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

Experiences Controlling Eurasian Watermilfoil in Other States

August 11, 7 pm—9 pm at the Gray Freshwater Center, 2500 County Road 19,

Navarre

, Minnesota (western Twin Cities)

Aquatic invasive species are on the increase in Minnesota with 30 percent of Minnesota's primary recreational lakes having at least one of the big three invasive species: Eurasian watermilfoil, Curleyleaf pondweed or zebra mussels. And, as surely as boats will continue to move around the state, aquatic invasive species (formerly known as exotic species) will continue to increase. The Lake Minnetonka Association and the Minnesota Lakes Association will co-sponsor this one evening presentation. Mark Mongin, a lake manager and representative of the SePRO Corporation, will discuss the positive experiences their company has had in controlling milfoil in other states to help lake leaders decide if similar experiences should be given greater attention in Minnesota. There is no cost to attend the presentation, but pre-registration is requested by contacting Dick Osgood, Executive Director, Lake Minnetonka Association at dicosgood@msn.com or 952-470-4449.

Lake-Friendly Development Awards in the Central Lakes Area

The MLA, 1000 Friends of MN, Crow Wing County Lakes and Rivers Alliance, MN DNR and others are combining efforts to publicly recognize, for the third year, homeowners and contractors who have chosen to develop or redevelop their lakeshore or riverfront properties in full compliance with shoreland zoning ordinances and with ecologically sustainable and sensitive principles. Applications from the Brainerd Lakes region are due September 1. To learn more, visit http://www.1000fom.org/ and select North Central Lakes.

"How to Avoid Drowning in Lakeshore Development” Workshop

September 22 at Breezy Point Resort, Crow Wing County

Lakeshore development is dramatically increasing throughout Minnesota’s lake regions. Land use decisions about what we do on the lakeshore will determine the future quality of our lakes and rivers. This workshop will address these growing concerns and much more. Topics will include: the facts about lakeshore development, environmental and economic impacts of land use decisions, five steps to sound decisions, model ordinances for water quality protection, project approval process and enforcement, DNR’s Shoreland Rule update, and case studies.

Who Should Attend? Township, city, county, regional officials, and citizens concerned about the issues related to the growth in development on Minnesota’s lakes. The workshop is sponsored by the MLA, the Government Training Services, and the Initiative Foundation, in cooperation with representatives of Minnesota local government associations and state agencies. To download the registration brochure Click Here.

Drop in Loon Reproduction May Signal Greater Problems

Excerpted from Dan Gunderson’s article, Minnesota Public Radio

Every July volunteers across northern Minnesota count loons. The annual loon count started in 1994, and the information gathered over the past several years is raising some questions about the health of Minnesota loons. The data collected by nearly 1,000 volunteers across the state gives a good indication of loon population trends. It also gives the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources a database it could never maintain on its own. The loon population has generally been stable over the past decade. But there are some concerns about the health of loons.

Loons aren't producing as many young as expected in some parts of the state, according to DNR Nongame Specialist Katie Haws. "For example, in the northeast part of the state where a high percentage of the lakes had loons, the productivity wasn't as good as we were expecting. So we want to explore whether there is something going on that's causing those eggs not to hatch or if there's any kind of a health problem with the loon population," says Haws. The DNR plans to study the problem, and they're asking anyone who finds a dead loon this summer to call a local DNR conservation officer who will collect the dead bird. The dead loons will be examined for lead and mercury levels, says Katie Haws. Loons can die from eating lead fishing tackle abandoned in lakes. Air pollution also causes increased mercury levels in water and fish. Haws says better understanding the health of the loon population might also provide some important insights to the health of Minnesota lakes.

Coin Sales to Fund Lakes Restoration Education

Excerpted from Ann Austin’s article, Albert Lea Tribune

The Lakes Restoration Committee has been working to clean up area lakes for the past decade, but without the community's help, lakes in Albert Lea and Freeborn County will never be healed. Educating the community on how they can help improve water quality is the goal of the committee and other county agencies, like the Shell Rock River Watershed District. But in order to get information to schools and offer workshops on lake restoration to the community, the committee has to raise funds.

This will be the first year a commemorative coin is offered to the community, honoring the work the Lakes Restoration Committee has done. The committee plans to continue selling coins every year to raise money for education. "We wanted something tangible. We wanted something we could do year after year. And we wanted to show the natural beauty of the area," said Cathy Rofshus, Administrator for the Shell Rock River Watershed District. The coin displays a Blue Heron standing in a lake with "Restoring Our Waters," and the date on the front of the coin.

Through the money they raise, curriculum kits will be developed for schools and the committee will work on projects with local schools, like they did by planting a rain garden in Lakeview Park with students from Southwest Middle School. Educating the community is also important and the committee will use media, advertising, brochures, workshops, and demonstrations to help get the word out about lake restoration. "Most people will do the right thing if they know what the right thing is," Rofshus said.

DNR Question of the Week: Weedrollers
Q: Weedrollers have become a popular tool for eliminating unwanted vegetation along the shoreline, especially in the Brainerd Lakes area. What sort of problems do they cause for fish and water quality?
A: Mechanical devices, such as weedrollers, are commonly used to control aquatic vegetation in public waters and their use is regulated by the DNR through the issuing of permits. Not all sites are suitable for the operation of these devices, however. Although they can be an effective method of controlling vegetation, these machines can have a negative impact on lakes, which is an area of concern when it comes to lake management. The potentially harmful affects of the loss of aquatic plants are felt by a wide variety of species, including waterfowl, invertebrates, amphibians and fish. Specifically, weedrollers can decrease water clarity by displacing sediment and destroy fish spawning beds and nursery areas, and potentially impact recreational activities. Lakeshore owners should be aware of these tradeoffs when considering using such devices. A proper permit should be obtained before using any mechanical vegetation removal device.
- Wayne Mueller, DNR Aquatic Plant Specialist

DNR News Release: Pesticide Suspected to be Cause of Clear Lake Fish Kill

Media contacts: Hugh Valiant, DNR Waterville area fisheries supervisor, (507) 362-4223; or John Peckham, supervisor of the MDA agricultural chemical investigation unit, (651) 297-2614.

Results of an investigation by the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture (MDA) and Natural Resources (DNR) into a fish kill in Clear Lake at Waseca have determined that a pesticide used to kill mosquitoes, which is highly toxic to fish, was present in water samples taken following the incident. An estimated 100,000 to 300,000 adult black crappies died suddenly in late June. “Permethrin, a pesticide used to kill mosquitoes, was detected in two of three water samples taken from Clear Lake,” according to John Peckham, supervisor of the MDA agricultural chemical investigation unit. Permethrin was applied to a substantial part of the urban Clear Lake watershed on June 19 and June 20, approximately two days before the fish kill was first reported.

A significant rainfall event that occurred approximately 12 hours after the permethrin application took place is suspected of causing the pesticide to wash into Clear Lake. "The next step," Peckham said, "is for the MDA to review its investigation and the DNR's investigation and make a final determination as to whether any state or federal pesticide laws were violated. It is unclear at this point whether it can be documented by the MDA that there is a direct cause-and-effect link between a violation of state or federal pesticide law, the mosquito control application and the black crappie kill in Clear Lake." The DNR pathology analysis turned up no evidence of other possible causes of death for the fish, according to DNR Pathologist Joe Marcino. The spraying was done by Professional Mosquito Control of Clearwater.

LAKE ASSOCIATION NEWS

Cotton Lake Association in Becker County

The Cotton Lake Association just completed a three year, 44-page lake management plan, and distributed the plan to 246 Cotton Lake property owners. Developing the plan required cooperation between private citizens and government officials from state agencies, Becker County, and the Pelican River Watershed District. As part of their Lake Management Plan implementation, they formed the Cotton Lake Area Foundation through the West Central Initiative Fund in Fergus Falls. The Foundation will provide a funding mechanism for the long term protection of Cotton Lake. In addition, they developed a hugely successful history book about the lake, and are an active participant in the Becker County COLA’s water monitoring program. The Cotton Lake Association should be commended for their long term visioning, coupled with their active lake protection today.

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

Benefits of Buffers

A study conducted by Emmons and Olivier Resources in 2001 provides a detailed analysis of vegetation buffer functions and recommended widths to serve different purposes. While this study was prepared for the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, it is equally applicable and useful for private properties. A basic summary of the research results shows that buffers of less than 50 feet provide marginal wetland protection; 50 to 100-foot widths are needed for water quality protection, including filtering sediments, nutrients, and chemicals. For habitat protection and species diversity, 50 to 200 feet are required. In any situation, conditions such as steep slopes or rare species call for wider buffers. The document can be downloaded from Friends of the Mississippi River’s website at: http://www.fmr.org/library.html#buffers_study

A Web Warehouse of Environmental Information

Metropolitan Council has a storehouse of environmental information, including information on a variety of lake monitoring programs, data from the Volunteer Stream Monitoring Partnership (VSMP), and numerous other water quality resources around the state. The new web tool, at http://es.metc.state.mn.us/eims, is called the Environmental Information Management System (EIMS). It is loaded with information to help with environmental planning and decision-making.

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 University of Wisconsin Extension is 20 pages and is available online.

CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS/MEETINGS

Putting Down Roots: Rain Gardens in Residential Areas

August 15, 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Hillcrest Recreation Center, St. Paul

August 18, 6:30 – 8 p.m. at West Side Community Health Services, St. Paul

August 22, 6:30 – 8 p.m Bus Tour. At West Side Community Health Services, St. Paul

Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) will host a two-part workshop featuring landscape restoration ecologist Gregg Thompson of the Association of Metropolitan Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Mr. Thompson is experienced in the areas of landscape ecology, horticulture and native landscape design and restoration. This program will describe what a rainwater garden is, how to build one and why they can be important for our lakes, rivers and wetlands. The workshop will include a "how to" approach, giving participants information about where a rainwater garden should be placed, soil preparation, plant selection and other nuances of rainwater garden construction. To register, contact Beth Storey at FMR, 651/222-2193 x16 or bstorey@fmr.org.

UMore (Univ of MN) Park Research Center Water Quality Runoff Open House

August 18, 4 pm—8pm at UMore Park in Rosemont (CR 46, between Hwy 3 and Hwy 52)

Take this opportunity to see current University of Minnesota research on turfgrass, including water quality runoff studies and low maintenance alternatives—come when you can—no charge! Low-maintenance turfgrass, no-mow turfgrass, and alternative weed control products will be featured. Open house also features other UMore Park research studies and demonstrations of interest to “the whole family.” UMore Park info: www.umorepark.umn.edu

Mercury Workshop and Forum

August 20, 8:45 am—2 pm at the Walter J. Breckenridge Chapter House, Brooklyn Park (8816 West River Road)

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

Conservation Easements 101

September 15, 9 am—3 pm at the Riverwood Inn and Conference Center in Monticello

The Minnesota Land Trust, in partnership with the Regional Greenways Collaborative, would like to announce this a one-day workshop for all those interested in learning about creating, holding, managing or enforcing conservation easements. Join colleagues from around the state for a full-day workshop covering all of the basic components of creating and managing conservation easements. A conference fee of $50 includes lunch as well as morning and afternoon refreshments and all conference presentations and materials. To register, or for more information, visit the Minnesota Land Trust website or call 651-647-9590.

UM Extension Service Shoreland Volunteer Training

September 16, 8:30 am—4:30 pm at Technology Plus of Mankato, 1961 Premier Drive

Lakeshore owners or residents interested in lake use, water quality issues and protecting Minnesota’s shorelands are encouraged to attend. Participants receive a large shoreland resource book. Registration fee is $60. Register online at: www.extension.umn.edu/water/shore or with questions, contact Gary J. Wyatt, Regional Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension Service at 507-389-6748 or 888-241-3214.

Nonpoint Source Pollution Education Programs—4th National Conference

October 17-20, at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza

The conference's target audiences include professional staff and volunteers at the local, regional, state, and federal levels involved with education programs relating to nonpoint source, MS4 Phase I and Phase II (stormwater), watershed protection, and TMDLs -- as well as environmental service groups that work closely with adult and youth education programs. Here is your opportunity to meet people with similar objectives and challenges who are concerned about building individual and social capacity to address runoff pollution, and who are working to develop creative information/education programs. Co-sponsored by Chicago Botanic Garden and the

U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency. The full Conference program, including registration information and a printable registration form, is available at http://www.chicagobotanic.org/aquatics/nonpoint

NALMS Conference—Lake Effects: Exploring the Relationship between People and Water
25 Years of the North American Lake Management Society

November 9-11 in Madison, Wisconsin – the birthplace of limnology in North America – is the venue for the 25th Annual International Symposium of the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS). The symposium explores the relationship between people and lakes and their watersheds, recognizing that each affects, and has an effect on, the other. The symposium will include a Citizen Day track on Friday, November 11. If there is enough interest by MLA members or others in attending the symposium, MLA will look into chartering a bus to the symposium. Contact MLA if you are interested. For more information on the conference Click Here

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 Duluth Convention Center. Further information will be posted in the Lake Bulletin as the program plans develop.

FUNDING RESOURCES

National Fish & Wildlife Foundation 2005 Native Plant Conservation Initiative Grants

Through this initiative, grants of federal dollars will be provided to non-profit organizations and agencies at all levels of government to promote the conservation of native plants. There is a strong preference for "on-the-ground" projects that involve local communities and citizen volunteers in the restoration of native plant communities. Projects that include a pollinator conservation component are also encouraged. The Application deadline is August 15, 2005. To learn more Click Here.

NOTE: Special consideration will be given to proposals submitted by or on behalf of Lake Associations in 2005. Outcomes of Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) are fundamentally influenced by rights and resource values. If landholder communities have secure land and resource use rights; and the resource to be jointly managed by a community of landholders has value to them; then the likelihood of conservation and livelihood outcomes is increased. The Sand County Foundation (SCF) invites scholars, practitioners and landholder communities to test and assess innovative ways to overcome constraints associated with rights and resource value. SCF is offering grants in the range of $10,000 - $20,000 to demonstrate and assess CBNRM innovations. Awards will be available from September 2005. This invitation is extended to individuals or organizations working in CBNRM. This nnouncement and additional information about Sand County Foundation and the Community Based Conservation Network are available at http://www.sandcounty.net/programs/cbcn/search/. Or with questions, call 608-663-4605 ext. 23. Proposals are due August, 31 2005.

Shoreland Habitat Restoration Grants

The MN DNR has funds available annually for restoring native shoreline vegetation across the state. The grant program aims to expand the diversity and abundance of native aquatic and shore land 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. Landowners who take part in this program agree to establish a shoreline buffer on 75% 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.

* Grant applications due to DNR Regional Fisheries offices by September 16, 2005.

* $280,000 available.

* Landowners eligible.

* 25 percent cash or in-kind match required.

* For details Click Here

Support for Land Conservation Efforts
Acres for

America

, a partnership between Wal-Mart Stores and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, was established to provide funding for projects that conserve important habitat for fish, wildlife, and plants through acquisition of interest in real property. The goal of the Acres for

America

program is to offset the footprint of Wal-Mart's domestic facilities on at least an acre by acre basis through these acquisitions. Acquisitions that contribute to "landscape level" conservation efforts that help reduce fragmentation are preferred over isolated acquisitions. All grant awards require a minimum 1:1 match of cash or contributed goods and services. The next pre-proposal deadline for 2005 is September 17. Application guidelines are available on the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation website: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation/Wal-Mart: Acres for America

Bring Back the Natives: A Public-Private Partnership for Restoring Populations of Native Aquatic Species

The Bring Back the Natives initiative (BBN) funds on-the-ground efforts to restore native aquatic species to their historic range. Projects should involve partnerships between communities, agencies, private landowners, and organizations that seek to rehabilitate streamside and watershed habitats. Projects should focus on habitat needs of species such as fish, invertebrates, and amphibians that originally inhabited the waterways across the country. Preference will be given to support projects that will keep sensitive or declining species off of the Endangered Species List, or for listed species that have a chance for recovery and de-listing within five to ten years. Pre-proposals should be submitted electronically through the online application form available on the NFWF website by December 2, 2005. For more information or questions about the application process, please contact: Corey Grace, NFWF Southwest Office, 28 Second Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105, Phone: 415-778-0999, corey.grace@nfwf.org

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 are due December 2, 2005. Click Here to learn more.

Although alive with action since early spring, Minnesota’s waters also harbor a variety of plants that refrain from displaying their colorful pennants until later in the summer. Early August finally provides both the bladderwort and the arrowhead with those ideal blooming conditions. So it’s right now that you should be closely watching the swamps, wetlands and protected bays for the distinctive little carnivorous bladders floating at the water’s surface, accompanied by the bladderwort’s dainty half-inch yellow flower. Or the striking appearance of the arrowhead’s foot long arrow-shaped leaves and curved white flowers might be easier to first glimpse. Joining a plethora of blooming aquatic plants the arrowheads survive the long winters below the water’s surface, still very much alive. Plants such as water lilies, arrowheads and cattails are tubers, storing nutrients in their large network of rootstalk or tubers throughout the frozen winter, living for many years at a time.

All are members of a distinguished plant type, well adapted for their unique aquatic environment coupled by the long cold winters under a frozen landscape, and are largely responsible for maintaining healthy waters in Minnesota’s lakes and wetlands. Helping stabilize marshy areas, protecting the spawning grounds for many fish populations, shielding shorelines from eroding wave action, offering a protected habitat for countless bird species, and providing a starchy food source for muskrats, beavers, and ducks, these aquatic plants help sustain our pristine Minnesota lakes and are worthy of our careful attention this August, and always.

Receiving the Lake Bulletin, but not a member of MLA?

We hope you have found the Lake Bulletin interesting and helpful. If so, we need your membership support to continue producing the Lake Bulletin, along with our quarterly 12-page, four-color Reporter newsletter and other reports, fact sheets, and youth stewardship materials. Your membership support also helps MLA represent the voice of lakeshore interests at the state Capitol and on state agency committees to set policies to protect our lake resources, and it helps provide resources and support to lake associations across the state to enhance their ability to be effective local water managers. Please join today online at www.mnlakes.org or by requesting a membership brochure from lakes@mnlakes.org.