03.10 - Environmental Assessment Overflight

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Introduction A.W. Research Laboratories was retained by the City of Pequot Lakes to conduct an Environmental Assessment Overflight (EAO) in 2005. The purpose of the EAO is to detect areas of environmental concern, land use practices not conforming to local state or federal ordinances and point discharges. Once these sources are located and investigated for their environmental impact, then concerned parties - whether they are governmental entities, industries, or homeowner and lake associations - can prioritize actions to minimize or terminate the source and the adverse impacts of the pollution. In the first phase of the EAO, AWRL's Remote Sensing System records environmental concerns within the entire area of interest. Next, the imagery are correlated to geographic maps, and analyzed for non-conforming land use practices that are deteriorating the quality of the environment. Finally, in the interpretive section of the report, best management practices (BMP's) will be recommended for any detected violations or problems. All of the information and recommendations provided in the final report are presented in an oral presentation for the sponsoring agency on completion of the project. Proposal A.W. Research Laboratories proposes to complete another EAO of the City of Pequot Lakes in 2013. The primary focus of the 2013 EAO will be to documentation and identification of environmental concerns within the city limits. In addition, the flight will focus on those sites identified in the 2005 EAO to document changes or improvements over the past 8 years. The entire city limits of Pequot Lakes (approximately 24 square miles) will be flown. Suspected areas of environmental concern, land use practices not conforming to local, state or federal ordinances and point discharges will be recorded with visible and hyperspectral camera systems. The proposal includes collection of digital images from an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet. All selected images will be numerically correlated to maps of the area. The overflight should be conducted in the spring or fall of 2013 (when the leaves are off the trees). This allows for better aerial viewing of conditions on the ground. Analysis The EAO image data matrix will be analyzed for the following impacts or conditions: • Areas of environmental concern. • Land use practices not conforming to local state or federal ordinances. • Point discharges to include observed leaks. • Excessive nutrient or toxic sources.