Flute Reed Partnership board meets, discusses work plan

The Flute Reed Partnership (FRP) board met Oct. 5 and discussed a variety of topics. Attending were Steve Dykstra (by telephone), Virginia Hahn, Dusty Nelms, Richard Olson and Rick Schubert.

Schubert presented background on the Flute Reed Partnership, the persons and government agencies involved and the grant process, noting that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is the main grantee. Schubert reported that final approval has been received from the Environmental Protection Agency EPA for the FRP work plan.

The board agreed that a lot of work needs to be completed this winter so construction can begin on some parts of the projects this summer. All three FRP projects need to be completed by the end of 2012. The group came to a consensus that Keith Anderson should be the contractor.

Olson said he would investigate a domain to be used to access our location on the Lake Superior Streams web site. This will be used to communicate with and update FRP members and other interested parties.

There was discussion about the proposed FRP oversight/advisory committee-who it should comprise and what it should be named. After much discussion, the group agreed to form a seven-person committee to be called the Oversight Committee. Its initial members are Brian Fredrickson, MPCA; Rick Schubert or Richard Olson, FRP; David Betts, Highway Department; Dave Stark, Stark Enterprises; Keith Anderson, engineer SWCD; Jeff Bentley, DNR hydrologist; and Steve Persons, DNR Fisheries.

FRP also discussed the North Road bridge and Otis Creek. There were concerns about the impact of a new culvert on Otis Creek. FRP members will walk the creek, talk with several homeowners and Hovland contractor Clarence Kemp to get input.

Depending on the scope of the project, the board discussed whether Schubert should receive a stipend. The board considered $5,000 per year for two years.

TheFRP board will meet through the winter as needed. A general FRP meeting is tentatively set for February to update people and begin planning for the tree planting.