February 9, 2021

This is a special-edition email to our newsletter subscribers to notify you of a survey for the Long Prairie River Watershed and the revised schedule for floodplain mapping.

Long Prairie River Watershed Planning
The Long Prairie River Watershed has been selected by the MN Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) for the One Watershed, One Plan program. This program allows counties to transition from county-based water management planning to watershed-based planning. The planning area for the Long Prairie River One Watershed, One Plan includes portions of Douglas, Otter Tail, Wadena, Todd, and Morrison Counties. The County Boards and Soil and Water Conversation District (SWCD) Boards in each of these Counties have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement for the purpose of developing a watershed plan to restore and protect water resources in the Long Prairie River Watershed planning area.

All individuals or organizations in the Long Prairie River watershed are asked to answer a survey that will be used in developing a watershed plan to restore and protect water resources in the watershed area. The One Watershed, One Plan program will transition county-based water management planning to watershed-based planning. Our Lincoln Lakes area is on the far eastern edge of the watershed. The plan will be developed over the next 12-18 months. A benefit of a completed plan is that federal grant funds may be available related to for watershed issues and needs. This provides an opportunity to express concerns about high water and lakeshore erosion issues to a broader audience.

Please consider completing the survey which is due by March 5, 2021. As lakeshore property owners, indicate in the survey that you are a Lakeshore Resident (includes seasonal residents) along with any other category that is appropriate.  Information is also on the Lake Shamineau Association website (https://minnesotawaters.org/lakeshamineau/) under “LSA NEWS” and on the Lake Shamineau Facebook page. Please fill out this survey either on-line at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YPCLF3R or request a mail-in survey form at 320-732-2644. Mail-in surveys from all counties should be addressed to SWCD- General, 215 1st Ave S, Suite 104 Long Prairie, MN 56347. Thank you for your time and input!

Note: The information on watershed planning is provided as a courtesy to the County and SWCD and is not associated with the LID High-Water project. The LID will provide additional information as it is received.

Floodplain Mapping Schedule
The LID has received the following updated information regarding Floodplain mapping for Morrison County:

It is anticipated that FEMA will issue the “preliminary” new maps on March 31st. Once the preliminary maps are issued the following steps will occur:
  • Local official consultation meeting – about a month after the preliminary are issued.
  • Public Open House - about 1-2 months after the local official meeting (currently being done with zoom, and multiple break out rooms, to allow individuals to ask about specific properties).
  • Official 90-day appeal period – starts soon after the public open house is held
  • Any comments and appeals are addressed – the time for this step depends on whether new technical data is submitted with an appeal.
  • 6 month warning letter called “Letter of Final Determination” (LFD) is sent to communities (county and cities).
  • Maps effective – 6 months after LFD.
 
It is estimated that the maps will be effective 18 months, or more (depending on appeals received), after the preliminary maps are issued. Also, when the preliminary new maps are issued, they will be able to be viewed on FEMA’s interactive Flood Map Changes Viewer. 

The LID will provide any updates on Floodplain Mapping as they are received.

Thank you,

Rick Rosar, Bob Koll, Fred Comb, Ardis Sandstrom and Tim Rice
Board of Directors

Cindy Kevern
Administrator

Lake Shamineau Lake Improvement District (LSLID)
P.O. Box 394, Motley, MN 56466