The quality of the water in Caribou Lake has improved significantly over the last five years, but the county board voted Tuesday, November 17, 2009 to continue monitoring the lake for another five years.
An Alternative Urban Area- Wide Review (AUAR), a process for approving development, was approved in 2004 after concerns had been raised regarding a residential development on 157 acres within the Caribou lake watershed. The review resulted in a mitigation plan that included modification of the development to a lesser density of 20 lots.
The water quality of Caribou Lake has exhibited “noticeable improvement,” according to Cook County Planning & Zoning Director Tim Nelson, but in accordance with Minnesota Administrative Rule 4410.3610, the AUAR must be updated after five years.
The Caribou Lake Property Owners Association requested that the next five years of monitoring be paid by taxpayers in the Caribou Lake watershed Subordinate Service District.
Volunteers will continue to take water samples from the lake, but $5,000 will be needed for analysis of the samples. Nelson recommended dividing the cost by parcel and adding the assessment in one lump sum to property tax bills, a cost of less than $18 for each of the area’s 292 parcels.
Septic systems within the watershed have been inspected also, and all but 12 are in compliance, Nelson said.
Caribou Lake resident Don Sivertson, who was recently nominated for the state’s 2009 outstanding Soil & Water Conservation District supervisor award, said he believes improvements in the lake’s water are due to getting septic systems working properly.
Commissioner Bruce Martinson said he has heard “a lot of positive comments” from people around Caribou Lake regarding water quality improvements.
The updated AUAR can be reviewed at the Planning & Zoning office or at www.co.cook. mn.us, and a public comment period will remain open until December 4. Written comments must be directed to Planning Director Tim Nelson at the Cook County Planning & Zoning Department, 411 West Second Street, Grand Marais, MN 55604. The Planning & Zoning phone number is (218)387-3630, and Nelson’s email address is tim.nelson@co.cook.mn.us.
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