Cedar Lake and SWLRT

Cedar Lake area residents have been impacted by the Southwest Light Rail Transit project for several years. On June 15, 2022 SWLRT requested a permit from MPRB to close Cedar Lake Parkway to vehicle traffic until June 30, 2023, using park land to aid in the tunnel construction. This was the same permit brought to the board for consideration in January that was denied. In June, the board approved the permit with the following amendments:

(1) The MPRB Director of Environmental Management shall be copied on regular erosion and sediment control inspection reports and other special inspections related to site controls and water quality. The MPRB Superintendent may require documentation of corrective actions taken as a result of these inspections.

(2) The $67,052 in SWLRT temporary easement fees be held by MPRB for a natural resources project at Cedar Lake (habitat restoration after buckthorn removal, water quality project, etc.) determined by the volunteer organizations around Cedar Lake (Friends of Cedar Lake Park Association, CIDNA and individual volunteers) and MPRB staff under the approval of the Superintendent in 2023. If no such project is determined, MPRB will allocate the temporary easement funds for the implementation of a portion of the Cedar-Isles master plan in 2023.

I am thrilled the board of commissioners supported this amendment as it is recognizes (albeit in a small way), the environmental disruption this project has created around Cedar Lake and the Kenliworth Channel.

As of December 21, MPRB received the easement fees of $67,052 from SWLRT. Next steps include MPRB staff setting up a joint meeting with Cedar Lake volunteers to determine use of funds.