Cass County Board: Planning and zoning activity stays busy in 2021

   WALKER — Cass County reported 2021 planning and zoning activity was another busy year with activity being the highest it has been in 16 years, stated Environmental Services Department Deputy Director, Jeff Woodford Tuesday, Feb. 1 to the board of commissioners.

   With Covid-19 concerns still having many people working from home it seemed home construction and improvement was still a top priority. There was a grand total increase of 292 permits for a revenue increase of $108,174, being 21.45%, for the planning and zoning department. Woodford stated that the department saw an increase of 179 zoning permits issued,  and issued 73 more shoreland alterations in 2021 than 2020. The department also had a significant increase  from 8 to 28 in reclassification applications.

   The majority of the increased activity was in the Woodrow, Shingobee, Crooked Lake, Sylvan, Wabedo, Meadowbrook and Ponto Lake townships, which all had more than 60 permits issued.

   Woodford stated the department expects another season of increased construction activity for 2022.

   AIS Lake Technician Dana Gutzmann presented the 2021 AIS annual report and requested the board approve the 2022 AIS Annual Budget. Gutzmann said during 2021, 26,653 watercraft inspections were conducted at 32 Cass County lakes, 41 public accesses and 13 resorts. This resulted in the reporting of 16 previously unreported banded mystery snail infestations, seven previously unreported Chinese mystery snail infestations and one report of purple loosestrife infestation. 

   Gutzmann also shared the new AIS infestations confirmed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to include starry stonewort in Leech Lake and zebra mussels in Pine Mountain, Woman and Thunder Lakes.

   The proposed budget for the 2022 AIS Management and Prevention Program Gutzmann presented is in the amount of $513,000. This amount is slightly higher than 2021 and it is expected to receive slightly lower amount of AIS Aid in 2022 as the previous year  at $501,620.  The budget was approved unanimously by the board.

      Environmental Service Director John Ringle also shared an update with the board concerning the status of the Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan Programs. Cass County is involved in six major watershed plans, all being at different stages of implementation. Those plans are: Leech Lake River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan, the Pine River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan, Mississippi River Headwaters Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan, Mississippi River - Grand Rapids Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan, Mississippi River - Brainerd Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan and Crow Wing River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan. 

Ringle requested the board approve a resolution approving the planning grant appliation for the Mississippi River Grand Rapids Watershed to develop a Comprehensive Watershed Management plan, with Itasca Soil and Water Conservation District as the lead on the project. The resolution was approved unanimously by the board.

   The last item Ringle reported to the board was an update on the Pine River Transfer Station project. Ringle stated Cass County submitted a letter of interest and a request to Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to be put on the MPCA Capital Assistance Program (CAP) Grant state bonding list. The county was notified last summer the project was on the list, with the county receiving more information last week that Governor Waltz had included the CAP in the 2022 Capital Budget recommendations to the MN State Legislature for action. 

  Ringle mentioned since the first estimate was received the cost of the project has increased by 22% to a total cost of $6,990,000. Currently the CAP project limit is $2,000,000 with an equal partner match, which this project exceeds that amount. The county has been encouraged to request MPCA to increase the CAP limit to $5,000,000 which would then provide the amount needed to complete this project. Ringle stated he will keep the board updated on any future development.