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Only one county commissioner expressed outright support for the request from the Chisago Lakes Restoration Association last week to consider elevating the County Road 20 bridge to allow boats to navigate from North Lindstrom Lake into North Center Lake and vice-versa.

Commissioner Ben Montzka commented that he hoped all the commissioners would see the benefits of navigability being restored through the Chisago Chain.

Commissioner Mike Robinson complained that this project does nothing for the people in his district. “My people are sending their money to the southern end of the county for three new libraries,” was his response to the request. (The Rush City Library, although not being rebuilt at this time, received $400,000 out of the bond revenue supporting the county library projects.)

Robinson called improvements to the county bridge as requested, “a luxury item.”

Commissioner Montzka responded that he didn’t have the most current numbers but a couple of years ago the contribution from the fifth district to the county’s overall revenues was 15 percent. Montzka added that his district’s percentage contribution of the county’s overall budget was 22 percent. Montzka pointed out that when he votes in support of projects and funding going to the fifth district he weighs if the appropriation is in the best interests of the whole county.

Robinson then commented that he didn’t say he was against the bridge project.

Commissioner Lynn Schultz asked for more environmental review to be done to convince her enhanced connections aren’t doing any damage to the lakes.

Commissioner Rick Olseen said he wanted to see a cost study done because he felt the association’s project budget of about $1.5 million was low. Olseen suggested this go to the subcommittee on highways and public works, which he sits on, for detailed review.

Bob Gustafson, the commissioner representing the district where the bridge is located, said little, but agreed the matter needs more review.

The meeting room and outside in the vestibule it was standing-room-only as supporters wearing t-shirts and stickers promoting the navigation restoration issue listened to the agenda item discussion.

Five representatives of the Chisago Lakes Restoration Assoc. said all they were seeking was a commitment to raising the height of the bridge and widening it for safety at such time as the bridge is on the work list for repair.

The group distributed photos of the condition of the bridge and narrowness of the bridge, and said they agreed that review of the costs should get underway.

As for concerns about environmental aspects, the CLRA group had a letter of support from DNR Regional Hydrologist Mike Mueller. Mueller said water now moves both ways along the chain of lakes and opening up channels isn’t going to create any new water transfer (ie: milfoil) that isn’t already occurring.

Joe Tromburg, CLRA President, reminded the commissioners it was the association that sought the “no wake” designation for the Bull Lake area between North Lindstrom and North Center lakes and it still supports this no wake rule that was adopted by the County Board. The Bull Lake section (east of #20) is deep enough and the association dispelled rumors there needs to be dredging for this channel connection.

CLRA member John Jelinek said by making the existing under-sized connections navigable-- the lakes will benefit because large boats won’t be restricted to “going around in circles” on the smaller bodies of water. Jelinek asked the County Board to look at this as an economic development tool, stating, “...even non-marine related businesses” will benefit from the lakes becoming a boating destination.

Todd Angel, a North Lindstrom Lake property owner, spoke about how he moved to that lake because it is “small and quiet.”

He suggested more surveying be done of lakeshore owners to gauge support for this channel improvement. Still, Angel complimented the group for its stand on water quality and giving voice to other concerns about the environment. He said he has been met with only the most respectful interaction whenever he’s talked with the association.

Concordia College owns land along Bull Lake-North Center Lake that was gifted to the college and is used as a natural sciences curriculum classroom. A college spokesman told the commissioners Concordia would support whatever decision is made and would consider lending technical or research expertise if there are studies to be done.

Bottom line is the bridge stays the way it is for the near future. The cost and project impacts are to be reviewed, and Lindstrom city officials are going to be contacted for needs the city sees, especially in using the bridge for pedestrian connections and infrastructure (sewer and water lines).

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