10.b CLFLWD Resolution of Support Request Staff Report
Date of Meeting: April 16, 2024
For: Honorable Mayor and Council
From: Kyle Morell, City Administrator
Subject: Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District Request for Resolution
of Support to Purchase Property at 22211 Lofton Ave N.
Background:
The Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District is seeking a Resolution of support from the City
for their purchase of 22211 Lofton Ave. N. They are working with the landowner to purchase the
property, which would restore key wetland and upland wildlife habitat, provide significant volume
storage enhancement and flood mitigation, support water quality protection in Bone Lake, and
provide publicly accessible natural open space.
The attached Illustration outlines the Watershed’s plans for the property. Also attached is a slide
showing the funds already secured by the Watershed and what they formally request from the City: a
Resolution to show (non-financial support for the project.
As detailed in one of the attached letters of support from the City signed by the previous
Administrator, the Watershed intends to carve out the current farm site from the project, thus
preserving it as a taxpaying property.
Options:
1) Approve Resolution 04-16-24-04 Supporting CLFLWD Acquisition of Property in
Scandia
2) Table item for further discussion
Recommendation:
Option 1
Attachments:
Resolution 04-16-24-04
CLFL Bone Lake South Wetland Acquisition Slide
CLFL Bone Lake South Wetland Acquisition Illustration
Grant Application Letters of Support (2022)
RESOLUTION NO. 04-16-24-04
CITY OF SCANDIA
WASHINGTON COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE COMFORT LAKES FOREST LAKE
WATERSHED DISTRICT ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY IN SCANDIA
WHEREAS, the City desires to support projects in its community that protect its natural
features, quality of life, and
WHEREAS, the protection of water is essential to our health and well-being; and
WHEREAS, having adequate natural holding capacity for water is good planning that
assists in flooding prevention, soil retention, improved water quality, efficient aquifer
recharge; and
WHEREAS, having adequate ecological corridors to allow wildlife to move, flourish, and
remain in our midst is of inherent value; and
WHEREAS the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (District) has identified a
potential property acquisition located south of Bone Lake, owned by Roger Larson, and
in an area identified as a priority area, per Figure 2-5 Priority Areas, in the District
Watershed Management Plan;
WHEREAS the proposed acquisition would result in restoration of key wetland and
upland wildlife habitat, provide for significant volume storage enhancement and flood
mitigation, support water quality protection in Bone Lake, and provide publicly
accessible natural open space;
WHEREAS the proposed acquisition aligns with the purpose of the Washington County
Land and Water Legacy Program in that it acquires land and interests in land to
improve the water quality of lakes, preserves wetlands, and helps protect land along
a waterbody from development;
WHEREAS the Scandia City Administrator provided a letter of support for the project
and associated grant application on May 19, 2022;
NOW, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council signals its support for the acquisition of the
property located at 22211 Lofton Ave N, Scandia, MN, by the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake
Watershed District and other funding partners.
Adopted by the Scandia City Council this 16th day of April, 2024.
________________________________
Christine Maefsky, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________________
Kyle Morell, City Administrator
ACQUISITON & RESTORATION
WHO:
Comfort Lake - Forest Lake
Watershed District
WHAT:
Fee title acquisition of property
containing wetland and
restorable upland habitat for
enhancement and perpetual
protection.
WHERE:
The property underlying a
high priority wetland complex
south of Bone Lake in northern
Washington County (Scandia,
MN).
WHEN:
Immediately after. Protect
wetland/upland habitat acreage
before it can be developed into
residential subdivision with
potential wetland fill and bank
credits outside of this region.
HOW:
Landowner is willing to sell
to the District and signed a
letter of support for this
proposal. Close on sale
immediately once grant funds
are available, then begin
restoration work thereafter.
Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District will acquire in fee,
implement habitat enhancements, and perpetually protect a
property containing 119 acres of high priority wetland south of
Bone Lake in the northern metro Washington County. The property
is 305 acres and also presents an opportunity to establish 100+
acres of upland prairie or oak savanna habitat. This proposal will
enhance habitat for the Blanding ’s turtle and other native species,
keep water on the landscape, improve water quality, and
protect groundwater. Land purchase pending landowner
discussions.
BONE LAKE SOUTH WETLAND
OVERVIEW
Habitat Benefit
Enhance and preserve native habitat for threatened
and endangered species including the Blanding’s
turlte and Rusty-patched bumblebee
Priority Area
Bone Lake South Wetland (highlighted above in light blue) is a priority
protection/restoration area identified in the 10-year Watershed
Management Plan.
WetlandsGroundwater Sensitivity
Why this location?
Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District identified this site as a
priority area due to several factors:
•It contains native plant communities connected with groundwater,
including wet meadow/shrub carr and forested wetland.
•It is close in proximity to Bone Lake, which is impaired for aquatic
recreation due to eutrophication (to be de-listed in 2024).
•It is an area of high pollution sensitivity of near-surface materials.
•It is predominantly covered by wetland and restorable plant habitat.
This site is called out in the District’s 10-year Watershed Management
Plan as a high priority area for protection in order to achieve water
resource benefits and District goals including:
•Provide habitat benefits
•Keep water on the landscape
•Improve water quality
•Protect groundwater
Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District
44 Lake St. South, Suite A | Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-395-5850 | info@clflwd.org | www.clflwd.org |@clflwd
Native Plant Communities
ACQUISITON & RESTORATION
BONE LAKE SOUTH WETLAND
BoneLake BoneLake BoneLake
Key Outputs & Outcomes
•305 acres of land protected
in fee and enhanced
•119 acres of wetland
•186 acres of upland
native prairie or oak
savanna
•Protect biologically diverse
wetland and native
prairie/oak savanna plant
communities
•Promote healthy
populations of threatened
and endagered species such
as Blanding’s turtle and
Rusty-patched bumblebee