 

Land Commissioner Bruce Cox received approval for 2016 Tax-Forfeited Land Sales. 

County Auditor-Treasurer Allen Paulson said the county has hit the low point of county revenue funds recently, and stated that the county is $500,000 better off than last year at this time, because of the solid waste levy and savings on employees. 

He received authorization to pay the submitted invoices of $222,412 from the County Revenue Fund, and $54,107 from Nursing Service. 

One ambulance garage, which will be 40x60 feet, construction bid was opened, which will be sent to Seth Tram at Sanford. Commissioner John Nelson said no action can be taken at this time.

Commissioners present at the meeting were Daniel Stenseng, Dean Newland, John Nelson, Neal Illies and Arlen Syverson.

The Board of Commissioners adjourned to hold the Board of Equalization Meeting.