LOG HOUSE LANDING

Chauncey Anderson Hydrologist / Water Quality Specialist

Steve Bubul Municipal Attorney / Legal Consultant

Kelli Carlson Petition and Media

Shane Coen Landscape Architect and Planner

Stuart Krahn Landscape architect / Engineering firm

Karen Schik - Senior Ecologist at Friends of the Mississippi. VP of Scandia Parks and Trails

Lisa Schlingerman Scandia Parks and Trails Board Member

Pam Smith Log House Landing Spokesperson

SPEAKERS

OBJECTIVES AND CONCERNS

SOLVE WATER QUALITY AND EROSION, BUT DO THE MINIMUM TO PRESERVE THE RUSTIC, RURAL AND HISTORIC CHARACTER

Erosion and Water Quality

Protecting the Natural Environment

Community Input and Petition

Context and History

Access

Parking

St. Croix National Park Service Guidelines

Safety

Grant Flexibility

Cost Saving Taxpayer Dollars

Maintenance

Liability Issues

Scandia Comprehensive Plan Goals

Community Involvement

Maintain its unique rural character, agricultural heritage, historic charm, and natural resources Road system retains the ambiance of the countryside.

- 2030 Scandia Comprehensive Plan

DATA SOURCES

Watershed District monitoring data from creek mouths (multiple samples in 2000-2002; July 2013)

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency data 2008-2012 Routine monitoring (baseflow) & storm samples

Watershed District modeling memo for Loghouse Landing

EROSION AND WATER QUALITY CHAUNCEY ANDERSON, HYDROLOGIST / WATER QUALITY

EROSION AND WATER QUALITY CHAUNCEY ANDERSON, HYDROLOGIST / WATER QUALITY SPECIALIST

05

101520253035404550

CON

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(p

pm) St. Croix R. Benchmark

Sediment Concentrations in Watershed District Creeks

Data from CMSCWD

Log House Landing

2000-2002 2013

EROSION AND WATER QUALITY CHAUNCEY ANDERSON, HYDROLOGIST / WATER QUALITY

Phosphorus Concentrations in Watershed District Creeks

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

CON

CEN

TRAT

ION

(p

pm)

2000-2002 2013

St. Croix R. Benchmark

Data from CMSCWD

Log House Landing

EROSION AND WATER QUALITY CHAUNCEY ANDERSON, HYDROLOGIST / WATER QUALITY

EROSION AND WATER QUALITY CHAUNCEY ANDERSON, HYDROLOGIST / WATER QUALITY

Its not about phosphorus Sediment delivery to St. Croix from Gilbertson Creek appears equivalent to other local creeks The primary mitigation issue is sediment delivery to Gilbertson Creek

Mostly from two locations along Landing road Modeling results should be verified or reevaluated

Mitigation appears possible with minimally invasive measures Additional considerations

Invasive Species Shoreline erosion from wakes

PROTECTING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT KAREN SCHIK, SENIOR ECOLOGIST AT FRIENDS OF THE MISSISSIPPI. VP OF SCANDIA PARKS AND TRAILS Natural Resource Inventory - 56 additional trees impacted, ranging from 8 to 45 inches The larger the tree, the more harmful root disturbance. Five most notable trees:

25 diameter white pine, slated for removal. About 90 ft tall. Roughly 80 (plus) years old. Healthy.

45 diameter white pine, on the edge of proposed road. About 130 ft tall. Old growth tree. Mostly healthy with some dead branches.

Three other trees: 24 diameter white pine, 24 sugar maple and a 14 paper birch. All were near the construction edge, and all were healthy.

Native Ecology of the Log House Landing - The vegetation and character of the road provide a sense of place that ties in with the cultural history of the landing.

COMMUNITY INPUT AND PETITIONKELLI CARLSON, PETITION AND MEDIA

Preserve the rustic and rural character of the landing and the road Do the minimum to solve the erosion and water quality issues St. Croix is popular because it is unspoiled and undeveloped People from Scandia and all over country love this small scenic road and landing.

They come here to experience unspoiled nature Petition Over 300 Scandia residents and neighbors signed the petition in 2 weeks Over 200 Visitors from out of state signed the petition

COMMUNITY INPUT AND PETITIONKELLI CARLSON, PETITION AND MEDIA

Log House Landing is a beautiful, rural setting tht leads to a National Park and preserving its natural beauty through less costly mitigations should be our goal.

-Kathy Ferrin, Scandia

The St. Croix is a federally protected river and the rustic, wild quality of the river should always be a priority. Once it is changed, it is changed forever. Please limit any work here to what is necessary and respect the character and history of this place. It is a special place.

- Marna Canterbury, Stillwater

We use this landing frequently and love the natural setting. We would hate to see it sacrificed for anything more than the most minimalistic road improvements.

- Dale Anderson, Marine on the St. Croix

CONTEXT AND HISTORYLISA SCHLINGERMAN SCANDIA PARKS AND TRAILS BOARD MEMBER

Location is historic and cultural landmark Connects the River to the history of Scandia and Swedish immigration Road was used over 100 years ago by Swedish immigrants:During the 1850s, steamboats would dock at a point called Log House Landing and immigrants would disembark with their trunks and knapsacks, climbing the steep hill out of the valley and trudging through heavy woods in search of proper sites to build log houses and make a new beginning.

- Anna Engquists book Scandia: Then and Now.

National Park Service to provide signage honoring this site and educating visitors about the National Park and the history of Scandia

ACCESS,PARKING, AND SAFETY STUART KRAHN, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

Usage in August: Weekdays: 0-4, averaging 2 Friday afternoons and evenings: 5-8 Saturdays: 12-19 Sundays: 4-11

Parking requires combination of creative solutions limited by National Park Service recommendation, public desire for narrow rural road, site constraints

Safety Urban Planners know that increased road width and smooth surfaces increase speeds and risk of accidents

Traffic Calming Techniques such as narrow roads and aggregate surfaces slow speeds and increase attentiveness

There should be no new or expanded boat ramps or car-trailer parking on the Lower St. Croix...State and local units of government are strongly encouraged to restrict parking adjacent to all launch ramps, public and private, on lands under their jurisdiction.

- 2001 Cooperative Management Plan, Page 67

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE GUIDELINES

GRANT FLEXIBILITYPAM PLOWMAN SMITH FRIENDS OF LOG HOUSE LANDING SPOKESPERSON

Liability risk with variance would be negligible because no standards exist for this type of road. Engineering judgment is encouraged when determining road width. Municipal attorney to address specifics after alternatives are presented

DNR likes to see roads that are lower impact and less destructive to the environment --DNR Engineer

Grant funds can be used for gravel road Grant funds can be used for storm water systems Grant funds can be used for berming and vegetation along roadside Changes to grant application for less expensive gravel road will not jeopardize grant, nor

require reapplication just a change request No expiration on grant Variance that has good environmental reasons and strong community support likely to be

approved Variance process for this road (not a State Aid Road) would only require approval from

DNR and Metro district engineers

GRANT FLEXIBILITYPAM PLOWMAN SMITH FRIENDS OF LOG HOUSE LANDING SPOKESPERSON

DNR engineer will work with and advise City on change requests prior to submission Grant Amount - Current 50% cost share likely to stay the same, saving Scandia and

Watershed money if costs are reduced May be possible to make the case that Quinnell is part of the access to St. Croix River and

apply the remaining unused portion of $200k on Quinnell repair.

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND NEW ALTERNATIVESSHANE COEN, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT AND PLANNER

Quinnell Ave. N

Quint Ave. N

205th St. N

Gilbertsons Creek

Log House Landing

environmentally sensitive area:

springs & seeps

daylighted spring

(polluted by railroad)

significant specimen

white pine

environmentally sensitive wooded area: springs & seeps, many ancient white pine, sugar maples, & oaks

120 of wide area for parking

ANALYSIS

2007 BONESTROO PLANCOST: UNKNOWN

SOUTH NORTHPARKING LANE GRAVEL

DRIVING LANE ASPHALT

ROCK SWALE & CHECK DAM

2012 EOR PLANCOST: $180,000

PARKING LANE GRAVEL

DRIVING LANE ASPHALT

ROCK SWALE & CHECK DAM

SOUTH NORTH

2013 EOR PLANCOST: $210,000

PARKING LANE POROUS

CURB & GUTTER

CURB & GUTTER

DRIVING LANE ASPHALT

SOUTH NORTH

CURRENT CITY PLAN WITH PARKINGCOST: 400,000

CURB & GUTTER

CURB & GUTTER

DRIVING LANE ASPHALTPARKING LANE ASPHALT

SOUTH NORTH

Quinnell Ave. N

Quint Ave. N

205th St. N

Gilbertsons Creek

Log House Landing

ALTERNATIVE PLANSadditional parking pull out

passingpull out passing

divert railroad runoff away from daylighted spring

13 resurfaced gravel road between Quinnell and Quint.

Road 13-16 resurfaced gravel or 13 paved surfacing from Quint to Landing. Landing resurfaced gravel.

bio-infiltration pond north

of trailer parking

re-grade landing, slope away from river, improve boat landing with cable concrete, 1 ADA parking spot

ALTERNATIVE PLAN -PAVED OPTION Road 13 paved bituminous surfacing from Quint to landing Road paved with north cross slope Road 13 gravel surfacing from Quinnell to Quint regraded to slope toward swale Landing gravel surfacing Provide two pull outs for passing and retain Quint egress to the south Continuous 4 rock filled infiltration swale (north side) Bio-filtration facility (pond) located at base of the road Berming on south sections of road and plantings Construct small retaining wall to protect daylighted spring east of railroad tracks Regrade landing to slope away from the river toward pond Parking

Provide 100 non-trailer parking spaces on landing (one ADA) Provide 120 lineal gravel lane where road naturally widens at base /starting at landing Provide 300 gravel parking on Quinnell north of the intersection to be located away from

homes Reinforce riverbank with natural rock and plantings Concrete cable boat launch

13

ROCK INFILTRATIONTRENCH

GRAVEL SHOULDER

DRIVING LANE ASPHALT

SOUTH NORTH

ALTERNATIVE PLAN -PAVED OPTIONAPPROXIMATE COST: $150,000-$200,000

ALTERNATIVE PLAN -GRAVEL OPTION Retain 13-16 current width Retain aggregate surfacing Regrade road with north cross slope Provide two pull outs for passing and retain Quint egress to the south Continuous 4 rock filled infiltration swale (north side) Bio-filtration facility (pond) located at base of the road Berming on south sections of road and plantings Construct small retaining wall to protect daylighted spring east of railroad tracks Regrade landing to slope away from the river toward pond Parking

Provide 100 non-trailer parking spaces on landing (one ADA) Provide 120 lineal lane where road naturally widens at base /starting at landing Provide 300 parking on Quinnell north of the intersection to be located away from

homes Reinforce riverbank with natural rock and plantings Concrete cable boat launch

3ROCK INFILTRATIONTRENCH

DRIVING LANE GRAVEL

ALTERNATIVE PLAN -GRAVEL OPTIONAPPROXIMATE COST:$120,000 - $140,000

SOUTH NORTH

WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT OUR PLAN

Addresses erosion and water quality issues Protects trout stream: Moves parking away from south side, does not expand

road closer to stream edge, does not remove trees shading stream Provides concrete cable boat launch to prevent ramp erosion Maintains native ecology and rural charm Preserves historic access to the river with scenic narrow road and rustic landing Protects river viewshed in all seasons Requires no tree removal along the road and would protect root system of all

trees in close proximity to the road. (Note all plans will require a few trees removed for the holding pond)

Single lane with passing pull outs and gravel surface will slow traffic, increases safety on low usage road. Allows for emergency vehicles access.

Parking Does not reduce parking, but does relocate some in accordance with the National Park Service Management Plan (provides ADA spot)

Costs Reduction Much less costly for both capital construction and long-term maintenance

Scale of road and landing encourage the appropriate watercraft canoes, kayaks, small motorized boats

Takes community concerns and desires into account - those who use the Log House Landing do so because of the peaceful natural setting. Bigger modern paved launch sites are less than 2 miles away.

Allows for community participation in the design process

WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT OUR PLAN

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CURRENT PLAN

ALTERNATIVE PLAN: PAVED OPTION

ALTERNATIVE PLAN:GRAVEL OPTION

SECTION COMPARISON

COST COMPARISONLOWER COST BREAKDOWN

COSTS Total Cost Grant City Watershed Current City Plan $400k $200k $100k $100k Paved Plan $150 - $200K $75 - $100K $37.5 $50K $37.5 $50K Gravel Plan $120 - $140K $60 - $70K $30 - $35K $30 - $35K *Assumes that grant cost goes down proportionally for Log House Landing. However, there may be a way to use additional grant money on Quinnell resurfacing (considered part of the access to the River.)

BEST CASE SCENARIO FULL GRANT FUNDING WITH EXCESS GOING TO QUINNELL REPAIR

COSTS Total Cost Grant City Watershed Current Plan $400k $200k $100k $100k Plan A - Gravel $120k $200k:

$60 TO LANDING $140K TO QUINNELL

$30K $30k

Plan B - Paved $180K $200k:

$90 TO LANDING $110K TO QUINNELL

$45k $45k

WORST CASE SCENARIO - NO GRANT FUNDING

COSTS Total Cost Grant City Watershed Current Plan $400k $200k $100k $100k Plan A - Gravel $120k $0 $60k $60k Plan B - Paved $180K $0 $90k $90k

MAINTENANCEGRAVEL OPTION LESS COSTLY

All City amenities will have some associated maintenance costs parks, museums, etc. $3500 estimated annual cost to include grading and pond clean out. Additional $2000

every 5 years for channel clean out.

The yearly maintenance costs of gravel roads make them appear inefficient, until you consider the capital improvement costs associated with bituminous roads at the middle and end of their lives, which isnt always reflected in yearly maintenance figures. MPR

Over its 40-year lifespan, a low-volume paved road will need to be chip sealed twice, undergo overlay once and then reclaim/overlay. Thats about 3 times what it costs to maintain gravel roads in the county. MPR

Several counties across the country are going back to the Stone Age turning asphalt roads back to gravel, or considering doing so as rising costs outstrip their ability to maintain their pavements. National Association of Counties

LIABILITY ISSUESSteve Bubul, Municipal Attorney / Legal Consultant

There is no State design standard; just a DNR grant condition The DNR standards are genericnot appropriate for this road DNR provides process for smaller road widths, but not a true legal variance City protected by discretionary immunity in any event Council members have no personal liability

SECTION COMPARISON

Minnesota Statutes, Section 462.356, subdivision 2 provides in relevant part:

. . .nor shall any capital improvement be authorized by the municipality . . . until after the planning agency has reviewed the proposed . . . capital improvement and reported in writing to the governing body . . .its findings as to compliance of the proposed . . . improvement with the comprehensive municipal plan.

SCANDIA PLANNING COMMISSION ROLE

SCANDIA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN GOALS

Establish context-sensitive roadway design standards that will protect the narrow and heavily wooded character of identified low-traffic roadways.

-- Land Use Goal 14.1

Modify street standards to maintain the visual qualities of identified scenic roads, including allowing a narrower right-of-way and protection of vegetation within that right-of-way.

-- Land Use Implementation Strategy 14.1.1

Goals, Policies, and Strategies under Natural Resources - several references to minimizing impervious surfaces and improving and encouraging soil and vegetation for storm water runoff filtration.

THANK YOU