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Conservation district reports budget cut and plans post‑July milfoil treatment
Summary
White Bear Lake Conservation District treasurer reported a $6,000 budget cut that will lower next year’s assessments to member cities, outlined invasive-plant surveys and post‑July 4 Eurasian water‑milfoil treatment plans, and described boat‑patrol activity and community outreach.
Mike Peronto, treasurer of the White Bear Lake Conservation District, presented the district’s annual report and proposed 2027 budget at the White Bear Lake City Council meeting on June 23. Peronto said he reduced the district budget by $6,000, producing an $8,488 reduction across member communities and an estimated $4,160 lower assessment for the City of White Bear Lake next year.
The district will begin a summer survey on June 25 with Blue Water Science, visiting about 400 GPS sites to check known Eurasian water‑milfoil locations and look for any new sites. Peronto said last year the district treated about 30.8 acres; treatments are generally scheduled after July 4 because heavy lake traffic around the holiday can reduce effectiveness.
Peronto also described ongoing surveillance for starry stonewort at boat launches (none detected) and a fall partnership with the University of Minnesota to identify and monitor phragmites. He said smaller occurrences of curly pondweed exist but are not considered problematic and emphasized that any chemical treatment will be done under a DNR permit with an approved applicator.
The conservation district reported 2025 water‑patrol activity that included 388 patrol hours, 108 boat‑safety checks, 22 assisted boaters, seven written citations, 10 written warnings and roughly 100 verbal warnings; Peronto said there were no boating‑while‑intoxicated arrests reported. He confirmed the fireworks committee has the district’s permit for July 4.
At the council’s request, Peronto explained how member assessments are calculated: roughly on a per‑resident basis. He said White Bear Lake’s assessment works out to about $0.79 per resident while another member (Delwood) pays about $2.48 per resident, and that changing the number of representatives on the conservation district board would require legislative action.
Council members asked about rental jet‑skis and boat rentals. Peronto said enforcement of unsafe operation typically falls to the Ramsey County sheriff; rental craft should display a sheriff’s sticker showing they meet equipment and operator requirements. He also noted the rising use of “boat clubs” — membership organizations that train and vet operators — as a potential mitigating factor for safety and rental concerns.
The council thanked Peronto for the report and outreach efforts; Peronto said the district has been door‑knocking, mailing notices to affected homeowners and will send a final review notice before contractors begin any work referenced in the district’s materials.
The presentation closed with routine council remarks of appreciation and no formal council action tied to the conservation district report.
