Agenda - Council - 06/14/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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5.03: Receive Presentation on Mississippi River Shoreline Inventory City Planner Anderson presented the staff report and introduced Mitch Haustein, Conservation Specialist with the Anoka Conservation District. Mr. Haustein reviewed his presentation. He explained one of the goals of the presentation was to identify the comprehensive record of bank conditions and identify the worst areas of erosion. The report allowed them to quantify the benefits of fixing the banks. There is about 5.8 miles of river in the scope with 122 parcels. Of those parcels, there are only 13 public parcels. He said his organization has a photo record of the entire 5.8 miles. Locations are geotagged to help identify exact locations. To keep track of the inventory, they created a table labeled Erosion Severity Categories. He explained how they calculated estimated soil loss per year. He indicated 10 locations were found to have either severe or very severe erosion. Mr. Haustein described possible stabilization approaches. Bioengineering is restoring native vegetation, cedar tree revetments, and live staking, which is putting live cuttings like willow into the riverbank. Hard armoring includes riprap and tied concrete block mat. This is not very aesthetically pleasing, but can be done. Mr. Haustein reviewed favorable practices to help preserve a riverbank, which includes avoiding mowing the grass up to the edge, controlling run off, planting desirable plants, and removing buckthorn, fallen trees and grapevine. He suggested yard waste not be thrown on the shoreline as it only smothers the vegetation, and helps erode the bank. Fallen trees can cause eddies and change the current, which changes the erosion lines. Grapevine has no helpful footing of vegetation, and shades vegetation so it cannot grow. Board Member Hiatt inquired if there is preceding data, or if this study established the base line. Mr. Haustein replied this created the baseline. Board Member Hiatt suggested this be reviewed in a respectable period of time to keep track of erosion issues. Mr. Haustein agreed. City Planner Anderson noted Anoka County Parks took part in a cost share for this inventory. They are looking forward to this report to help decide what to do with erosion problems. Board Member Lewis asked what the investment was for this 5-6-mile stretch. Mr. Haustein answered it was $5,000. Board Member Hiatt asked if Mr. Haustein's organization has looked at the Hennepin County side.