Background:
History: The Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission has proposed a minor plan amendment to its Watershed Management Plan. The purpose of this minor plan amendment is to add eight new projects to its Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
Staff reviewed the commission’s proposed minor plan amendment and found it to be consistent with the Surface Water Management section of the Hennepin County 2030 Comprehensive Plan Update and the Hennepin County Natural Resources Strategic Plan. As a result, staff recommends approval of the proposed minor plan amendment to the commission’s Watershed Management Plan. Additional information about the minor plan amendment is provided in a supplemental staff recommendation report.
In addition to the proposed minor plan amendment, the commission requests a levy of $462,500 to fund the commission’s portion of the project costs to complete four water quality projects that are priorities in the CIP. The projects will achieve the commission’s goals to improve water quality of Rush Creek, Mill Pond, Elm Creek, and downstream resources including the Mississippi River. Descriptions of the projects to be implemented in part by the levy funds are:
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The Rush Creek Main Stem Restoration Project located in Maple Grove will stabilize approximately 11,000 linear feet of streambank to reduce sediment and nutrient loading from streambank erosion and improve stream habitat for fish and other aquatic life. Total estimated cost is $1,650,000, with the commission’s share being $300,000 to be levied in equal increments over four years starting in 2017. The commission requests a 2019 levy of $75,000 with the remaining amount covered by the City of Maple Grove.
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The Elm Creek Stream Restoration Reach D Project located in Plymouth will stabilize and restore 3,850 linear feet of streambank to reduce sediment and nutrient loading from streambank erosion and improve habitat for fish and other aquatic life. Total estimated cost is $850,000. The commission requests a 2019 levy of $212,500 with the remaining amount covered by the City of Plymouth.
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The Elm Creek Stream Restoration Phase III Project located in Champlin will stabilize and restore 2,287 linear feet of streambank to reduce sediment and nutrient loading from erosion and improve habitat for fish and other aquatic life directly upstream of Mill Pond, which was a site of major restoration work over the past few years. otal estimated cost is $400,000. The commission requests a 2019 levy of $100,000 with the remaining amount covered by the City of Champlin.
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The Downs Road Trail Rain Gardens located in Champlin will construct rain gardens and other stormwater treatment practices for areas that contribute runoff directly to Mill Pond and Elm Creek. The project will include an educational component. Total estimated cost is $300,000. The commission requests a 2019 levy of $75,000 with the remaining amount covered by the City of Champlin.
Levies authorized pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 103B.251 are exempt from any statutory limitation on taxes. A county levying a tax under Minnesota Statutes section 103B.251 shall not include that tax in the county’s general levy but shall separately certify that amount to the county auditor. The county auditor shall extend that levy as a special taxing district. The commission must certify its final levies to the county auditor prior to October 1, 2018.
Current Request: This request is to approve an amendment to the commission’s Watershed Management Plan and set the commission’s 2019 maximum levy at $462,500 for projects that will improve water quality. The amendment will add eight projects to the CIP.
Impact/Outcomes: Approval of this request will allow certification of the maximum levy to the county auditor for inclusion in the Truth in Taxation statement and facilitate improved water quality. Projects in this request will improve water and habitat quality in Rush Creek, Elm Creek, Mill Pond, and downstream water resources, as well as engage the public on water resource management.