April 2, 2009 at 7:02 a.m.
Friends of the Sunrise hear about Dam site projects, fisheries samplings
Friends of the Sunrise hear about Dam site projects, fisheries samplings
Members gathered at Wilcox Community Center in Sunrise to hear from presenters with the county, a fisheries specialist from the DNR and State Senator Rick Olseen. (Rep. Jeremy Kalin was also scheduled but was delayed leaving the capitol that night.)
Sunrise Dam alterations
Chisago County Parks Director Laird Mork shared details of a plan he's recently been informed of, calling for three "rock arch rapids" to be constructed at dam sites on the Sunrise River. Two locations are near (Stacy) Carlos Avery Sunrise Pools, and the county park Kost Dam is the third site.
A state bonding bill establishing funding for natural resources projects includes the arches at this time. Mork wondered how the "Friends" felt about this and Nate Painovich, with the DNR, fielded questions.
Painovich said the Department of Natural Resources has been installing these for several years, to facilitate stream migration of fish species. (See graphic.)
The arches are built up on the downstream side of dams in a 20 to one slope ratio. They usually include three to six-foot boulders, and streambank containment usually accompanies the project.
Painovich was advised Kost Dam is a popular fishing location. He said fishing hasn't been negatively affected at other sites he's aware of. The roiling waters at the base of the "falls" would no longer exist but he said fishers continue to frequent sites where other arches are located.
Painovich also shared results of the 2008 fish sampling done by "electro-fishing." The last research sampling done on the Sunrise River was in 2003.
According to the research data the Sunrise has "good diversity" of minnow life and decent gamefish populations, but more could be done to improve streamsides and water quality to support fish species.
As for the state stocking trout; Painovich reports that Hay Creek or the north branch of the Sunrise River would be his first choices for successful stocking due to cooler water temps, and vegetative cover for trout shelter and supporting insect life. But, he added, that if there was good interest in voluntary stream habitat restoration from landowners, the possibility of trout stocking in the Sunrise could be re-visited. Even the other two creeks need work done to prevent erosion/silt buildup, etc.
Painovich added that evidence of trout being caught in years past aids the DNR in determining which streams to stock. If readers have photos or other information related to fishing for trout in the Sunrise River from decades ago-- he'd like to hear from you. He's at the Hinckley regional office, at 1-320-384-7721.
Members of the "Friends" group said they'd be available to assist the DNR in stream restoration work or installing fencing to restrict livestock access to the river, etc., if manpower is needed.
The group also does a spring cleanup of the river which is aided by donated Waste Management Inc. roll-off containers and additional company support.
Power station
Sen. Rick Olseen reports he has introduced legislation allowing LS Power LLC an exemption on personal property tax on electric generation equipment. Olseen said several other sites in the state have won this exemption, which affects a tax only levied against electric plants in Minnesota.
LS Power LLC is looking into building an intermittent electric station, using natural gas and fuel oil, on County Road 14, near the Xcel substation. Electricity generated would become part of the MISO system grid and serve the midwest.
Very early proposals call for discharge of spent cooling tower water into a tributary of the Sunrise River.
Olseen understands that water use and discharge is a major item and demands extensive analysis. He also explained that as a potentially major local economy boost, he didn't wish to stand in the way of this project at least getting fleshed-out.
He added, "I didn't go out seeking this" (electric station).
Chisago County's tax base is now highly dependent on non-industrial, non-commercial tax revenues, he explained. Property tax revenues here need to be diversified.
Intermittent energy sources are integral to the state's overall energy system, which can not be reliant on any one source of energy. Sen. Olseen said he wants to see if LS Power can work with state regulators and develop a sensible, environmentally acceptable project. It's up to the Senate Tax Committee to see where the requested tax break goes, he said. He added that he's also working on legislation to allow for a carbon-neutral business park in Chisago City or Lindstrom, and he's backing bio-fuels development in the state.
County Water Plan Coordinator Jerry Spetzman also gave a talk on a number of geologic and biological studies being undertaken in Chisago County. He explained the Sunrise River watershed analysis, and the pollution prevention plan now being implemented on the north-branch of the Sunrise.
"Friends of the Sunrise River" Chair Larry Baker reported the group is at 70 dues-paying members. There are nine on the Board of Directors of the group. Individual dues are $10 annually, send to P.O. Box 292, Stacy, MN.
Meetings are usually the third Thursday of the month either at a private home or public facility.
The summertime "Jam at the Dam" featuring food and music is also a Friends' event.
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