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Council adopts Willow Pond environmental assessment for 20,000‑cubic‑yard dredge project
Summary
The Roseville City Council unanimously adopted an environmental assessment worksheet for the Willow Pond dredging project, approving a plan to remove up to 20,000 cubic yards of sediment and directing staff to coordinate permits and mitigation with state agencies.
The Roseville City Council unanimously adopted an environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) for the Willow Pond maintenance and dredging project after a presentation by consultant Leila Bungi of Kimley Horn.
Bungi told the council the project is intended to address long‑term sediment accumulation, improve wildlife habitat and restore the pond’s storm‑water function. “This project will dredge approximately 20,000 cubic yards of sediment,” she said, and the EAW lays out permits and mitigation steps that would follow.
The EAW notes that Willow Pond is classified as a Department of Natural Resources public waters wetland and therefore triggers mandatory review. The document examined land use, soils, water resources, protected species, historic properties, air/noise, greenhouse gas and cumulative effects, and identified standard mitigation measures including a stormwater pollution prevention plan and coordination with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Met Council.
Council members asked for clarification about sediment testing and disposal. The consultant said testing completed to date shows most samples are level‑2 material that must go to a certified landfill, while some samples were level‑1; contractors will perform testing during construction and disposal will be coordinated with MPCA. Council members also pressed on wildlife protections; the consultant said winter or summer wet dredge options and construction windows are being evaluated to reduce risks to species such as the Blanding’s turtle and to follow DNR guidance on timing for bats and other species.
The council voted to adopt the EAW and the accompanying resolution accepting the worksheet, a procedural step that does not itself authorize construction but finds that an environmental impact statement is not required. Staff will proceed with the permitting and design steps described in the EAW and will return to the council as future approvals are needed.
What’s next: staff will coordinate required permits (DNR water appropriations, MPCA disposal coordination, and Met Council stormwater requirements), finalize construction timing and mitigation, and bring construction bids and contract approvals back to the council for action.
