The Forest Lake City Council approved a scope-and-fee proposal from Bolton & Menk and accepted a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) grant agreement to study and implement stormwater corridor work along Judicial Ditch 4.

The project seeks to protect and restore low-lying drainage corridors, secure parcels for regional stormwater detention, and integrate wetland restoration and recreational greenway elements. The DNR awarded approximately $5.7 million for the project, with land-acquisition costs estimated at about $5.5 million and approximately $200,000 earmarked for additional design and scoping work, according to consultant Tim Olson of Bolton & Menk.

Why it matters: The corridor work addresses flood control and water-quality issues at the headwaters of the Rice Creek chain-of-lakes watershed. City staff and the consultant said advance work in the corridor will make future development more efficient, reduce downstream flooding risk and improve regional water-quality outcomes. The council approved the Bolton & Menk scope-and-fee work so DNR grant timelines and deliverables can proceed.

Project description and timeline: Bolton & Menk identified three priority areas along Judicial Ditch 4, with the largest opportunity in a middle branch where wetlands can be restored and expanded. The plan calls for further wetland delineation, meetings with Rice Creek Watershed District, property-owner outreach, and an early initiation of the partial-transfer (103E) process required when ditch segments move from agricultural-ditch maintenance to municipal stormwater management. The DNR grant provides a five-year window to complete acquisition and project work.

Voting and next steps: Council moved and seconded a motion to accept the scope-and-fee proposal and the grant agreement; the motion passed unanimously. Bolton & Menk will proceed with extended wetland delineation, property coordination and design tasks; staff will coordinate with Rice Creek Watershed District and pursue acquisition steps under the grant schedule.

Ending: City officials described the project as an opportunity to secure a corridor that will serve both flood-control and recreation roles while leveraging state grant funds to minimize direct city capital outlay.