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The managers of the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District Board had two main items on the agenda last week-- one was to set the 2012 levy and the other was a presentation on Moody Lake fish and curly leaf pondweed field analysis.

The managers also approved payouts for several landowners who finished water quality projects recently within the district.

Property owners are quite actively taking advantage of a cost-sharing program through the CLFLWD.

Eligible applicants can get 50-50 help with expenses for projects that contribute towards the watershed district goal of phosphorus and nutrient load reduction. The district doesn't help with hardscaping costs like steps or terraces, and each project varies as to how much reimbursement it qualifies for.

The approved projects included: a maximum of $3,000 to a site on Harrow Avenue North, Forest Lake; another site on Jason Ave. North in Forest Lake got $735; a $2,535 reimbursement for a Jewel Lane parcel was approved; a site on 228th Street, Scandia got $3,000 and an extensive project addressing run-off from a horse ranch near Moody Lake qualified for $22,885. (See related story.)

Contact the watershed district offices in Forest Lake (651-209-9753) or e mail [email protected]. if you have a project in mind that would enhance habitat and vegetation on shore, reduce erosion, reintroduce native plants or somehow help to improve the water quality of your lake.

Commercial and housing developers also work with the district director seeking to move forward on permitted work in the area.

The watershed district lies basically in the south third and southwest corner of Chisago County and the north part of Washington County.

CLFLWD managers also approved a levy for 2012 that has been unchanged since 2009.

The watershed district, established in 1999, sends its budget to the Washington County Board and the Chisago County Board for inclusion in those counties' tax statements.

The watershed district gets $755,000 through the levy and with other revenue sources like grants and aid of $283,000, the total budget is $1,349,126.

The managers also granted themselves a pay hike effective right away. The Board will receive $75 as a per diem up from $55 which was set when the watershed district formed. Managers noted that historically they have not also made claims for mileage, etc.

Projects being assisted in the watershed area use 90 percent of the CLFLWD budget funds. Administration, general office and the managers average about nine percent of the expenditures.

On the Moody Lake research; the Board asked for more information before determining the 2012 workplan for this small lake in south Chisago County. (Data was presented by consultants Emmons and Olivier Resources Inc.)

The fish populations and the curly leaf pondweed presence on the 34 acre, relatively shallow lake have been monitored for years. The managers wish to address degrading fish diversity and abundance of curly leaf pondweed, but last week were not fully convinced on the best course of action.

Options include applying alum to bind the nutrients at the lake bottom, aeration, harvesting fish, a chemical fish kill and other approaches.

The managers will continue to review the data and work with researchers.

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