RKLD Communications with DNR RE: Dredging

This email covers the last of the items that you need to complete amendment of the manual code permit for our project.  This email somewhat overlaps Danielle’s meeting minutes for this morning’s meeting, but I wanted to make sure we addressed all the issues on the permit in one place so we could make sure we covered everything.

Stabilization of the dredge fill area

As Danielle mentioned in her email last week, we propose a "belt and suspenders" approach to controlling erosion in the migration of eroded sediment from the fill area.  First, we will keep the silt barrier in place across the entire width of the containment berm after completion of the project.  We will remove this barrier later this spring (probably in May) when the restoration vegetation is seeded and planted in the fill section.

Second, we will apply an anionic polymer in dry form to the surface of the graded sediment as it is placed behind the containment berm.  We are planning to use Soilnet TRIPAM polymer at the recommended application rate of 54 pounds per acre.  We've attached the portion of the DOT product acceptability list that lists this polymer as acceptable, and will email you separately the toxicity work that has been conducted for this product as quickly as we get it from Soilnet, later today or tomorrow morning.

Retention of the stone tracking pad at the launch ramp site. 

As we discussed this morning, RKLD may want to keep the stone tracking pad in place at the launch ramp.  As we noted today, the existing "launch ramp" is actually an eroded graveled surface that is gullied and irregular.  This launch ramp is now used for canoes, but not often for boats with trailers.  We may want to leave the tracking pad that the contractor will install at the launch ramp in place, because it will provide a better access path way to the Lake than currently exists.  The tracking pad, as you know, will be constructed of breaker run clear stone, as described in the project specifications.  We will install this pad at the existing launch ramp from approximate elevation 779 down to approximate elevation 774 or 775.  We will utilize the existing gravel surface slope and grades at the ramp, but will try to keep the tracking pad slope from 12% to 14% for in the elevation range 775 through 778.  After completion of construction activities, we propose to propose to "blind" the surface to provide a clean and smoother surface using new clean 1-1/4 inch basecourse gravel.  We would appreciate your concurrence with this proposed approach.

Spill control and project schedule from the contractor, Badgerland excavating

We understand that the information you received from Badgerland is sufficient for your needs.

Placement of riprap to restore the existing shoreline breach at the Mud Lake outlet

As we discussed on site, the Twin Island Gun Club has requested that we restore the riprap that was eroded away along the existing shoreline where the Mud Lake outlet creek had breached the shoreline protection several years ago.  The location of this riprap placement is shown approximately on the attached PDF figure, and photograph of the breach area are below.  The breach in the shoreline protection is around 10 to 15 feet in width.  We propose to restore this section of shoreline protection up to the elevation of top of the existing adjacent riprap (approximately elevation 778) using Wisconsin DOT heavy riprap, which is the same material used to face the containment berm.  Placement of this riprap will help contain the dredge spoils in the fill placement area.

Confirmation that the fill section location is as shown on our project drawings, and that the "alternative" site in the original permit package will not be used.

I believe the confirmation Danielle sent you earlier today confirms that point.  The contract documents for this project clearly identify the fill section at Mud Lake as the only fill section for excavated sediment.  Please contact us if you need any more to confirm the fill site status.

Inspections for conformance with erosion control requirements

As we discussed, Danielle Lee from our office will be the project engineer and will be on site regularly during construction.  She will work with the contractor regarding erosion control activities and will confirm that adequate site erosion control maintenance documentation is prepared and available.  Would you like us to send that documentation to you directly, or simply have it available (as required) on-site?

Potential project schedule extension

As we discussed, we and the contractor are making every effort to have this project completed in the next several weeks.  If climate and water level conditions make a proposed extension of the project for several weeks past March 1 reasonable, we will contact you by February 15 so that you can discuss with the applicable fish managers to confirm conditions that would be required if the work extended past March 1.