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5. POLICY BOARD BUSINESS 5.01: Consider Fact Sheet for Rogers Lake City Planner Anderson presented the staff report, noting that in 2015 and again in 2016, the City received a request from a resident who owns a riparian lot on Rogers Lake to implement restrictions on both motorized watercraft and hunting on Rogers Lake. That resident believes motorized boats create a noise nuisance and boat propellers remove lake vegetation. In addition, the resident is concerned about noise and safety related to hunting on or around the lake. City Planner Anderson stated staff met with representatives of Nowthen and Oak Grove that share jurisdiction over Rogers Lake to review the solution proposed by the resident and arrived at a consensus that a better approach may be to provide better education on regulations that already exist rather than creating new regulations that would be difficult to enforce. He explained it is unlikely Nowthen and Oak Grove would support an ordinance restricting motorized watercraft or hunting limits beyond State Statute. He noted there is no public access on this Lake to allow any jurisdiction to enforce limitations on watercraft. City Planner Anderson described Rogers Lake as being relatively shallow with a significant amount of aquatic vegetation, making it closely related to a wetland. It was designated by the MPCA as impaired due to excess nutrients but the DNR is now successfully enforcing vegetation removal limits, which has resulted in significantly improved water quality and may likely resolve the primary concern. City Planner Anderson stated staff does not recommend changing the hunting regulation on Rogers Lake as appropriate tools are in place to address that concern. It was noted staff had discussed an educational alternative and the resident is supportive of that approach. City Planner Anderson reviewed the City Council’s consideration and indicated it was not supportive of creating additional regulations that would be challenging to enforce. Rather, the City Council directed staff to develop educational information for the lakeshore property owners that includes review of existing rules/regulations for Rogers Lake. City Planner Anderson presented the Fact Sheet drafted by staff that would be considered by the three municipalities that have jurisdiction over Rogers Lake. Board Member Valentine asked if the communities have provided a guide for what they would like to see occur on this lake. City Planner Anderson stated that the cities were in agreement with not creating new standards or regulations, and therefore would like to continue allowing what is currently allowed under those regulations. He stated that once they receive clarification from the DNR they will be more aware of what types of activities are allowed. Board Member Valentine stated that once the classification of the lake is known that should provide more guidance on what actions could be taken to improve the aquatic plant situation. Environmental Policy Board / October 17, 2016 Page 2 of 5