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Ramsey County and water board approve Ontario-area snag-and-clear project
Summary
The county approved a Ramsey County Snag and Clear North project for Ontario Township after the Water Board recommended the petition; cost estimated at about $73,000 with a 13-year payback, and public commenters raised concerns about scope and downstream effects.
John (speaker 6), representing the Water Board, presented a petition for the Ramsey County Snag and Clear North project covering roughly 6.5 miles in the Roarville area and asked the commission to consider the Water Board's recommendation.
John said Fish and Wildlife had been consulted and no concerns were identified in the Water Board packet. Project cost was estimated at about $73,000 and Water Board staff reported a payback period of about 13 years.
Members of the public spoke during the hearing. Carmel (public commenter) argued that recent work near Fletcher Slough resembled excavation beyond standard "snag and clear" work and feared increased downstream flows and property impacts; she urged the board to consider the state legal guidance on negative clearing. John and Shane Hysnus (speaker 5) clarified that recent work the commenter cited was a separate, temporary outlet constructed earlier this spring to protect a county road and was not the snag-and-clear project under consideration.
After public comment the Water Board voted to approve the project; the county commission then moved, seconded and ratified the Water Board's approval by voice vote. Chair confirmed the action concluded the portion for the snag-and-clear and the board moved on to other business.
The county will proceed with project implementation consistent with the Water Board motion; commissioners and staff said they would continue to coordinate with landowners and monitor downstream impacts.
