City approves Bolton & Menk scope and DNR grant for Judicial Ditch 4 corridor project
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Summary
Council approved a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources grant agreement and a scope/fee proposal with Bolton & Menk for a regional stormwater and wetland-restoration corridor along Judicial Ditch 4, funded at $5.7 million.
Forest Lake — The City Council approved a scope-and-fee proposal with Bolton & Menk and authorized acceptance of a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) grant for a planned corridor along Judicial Ditch 4 intended to provide regional stormwater retention, wetland restoration and future conveyance for development-related drainage.
Tim Olsen of Bolton & Menk told the council the DNR has allocated $5.7 million for the project: the consultant estimate separates roughly $5.5 million for property acquisition and $200,000 for preliminary and early design tasks. The project aims to secure a roughly 400-foot-wide corridor in targeted locations to restore wetlands, provide flood storage and coordinate stormwater design ahead of development that will otherwise increase flows to downstream systems in the Rice Creek chain of lakes.
Olsen described three priority areas: a northern area near active development, a central area with the best restoration potential (Branch 4), and a southern reach that is more naturalized and concept-level. Staff said the 5-year grant window will allow the city to perform extended wetland delineations, engage Rice Creek Watershed District on regulatory compliance, pursue partial-transfer work under state ditch statutes and negotiate property acquisitions.
Council formally approved the Bolton & Menk scope and the grant agreement, authorizing the city to proceed with delineations, property-owner outreach, design and required regulatory coordination. City officials said the grant-funded acquisitions and design work should protect downstream systems and provide a corridor that both benefits future private development and reduces regional flooding and water-quality impacts.
What happens next: Bolton & Menk will proceed with extended wetland delineations, survey and design work. Staff will coordinate with Rice Creek Watershed District and begin property-owner outreach and valuation assessments for acquisitions. Project schedule and construction timing will be tied to funding availability, design completion and status of adjacent development proposals.
Why this matters: The project is a top-of-watershed intervention to reduce flood risk and improve water quality downstream in regional lakes. Funding is primarily DNR grant dollars and is structured to minimize city capital outlay for acquisition and design.
