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Group files appeal on McDonald outlet plan [UPDATED]
Published 10:58am Friday, March 15, 2013 Updated 10:59am Friday, March 15, 2013The Ditch 25 outlet plan was put on hold indefinitely following an appeal filed in court in January and the finding of zebra mussel veligers last October.
The appeal was filed by attorney for the McDonald Lake Association says the Otter Tail County Board acted in an “arbitrary, unlawful, and unsupported nature,” when it approved the outlet.
The appeal requests the court remand the county board’s decision which put the project back at square one, according to the Perham Focus.
The outlet was approved in July after a petition by the Little McDonald, Kerbs, and Paul Lakes Improvement District spurred meetings and public hearings.
The lakes have experienced flooding for more than 10 years.
The proposal called for draining excess water from the three lakes via a downstream route, which winds through part of Ditch 25 and several other lakes and waterways.
When zebra mussel veligers were found in three of the four lakes tested, the project was stopped. These lakes, as well as two additional lakes must be retested. If the invasive species is confirmed, but no veligers are found downstream, then the project cannot proceed.
