RLWD brings annual report and discusses River Watch, Four-Legged/Pine Lake with Commissioners
Tue, 07/17/2018 - 3:06pm
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By:
Karen Edelbach
The Clearwater County Board of Commissioners received the Red Lake Watershed District Annual Report for 2017 from Les Torgerson and Myron Jesme of the District when they met on July 10, 2018.
A new Board was elected for the RLWD for 2017. The River Watch, Pine Lake, and Four-Legged Lake, and were among the closer area projects described in their Annual Report, which contained maps and photos of progress being made throughout the District.
River Watch: This is a water quality monitoring project in which many school districts participate. It began in April and concluded in October for last year. Approximately 50 different sites were sampled three or more times in 2017 by River Watch schools in the RLWD boundaries.
“Everybody who lives in Clearwater County appreciates the area. It is beautiful here. It is important that the kids get out and see it, and be interested. It is fun and a real adventure (to be involved in the River Watch),” said Les Torgerson.
Out of 20 or more schools, the Clearbrook-Gonvick School District received the 10 Year Milestone award for being involved in the project for ten years, and students also took 3rd place in a River Watch Jeopardy game at the annual River Watch forum conducted last March.
The RLWD representatives praised the school highly for their efforts, and also the past participation of the Bagley School District students.
Four-Legged Lake:
“As manager it is interesting to see the process, the good many checks and balances along the way,” said Les Torgerson who is on the Board of Managers for RLWD. “It is often hard to get different agencies to agree about an issue (such as Four-Legged Lake, but we are getting closer.”
Myron Jesme, Administrator for RLWD explained the two separate issues regarding the Four-Legged Lake.
“We are looking at a Flood Damage Reduction Project, versus the separate issue of ditches. If you want to talk about ditches, come to the Board meeting – the Board has jurisdiction over ditches,” he said.
They said that there are Board members from seven different boards, and they could not reach a consensus.
Mr. Jesme said there is too much politics involved, and that it has been confusing.
Commissioner John Nelson asked, “Confusing for who?” and the answer was their (RLWD) Board.
Commissioner Dan Stenseng said, “I think a flood project would be better,” and Mr. Jesme said they should look into that. He also stated that water would be stored only through spring and slowly released out through the summer.
Mr. Torgerson said one of the issues is that landowners are paying for benefits not being received. Mr. Jesme said one of the primary problems with Four-Legged Lake is the water level they wanted there.
Pine Lake:
There are many policies set from the committees.
Mr. Torgerson said, “We try to spare getting to the landowners until we get agreement. It is time to find out if we have cooperative landowners. We got the DNR to store 250 feet of water at Little Pine Lake which will allow more continuous water to Pine Lake.”
The project at Pine Lake was originated by property owners of Pine Lake area. The report states, “A comprehensive study was funded by a grant to guide projects that will reduce flood damages in the Pine Lake Watershed and downstream waters.”
Their report states regarding both the Four-Legged Lake and Pine Lake projects:
“The District hopes to complete the required steps of the process late spring/early summer 2018. It is the hope of the district that upon completion of the comprehensive plan, we will have a clearer vision as to what projects can be completed in this watershed to assure all our goals in the area are addressed.”
Other issues discussed about the 2017 RLWD Report were some areas with E.coli contamination and high phosphorus levels for which analysis is now being done.
“It is important to keep track so we can tell if something changes, and narrow down where the problem starts,” Les Torgerson stated.