Minneapolis, MN
Blue-green algae blooms becoming more common in fall for MN
Blue-green algae in Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis on Sept. 16. Photo courtesy of Minneapolis Parks and Recreation. (Supplied)
Some Minneapolis lakes have blue-green algae blooms, and possibly more will occur in other lakes as fall rolls in.
What lakes have algae bloom?
Minneapolis Park and Recreation officials say that Lake Nokomis and Powderhorn Lake have been observed to have blue-green algae blooms in the last week.
Officials say that the hot and sunny weather of September has contributed to this occurrence, and other lakes also have the right conditions for the blooms.
Is blue-green algae safe?
Blue-green algae release toxins that make humans and animals sick, known as Harmful Algae Blooms.
Blue-green algae blooms look like pea soup or spilled green paint.
Though most blooms aren’t toxic, officials said it’s impossible to tell if they are toxic by just looking at them. It’s recommended for pets and people to stay out of the water when the blooms are visible.
Algae blooms and weather
Officials say that fall algae blooms are “unusual” but they are becoming more common with warmer-than-average seasonal temperatures in the area.
Other lakes in the Twin Cities metro are also having the same issues with the blooms.
Protecting yourself and pets
Here’s what experts say to help reduce exposure:
- Don’t swim in a lake when algae is present.
- Don’t play in algae scum or mats in the water or shore.
- If you catch a fish in a lake with blooms: throw away the guts and clean the fillet with tap or bottle water before cooking.
- If exposed, shower and rinse right away.
- Don’t let animals swim or drink where the algae is noticeable.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/adn/3TY7DABTNZRZCZMWBADLY2QNKQ.jpg "Climate change destroyed a Southwest Alaska village. Its residents are starting over in a new town.")
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minneapolis City Council has released its proposed restrictions on cannabis businesses in the city, as the state moves into the next steps of recreational marijuana legalization.
What we know
The city is working to update its zoning for cannabis businesses, as licenses are issued in the coming months in Minnesota.
City staff have proposed a series of restrictions for businesses.
- Dispensaries must be a minimum of 500 feet from schools and 500 feet from other dispensaries.
- Cannabis businesses can’t grow plants outdoors.
- Cannabis will also face restrictions on odors.
- Cannabis manufacturing will only be allowed in commercial and mixed-use areas – similar to breweries.
Context
Earlier this month, the state met with cities to provide guidance on cannabis restrictions that cities can implement under the new state law.
Just last week, the City of St. Paul passed a similar set of restrictions on cannabis businesses.
What’s next?
The proposed zoning restrictions are still in the early stages of consideration and need further approval from the council.
Currently, the Office of Cannabis Management expects to finalize its draft rules for businesses in early 2025. The licensing process is expected to start in 2025 after the rules are in place. Currently, cannabis sales are only allowed on tribal lands.
Drivers who use I-94 to make the trip from Minneapolis to St. Paul and the east metro suburbs will be on detour this weekend as the Minnesota Department of Transportation shuts down a long stretch of the freeway.
Eastbound lanes will be closed from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday between Hwy. 280 and Western Avenue, MnDOT said.
Drivers will be rerouted north on Hwy. 280 to eastbound Hwy. 36 to southbound I-35E.
Crews will use the weekend to inspect and repair bridge decks, clean and repair stormwater drainage structures, remove overgrown vegetation, replace and repair lighting, and remove graffiti on bridges and noise walls said MnDOT spokesman Kent Barnard.
A new park has opened in northeast Minneapolis featuring walking paths, a riverside landing, picnic tables, and hundreds of native plants.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board partnered with Graco Inc. and the Mississippi
Watershed Management Organization on the project.
Graco Park is named after the company, which is located right next to the property north of the Plymouth Avenue bridge near Boom Island Park.
“This is another monumental milestone in our ongoing, decades long mission to transition Minneapolis’ northern riverfront to being fully accessible,” said board president Meg Forney.
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She said Graco Park is part of a bigger vision to turn the city’s northern riverfront into a string of continuous parks.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board purchased the land from the Sheer Brothers Lumber company in 2010 with the intentions to rehabilitate the land, Minneapolis parks superintendent Al Bangoura said. In that time frame, the board was able to restore Halls Island and its ecosystem.
The island is located directly across from Graco Park.
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board with partners at a ribbon cutting ceremony of Graco Park. Courtesy of Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
A building located in the park will provide spaces for an incoming dance company and public use creative studio set to open in 2025.
Bangoura said it’s “where young people can come to a space and use their creative imaginations.”
The park also features geothermal heated sidewalks, which will prevent ice and keep the salt that is often used in Minnesota winter out of the waters.
There are plans to connect Graco Park’s riverfront to Boom Island Park’s trail under the Plymouth Avenue Bridge.
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