TO:
MLA Members and Friends of MLA
FROM:
Molly Zender Zins, Communications Coordinator 218-824-5565
Welcome to MLA’s
monthly Lake Bulletin, providing you with timely information in addition
to our quarterly Reporter newsletter. To have material included for
announcement or to request removal of your name from this mailing list, please
send information to lakes@mnlakes.org. Do not
reply to the listserv from which you received this message.
UPCOMING
MLA-SPONSORED EVENTS
On
July 16 from 10 am—2 pm Douglas County lake associations, lakeshore
residents and numerous organizations will convene at the Alexandria Shooting
Park to celebrate the area’s lakes, to learn about lake water quality,
lakeshore habitats and what we can all do to protect Minnesota’s lake
resources. Directions to the
Agencies from throughout the state
will be exhibiting information on the helpful resources lake associations and
lakeshore owners can use in protecting their lakes and shorelines.
Educational exhibits will include the
Please contact the MLA office or the
Douglas Soil and Watershed Conservation District with questions:
320-763-3191 or Jerome.Haggenmiller@mn.nacdnet.net
Have lake data,
but not sure how to analyze and interpret it. Then this half-day
interactive workshop is for you. You will be guided step by step through the
process of gathering, organizing, “crunching” and interpreting Secchi disk,
total phosphorus and chlorophyll ‘a’ data in conjunction with data from other
sources. The first training was held on June 16 in
Cost is $10 and
includes a step-by-step lake assessment guide. Space is limited. For
registration or information contact Sandra Holm, Minnesota Lakes
Association Citizen Monitoring Program Director, 218-765-8329 or RNSholm@brainerd.net
Funding for this
project was recommended by the Legislative Commission on
"How to Avoid Drowning
in Lakeshore Development” Workshop
September 22 at Breezy Point Resort,
Lakeshore development is
dramatically increasing throughout
Who Should Attend? Township, city, county, regional
officials, and citizens concerned about the issues related to the growth in
development on
HOT TOPICS
DNR Conservation
Volunteer Magazine:
Natural Shorelines
Work Best, But They Are Disappearing
According to the magazine's cover
story, "New Visions for Lakeshores," critical aquatic vegetation is disappearing
as growing numbers of Minnesotans buy lakeshore property and replace natural
shorelines with mowed lawns and sand beaches. The result is the loss of aquatic
vegetation crucial to keeping lakes healthy, said DNR research specialist Paul
Radomski. Using aerial photographs of 44
"New Visions for Lakeshores"
describes efforts by the DNR, counties and cities, lake associations, lakeshore
property owners and others to maintain and restore native aquatic plants. It
offers suggestions about what individuals can do to help protect lakeshore
habitat, lists DNR shoreland regulations and permit information, and provides
lakeshore management resources.
Click Here to read the article "New Visions for
Lakeshores."
Legislators Fail
to Protect and Restore
St. Paul (June 30, 2005) –
Legislators chose partisan politics over protecting and restoring Minnesota’s
Great Outdoors, conservationists charged today, after the Minnesota Legislature
passed an environmental spending bill that set a new 30-year low in conservation
funding and opened up 74 percent of state forests to off-highway vehicle
riding.
“
New Law Gives Off-Road
Vehicles More Access in Northern Forests
Excerpted from Tom Meersman’s article in the Star Tribune,
July 1, 2005
The Legislature has reversed itself
on off-road vehicle policy in northern
The measure also included language
favored by some northern
The law passed Thursday changes
those rules for northern state forests, which constitute about 74 percent of the
total land in the state forest system. In that northern third of the state,
off-road drivers will not be confined to a state motorized trail system, and
will be able to take their vehicles on any trails except those posted as closed
for safety or environmental reasons.
Urge Governor Pawlenty
to Reduce Mercury in
Attend an
upcoming public meeting at the MPCA office in your
area:
Baxter/Brainerd:
July 19,
A formal 30-day
Public Notice will be held from
For postcards to
send the Governor or for more information, please contact Patience Caso, pcaso@cleanwater.org or Erin
Jordahl-Redlin, ejredlin@cleanwater.org or by
calling 612-623-3666.
Phosphorous
Brochure Urging Residents to ‘Leave it on the Lawn’
Excerpted
from Ann Austin's article in the Albert Lea
Tribune
For many years,
the city of
To educate the
public, the three bodies have developed a brochure and door hanger outlining the
regulations and how they can be followed.
The door hanger is written in both English and Spanish and explains how
grass clippings are harmful for lakes.
The brochure has more information about what grass clippings do to lakes,
how to keep grass out of the streets, uses for extra grass or where grass may be
dispensed. According to the brochure, one bushel of
fresh grass clippings can contain 0.1 pounds of phosphorous, enough to produce
30 to 50 pounds of algae growth if it finds its way to a lake or river.
For
more information on the brochure, contact the city of
Excerpted
from the Duluth News Tribune
The St. Louis County Planning
Commission held a public hearing on the long-awaited plan, which will guide
development on the popular lake for years to come. If approved, much of the lake would be
divided into high, medium and low—density population areas. Those who own land
and don't plan any further development wouldn't be affected, but people who want
to subdivide lakeshore property or add on to their buildings could see larger
mandated lot sizes and restrictions on how many cabins can be built per mile of
shore.
"You have
to balance these landowners crying because they can't develop against the
overall health of the lake,'' said year-round
If you would like
to share a story about the achievements or updates of your lake association
please let us know! lakes@mnlakes.org
PUBLICATIONS/REPORTS/RESOURCES
Protecting Your
Waterfront Investment: 10 Simple Shoreland Stewardship
Practices
Healthy watersheds make healthy
lakes and higher property values.
This booklet shows how property owners can take simple steps to curb
pollutants, cut runoff, and capture and cleanse pollutant-carrying runoff before
it reaches a waterway. This new publication from
Mississippi River
Field Guide
Friends of the
Mississippi River is proud to announce the Mississippi River Field Guide, a
resource providing information about sites of cultural, historic, natural and
recreational significance along the Twin Cities stretch of the Mississippi
River. Begin exploring the
Mississippi River Field Guide at http://www.fmr.org/fieldguide/.
Toxic Algae can Spell
Danger
Spending time in, on, or near one of
“From Shore to Shore”
Newsletter
The May-June 2005
issue of the "From Shore to Shore" newsletter discusses rain gardens, rain
barrels and much more. The
newsletter is now posted on the website for you to view and/or download. To access it Click
Here
Eco-Friendly
Boating
Love
Advisory
Added—
A "Water Contact Not Recommended"
advisory has been issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) on
Illness After Water
Contact
If anyone becomes ill after contact with beach
water, contact Amy Westbrook at the Minnesota Department of Health Duluth office
at (218) 723-4907.
For More
Information on Water Advisories
Refer to the Minnesota
Lake Superior Beach Monitoring web site at http://www.MNBeaches.org
CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS/MEETINGS
A Conservationist's
Manifesto
July 14, 7:00 pm
at the Open Book’s Marshall Fields Performance Hall, 1011 Washington Avenue
South,
At the meeting of
the Environmental Grantmakers’ Association in October of 2004, a session
announced the “Death of Environmentalism.” The presenters argued that
environmentalism is passé and no longer capable of coping with the other
problems now facing the nation. This summer Scott Russell Sanders will
give a talk that re-conceptualizes activism from the perspective of those who
specifically care about our air, water, and land. “A Conservationist
Manifesto” comprises a statement of what a holistic community and lifestyle
could and should be. Sanders will be joined by local organizers including
the Sustainable Farming Association, Environmental Justice Advocates of
Lakescaping
Workshop
July 15,
Ten Mile Lake Association is
co-sponsoring a Lakescaping Workshop with the
Extension Offers
Shoreland Re-vegetation Classes
July 16,
You’ll discover
how natural shorelines can reduce runoff and erosion, filter excess nutrients,
improve wildlife habitat, and protect your privacy. You’ll learn techniques to
design and maintain a shoreland re-vegetation project, select appropriate
erosion control methods, or take part in a hands-on planting session. The cost
for each session is $15. You may register online or via
mail to
Conservation Design in
Minnesota’s Central Lakes Region
July 26, 7—9 pm
at the
July 27, 9—11 am
at the
July 27, 1—4 pm
at the
The Lakes Region
of Central Minnesota is expected to double in population over the next twenty to
thirty years. While most citizens
welcome the economic opportunity that this growth represents, many also seek
tools to preserve natural resources, rural character, recreational
opportunities, and affordable housing.
One tool for achieving such complex goals is called conservation design,
or the process of developing a particular parcel of land in a manner that
respects the sites’ natural and cultural features. Randall Arendt is perhaps the most
famous proponent of conservation design, and he is returning to
Mercury Workshop and
Forum
August 20,
You are invited
to attend a free mercury workshop and forum that will include speakers and
attendees from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Izaak Walton League,
and legislative representatives. Please pre-register: John Rust
763-424-7973 or 651-635-5930 imgahn2u@yahoo.com
Hold the Date—2006
Lakes and Rivers Conference
Mark your
calendars now! September 7—9, 2006
The 2006 Lakes
and Rivers Conference will be held at the
FUNDING RESOURCES
Project AWARE
Foundation
The Project AWARE Foundation funds
international education, advocacy and implementation efforts that aim to
conserve underwater environments. In 2001 over 100 projects were funded in the
US that involved public education, grassroots conservation and enhancement
projects, environmentally focused research that leads to conservation measures,
public awareness initiatives, environmental assessment and monitoring projects,
and volunteer-supported community activism. The Micro Grant Program provides up
to $1,000 to fund local grassroots efforts. The Macro Grant Program provides
funding of up to $10,000 for regional or national efforts. Deadlines for submitting applications are
February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15, annually. Click
Here
to learn more.
DNR Shoreland Habitat
Restoration Grant Program
The Minnesota DNR Shoreland
Restoration Grant Program is making $280,000 available for restoring native
shoreline vegetation across the state. The grant program aims to expand the
diversity and abundance of native aquatic and shoreland plants; improve and
protect the quality of shoreline habitat; enhance and protect water quality; and
raise awareness of the value of native shoreline and aquatic vegetation.
The grants will pay for 75 percent of the total project costs. Applicants must
be able to fund at least 25 percent of the total. The match can be cash,
volunteer labor, and in-kind contributions of materials, equipment and services.
Landowners who take part in this program agree to establish a shoreline buffer
on 75 percent of their shoreland, including a strip at least 25 feet wide at the
water's edge. They agree to maintain the buffer strip for at least 10 years.
The Department of Natural Resources
will review and rank project proposals during the Fall of 2005, selected
participants will be notified in January and funds available after
Support for Land
Conservation Efforts
Acres for
Small Grants Program
for Wetlands Conservation
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
and the North American Wetlands Conservation Council (NAWCA) are accepting
proposals for acquisition, enhancement, and restoration of wetlands and
wetlands-associated uplands habitat, with a focus on nongame and other migratory
birds. NAWCA and matching funds may only be used for wetlands acquisition,
creation, enhancement, and/or restoration; they may not be used for signage,
displays or other educational materials, programs, or equipment, even though the
goal of the project may ultimately be to support wetland conservation education
curricula. Proposals for 2006 are due
PHENOLOGY
NOTES
Mosquitoes,
horseflies and deerflies putting a damper on your summer fun? The same beautiful summer weather that
brings us out onto
While
our time-perfected ability to recognize these creatures is usually paralleled by
our loathing for them we should also begrudgingly admit the benefits they bring
to
Receiving the
We hope you have
found the
The mission of
the