Orono/Lake Minnetonka Stewardship
Examining Lake Improvement Districts (LIDS)
Do we have a communication problem in Orono?
First we find out that the Stubbs Bay LID is a closed organization and isn’t sharing a lot of information publicly that could affect all of us.
Then some Stubbs Bay homeowners said that anyone without lakeshore in the neighborhood doesn’t have an opinion about the lake public waters.
And then they said we were spreading misinformation about the missing information that they should have shared with everyone in the first place.
As a “political governmental agency” according to the MNDNR, shouldn’t all Stubbs Bay LID findings and communications be public? Isn’t the burden of proof on the LID and what you are going to do to our public waters?
Since you are advocating for a legally liable agency that has to carry insurance, where is all the communication? Seems like the City of Orono needs to explain how public water management isn’t inclusive nor even forthcoming.
Friends of Orono
Follow the FACTS Not the Fiction
from Stubbs Bay LID
Let’s comb through a few of the misstatements from the recent “opinion” piece in the Laker Pioneer for factual reference:
The only people sharing “misleading and inaccurate information” are the Stubbs Bay LID leadership namely Ms. Karena Casey, and Mr. Lee Harren. If they had current, and accurate research and data; why haven’t they shared it? Or cited it in their recent “opinion piece”?
Casey stated all the information was on their website on public record during the April 14th Orono City Council meeting (linked below); and yet, there were NO Safety Sheets for the Chemicals and no natural environment short-term and long-term chemical studies among other missing facts.
Why are the two people with deeded access on what could be considered the worst shoreline on Stubbs Bay pushing this LID so hard? Are they pushing this for their own property resale? Why do they think they are qualified to lead what should be a far more ecologically driven effort? And why do we all of sudden need a government agency (LID) to do it? Because Harren sits on the board of the Lake Minnetonka Association (LMA) and the LMA doesn’t, for some reason, want to do it any longer? Now there’s the real question and for which we have no answer.
Casey and Harren also misstate their point in the sixth paragraph of the article. The LIDs Law was written in 1973 to help improve water quality levels and NOT Vegetation management. We’ve spoken to several agencies including MN Pollution Control and they have noted that ProcellaCOR is now flagged for further research in Minnesota, New York, Vermont and California. Why did we look into this? Because the LMA Director Eric Evenson stated on public record in the same April 14, 2025 Orono City Council meeting that this is a chemical that has been used and will be in the future. See our website for cited data here about all the proposed chemicals: https://www.friendsoforono.org/stewardship-lids Scroll down to the bottom of the page for ProcellaCOR, Diquat, Fluridone and Aquacide Safety Sheets.
If Casey and Harren have any studies to back up this statement in the eighth paragraph regarding “Most state and local water management agencies and natural resource experts agree that herbicide treatments done by professional applicators are most effective, ” they need to cite them and share the data.
Every State and local agency we spoke with told us that pulling vegetation is the least harmful to the environment for the best long term solution. Several of these agencies also noted that chemical treatments are actually somewhat ineffective that is why they need to be applied every year and thereby could be more harmful to the environment. Again, if Casey and Harren have short and long term natural environment studies regarding these herbicides, why aren't they sharing them?
AND finally, if you read one paragraph, make sure to read the last one in the article, it's a doozy. Why should lakeshore owners have “the ability to personally manage” a public body of water in lieu of everyone else? Because they think they are entitled to? Why block out others who use the lake? It’s a public body of water. Why block out others from knowing all the factual information? Why didn’t they share everything with everyone from the beginning?
Something smells on Stubbs Bay - is it the misinformation of two lake access owners trying to strong arm Orono Citizens into a made up nirvana with “pool quality water” that “Sparkles”?
City of Orono April 14, 2025 meeting - see item 12
https://oronomn.new.swagit.com/videos/339967
@friendsoforono
#harrisonsbay
#lakeminnetonka
#LID
#carmanbay
#stalbansbay
#lakeimprovmentdistrict
#LID
#lakeminnetonkaassociation
#lmcd
If you are a lakeshore or deeded access owner on Stubbs Bay, please consider signing the petition AGAINST the LID.
If you have signed the earlier petition, that's ok our signatures will be representative.
If you haven't signed anything, well, you've unwittingly approved the Stubbs Bay LID. That's right, a non signature is a vote FOR the LID.
Please tell you neighbors and sign electronically today! Thank you for your support!
Sign here on our website or use the attached QR code. https://www.friendsoforono.org/signthepetition
@friendsoforono
#stubbsbay #harrisonsbay #lakeminnetonka #LID #carmanbay #stalbansbay #lakeimprovementdistrict. #lma #lakeminnetonkaassociation #lmcd #nostubbsbaylid
Breaking News: Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) pulls letter of Support on 6/2/25
The LMCD sent us a letter telling us that they were placing their previous letter of support for the Stubbs Bay LID “in abeyance” meaning “a state of temporary disuse or suspension”.
Their reasons? They include “major concerns” about the following:
“The respective municipal action regarding an LID and the impact on land use issues;
The manner of collecting funds to support LID programs;
Any efforts to impact the water quality of the designated LID;
Chemicals and other methods for treatment to be used, mostly in the AIS scope of services;
The legal implications/possibilities for any actions taken by the LID.”
What does this mean for our effort to communicate the homeowner liability and mandated tax issues? We hope it helps people see that this LID format is unusual and of concern to those who are watching our waters. No one should be held liable for chemical treatments but the MNDNR and the State of Minnesota for a public body of water. Our neighbors SHOULD NOT be liable and tax each other.
While I was out canvassing all around Stubbs Bay, I found that Citizens want a different approach with an option to opt out. They also want more ecological options, transparent meetings and information that anyone can access. Here’s hoping the City of Orono sees that and works on a new solution along with the LMCD and any and all residents that care.
Remember, Stubbs Bay is a Public Body of Water not owned by the lakeshore homeowners nor those who have deeded access. For this reason, we need to be inclusive and take care of how we proceed.
Please write to your Orono City Council member:
btunheim@oronomn.gov
abenson@oronomn.gov
spersian@oronomn.gov
jricks@oronomn.gov
jschwingler@oronomn.gov
Please sign our Petition to STOP the Stubbs Bay LID https://www.friendsoforono.org/signthepetition
And please attend next Monday’s June 9th hearing at Orono City Chambers, 2750 Kelley Pkwy, Orono, MN 55356. Always feel free to voice your concerns.
@friendsoforono
#carmanbay #lakeimprovementdistrict
#lmcd
This weekend and on Monday we are asking Stubbs Bay lakeshore and deeded access owners to please write to your City Council members. Do you want to be forced into being legally liable for Stubbs Bay weed treatments? Do you think it’s fair to force your neighbors into that position? Do you think it’s fair to mandate a tax for that situation?
If not, you need to act today. Here are two things you can do:
Write your City Council member:
btunheim@oronomn.gov
abenson@oronomn.gov
spersian@oronomn.gov
jricks@oronomn.gov
jschwingler@oronomn.gov
Sign our Petition: https://www.friendsoforono.org/signthepetition
No Citizen in Orono should be forced into becoming part of a legal entity unless they want to. It’s fine if you want a weed program but this is not an ethical way to go about it. Say No to the Stubbs Bay LID. Let's come together to review alternative solutionsl
@friendsoforono
#harrisonsbay
#lakeminnetonka
#LID
#carmanbay
#stalbanbay
#lakeimprovementdistrict
#lma
#lakeminnetonkaassociation
#lmcd
If you live around St. Albans Bay, Carman Bay, Stubbs Bay or Harrison’s Bay this is a message for you. It is highly unusual that you are being asked to force your neighbors into a Lake Improvement District (LID). There are only 54 LIDS in all of Minnesota - that’s out of over 11,000 lakes. Why is the LMA trying to start 3 or 4 more LIDS on Lake Minnetonka other than the two we already have?
It’s a good question and it looks like it makes chemical treatments easier to mandate along with the tax to pay for them. Over 99.99% of lakeshore owners in Minnesota do not utilize the 1973 DNR rule to form a government agency with homeowners. Why? Because homeowners don’t want to become legally responsible for a public body of water.
Right now would be a very good time to examine St. Alban’s Bay and Carman Bay ecologically. The weed reports fall short of the whole picture. What about the silt? What about drift and what about long term studies? Make sure to look up these chemicals - ProcellaCOR, Diquat and Fluridone. Scroll down this page to the bottom for the safety sheets.
Stop forcing our neighbors into a chemical program run by - our neighbors? Look up MN Statute 6115.0980 to see that the homeowners on St. Alban’s Bay and Carman Bay are legally responsible for any damage done to the bay with their chemical treatments. Oddly, we checked and there isn't always a natural environment or long-term study on some of these chemicals before use. Sadly, we need a whole lot more information before locking entire neighborhoods into legal responsibility of a public body of water. Let’s keep that responsibility with the MNDNR and the State of MN.
Sign our Petition Here: https://www.friendsoforono.org/signthepetition
@friendsoforono
#harrisonsbay
#lakeminnetonka
#LID
#carmanbay
#stalbansbay
#lakeimprovementdistrict
#lma
#lakeminnetonkaassociation
#lmcd
Hello Everyone Around Lake Minnetonka!
Please watch this very simple and informative video about why there should not be LIDS around Lake Minnetonka.
We are sharing resources for you to get informed because there is a lot of missing data from LID websites and studies.
Please see our webpage here: https://www.friendsoforono.org/stewardship-lids
Please see enjoytonka.com
PLEASE SIGN THE PETITIONS!
If you are worried about taking on liability for these treatments without long term studies, please sign our Stubbs Bay petition here: https://www.friendsoforono.org/signthepetition
And the Harrison’s Bay petition here: enjoytonka.com
Both Orono and Mound have meetings coming up where you can voice your concerns. And please write to your City Council members!
Orono City Council Meeting June 9
btunheim@oronomn.gov
abenson@oronomn.gov
spersian@oronomn.gov
jricks@oronomn.gov
Mound City Council Meeting June 10
jasonholt@cityofmound.com
sherriepugh@cityofmound.com
kathymcenaney@cityofmound.com
kevincasellano@cityofmound.com
michelleherrick@cityofmound.com
Friends of Orono
Hello Everyone Around Lake Minnetonka!
Please watch this very simple and informative video about why there should not be LIDS around Lake Minnetonka.
We are sharing resources for you to get informed because there is a lot of missing data from LID websites and studies.
Please see our webpage here: https://www.friendsoforono.org/stewardship-lids
Please see enjoytonka.com
PLEASE SIGN THE PETITIONS!
If you are worried about taking on liability for these treatments without long term studies, please sign our Stubbs Bay petition here: https://www.friendsoforono.org/signthepetition
And the Harrison’s Bay petition here: enjoytonka.com
Both Orono and Mound have meetings coming up where you can voice your concerns. And please write to your City Council members!
Orono City Council Meeting June 9
btunheim@oronomn.gov
abenson@oronomn.gov
spersian@oronomn.gov
jricks@oronomn.gov
Mound City Council Meeting June 10
jasonholt@cityofmound.com
sherriepugh@cityofmound.com
kathymcenaney@cityofmound.com
kevincasellano@cityofmound.com
michelleherrick@cityofmound.com
Friends of Orono
#harrisonsbay
#lakeminnetonka
#lid
#carmanbay
#stalbansbay
#lakeimprovementdistrict
#lma
#lakeminnetonkaassociation
#lmcd
Oh dear. We are doing our homework, and look what we found. Former Mayor Walsh and his wife are trying very hard to shift legal responsibility for Aquatic Pesticide Treatments to unsuspecting residents and various cities. And now they seem to be in a hurry. Why?
We’ve uncovered numerous reasons:
1. The Lake Minnetonka Association (LMA) has been promoting ProcellaCOR all over Lake Minnetonka. This contains the PFAS “forever chemical” now flagged by the State of MN and Lake George in New York. Note there is not a long term study of ProcellaCOR in a natural environment. Is our Lake Minnetonka the proverbial guinea pig?
2. Is the LMA finding fundraising fatigue because these treatments are becoming passe with other successful non chemical options out there? https://www.waterfrontrestoration.com/revitalizing.../ and there are other resources as well.
3. Why are the weed treatment reports showing the reduction of native Coontail from Carmen’s Bay? Is that because they know that the Homeowners and Orono are now legally responsible? MN Statute 6115.0980 https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/6115.0980/
4. Why on earth would a few neighbors strong arm the rest of the neighborhood into being permanently taxed for these treatments? Because the LMA knows it is a losing financial position to pay for said treatments? Or because they know the Citizens are onto this scheme?
5. What about the long term natural environment testing for the other two chemicals the LMA is promoting Diquat and Fluridone? Again, why are we treating the lake when we don’t have a long term effects studies in the natural environment?
The cities of Mound, Greenwood and Orono all need to look at this more closely and please consider a third party analysis of the silt and native species changes.
https://www.friendsoforono.org/signthepetition
#harrisonsbay
#lakeminnetonka
#lid
#carmanbay
#stalbansbay
#lakeimprovmentdistrict
#lma
#lakeminnetonkaassociation
#lmcd
Third in our Series: Lake Minnetonka’s Health Rescinding the Stubbs Bay Petition
What is really maddening is how little information the LMA gave to unsuspecting neighbors. No one can make an informed decision without all the data.
We’ve talked about the legal liability here: https://youtu.be/nsci2-Eb4k8?feature=shared
We’ve talked about the history here: https://youtu.be/IQ9UlCW5CWg?feature=shared
Now we’d like to point out that the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District “is not lending support for LIDs”. Why? We cannot confirm, but we can speculate. The LIDs legislation is from 1972 - back in the day when some really nasty things were getting dumped into our lakes. Does this old legislation mesh with today’s understanding of chemical treatments and our environment?
There are also several hot buttons. Giving legal authority that normally remains with the State of MN and the DNR to unsuspecting Citizens and our City is a strange and unusual precedent. Also concerning is the use of the known “forever chemical” ProcellaCOR. And there are questions about the weed studies that show dramatic degradation of Carman Bay’s native Coontail.
Whatever the reason(s) MCWD isn’t getting involved it seems to be a red flag. Please read all about this issue on our previous posts to get informed before the June 9th Orono hearing for the Stubbs Bay LID.
In the meantime, if you would like to slow this process down to share with your Stubbs Bay neighbors for discussion then please sign our petition.
If you would like to further understand that you have signed up for a permanent Hennepin County tax that is governed by just a few neighbors then please scan our QR code to sign our petition.
Even if you signed the earlier petition for the LID, please sign ours to keep 51% of signatures on the side that keeps legal responsibility with the already established governmental agencies and not You the Homeowner. Why should Homeowners become legally responsible for a public body of water?
Let’s rethink signing up for a 1973 loophole law that allows a few to tax and force legal responsibility to all whether they want treatments or not. And maybe we all need to brush up on which chemicals harm our native environment in the long term for weed control.
@friendsoforono
#stubbsbay
#harrisonsbay
#lakeminnetonka
#LID
#carmanbay
#stalbanbay
#lakeimprovementdistrict
#LMA
#lakeminnetonkaassociation
#lmcd
Second in our Series: Lake Minnetonka Health - LIDs are UnCommon
Be very careful who you listen to. And please read and watch other sister communities question “Lake Improvement Districts” ie: LIDS and what they actually mean for the average homeowner. If you’d like to sign our Petition to stop creating a governmental entity that you are liable for, please click here: https://www.friendsoforono.org/signthepetition
Cities and Homeowners become legally liable for any “improvements” they make to the public body of water identified in the LID. Are they liable for the damage? According to MN State Statute 6115.0980, the State of MN and the DNR are no longer responsible for these “treatments”; the LID, the City of Orono and the Homeowners themselves are all LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE.
And the LID can tax property owners within the designated area whether you want the treatment or not.Well isn’t that clever of the Lake Minnetonka Association (LMA) to create a chemical treatment program in perpetuity on Lake Minnetonka. Why would any homeowner take on possible legal liability for chemical treatments for a public body of water? Because they unwittingly signed up for it.
LIDs are NOT COMMON in the State of Minnesota. 99.99% of Cities and lakeshore owners DO NOT employ for LIDS due to the legal liability and frankly messy extra bureaucracy. Do you want a few of your neighbors taxing you for said chemical treatments? It’s already a possible proven recipe for ruining our environment right on Lake Minnetonka.
Please sign our petition here:
https://www.friendsoforono.org/signthepetition
Please sign the Harrison’s Bay petition here:
Please write to your Orono City Council members here:
btunheim@oronomn.gov
abenson@oronomn.gov
spersian@oronomn.gov
And your Mound City Council members here:
CityCouncil@CityofMound.org
Address Jason Holt, Sherrie Pugh, Michelle Herrick, Kathy McEnaney, Kevin Castellano
Find their phone numbers here:https://www.cityofmound.com/mayor-council
#harrisonsbay
#lakeminnetonka
#lid
#carmanbay
#stalbansbay
#lakeimprovmentdistrict
#lma
#lakeminnetonkaassociation
#lmcd
1st in a Series: Lake Minnetonka’s Health
Please attend Monday, May 12 Orono City Council meeting to voice your concerns
Is there anything more important than the health of our dearly loved Lake Minnetonka?
That’s why we wondered how so many people could be talked into dumping chemicals - some banned in the EU for harming pets (and thereby fish and other wildlife) - and some named “forever chemicals” into Lake Minnetonka? Is it because the powers that be used unsuspecting neighbors who know nothing about lake habitat to sell their chemicals?
Let’s not be shy. This is an Erin Brockovich moment for all of Lake Minnetonka. If you have signed petitions promising to help lake quality by killing invasives and not harming native plants, you need to ask for specific data and/or proof as to exactly how they are going to do that. Fyi their own studies refute this claim. See Carmen Bay Data here: https://www.friendsoforono.org/stewardship-lids
We also need to ask who exactly is benefiting from this program. The Lake Minnetonka Association (LMA)? The Chemical company? It’s certainly not benefitting any lakeshore residents for the natural habitat to degrade or diminish.
LIDS actually shift legal responsibility and liability to the City, the LID AND THE HOMEOWNERS from the DNR and State of MN. By the way, all Residents around the LID could be taxed for said treatments whether they want them or not. Sounds like a deal from the Denny Days doesn't?
Their Story Doesn’t Add Up
How can you dump chemicals into a body of water that is moving constantly, and keep them in one area? How do you know that natives and invasives aren’t cohabitating? How do you know if certain wildlife aren’t right next door or under the silt or going to pass by? Do you know what native Coontail looks like?
No, most likely you do not, and corralling harmful chemicals in a moving body of water just isn’t logical. Is this why unknowing residents need to do their own homework. (See all the links below).
As an example, the Carman Bay LID data shows that native Coontail has diminished in 2019 from 65% to 34% in 2024. These chemicals killed nearly half of the native Coontail and surely it’s killed other wildlife and plant life. Why isn't the LMA ensuring before and after treatment studies? Why only after treatment? Why focus on the invasives and not the natives?
Suffice it to say Carman Bay appears to be slowly getting stripped of its naturally occurring natives and self cleaning elements along with undesirable “weeds”.
Also of note, the Carman Bay LID was formed during the Denny Walsh administration which was notoriously anti environment. Please see more about the chemicals being dumped into our lake here: https://www.friendsoforono.org/stewardship-lids
They want Stubbs Bay to “Sparkle?”
Now let’s point out a few facts about the April 14, 2025 Orono City Council meeting where three individuals showed up to promise “pool level quality” in what was once one of the great rice lakes in Minnesota.
Asking for Stubbs Bay to be “clear” and “sparkle clean” means you think you can offset the decades of farm chemicals and current residents’ lawn chemicals. It also means that you can clear the mucky bottom that is naturally occurring. Meanwhile, as you clear the lake’s own ability to clean itself, you will have to continually treat for the foreseeable future to maintain the artificial and unachievable “sparkle” quality you have promised. Sounds like a boondoogle for the chemical company and??
In fact, there was a lot of missing data, including facts about said chemicals and case studies about treatments. Why isn’t all that data on the Stubbs Bay website? (And no, the screenshot typed up information isn’t good enough. It needs to be from a credible source and labeled with dates and actual institutions that can confirm the data).
What about the replacement of natives? What about new designated wetland areas? What about encouraging homeowners to reduce their lawns and add native habitat? Let’s ask to consider holistic plans that do not harm the lake in the near and long term. And just a reminder - we are all stewards of the lake. Do we really believe that a few individuals have the right to strip out the native environment now and into the future?
Cast of Characters - LMA/Stubbs Bay LID
And now let’s point out that there are several curious positions on the board of the LMA - namely Amanda Walsh who we all know supported her husband Denny Walsh going against Orono City code to clear cut their own bluff, he also filled in a wetland, and handed out public land to his friends.
Mr. Lee Harren holds a position on the board of the LMA as “Treasurer/Secretary”. He also has one of the largest lawns in the area that regularly has chemical runoff into Stubbs Bay through the wetlands and the fresh water stream.
Ms. Karena Casey with again, one of largest lawns in the area, and thereby runoff that drains directly into the fresh water stream and into the lake from their own property. Both the Caseys and the Harrens could make an immediate difference by reducing their lawn sizes.
And Mr. Eric Evenson, self-admitted flip-flopper, and former administrator of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. Weren't you ousted Mr. Evenson? (see article here https://www.startribune.com/minnehaha-creek.../256789611) The main point is how angry and misleading he was during the meeting (link below). Mr. Evenson promised a lot of data that was missing and we are still waiting for all that information.
We now know Mr. Evenson is in a big fat hurry to build these LIDs all over Lake Minnetonka. Harrison’s Bay - watch out because he’s already over there telling stories to the unsuspected. And we just found out that there are homeowners around Brackett’s Point being contacted, is this because Judd Brackett is on the board?
This is perhaps the greatest point of all - Forest Lake residents did their own research and decided that a LID was not a good idea. They stopped and changed direction once they did their own homework. So please, if you do not want to take our word for it - see these places for resources and let’s stop harming our greatest natural asset together.
City of Orono City Council Meeting 4/14/2025 - Look for Item 12
https://oronomn.new.swagit.com/videos/339967
@friendsoforono
#stubbsbay
#harrisonsbay
#lakeminnetonka
#LID
#carmansbay
#stalbansbay
#lakeimprovementdistrict
#LID
#lakeminnetonkaassociation
#LMCD
