Lake Titloe bill passes first hurdle
March 23rd, 2007State Representative Terry Morrow said he was very pleased to learn on Monday that the bill he co-authored for clean-up efforts at Lake Titloe was included in the House Capital Investment Bill.
Over the past years, the quality of Lake Titloe has been seriously compromised from soil erosion along drainage ditches, non-compliant septic systems and the fact that the city of Gaylord’s storm sewer system drains into the lake. Rep. Morrow, along with State Senator Kathy Sheran, introduced this legislation to assist local residents with their clean-up efforts
“It’s very rewarding to have the members of the House Capital Investment Committee recognize the value of this project and include it in their final bill,” said Morrow. “We are now in the third inning with regard to this project; I expect we will take another big step forward later this week when the final bill is approved on the House floor.”
Morrow gives most of the credit to the residents of Gaylord, who have worked diligently for years to clean up Lake Titloe and restore some of the beauty the lake was known for.
“The Lake Titloe Committee has done a great job and is to be commended for all of its hard work,” said Morrow. “I’m very happy to be able to do my part in helping to restore this community treasure.”
The bonding package allocated a total of $165 thousand in a grant to the city of Gaylord for watershed improvements. One appropriation would provide $150,000 for the pre-design and design of holding ponds upstream from the Lake Titloe Watershed. The City would work in partnership with Sibley County and the Soil and Water Conservation District to plan the best method to improve water quality in the watershed.
The design includes: the best location for the ponds; and estimate of the cost of land acquisition or easements; construction costs of the holding ponds; and the estimated expanse of maintaining the structures and who is responsible for future costs.
The second appropriation to the City of Gaylord would provide $15,000 to be used to purchase open intake tile covers, or install slotted risers, that limit soil erosion and chemicals from entering the water ditch systems of the Lake Titloe Watershed.
These water control devices would be provided at low cost to landowners to promote conservation improvement, and clean up ground water. The bill calls for volunteers from the city of Gaylord, local clubs, and high school students to help install the water control devices at no cost to the landowner.
Morrow said that even though the entire proposal was not included in this bill, he is optimistic it will be included in the larger bonding bill that will be passed in the 2008 legislative session.
“Addressing Lake Titloe’s water quality will bring benefits to Gaylord,” Rep. Morrow said. “Now that the project has been included in the House bill, I’m very optimistic it will be part of the final 2007 Capital Investment Bill. ”
Anyone with comments or questions about the issue can contact Rep. Morrow at 415 State Office Building, 100 Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 5515 rep.terry.morrow@house.mn or 651-296-8634.
