In spite of opposition from Walker Lake property owners, Otter Tail County Commissioners will not require an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the proposed Walker Lake Preserve development.
At the March 21 Commission meeting, the commissioners followed the recommendation of the Planning Commission and voted unanimously not to require developers to prepare a worksheet detailing environmental impacts of the project.
The proposed cluster development would include 34 residential units with a central marina for 28 boat slips located on nearly 78 acres of land. Although Jim Morgan and Chris Pjormum, who own other property on the lake are listed as developers, the Walker Lake Preserve land ownership is recorded as Life Estate of James and Doris Schwieger.
Walker Lake is located in Amor Township south of Basswood off of County Road 14. It is designated a recreational development lake with 4.3 miles of shoreline. It has 540 acres of surface with a maximum depth of 29 feet.
Kathy Satre Wagnild, Tim Rundquist, and Mark VanDrisse had filed a petition calling for an EAW. On March 15, at a public hearing, the Planning Commission heard comments from the petitioners and from developers Morgan and Pjormum who stressed they have taken all possible measures to ensure the lakeshore environment will be protected. Thirty-four letters were received in favor of an EAW and 4 against.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Planning Commission members acknowledged there may be some potential for environmental concern, but felt these could be mitigated by the Conditional Use Permit process, the Wetland Conservation Act, and the Shoreland Management Ordinance.
The Planning Commission noted there may be some impact concerning wetlands but also noted that it was difficult to determine the impact due to snow cover and inability to make observations. Snow cover and inability to view the area also made it difficult for the commission members to determine the potential impact concerning the land slope, aquatic vegetation, and water depth.
Due to existing ice cover the commission members noted it was impossible to determine if any endangered or threatened species of aquatic, animal or plant life exist in the lake.
The Commission noted that any impact on nearby historic sites could be mitigated under the Conditional Use Permit process as well as the State Historic Preservation Office.
Commissioners Rod Boyer, Les Estes, Joe Maske, Robert Schwartz, Rick Wilson, and Leona Zimmerman voted not to require the EAW. Commission Chair Bert Olson thought an EAW was in order because the potential impact from the proposed development on aquatic plant and animal species is unknown and mitigation is not easily addressed by the Shoreland Management Ordinance. Commission members Jim Arno, Ken Erickson, and David Trites were absent.
Walker Lake Preserve project developers must now obtain a Conditional Use permit before proceeding.
Rundquist, Wagnild, and VanDrisse have not made a decision on how they will proceed but have not ruled out further legal action.
