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WHAT’S HAPPENING: Fire truck tours and waffles this weekend PAGE 8A
Lake level-related legislation gets city backing
WHITE BEAR LAKE — A legislative solution for the lake level received a vote of support from City Council. In January, the council adopted its 2022 legislative priorities that included seeking relief from the Legislature for cities impacted by the 2017 district court order impacting water resources. As part of that Aug. 30, 2017 court order, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was required to analyze the maximum authorized volumes of groundwater use permits within a 5-mile radius of White Bear Lake, evaluate the impact of that use on water levels of the lake and then set a collective annual withdrawal limit for the lake. According to city staff, the DNR filed a letter with the court on Feb. 7, 2022, illustrating its preparedness to limit the city’s water appropriation permit to 55 gallons of water per day per person on average, along with other municipalities within a 5-mile range of White Bear Lake in order to comply with the court order. The agency’s analysis revealed a limit of 55 gallons per day per person based upon 2020 census information, leaving no water for schools, hospitals, medical offices, government buildings, commercial uses such as restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, hotels or agricultural uses. That same month, Sen. Karin Housley introduced bill SF3055 with bipartisan support of Sens. Roger Chamberlain and Chuck Wiger. The city’s resolution encourages passage of a bill that:
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Heated elemental transition Above: Molten glass is pulled from a furnace and then twisted and pulled into shape during a recent glass working class led by FOCI instructor Isaac Theobald, who demonstrated some fundamental glass working techniques for visiting White Bear Center for the Arts students. Find more photos and information on page 1B.
SEE WATER LEGISLATION, PAGE 9A
Residents get a look of concept designs for Vadnais Boulevard Trail project A virtual open house for the initial concepts for a trail along Vadnais Boulevard between Rice Street and County Road E allowed the public to hear project updates, review initial trail design concepts, and ask project staff questions and share their input. According to Ramsey County Public Works Project Manager Scott Mareck, Vadnais Boulevard is winding and narrow with many driveways that create unsafe
conflict points between pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles. Mareck said this corridor has significant bicycle and pedestrian traffic, but currently there is no sidewalk or separated trail along the corridor. “The big picture takeaway is that it is possible to build a trail along this roadway,” Mareck said. “There are some pinch-points and there’s some challenging areas. But there’s also a lot of opportunity, a lot of beautiful scenic overlooks and it would be a very nice project to implement.”
Greg Brown, from Kimley-Horn, is the planning and engineering consultant leading the project. He presented concepts on the project and went over public feedback from the open house last fall. Feedback from residents included: • Generally supportive of trail separated from traffic. • Don’t feel safe biking or walking on this roadway currently; shoulder is too narrow/close to cars; and uneven surface. • Need a safe bike/pedestrian path separated from traffic.
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• Connect to existing trails — need connection on Edgerton Street north of Centerville Road to loop the lake safely. • Safer winter driving conditions. • Curves and tress cover along the roadway cause blind spots. Brown said that the most important goal of residents is to create a safe and comfortable walking and biking environment along and across Vadnais Boulevard/Centerville Road. An anonymous person asked, “If the trail is built, will the road and SEE TRAIL PROJECT, PAGE 9A
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