Attachment A Project Workplan

Doc Type: Contract

MPCA Use Only Swift #: CR #:

Project Title: Internal Loading BMPs in Spring and Prior Lakes

1. Project Summary: Organization: Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District Contact name: Maggie Karschnia Title: Water Resources Project Manager Address: 4646 Dakota Street SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 Phone: (952) 447-9808 Fax: n/a E-mail: [email protected]

Subcontractor: Organization: WSB & Associates, Inc. Project manager: Tony Havranek Address: 178 East 9th Street, Suite 200 St Paul, MN 55101 Phone: (651) 286-8473 Fax: n/a E-mail: [email protected]

Subcontractor: Organization: Blue Water Science Project manager: Steve McComas Address: 500 South Snelling Avenue St Paul, MN 55116 Phone: (651) 690-9602 Fax: n/a E-mail: [email protected]

MPCA contact: MPCA project manager: Chris Zadak Title: Metro Watershed Division Address: 520 Lafayette Road N St Paul, MN 55155 Phone: (651) 757-2837 Fax: (651) 297-8324 E-mail: [email protected]

Project information Latitude/Longitude: Spring Lake: 93° 28’ 8” / 44° 42’ 7”; Upper Prior Lake: 93° 26’ 42” / 44° 42’ 52” *County: Scott

www.pca.state.mn.us • 651-296-6300 • 800-657-3864 • Use your preferred relay service • Available in alternative formats e-admin9-38 • 3/11/16 Page 1 of 6 Start date: As soon as possible End date: 12/31/2021 (mm/dd/yyyy) (mm/dd/yyyy) Total cost: $135,900 *Full time equivalents: 0.10 FTE (PLSLWD staff)

*Major watershed(s):

Statewide Kettle River Miss Rvr – GrandRpds Lower Rainy Rvr So Fork Crow River Big Fork River Lac Qui Parle River Miss Rvr –Headwaters Rainy Lake Lower St. Croix Rvr Upper Big Sioux Rvr Lake of the Woods Miss Rvr –LaCrescent Rapid River Upper St. Croix Rvr Lower Big Sioux Rvr Lake Superior – North Miss Rvr – Reno Red Lake River St. Louis River Blue Earth River Lake Superior – South Miss Rvr – Sartell Upper Red Rvr Red Rvr of the North Tamarac River Bois de Sioux River Le Sueur River Miss Rvr – St. Cloud Redeye River Thief River Buffalo River Leech Lake River Miss Rvr – Twin Cities Redwood River Two Rivers Little Fork River Miss Rvr – Winona Rock River Upper/Lower Red Lk Cedar River Miss Rvr – Lake Pepin Upper River Chippewa River Long Prairie River Mustinka River Roseau River Vermilion River Clearwater River Red Rvr of the North Nemadji River Rum River Upper Wapsipinicon Marsh River River Cloquet River MN Rvr – Yellow No Fork Crow River Red Rvr of the North Watonwan River Medicine River Sandhill River Cottonwood River MN Rvr – Headwaters Otter Tail River Sauk River DesMoines Rvr Hdwtrs Crow Wing River MN Rvr – Mankato Pine River Lower DesMoines Rvr E Fork DesMoines Rvr Lower MN River Pomme de Terre Rvr Snake River Wild Rice River Red Rvr of the North Miss Rvr – Brainerd Rainy Rvr – Hdwtrs Grand Marais Creek

*Organization type: Federal government Local/Regional government For-profit Private college/university Individual Public college/university Non-profit State government Tribal government

*Project type: Analysis/Interpretation Modeling Research Assessment/Evaluation Monitoring Restoration/Enhancement Demo/Pilot project Planning Technical assistance Education/Outreach/Engagement

2. Statement of Problems, Opportunities, and Existing Conditions Spring and Upper Prior Lakes are located in the River Basin in the southwestern portion of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Spring Lake is connected by a natural channel to Upper Prior Lake which discharges to Lower Prior Lake which then outlets through a channel to the Minnesota River. Both Spring Lake and Upper Prior Lake receive intense recreational pressure year-round and are important recreational resources to the Twin Cities metro area. The protection and restoration of Spring and Upper Prior Lakes are high priorities for the PLSLWD and are considered Priority Lakes by the Metropolitan Council for their high regional recreation value. In 2002, Spring Lake and Upper Prior Lake were listed on Minnesota’s 303(d) List of Impaired Waters for nutrient/eutrophication biological indicators. Aquatic recreation on both lakes is impaired. Year placed on 303(d) DNR Lake ID Size (in acres) impaired waters list TMDL Pollutant Spring Lake* 70-0054-00 642 2002 Excess nutrient concentrations impairing aquatic recreation Upper Prior Lake* 70-0072-00 337 2002

* See location map on MPCA website.

The 2012 Spring Lake and Upper Prior Lake TMDL Implementation Plan identified internal loading, including the load from rough fish and curly-leaf pondweed, as a source of roughly half (49% and 50%, respectively) of the phosphorus loading to the lakes. The plan went further to identify rough fish management as a way to significantly reduce estimated P loading (Table 8.

Overall Implementation Plan, p.22). SPRING LAKE: The ten-year average for phosphorus levels on Spring Lake were 118ug/l when the Spring Lake and

www.pca.state.mn.us • 651-296-6300 • 800-657-3864 • Use your preferred relay service • Available in alternative formats e-admin9-38 • 3/11/16 Page 2 of 6 Upper Prior Lake TMDL Implementation Plan was first completed in 2012. The plan recommended that an 83% reduction in phosphorus was necessary to meet in-lake water quality standards and that an alum treatment treatment would help temporarily reduce the internal loading in the lake. The treatment is intended to buy time until loading from the upper watershed could be better managed. The first phase of an alum treatment was completed in 2014 which helped Spring Lake reduce its total phosphorus levels to 86.7 ug/l on a ten-year average, but the TP levels continue to increase every year following the treatment and is not a permanent solution to the nurtrient loading and eutrophication of Spring Lake. An estimated 70% of the common carp population were removed from the lake in January of 2017. The summer after the removal, vegetation began to significantly rebound in Spring Lake. As curly-leaf pondweed is present, it has dramatically increased in the lake and continues to pose a threat to water quality in Spring Lake. UPPER PRIOR LAKE: With the upstream alum treatment of Spring Lake to reduce internal nutrient loading, lower concentrations of phosphorus are reaching Upper Prior Lake. However, past studies have indicated that there is still an internal reservoir of phosphorus in Upper Prior Lake that continues to hinder the improvement of water quality in the Lake. Water quality data collected over the last ten years shows that average annual surface water phosphorus and chlorophyll-a concentrations are slowly decreasing; however, annual summertime spikes in phosphorus and chlorophyll-a concentrations still occur and are noted annually which are correlated with algae blooms and poor water quality. These seasonal trends are heavily correlated with loads derived from internal sources including loads derived from the release of phosphorus from the sediment in areas of the lake that go anoxic during the summer. In 2016 - 2017, the District investigated how to best address internal phosphorus loads impacting the lake and developed an Upper Prior Lake In-Lake Phosphorus Management Plan. The plan identified three steps to reduce internal phosphorus loading: 1) Carp Management - reduction of common carp population and elimination of migration to spawning areas; 2) Alum Treatment - treat areas with high sediment P concentrations with alum; 3) Vegetation Management - Managing invasive species and encouraging native plant establishment. The District has completed two successful removals of carp, but only roughly 20% of the population has been removed thus far. Challenges of the lake such as rocks and obstructions on the bottom and presence of significant curly leaf vegetation making successful seining difficult to accomplish. This project includes innovative removal methods including using an innovative underwater speaker systems to herd carp into desired locations that have been cleared of obstructions, making removals more successful. The total phosphorus concentrations in Spring Lake and Upper Prior Lake will be reduced following the management and removal of carp in the two lakes. The proposed project will also maximize water quality restoration or remediation by addressing the root cause of internal loading identified in the TMDL for Spring and Upper Prior Lakes. By removing the majority of carp from the system, both the phosphorus within the carp carcass and the amount that would typically be excreted will be completely removed, while also abating the release of phosphorus created by foraging behavior. Carp resuspend sediments making phosphorus available to phytoplankton and increasing the shading effect on native submergent aquatic vegetation which typically sequesters phosphorus. Carp may also uproot vegetation and feed on them directly, further increasing the level of phosphorus in the water column. Following carp removals, it is anticipated that vegetation, including both native and invasive species, will quickly rebound. The native macrophyte community is important in that it stabilizes the sediments, uses nutrients that could otherwise be used by algae, and provides habitat for plankton and fish, among other functions. The restablishment of native aquatic vegetation will be encouraged by closely monitoring and treating invasive curly-leaf pondweed that might inhibit its successful establishment. Aquatic management plans will be developed for the two lakes to guide long-term management strategies for success.

3. Goals, Objectives, Tasks, and Subtasks

Goal: To improve the water quality of Spring and Upper Prior Lakes by decreasing total phosphorus concentrations through the use of integrated pest management to effectively manage the common carp populations and through the encouragement of native aquatic plant establishment.

Objective 1: Track movement and population of carp Task A: Employ tracking methods on captured carp District staff and the consultant will capture and surgically implant 20 adult carp with high frequency radio transmitters to track migration routes and identify potential aggregation areas. In addition, up to 200 carp will be implemented with Passive Integrate Transponder (PIT) tags and returned to the lake which will be used to track carp movement through channel connections between waterbodies.

Subtask 1: Surgically implant 20 carp with radio transmitters Subtask 2: Surgically implant 200 carp with PIT tags Subtask 3: Install seasonal PIT tag receivers in strategic channel connections to track movement Responsible Parties: PLSLWD, WSB & Associates, Inc. Task B: Identify migration routes and aggregation areas of carp

www.pca.state.mn.us • 651-296-6300 • 800-657-3864 • Use your preferred relay service • Available in alternative formats e-admin9-38 • 3/11/16 Page 3 of 6 District staff and the consultant will complete multiple site visits to the lake to track the movement and aggregation of the carp population in preparation for seining efforts and to identify effective locations for carp barriers. Carp will be tracked post-barrier installation to determine the effectiveness of the barriers and allow us to determine if any modifications may be necessary. Responsible Parties: PLSLWD, WSB & Associates, Inc. Task C: Estimate carp population & biomass removal amount All remaining carp captured as part of the tagging efforts will be fin clipped and released to complete a mark/recapture population estimate during seining efforts. District staff and the consultant will complete a count of the carp captured during seining and electrofishing efforts. The information collected during capture events will be used to generate a population estimate. Weight and length subsample information will be used to obtain a biomass estimate. Responsible Parties: PLSLWD, WSB & Associates, Inc.

Objective 1 Timeline: April 2019 – November 2021 Objective 1 Cost: $33,800; Grant: $20,300, Total Match: $13,500 Objective 1 Deliverables: Carp location data and maps, calculated estimation of carp population and biomass of carp removal

Objective 2: Complete seine (netting) and other capture/removal events Task A: Complete carp capture and removal efforts District staff and the consultant will coordinate multiple capture and removal events utilizing a variety of methods including electrofishing, trap nets, seining, etc.

Subtask 1: Coordinate and conduct carp removal efforts Subtask 2: Clear obstructions from desired removal locations Subtask 3: Employ innovative tools to increase removal success, such as underwater speakers for herding to more effectively remove carp populations during seining efforts Responsible Parties: PLSLWD, WSB & Associates, Inc.

Objective 2 Timeline: Spring 2019 – November 2021 Objective 2 Cost: $52,500; Grant: $29,500; Total Match: $23,000 Objective 2 Deliverables: Carp capture events to complete Objective 1, and carp biomass removals from lake system

Objective 3: Install carp barriers at strategic locations Task A: Identify strategic locations for carp barriers Using information gained from Objective 1, District staff and the consultant will identify strategic locations for carp barriers that will inhibit carp recruitment. Task B: Installation of carp barriers District staff and the consultant will install a carp barrier at the upstream wetland to the southwest of Spring Lake where carp have been documented during spawning and up to two more barriers at other strategic locations identified in Task A.

Responsible Parties: PLSLWD, WSB & Associates, Inc.

Objective 3 Timeline: May 2019 – December 2021 Objective 3 Cost: $25,000; Grant: $15,000; Total Match: $10,000 Objective 3 Deliverables: Installed carp barriers

Objective 4: Aquatic plant surveys & management plans

In order to monitor and ensure effective native plant establishment following carp removals, aquatic plant point-intercept surveys will be conducted every year. As guided by these surveys, the District will aggressively treat invasive curly-leaf infestations to allow better establishment of native plants and assess the presence of other invasive species. Aquatic plant management plans will be created so that the District can remain proactive in establishing native species following the carp removals and increased clarity in the lakes. Task A: Aquatic plant point-intercept surveys Aquatic plant point-intercept surveys will be conducted each year on Spring Lake and Upper Prior Lake. Task B: Aquatic plant management plans

www.pca.state.mn.us • 651-296-6300 • 800-657-3864 • Use your preferred relay service • Available in alternative formats e-admin9-38 • 3/11/16 Page 4 of 6 Aquatic plant management plans for Spring Lake and Upper Prior Lake will be created in order to help guide the long-term management of aquatic vegetation in response to carp removals and increased water clarity.

Responsible Parties: PLSLWD, Blue Water Science

Objective 4 Timeline: July 2019 – September 2021 Objective 4 Cost: $14,600; Grant: $10,000, Total Match: $4,600 Objective 4 Deliverables: Aquatic plant data and maps, final survey reports, aquatic plant management plans

Objective 5: Community outreach Task A: Outreach mailings The PLSLWD will conduct outreach mailings to lakeshore residents about the importance of native aquatic plant establishment for water quality and what they can do as individuals to help the overall project be successful. Task B: Engage the local community PLSLWD will have a page on its website that provides information on the project, how integrated pest management is being used to control the carp population and the water quality goals on Spring and Prior Lakes. The website will also display current locations of radio tagged carp to keep community engaged/interested. Presentations will be given at local schools about carp management and the importance of aquatic plants. Classrooms will be invited to name the carp that are tagged, so they can follow their individual fish around the lake on the PLSLWD website. Information will be presented at a Prior Lake Association meeting and a Spring Lake Association meeting about the project’s use of integrated pest management, how these activities will improve the water quality of Spring and Prior Lakes, and about the importance of native aquatic plant establishment for water quality.

Responsible Parties: PLSLWD, WSB & Associates, Inc., Blue Water Science

Objective 5 Timeline: April 2019 – December 2021 Objective 5 Cost: $5,000; Grant: $3,000, Total Match: $2,000 Objective 5 Deliverables: Outreach mailings, web page, presentations

Objective 6: Project Administration & Management Task A: Complete and submit semi-annual and final grant reports to MPCA. Subtask 1: Submit semi-annual reports for each year of this project. Subtask 2: A final project report, along with supporting materials. Responsible Parties: PLSLWD, WSB & Associates, Inc. Task B: Project Coordination District staff and the consultants will coordinate together and with local partners to complete the objectives of the project and to obtain the required permits.

Subtask 1: Project coordination Subtask 2: Secure the necessary permits Responsible Parties: PLSLWD, WSB & Associates, Inc., Blue Water Science

Objective 6 Timeline: June 2019 – December 2021 Objective 6 Cost: $5,000; Grant: $2,500; Total Match: $2,500 Objective 6 Deliverables: Work plan and semi-annual reports, necessary permits

4. Measurable Outcomes This project will ultimately decrease the total number and total biomass of carp that affect the water quality of Spring Lake and Upper Prior Lake. This in turn will improve the water quality of the lakes by decreasing total phosphorus concentrations by physically removing carp using targeted commercial fishing operations and installing barriers to inhibit carp recruitment. Success will be measured by removing a portion of the carp population and quantifying the number removed, the number remaining, and the amount of phosphorus removed; as well as installing carp barriers at up to three locations. We anticipate removing as much as 500 pounds of phosphorus from Upper Prior Lake alone during the span of the project, as well as significantly reducing the amount of internal phosphorus loading from carp. Successfully establishing native vegetation following carp removals will be critical and will help to accelerate water quality benefits. The project will identify potential aquatic vegetation response to improved water quality and identify future management needs.

www.pca.state.mn.us • 651-296-6300 • 800-657-3864 • Use your preferred relay service • Available in alternative formats e-admin9-38 • 3/11/16 Page 5 of 6 The project’s social outcome goal is that watershed residents will understand the connection of common carp to degraded water quality in their lakes and the importance of native aquatic plants and allowing them to grow along their shoreline. This goal will be achieved through community outreach activities, an educational web page that will include current locations of radio tagged carp and project management activities, and outreach mailings targeted at lakeshore owners.

5. Gantt charts - N/A

6. Project Budget - See attached

www.pca.state.mn.us • 651-296-6300 • 800-657-3864 • Use your preferred relay service • Available in alternative formats e-admin9-38 • 3/11/16 Page 6 of 6