MLA Lake Bulletin   March/April 2004

 

TO:        Minnesota Lake Associations

            FROM:  Paula West, Executive Director, Minnesota Lakes Association, 218-824-5565

 

Welcome to MLA’s monthly Lakes Bulletin. This timely monthly bulletin is a membership benefit to provide timely information about publications, resources, and emerging lake and water resource related issues. Members also receive a quarterly, four-color printed newsletter, the Reporter.  This particular issue has information we want to be sure you have about the upcoming Lakes and Rivers Conference, April 29 to May 1, 2004, which you won't want to miss, and additional water quality monitoring trainings.  To receive this bulletin on a regular basis, please consider joining the Minnesota Lakes Association. Dues are $25 for individuals; $40 for families. Working together we can make a difference in the future quality of Minnesota's lakes. Click here for more information on the Minnesota Lakes Association and how you can become a member--sign up online.  Contact us at lakes@mnlakes.org if you would like to receive a sample of the quarterly Reporter newsletter.

 

Lakes and Rivers Conference Deadline April 1—Have You Registered Yet? 

"Citizen Stewards for Minnesota's Waters"

April 29th-May 1st, 2004; Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge, Deerwood, Minnesota.    

Hosted by the Minnesota Lakes Association and the Rivers Council of Minnesota, this year’s program features five concurrent session tracks that are designed to build citizen skills and an understanding of protection, restoration, and management of water resources.  Citizens, lake and river groups, shoreland property owners, non-profit organizations, surface water resource management professionals, local governments, consultants, and educators—anyone who supports citizen stewardship for water resource protection will benefit from over 35 workshop sessions arranged in five tracks: Citizen Sleuths - Monitoring the Health of Your Water; Working Locally - Threats, Opportunities & Solutions; Diving In - Understanding Lakes and Rivers; Building Healthy Organizations; Challenging Issues for Citizen Lake Management. 

 

Great Rates!

Take advantage of the great all-inclusive, three-day conference rate of $150 per person (based on double occupancy) for two nights lodging, five meals, conference registration, all breaks, and conference materials.  Figure it out for yourself- that’s less than $75/day for everything.  Thursday evening, participate in one of several special sessions, including: 1) a program on the Initiative Foundation’s Healthy Lakes and Rivers Program; 2) a listening session hosted by the Minnesota DNR to hear your suggestions for changes to the state shoreland ordinance; or 3) a fun session on documenting the history of your lake. Or, sit around the bonfire and enjoy some entertainment, find some friends to play cards or board games with, or network with other groups. On Friday, there will be a sponsor reception from 5:00-6:30 p.m., then enjoy Ruttger’s fabulous buffet followed by a dessert bar and celebration of Minnesota’s lakes and rivers, complete with entertainment, door prizes, and a drawing for a small 4-stoke Suzuki marine motor donated by Crystal Pierz Marine.   Come and stay at Ruttgers, learn, network and have fun.  You won’t find a more reasonable conference opportunity, plus if you are a member of a citizen-based lake or river group you can cut your costs even further by taking advantage of the reimbursement stipends for up to $75/person (see story below). One-night lodging packages (including three meals and conference materials) and separate day attendee rates are also available. The conference registration deadline is April 1; after that lodging will be based on availability. Walk-in registration will not be available. The registration brochure, with detailed information about sessions and special workshops, can be accessed online at: http://www.riversmn.org/2004_Rivers_Conference.html  

 

For more information on the conference, please contact the Minnesota Lakes Association at telephone: 800-515-525, email: lakes@mnlakes.org or contact the Rivers Council of Minnesota at telephone: 320-259-6800, email: rivers@riversmn.org . Sponsors include the Freshwater Society, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the Initiative Foundation.  Funding for the conference was recommended by the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR) from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. 

 

$8,000 in Conference Stipends Available!

The Environmental Support Center in Washington D.C. and the Initiative Foundation in Little Falls have granted $8,000 in conference stipends for members of nonprofit, non-government organizations participating in the Lakes and Rivers Conference. Both organizations have a long history of supporting grass-roots, citizen-based environmental groups.  With their support, up to two members of eligible river and lakes organizations will be reimbursed up to $75 per person for the cost of lodging and/or registration. 

 

The Environmental Support Center (ESC) promotes the quality of the natural environment, human health, and community sustainability by increasing the organizational effectiveness of local, state, and regional organizations working on environmental issues and for environmental justice.  To be eligible for an ESC stipend, a member of the organization is expected to attend any session or workshop in the “Building Healthy Organizations” Track or the “Building Success with Local Decision-Makers” Workshop.

The Initiative Foundation (IF) was created in 1986 to unlock the potential of the people of central Minnesota to build and sustain healthy communities. Over 100 lake associations have participated in the Initiative Foundation’s Healthy Lakes and Rivers Program. To be eligible for an IF stipend, organizations must be based in IF’s service area—including the counties of Benton, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena, and Wright. (organizations do not have to be graduates of the Healthy Lakes and Rivers Program.)

 

Eligible groups include lake associations, county coalitions of lake associations, friends of river groups, county lake and river associations, and other nonprofit, non-government organizations working to improve and protect Minnesota’s lakes and streams.  All groups will be required to fill out a brief application form about their organization and submit session and conference evaluation forms.  Stipends will be provided on a reimbursement basis only after all required paperwork has been submitted.  Groups interested in a stipend should contact Bruce Johnson, Rivers Council of Minnesota, at 320-259-6800 or bjohnson@riversmn.org no later than April 22 and register for the conference by mailing or faxing the registration form in the conference brochure (see lead story above for online brochure) directly to Ruttgers.  Do not call ESC or IF!  For more information about ESC, check out their website at www.envsc.org.  For more information about the Initiative Foundation’s Healthy Lakes and Rivers Program, go to http://www.ifound.org/healthylakes/index.html.

 

Nominations Open for 2nd Annual Lake Association of the Year--$500 Cash Award

Nominate your lake association for the 2nd Annual Lake Association of the Year Award, to be presented at the MLA Annual Meeting, 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., May 1, at the Lakes and Rivers conference at Ruttger’s Resort. Crystal Pierz Marine will sponsor this year’s award with a $500 cash prize and traveling engraved plague to the winning lake association. By April 9, submit your narrative nomination of not more than two pages stating why your lake association merits the award based on the following criteria: efforts and outcomes of lake management projects; education for property owners; membership participation; partnerships with local government and other organizations; unique projects; and lake management planning.  The winner and runner-up will be featured in the June issue of the MLA Reporter. Submit nominations to the MLA office by mail at 19519 Highway 371 N, Brainerd, MN, 56401, or fax to 218-824-5566 or email lakes@mnlakes.org.

 

Lake and River Groups Complete Innovative Monitoring Plan Pilot Program

About 25 leaders of seven lake and river groups have completed the second of two day-long trainings to  help them develop and implement a plan for their citizen monitoring program.  This pilot training, developed by the Rivers Council of Minnesota, Minnesota Lakes Association, and River Network, is a first of its kind in Minnesota, designed to enhance and expand the ability of citizen volunteer monitoring programs to gather water quality data and information that will be useful for lake and stream assessments and management.  Participants begin by developing background information about the watershed, identifying issues and goals for their monitoring program, contacting potential users of the monitoring data and the determining the capacity of their group to meet those needs.  They are given homework and provided with technical support through the second session (eight weeks later) when they walk through the remaining steps to develop their plan.  Upon completion of their monitoring plan, they receive up to $3,000 for implementation of the plan.  

 

Last fall over 60 groups applied for the seven open slots in this pilot training.  The selected groups shared a recognized need for citizen involvement in management of our natural resources, and a desire to ensure data collected by citizen volunteer groups is used.  Groups participating include the Sauk River Watershed District, Chippewa River Watershed Project, Suomi Area Lakes Association, Norway/Games Lakes Association, Beltrami Lakes and Rivers Association, Pelican Lakes Association of St. Anna and Dodge County Environmental Quality.  The second round of applications will be released in late April, for August/September 2004 training.  Groups will again be eligible to receive up to $3000 to help implement their monitoring plan.  Plan to join us at the Lakes and Rivers Conference April 29- May 1, 2004 to hear from these participants and to get information about the next round of training!  For more information, please contact MLA’s Director of Citizen Monitoring, Sandy Holm, at rnsholm@brainerd.net or call 218-765-3309. Funding for this training was recommended by the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. 

 

NEW---Water Sampling Skills Workshop

May 6, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Paul Bunyan Nature Learning Center, Brainerd, Minnesota 

MLA will sponsor a Water Quality Sampling Workshop on May 6, 2004 to assist lake associations in learning water sampling skills to begin a new or expand a water quality monitoring program on their lake.  Participating groups will learn a basic understanding of lake systems and what parameters to monitor, goals for monitoring, where and how to collect water samples, how to choose a laboratory for water analysis, and limited data interpretation. There will be financial assistance of up to $250 to participating lake associations to help defray the costs of equipment, lab analysis or other monitoring related expenses. Participation is limited to 20 lake associations with plans to conduct water quality monitoring starting this summer; each association can send two participants. A workshop fee of $10 per person is payable upon notification of acceptance. For an application form contact Sandra Holm, Citizen Monitoring Program Director, Minnesota Lakes Association, at rnsholm@brainerd.net or 218-765-3309, or contact the MLA office at 218-824-5565, lakes@mnlakes.org. Application deadline is April 20.  Funding for the workshop was recommended by the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR) through the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. 

 

 

 

 

Lawn Care and Water Quality

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Lawn and Water Quality web site offers a variety of resources focusing on the movement of phosphorus from lawns to lakes and the resulting impacts. The site contains a summary of the new metropolitan phosphorus lawn fertilizer law that restricts the use of phosphorus lawn fertilizer on residential laws along with links to local units of government that also have ordinances restricting the Use or Sale of phosphorus in lawn fertilizer.   Phosphorus in Lawns, Landscapes and Lakes, a recent collaboration of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and UM Extension Service, is now available online and in hard copy. MDA has another new publication designed to assist lawn care professionals, yard and garden shop staff, Master Gardeners, soil and water conservation specialists, and UM Extension Service educators with issues surrounding Minnesota’s new Phosphorus Lawn Fertilizer Law.  Hard copies of this publication are available from MDA at 651-296-6121 at no charge. An online version can be viewed at http://www.mda.state.mn.us/appd/ace/lawncwaterq.htm.

 

Three Counties Pass Zero Phosphorus Fertilizer Ordinances 

When the seven-county metropolitan phosphorus lawn fertilizer law passed two years ago, counties outside the metropolitan area had the option of adopting the same ordinance. To date, only Crow Wing, Becker and Wright counties have adopted a zero phosphorus residential lawn fertilizer ordinance. In Wright County, the use of fertilizer containing phosphorus will become a petty misdemeanor offense. County officials say the bigger question is how to assure the public will know what is or isn’t phosphorous-based since it is only the use, not the sale, of phosphorus lawn fertilizer that is restricted. Education will be needed to reduce the sale of these fertilizers and to help the public understand the need for such an ordinance.  Legislation initiated by MLA to extend statewide the metropolitan zero phosphorus fertilizer law has passed the appropriate committee in the House and will go to a floor vote. The Senate bill will be heard in Committee today. Let your legislators know you support this law to help keep our blue waters from turning green—remind them that one pound of phosphorus can grow 500 pounds of algae.

 

Zebra Mussels Promote Growth of Toxic Algae

A new Michigan study has found that the presence of zebra mussels in inland lakes, particularly those with low phosphorus levels, promotes the growth of a blue-green algae that produces a toxin harmful to people and animals. The study, conducted by researchers from Michigan State University's Department of Fisheries and Wildlife using samples from 100 lakes, found that lakes infested with zebra mussels have, on average, levels of a blue-green algae called Microcystis three times higher than lakes without the mussels. The number of blue-green algae blooms has increased in Michigan's inland lakes as zebra mussels have spread. Apparently, zebra mussels eat algae, but they tend to steer clear of the toxic blue-green algae. Michigan has 184 lakes where zebra mussels have been found.

 

Don’t Burn Your Garbage

Many people around Minnesota still use on-site disposal methods like "backyard burning" to dispose of their household wastes. >From burning waste in fire pits and woodstoves to the traditional burn barrel, over two percent of Minnesota's municipal solid waste (MSW) is still managed in this way. For most Minnesotans, it is against the law to burn or bury household wastes — it has been illegal since 1969. Burning garbage releases toxic air pollutants that can contaminate our waters. Dioxin is the key toxin of concern as a potent human carcinogen that is especially harmful for pregnant women, children, and the elderly. Just one burn barrel can produce as much or more than a full-scale municipal waste combustor burning 200 tons/day. For more information, see the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance web site at www.moea.state.mn.us/reduce/burnbarrel.cfm for information on backyard burning or the Environmental Protection Agency at http://www.epa.gov/msw/backyard/.

 

PUBLICATIONS/REPORTS

 

Harmful Exotic Species Annual Report for 2003 includes a description of Minnesota’s Exotic Species Program, progress in management of several species, education activities, watercraft inspections, enforcement activities and expenditures. Click here to see the report.

 

Minnesota Watershed Phosphorus Study Completed

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has made public a report on the first detailed assessment of phosphorus sources in Minnesota's major watersheds.  The study was ordered by the 2003 Legislature in response to concerns about and lack of information on the phosphorus content of dishwashing detergents. The study found that statewide, under average water-flow conditions, point sources contribute about 31 percent of the total phosphorus load to Minnesota's waters.  Sources include industrial wastewater, human waste products and food wastes, septic systems and many smaller sources.  Automatic dishwashing detergents contribute about three percent of the total phosphorus load to state waters. The other roughly two-thirds of the total load comes from nonpoint sources, with runoff from cropland and pasture supplying most of the load and lesser amounts coming from streambank erosion, urban runoff and atmospheric deposition.

 

Because phosphorus has human sources, the 2003 Legislature wanted to find in the study what part of the state's total phosphorus load is from "ingested" sources, that is, passed through human digestive tracts and introduced to surface waters via wastewater treatment.  The study found nearly 65 percent of total phosphorus entering wastewater treatment facilities is from non-ingested sources.  Many wastewater treatment plants remove or reduce phosphorus in wastewater before discharging to surface waters.

The full study and executive summary are available on the MPCA's Web site at: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/hot/legislature/reports/phosphorus-report.html

Questions, comments and requests for additional information can be directed to Mark Tomasek at the MPCA, 651/296-7241 or 800-657-3864, or by e-mail at: mark.tomasek@pca.state.mn.us.  


CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS 

Minnesota Water 2004, March 23 – 24: Policy and Planning to Ensure Minnesota's Water Supplies.  Minnesota's population is projected to grow to over 6.2 million people by the year 2030, an increase of more than 20 percent. That population will require a safe and adequate water supply, something that many Minnesotans currently take for granted, but which is becoming increasingly difficult to ensure. The University of Minnesota will address this concern at the 9th biennial Minnesota Water Conference, Minnesota Water 2004: Policy and Planning to Ensure Minnesota's Water Supplies.  The conference is sponsored by the University of Minnesota's Water Resources Center, and co-sponsored by the University of Minnesota Duluth's Sea Grant Program and the Natural Resources Research Institute.  Cost is $145 or $50 for students, $25 late fee after March 9. For more information, visit wrc.coafes.umn.edu/Water2004/ or contact Tracy Thomas, thoma032@umn.edu or (612) 625-2282.

 

17th Annual Enhancing the States’ Lake Management Programs

Effective Monitoring Programs for Lakes and Reservoirs

April 20-23, 2004, Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, Chicago, Illinois
Sponsored by the North American Lake Management Society, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chicago Botanic Garden and several other organizations.  Visit http://www.nalms.org/symposia/chicago/index.htm for full program and registration information.


MLA Annual Meeting, May 1, 2004

The MLA Annual Meeting will be held Saturday, May 1, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort prior to the day’s Lakes and Rivers Conference sessions. The Annual Meeting is open to all dues paying members. The Lake Association of the Year award will be presented, new board directors will be elected, and reports of 2003 activities will be reviewed.  Rolls and coffee will be available for members attending the annual meeting that are not lodging at Ruttgers for the conference.

 

COLA Workshop “Strategic Planning For Your COLAs Future”

May 1, 2004, 12:30- 4:00 p.m. Ruttgers Bay Lake Resort

MLA will sponsor a post-conference workshop for all county coalitions of lakes associations (COLAs) and  county lakes and rivers associations (LARAs). Cindy Bigger, University of Minnesota Extension, will lead a session on “Strategic Planning For Your Organization’s Future” including a model for getting started and doing a needs assessment over the summer. MLA will sponsor a strategic planning follow-up workshop in the fall. Representatives of various COLAs/LARAs will present summaries of successful projects and programs. Two representatives of each organization can attend. A special invitation will be mailed this week. COLA/LARA representatives will be eligible for expense reimbursement by attending the conference (see stipend information above) prior to the Saturday afternoon workshop. For more information, contact Paula West, pwest@mnlakes.org or 800-515-5253. 

 

 

2004 Living Green Expo

May 1 and Sunday, May 2, Minnesota State Fair Grounds. 

The Expo will feature over 200 exhibitors showcasing environmentally sound products, services, and practices. Additionally, workshops will feature everything from how to compost and reduce toxicity in your home to using the latest energy-saving technology and cooking with organic, locally grown food. This family-friendly event will include art displays, children's activities, food, and musical entertainment.

The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. For more information, as well as updates on sponsors and exhibitors, visit www.livinggreenexpo.org or call 612-331-1099 or 651-215-0218.

 

Workshops on Wastewater Solutions for Unsewered Areas

Residents and leaders of small Minnesota communities not currently served by a municipal sewage treatment plant are invited to participate in educational seminars designed to help them get started at finding a viable wastewater treatment solution for their community.  The University of Minnesota
Extension Service is conducting 15 half-day and 2 full-day seminars across the state in February, March and April to familiarize people with solutions to meet their environmental, financial and community needs using an informed decision-making process. 

 

MLA is among the co-sponsors of the half-day seminars, scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon. They will provide attendees with their options relating to wastewater treatment systems, legal entities
and new developments in financing.  Full-day seminars scheduled in April and May are an opportunity to learn more details and apply them to community case studies. For details about the seminars, including a brochure and registration see http://septic.umn.edu/SCWEP/index.html  or contact Ken Olson at 800-657-3516; olson150@umn.edu

                           
FUNDING RESOURCES

 

Environmental Support Center

Funding is available from the Environmental Support Center (ESC) to help environmental groups become more effective by hiring consultants or attending workshops/trainings in such areas as: grant writing training, communications planning, strategic planning, technology training, fundraising planning, and many more areas. ESC funds local, state and regional organizations that work on environmental issues and that employ activist methods.  For more information, see the ESC website at www.envsc.org .

 

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

 

Boat for Sale

Ole died. So Lena went to the local paper to put a notice in the obituaries. The gentleman at the counter, after offering his condolences, asked what Lena would like to say about Ole.  Lena replied, “Just put ‘Ole died.”       

 

The gentleman somewhat perplexed, said, “That’s it? Just ‘Ole died?’ Surely there must be something more you’d like to say about Ole. If it’s money you’re concerned about, the first five words are free. We must say something more.”

 

So Lena pondered for a few minutes and finally said, “OK, put ‘Ole died. Boat for sale.”       

 

 

“We cannot win this battle to save species and environments without
forging an emotional bond between ourselves and nature as well---for
we will not fight to save what we do not love."

-- Stephen Jay Gould


The mission of the Minnesota Lakes Association is to promote citizen stewardship of Minnesota’s waters and to influence and support public policy for water resource management. Click here to learn more about or join the Minnesota Lakes Association.