The Senate Capital Investment Committee will travel to Albert Lea on Thursday morning to hear a request for $7.5 million in state bonding funds for the $15 million dredging of Fountain Lake.

The committee is slated to tour Fountain Lake by bus with Shell Rock River Watershed District officials and then meet for a formal presentation with community members at 11:15 a.m. at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club.

“We are looking forward to the Senate Capital Investment Committee coming to our community and to our project,” said Brett Behnke, administrator for the watershed district.

He thanked District 27 Sen. Dan Sparks, who is a member of the committee, for his work to bring the committee to town.

The visit is part of the committee’s tour around the state to hear more about potential bonding projects. On Thursday, the tour will start in Austin, Behnke said.

It follows a visit from the House Capital Investment Committee in October.

Watershed officials have stated in previous interviews that the project is necessary because the lake has become filled with sediment — as much as 5 to 8 feet in some areas.

The accumulation has resulted in water quality impairment and large algae blooms, which affect water clarity, wildlife habitat and recreation.

If the state money is obtained, the remainder of the project would be financed through matching funds from local, federal and other grants. The cost of the project comes from the dredging itself, along with studies, permits, land acquisition and construction.

The committee, made up of 20 members, is chaired by LeRoy Stumpf, DFL-Plummer. The ranking minority leader is David Senjem, R-Rochester.