CLEAN ENERGY COMMUNITY RECOGNITION 2019
In April 2019, the City of St. Anthony was awarded a grant from the Minnesota Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of Energy. This grant program was called "Clean Energy Community Education," with the purpose of providing support for up to 12 communities in Minnesota to share three of their clean energy and sustainability success stories with the public. These communities each contributed to the Minnesota Clean Energy Communities exhibit at the Eco Experience building at the 2019 Minnesota State Fair.
Besides providing text and images for their display, communities were responsible for staffing one "Featured Day" at the fair. St. Anthony's Featured Day was Friday, August 23rd. Community volunteers and representatives were invited to engage with fairgoers, answer questions, and distribute informational trading cards and other materials. St. Anthony was fortunate to have elected officials, city staff and Citizens for Sustainability members join throughout the day to promote our highlighted projects.
Our special feature was the debut of an upgraded version of our online Sustainability Map, reimagined to be more interactive and easy to use by combining this tool with our newest Sustainability Puzzle. Fairgoers were able to see this on a 42" touchscreen, bringing it to life in a new way.
Although we only had one Featured Day, you can relive it anytime right on this page! Make sure to watch the video above, produced in collaboration with CTV North Suburbs, and photo slideshow below to see what this day was all about. The poster and trading cards from the exhibit, as well as other materials, are available under "Related Documents."
Congratulations to the City of St. Anthony for being recognized as a 2019 Minnesota Clean Energy Community!
SILVER LAKE CARP REMOVAL 2013
In 2013, Saint Anthony initiated a Carp removal project on Silver Lake in conjunction with neighboring Cities and partnering organizations. The project was one of several measures outlined in the Rice Creek Watershed District’s TMDL Report (PDF) of Silver Lake to improve the lake’s water quality. Because Silver Lake is on the State Impaired Waters List, Saint Anthony Village and surrounding cities have a responsibility to meet the State’s clean water standards. Shoreline restoration, rain gardens, and rain barrels that prevent stormwater contaminants and nutrients from draining into the lake are several other initiatives recommended by the Watershed District.
Carp Ecology
As an invasive species, the Common Carp drastically alter the ecosystem of the lake. This species is the Common/European Carp Cyprinus carpio, not the Asian Carp that is seen leaping from rivers. Common Carp are a hindrance to the lake's water quality for their chain-reaction effect. As bottom feeders, their feeding habits stir up phosphorus, sediment, and other nutrients, keeping them suspended in the water column. Suspended nutrients and sediment block light, causing a high algae / low-plant state. Once the temperature is warm enough, mid-summer algae blooms can dominate the lake. Common Carp are vigorous feeders, foraging on anything from plants to invertebrates. With sparse plant life, there is little habitat for macro-invertebrates and zooplankton, which native fish need to thrive. The lack of zooplankton also goes back to enable more algae growth (phytoplankton), since zooplankton would prey on the phytoplankton. A low plant state in the lake also lacks stability for the lake bottom, keeping the cycle of murky water going.
Bowfishing
There is no local ordinance against carp bowfishing, but residents are expected to comply with the MN DNR bowfishing regulations, found in the Fishing Regulations Handbook. Bowfishing season is April 25th to the end of February. No carp caught is allowed to return to the water or be left on shore. Contact East Metro Fisheries for questions on carp and fishing.
Partners
Saint Anthony partnered with the Minnesota DNR, Ramsey County Conservation District, Rice Creek Watershed District, Three Rivers Park District, and the cities of New Brighton and Columbia Heights. All entities contributed to funding the project.
