A request for funding for the dredging of Albert Lea’s Fountain Lake will have to wait at least another year without the passage of a bonding bill this session.

Shell Rock River Watershed District and Albert Lea city officials had requested $7.5 million in state funding out of the total $15 million estimated cost to dredge the lake.

“We’re extremely disappointed with the bonding outcome,” said Shell Rock River Watershed District Administrator Brett Behnke.

Behnke said officials will continue to push for the funding in 2014, when a larger bonding bill is expected to be approved.

Advocates have said the project will not only increase economic development for Albert Lea but for the state as well.

“We’re well positioned for next year,” Behnke said. “They know our project better now than they ever have.”

The dredging project has been gaining momentum since the Shell Rock River Watershed District last fall purchased a 2010 IMS 7012 HP 51-foot Versi hydraulic dredge for about $340,000, along with the pipes, pumping and other equipment necessary to pump the dredge material away from the lake for $435,000.

If all goes according to plan, the dredging would begin in 2015.

In the meantime, engineering is underway for the project by Barr Engineering Co. of Minneapolis. The company will gather data, identify lake restoration objectives and pinpoint potential pipeline routes.

The dredge will be on display at the Freeborn County Fair.

 

Albert Lea Lake dam

Though local officials are disappointed about the dredging money, Behnke said they are pleased to hear that legislators approved $1.27 million in funding through the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council that will be used for the construction of the new Albert Lea Lake dam and rough fish barrier.

Behnke said construction is slated to begin this fall.

Look for more information on this project in future editions of the Tribune.

 

Local government aid

Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams said legislators approved $80 million in additional local government aid funding across the state, along with revisions to the funding formula.

For Albert Lea, specifically, this means between $350,000 to $400,000 in additional funding in 2014. After that, Adams said, there will be a minimal impact, but he said the formula should be more sustainable — even though it does not address inflation.

LGA helps cities with low property tax wealth provide reasonable tax rates and city services. In the last five years, LGA funding has been cut or unallotted, which has in turn forced local governments to raise property taxes or cut services.

“We’re pleased with that more from the stability standpoint,” Adams said.