pike lake area wastewater collection system
History of the system
Return to:       PLAWCS             Home


October 1996: Five Alternatives outlined to Pike Lake Residents by Ayres Associate Engineering


January 1997: "Pike Lake Wastewater Committee" was established to choose one of the alternative solutions for the Pike Lake area. Members of the committee are from the following agencies or groups:

1. St. Louis County Health Department; Co-chair

2. Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD); Co-chair

3. St. Louis County Board of Commissioners

4. St. Louis County Land Department

5. St. Louis County Public Works and Department

6. St. Louis County Planning Department

7. Independent School District 704 (Proctor)

8. Canosia Township (Town Supervisors and Residents)

9. Grand Lake Township (Town Supervisors and Residents)

10. Hermantown Administration

11. Metropolitan Interstate Committee

12. Commercial Business District

13. Pike Lake Association

January 31, 1997 to May 26, 1998: The Committee met sixteen times working on selecting Bonestroo Engineering to prepare the Facility Plan to obtaining funding from committee agencies to pay for the plan. Between meetings, the committee members worked on preparing surveys, testified before the Legislature, hosted a tour of the Pike Lake area by the Minnesota House Bonding Committee, made presentations to the community on costs associated with the best alternatives, and finally, prepared a recommended solution at a Public Hearing.

December 1, 1998 to May 19, 1998: Canosia and Grand Lake Townships held meetings to approve a Joint Powers Agreement creating the Pike Lake Area Wastewater Collection System (PLAWCS). The Town Boards began drafting operating agreements and proceeded with finalizing the agreement, after March 24, 1998, when Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Draft Intended Use Plan (IUP) was released with the Pike Lake Project in the funding range! April 22, 1998, Governor Carlson signed the Bonding Bill with $15.3 million for Wastewater Infrastructure Fund (WIF). On May 19, 1998, MPCA released the actual IUP indicating that Pike Lake Area Wastewater Collection System had been approved for construction and funding. The Minnesota Public Facility Authority will be providing a grant in the neighborhood of $3 million from the Wastewater Infrastructure Fund and the remaining balance of the $6.5 million project will be a low interest loan through the State Revolving Fund.

June 1, 1998: PLAWCS held an organizational meeting and approved the engineering firm of Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik and Associates, Inc., the same firm that prepared the Facility Plan, to design and provide the construction plans for the wastewater collection system. PLAWCS has a monumental task ahead. PLAWCS plans to continue to use the concept of total public involvement throughout the entire project. PLAWCS needs the cooperation of every resident in the area to obtain easements for the sewer lines and develop equitable rules for connection requirements and standards as well developing cost allocations to the users.

PLAWCS wishes to express thanks to all the members of the committee and their agencies who allowed them the time to participate in this long but successful journey. The environment and the generations in the future will also thank you. The committee was only successful because of the superb cooperation of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the staff members involved in the approval process.

PLAWCS would like to add a final thank you to the Duluth and Range Legislative Delegation who continually supported the Pike Lake Project, highlighting it as a benchmark of how a community defined a problem, collectively determined a solution, and obtained financial support from the Minnesota Legislature.

PLAWCS Board of Directors:

Russ Georgesen, Chairperson Duayne Anderson, Vice Chairperson Louis Dubla

Ken Harnell Carmen Orman Mark Huber

Pete Weidman, WLSSD (ex-officio) Richard Holt, WLSSD (ex-officio)


Return to:    top of page       PLAWCS             Home