EAGLE CREEK ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD: BRIAN ROST

At left, board president Len Kremer presents a plaque of recognition to Eagle Scout candidate Brian Rost, 16, who with others from his troop in Maple Grove (plus relatives and friends) placed 176 environmental awareness signs next to Eagle Creek, a rare trout stream whose two branches originate in Savage and Shakopee and flow into the Minnesota River.

According to DNR fisheries specialist Mark Nemeth, who acted as liaison to home and business owners on the sign project, Brian Rost and friends worked on the project between Nov. 2005 and Feb. 2006. In addition to pounding in the posts, Brian cut plywood backings for all signs, glued the backings and signs together, drilled holes, and bolted them into the posts. Quite a labor of environmental love!

The DNR signs were required to mark the boundaries of the 1995-mandated Eagle Creek Aquatic Management Area. The signs mark the boundaries for some 120–130 home and business owners along the creek's two branches, all of whom were happy to help maintain boundaries — and, with them, the cold, clear water that's necessary for trout habitat.