WATERSHED DISTRICT
Middle Fork Crow River
Diamond Lake Invasive Aquatic Plant Management Project
Diamond Lake's efforts to prevent curly-leaf pondweed from degrading water quality through aquatic plant management strategies.
Minnesota Statute: 103D.705
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The Curly-leaf Pondweed continues to assist in degrading water quality and interferes with recreational opportunities on the lake. Finding funding for the plant harvesting program has been challenging. Diamond Lake Area Recreation Association (DLARA) contacted the Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District to assist in the funding of plant management on Diamond Lake through the 103D petition process. DLARA utilized the services of Wenck Associates to conduct a feasibility study on management alternatives for curly-leaf pondweed in Diamond Lake. The feasibility study that followed covered part of the requirements for the Engineer’s Report. DLARA submitted their petition for the Aquatic Plant Management Program to the District. As part of the petition, an engineer’s report was also completed by Wenck Associates. As required, the District appointed appraisers to determine the benefits and damages of affected properties. The results of the viewer’s report was presented to the public at an open hearing. For more information on the Diamond Lake Aquatic Plant Management Program, contact MFCRWD staff.
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For more information on Diamond Lake Area Recreation Association activities, visit here.
When was the levy established?
After the initial petition to the MFCRWD in 6/25/2014 DLARA went through a public commenting period which required public hearings for consideration of the Aquatic Plant Management Project through 2015. The final public hearing was on 8/12/2015, and with enough signatures and public opinion in favor of the assessment and levy DLARA presented the project to the MFCRWD of which the board approved the final order adopting the determination of benefits and establishing the project on 9/1/2025.
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How long does each Assessment last?
The Assessment goes for 15 years, so the project will end in 2030. However, the project can be renewed at that time after another round of public commenting and hearings and then bringing the project back to the MFCRWD board for approval.
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What is Tier 1 and Tier 2?
Tier 1 is classified as any property that has lakeshore access. Tier 2 is any property that is one parcel away from the lake.
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What percentage of the levy assessment do people pay for?
The levy assessment follows a determination of benefits that are based on a combination with both the market value for the improvements on the property (house, garage, power, water, etc.), and the market value of the land. The equation that determines the benefits are 3% of the land value and 1% of the build value, this will equal the total benefit value of each parcel in the assessment. The benefit number is Not the amount that landowners in the assessment pay, as the benefit is more of the percent out of the total dollar amount that DLARA requests for that year’s needs that are approved in the workplan.
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What can the levy assessment amount be used for?
The money can only be used to complete the actions from the workplan to help manage the invasive and native aquatic plant species in Diamond Lake. Such as aquatic plant surveys from a contractor, permitting, herbicide treatments, levy fee requirements from the county, and workplan auditing and administration to the MFCRWD.
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Who decides how much to ask for each year?
DLARA determines what next year’s aquatic plant management actions and workplan will be and develops the budget. The Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District acts as the fiscal agent.
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How do you find out what your benefit fee is and what you pay each year?
The tax code for the Diamond Lakes Aquatic Plant Management levy is 763 and is labeled as
AQUATIC PLANT MGMT on your tax statement from the county. It is usually listed at the bottom of the first page under the Special Assessments on Your Property section.