By Melanie Stegner

news@pctribune.com

The Pope County Board of Commissioners approved two grant requests from area lake associations last week at their regular meeting to assist in early detection and control of aquatic invasive species (AIS). 

The Amelia-Villard-Leven Lakes Association brought forth a request for $1,450 to help cover the expense of a survey in the area around the public access sites on all three lakes. The survey will determine if Eurasian watermilfoil or starry stonewort have made their way into the lakes. 

The survey is expected to cost $1,950 and the lake association will cover the additional costs. Pope County is set to receive $85,124 from the state this year for AIS Prevention Aid funding, adding to the current balance in the AIS fund of $364,779. According to Land Use Specialist Ralph Hanson this is an appropriate use of funds.

The Scandinavian Lake Association also requested a grant to aid in control of the spread of Eurasian watermilfoil. The request was for $15,500. The expected cost of the treatment is $17,320 and will treat 21.1 acres of the body of water. “I see the SLA is only contributing around 10% of the cost, we like to see at least 20%,” stated Commissioner Wagner. 

According to Ralph Hanson, Land Use Specialist, the lake association also applied for a grant through the DNR, so may be amending their application based on whether those funds come through or not.

After the recent incident of a 22-year-old Ohio man getting in contact with an undercover officer acting as a minor on social media, it came to the office’s attention that a new joint powers agreement with the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children task force needed to be executed. The last time it was signed was in 2019, and according to Sheriff Riley, the BCA requested a new one be executed with no changes. The board agreed and passed unanimously. 

An agreement was passed with the remonumentation surveyor to submit an application for the Public Land Survey System Monumentation Grant Program. County Surveyor Rod Eldevik is hopeful that Pope County will get a larger amount due to the lack of certified markers in the county. The grant will provide up to $300,000 towards the lengthy process. 

After approval of the financial reports and bill payments, the commissioners went into closed session to discuss pending litigation.