City of Orono – Lake Minnetonka Bays

Orono covers a wide stretch of Lake Minnetonka’s north shore and includes some of its most scenic and sensitive bays. Right now, parts of Orono already have Lake Improvement Districts (LIDs), and more are being proposed. These waters are a shared public resource, and city decisions affect not just lakeshore owners, but all of Orono’s 8,300+ residents.

🌊 Bays in Orono

  • Stubbs Bay (LID already active)
  • Carman Bay (LID already active)
  • Crystal Bay (LID proposed)
  • North Arm Bay (LID proposed)
  • Brown’s Bay (partial overlap)
  • Smith’s Bay (partial overlap)

⚠️ Why Orono Should Be Cautious About More LIDs

  • Double Taxation Risk – Existing LIDs already impose mandatory fees; expanding means more homeowners will be forced to pay.
  • Liability Concerns – LIDs shift responsibility for herbicide treatments and projects from agencies (DNR, LMCD) onto local homeowners and the city itself.
  • Not a City Responsibility – Lake Minnetonka is managed by the DNR and LMCD. Orono shouldn’t waste city resources managing or overseeing lake treatments.
  • Environmental Harm – Herbicides like ProcellaCOR, Diquat, and Fluridone damage fish habitat, hurt walleye populations, and threaten wildlife.

👥 Orono City Council

Your city leaders decide whether LIDs move forward. Contact them and share your concerns:

📺 View Agendas & Meeting Videos

🚫 What We Oppose

Stubbs and Carman Bays already have LIDs, but more are being pushed—including Crystal Bay and North Arm. These proposals lock in long-term chemical treatments, create new taxes, and shift liability away from state agencies.

📢 Stay Informed & Get Involved

  • ✉️ Contact your council members.
  • 🗣️ Attend or watch council meetings.
  • 📜 Support petitions opposing more LIDs and herbicides.

Lake Minnetonka belongs to all Minnesotans, not just one bay at a time