DNR questions Sleepy Eye Lake dredging

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- Dredging plans for Sleepy Eye Lake appear to be at an impasse.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has not approved the latest dredging plans for Sleepy Eye Lake.

Last Thursday, Robert Collett, Area Hydrologist of the DNR's Hutchinson office wrote a letter to Sleepy Eye Mayor Jim Broich and other appropriate officials.

Collett said the lake dredging project rests on the proposal that Sleepy Eye City Manager Mark Kober and Wayne Pelzel of the Sleepy Eye Lake Improvement Association presented to him and DNR Regional Hydrologist Dave Leuthe on July 11.

Leuthe told Kober that the DNR could not support the proposal to remove the 450,000-600,000 cubic-yards of lake sediment sought by Sleepy Eye officials. He also would not guarantee approval of a 150,000 cubic-yard proposal the DNR earlier suggested.

"Our concerns remain focused around the need to protect the water quality and ecological integrity of the lake," Collett said. "We discussed the possibility of having a broader forum meeting on dredging and bringing in expertise from communities, water quality and aquatic biology."

DNR staff started making arrangements about possible attendees, but heard nothing more from the City about their willingness to sponsor such a meeting, according to Collett.

Sleepy Eye's latest proposal has general dredging areas without substantial estimates of material to be dredged, Collett said.

"Some of the areas in your new proposal are not even viable for dredging. ... The access area provides extremely shallow depths spread over a large footprint. Simply needing to move the dredge on a constant basis makes this area impractical," Collett said.

The project is stalled until the two sides agree on dredging impact and an acceptable area and volume. The DNR has agreed in principle to allow limited dredging, but it must minimize environmental impact to the lake. The burden of proof rests on the applicant, Collett said.

The project proposal must define detailed areas to be dredged with actual sediment borings showing depth of suitable materials for dredging and an Environmental Assessment Work Sheet must be completed. Then a DNR Protected Waters Permit could be issued, according to Collett.

"The DNR values Sleepy Eye Lake and our actions stem from our concern," Collett said. "We have been willing to work with the Dredge Committee, Brown County, and the City but appear to be stalled regarding the acceptable level of risk. I think our message has been clear, consistent and appropriately protective of Sleepy Eye Lake."

Collett's letter went to the Sleepy Eye City Council, City Manager Mark Kober, Wayne Pelzel of the Sleepy Eye Lake Improvement Committee, Brown County Zoning Administrator Jane Starz, Regional Hydrologist Dave Leuthe, Waterville Area Fisheries Manager Hugh Valiant and a DNR environmental specialist.

Broich said there has been correspondence between Sleepy Eye officials and the DNR, although Collett's letter did not acknowledge it.

Pelzel said he and Kober gave the DNR a proposal for more dredging than it originally allowed, in hopes of finding a compromise. He said he isn't interested in more meetings on the issue.

"We've had plenty of meetings already. We're hoping the DNR will allow for some adjustment," Pelzel said.