Council hires HDR to complete DNR‑requested studies tied to FERC dam relicensing

A city representative told the council the city is pursuing a four‑year FERC relicensing process for its municipal dam and that Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) and other parties may request studies as part of that process.

A speaker identified by the council summarized prior and requested studies: a sediment study had been completed last summer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, while MN DNR requested three additional studies — a fish passage study, a fish protection study (related to grading upstream of the powerhouse), and a recreational study to assess public‑access and recreation enhancements.

The presenter warned that if the city declined the DNR requests, FERC could require the studies later and that refusal risked delaying relicensing and raising eventual costs. The council approved hiring HDR Engineering Incorporated to complete the MN DNR‑requested studies to keep the relicensing process on schedule. The motion was made by Councilman Preem and seconded by Councilman Narud; the motion passed by voice vote.

Mayor (unnamed) noted the expense was “a very difficult pill to swallow” and said he has contacted U.S. senators Amy Klobuchar and Michelle Fischbach to seek potential funding assistance, but he said that effort did not resolve the immediate need to proceed.

The presenter said, and materials show, the relicensing process is lengthy and potentially costly; the three studies approved were described as likely concluding the DNR’s outstanding study requests, with remaining relicensing expenses tied to the ongoing relicensing contract in place prior to this action.