The Shell Rock River Watershed District is a public entity with the power to levy taxes.

I live on the shores of Fountain Lake and am happy to contemplate its dredging. Since I am interested in the project, I attended the watershed’s Sept. 30 meeting.

At the meeting of the watershed district board, the Barr engineering firm asked for $446,000 to complete the study with a possible additional $100,000 for unforeseen difficulties. The report of the engineering firm stated that dredging with the presently owned dredge would take five to seven years and was therefore too small to be used.

Land has not been located for the lake tailings but should be 60 acres within three miles of lake. A berm would be constructed around the 60 acres, which would then be filled to an approximate depth of 15 feet. The water used in tailing transport would be returned to Fountain Lake but would need to be treated. A treatment plant would need to be constructed prior to permits and dredging.

Total dredging costs would be in the neighborhood of $59 million — not the $15 million we were once told to expect.

At the most recent board meeting a pre-meeting was held and the five-member personnel committee was replaced with three appointees to circumvent the open meeting requirements of a five-person committee. The new personnel committee proposed an approximate 5 percent raise from last year’s pay and a bonus.

For the whole dredging process no approvals or permits have been received. It is my understanding that the Department of Natural Resources does not look favorably on dredging.

At the meeting I attended there was no reporter or representative from the Albert Lea Tribune.

Earl D. Jacobsen

Albert Lea

 

Editor’s note: The Tribune is working on the story.