The Shell Rock River Watershed District approved an important step in moving ahead with the Fountain Lake Restoration Project when the Board of Managers accepted a Barr Engineering proposal for Phase 1 Engineering Services.
“ Phase 1 Engineering will be used to undertake data gathering and stakeholder and permitting agency communications to complete a preliminary engineering report that identifies lake restoration objectives and will aid with permitting and environmental review requirements, ” said Brett Behnke, District Administrator. This phase will provide the project with enough detail that it can move forward into the detailed design, environmental review and permitting phase. Phase 1 work is to be concluded by December 1, 2013.
The Board also learned legislation (SF271/HF200) was introduced in January to provide $7.5 million in state funds for the project. “ We are grateful to Rep. Shannon Savick and Sen. Dan Sparks for taking leadership to secure these funds,” said Behnke.
SF271 was co-authored by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf (DFL-Thief River Falls), Sen. David Tomassoni (DFL-Chisholm), Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont) and Sen. Tom Sauxhaug (DFL-Grand Rapids). HF200 was co-authored by Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL-St. Paul), Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-S.St.Paul), Rep. Bob Gunther, (R-Fairmont), Rep. Leon Lillie (DFL-North St. Paul) and Rep. Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin). “ The support of our legislators and these co-authors positions us well in the very competitive capital bonding arena ,” Behnke said.
The Fountain Lake Restoration Project is a high priority for the Watershed District, the city of Albert Lea and the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce. Lake restoration projects are complex and multi-year efforts requiring many partnerships.
“ We are pleased with the progress taken today and will continue to look to the community for input and support as we move forward ,” said Clayton Petersen, Board Chair .
The action follows the district’s purchase this fall of a 2010 IMS 7012 HP 51-foot Versi hydraulic dredge for about $340,000, along with the pipes, pumping and other equipment necessary to pump the dredge material away from the lake site for $435,000.
[mappress]
Press Release, February 14, 2013