MLA Lake Bulletin       December 2005

 

TO:                   MLA Members and Friends

FROM:              Molly Z. Zins, Lake Stewardship 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.

 

 

MLA NEWS

 

MLA and Rivers Council Members Vote to Merge!

MLA is pleased to announce the Boards of Directors and members of the MLA and the Rivers Council of Minnesota completed a formal approval process for merging the two organizations into Minnesota Waters during a joint membership meeting Monday, November 28.  Kay Cook, past president of the Minnesota Lakes Association Board of Directors, said, “The merger creates exciting new opportunities for the MLA, Minnesota’s citizens, government agencies and non-government organizations to work together in managing one of the state’s most important assets—her water resources.” 

 

The MLA office and staff will remain in Brainerd.  For at least the first two year integration period all MLA programs and services will remain the same and beyond that the mission and vision of Minnesota Waters will continue to encompass MLA’s focus areas, as part of the largest statewide organization dedicated solely to the protection of Minnesota’s water resources. 

 

Minnesota Waters Board Chair-elect Dick Fowler, a current MLA board director, said, “We believe that the lakes and rivers in our state are irreplaceable natural assets to be held in trust for future generations.  Through our programs of discovery, advocacy and on-the-ground action, the people of Minnesota will change their behaviors and public policies to reflect responsible stewardship.”  The merger of the two organizations will be effective January 1, 2006.  In a few weeks, your MLA membership will automatically roll over as a member of Minnesota Waters.  Your membership and support will now be dedicated to sustaining the current programs and activities of the Minnesota Lakes Association within Minnesota Waters.  Please watch upcoming Lake Bulletins for further information on the coalescence of Minnesota Waters. 

 

Lakes and Rivers Conference 2006—Call for Presentations and Papers

The MLA is beginning program planning for the 2006 Lakes and Rivers Conference, September 7-9 at the Duluth Convention Center and we are calling for presentations and papers.  Please consider presenting on your innovative lake association project or sharing your latest research paper on Minnesota’s lakes and rivers.  MLA members and friends are also encouraged to consider which session topics will be most helpful for your organization and lake stewardship initiatives.  To learn more about submitting a presentation proposal, paper or offering a suggestion for a topic, please contact Keri at the MLA office (800-515-5253 or keri@mnlakes.org) and together we’ll make it a great conference!

 

 

HOT TOPICS

 

County Acts to Tighten Lake Zoning

Concerned about lake runoff from new, bigger houses on undersized lots, Becker County commissioners voted Tuesday to tighten anti-pollution measures for “nonconforming” lots that don’t meet minimum size standards.  The new requirements will apply only to those who build on nonconforming lake lots — which are lots of record that don’t meet the minimum lot size adopted by the county in 1971.  John Postovit, a member of the Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee, explained the reason for the changes in a memo to the county board: “A concern very often expressed by lake association officials, lake residents, watershed districts, DNR and county administrators is lakeshore overdevelopment,” he wrote, “Specifically the replacement of cabins/cottages with large houses and urban amenities on small lots.”  The concern is justified, he added, because new development often increases the amount of impervious surface, such as blacktop, which speeds runoff into the lake rather than soaking up rainfall.  New construction also tends to result in the removal of shoreline plants that help filter pollutants out of runoff.  “The consequence is additional pressure on the adjacent lake,” he wrote.
      

The ordinance changes will allow people to rebuild on nonconforming lots, but will require mitigations [taking the place of the variances now used for nonconforming lots] like restoring shoreline vegetative buffers, re-establishing shoreline berms, disposing of roof drainage on site, using a porous paver system instead of an asphalt or gravel driveway, and removing impervious surface in the shore impact zone.  “The objective is to lessen the impact that redevelopment has on the lake,” Postovit said.  To help new property owners through the process, the ordinance review committee has developed a handy worksheet that allows the owner to add up the mitigation units required, and determine what measures must be taken to pay them off.  Excerpted from an article by Nathan Bowe, Detroit Lakes Online.

 

“Protect Our Water” 2006 Legislative Agenda

Minnesota Environmental Partnership’s (MEP) Board of Director’s approved the following agenda for the 2006 “Protect Our Water” legislative campaign.  MEP Board and staff are committed to doing everything they can to achieve this ambitious legislative agenda but they can’t do it alone—“Protect Our Water” needs citizen support.  To learn more, click here.  The main components of the Board approved "Protect Our Water" 2006 include:

1) Clean Up Minnesota's Most Contaminated Waters—MEP member groups have actively worked on this Clean Water Legacy package to develop a meaningful program to clean up the state's waters that are impaired by mercury, phosphorus, fecal coliform, and other pollutants.
2) Smart Investments for Our Future (Bonding)—MEP supports a package of long-term bonding projects that will result in cleaner water, restored habitats, protected lands, healthier communities, and improved transportation. Click here to view a complete list of bonding proposals.

3) Keep Mercury out of Minnesota's Water, Fish, and Kids —Mercury is contaminating Minnesota's lakes, rivers, and fish. Minnesota needs to phase out all man-made sources of mercury.
4) Better Management of Off-Highway Vehicles—Minnesota's natural resources are damaged by Off-Highway Vehicle riding that harms trout streams, wetlands, and other sensitive resources. We need better management of Off-Highway Vehicles to protect our great outdoors. 
5) Protecting the Rights of Local Communities ­— Communities that wish to strengthen environmental protection rules above state minimum standards should maintain that right. This is particularly important as townships and counties consider potentially environmentally harmful activities such as poorly managed feedlots, housing developments, and motorized recreational trails on public lands.

 

Protect Our Waters In-District Legislative Meetings

Minnesota Environmental Partnership (MEP) and several member organizations, including MLA, are coordinating a series of meetings with key legislative leaders focusing on the “Protect Our Water” 2006 legislative agenda and there will be the opportunity to discuss other environmental issues of concern. These meetings are most successful when numerous members of environmental and conservation organizations who actually live in the district participate.  If you, your lake association members and neighbors live in the districts where meetings are being held, please contact the coordinator of the meeting for details and to RSVP.  Please watch upcoming Lake Bulletins for further meeting announcements.

 

Senator Dallas Sams, District 11
December 16 at 1:00pm
Country Kitchen in Alexandria, 4820 Highway 29 South (located at the interchange of Interstate 94 and Highway 29, across from Wal-Mart)
RSVP by calling the Land Stewardship Project: 612-722-6377 or 507-342-2323

 

Climate Change: New research shows the Northland's lakes are covered with ice for fewer days than in years past

The trend of northern lakes losing ice cover earlier each spring accelerated during the past 30 years as scientists continue to document a warming climate.  Researchers re-examined ice trends recently for 56 lakes across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ontario and New York from 1971 to 2002. All 56 lakes showed a trend toward earlier ice breakup dates -- an average of three days earlier each decade.  The new study shows lakes losing their ice faster than they were before 1975.  The study was led by University of Wisconsin limnologist Barbara Benson and continues the research of a 2000 study that already showed lakes losing 18 days of ice cover from 1846 to 1995.  Excerpted from an article by John Myers, Duluth News Tribune. 

 

Carp Move into Southern Minnesota’s Swan Lake

The discovery of carp in Nicollet County's Swan Lake has prompted the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to begin an aggressive plan to draw down water levels on the lake this winter to eradicate them.  Ken Varland, DNR southern region wildlife manager at New Ulm, said the DNR verified the presence of carp in the lake in late November. "Due to the significant threat that carp pose for Swan Lake, we believe it is imperative that a major drawdown of the lake be implemented," Varland said.  Varland said the DNR has known for years that there have been fish such as bullhead, stickleback and minnows in Swan Lake, but this is the first time the DNR has actually been able to document the presence of carp. "Carp are a whole different creature, with the potential to cause serious damage," Varland said.

 

Carp can do serious damage to beneficial aquatic plants and water quality, thus diminishing a lake's attractiveness for fish, wildlife and human use. Swan Lake, a famed 10,000-acre waterfowl lake, currently enjoys excellent water quality and healthy aquatic vegetation, according to the DNR.  Ryan Heiniger, Ducks Unlimited director of conservation programs for Minnesota and Iowa, said DU endorses the drawdown. "As the focus of our Living Lakes initiative, DU recognizes the tremendous value of shallow lakes and large wetlands such as Swan Lake and the need to periodically manage their water levels," Heiniger said.  Excerpted from a DNR News Release, Media Contact: Ken Varland, DNR southern region wildlife manager, New Ulm, (507) 359-6030.

 

Landscaping Can Keep Lakes Healthy: Residents urged to adopt practices that improve water quality
The way homeowners landscape their yards cannot only spruce up a lawn's aesthetics — it can also improve water quality in nearby lakes and streams.  "One of the areas that's sometimes confusing for residents is that they may think that storm-water runoff goes into a treatment facility," said Howard Markus, a master gardener with the University of Minnesota Extension Service. "But all storm water runs into a creek or a lake."  Environmental officials say the type and number of plants in a yard can affect significantly how much of that storm-water or excess-water runoff influences surrounding water quality.  Less vegetation means more runoff.

 

That's why dozens of cities and private, public and nonprofit organizations across the metro area are encouraging residents to put their green thumbs to use and take better care of their yards. Some, like the cities of Woodbury and Burnsville, are offering landscaping and water-quality grants that assist residents with lawn projects. Sharon Doucette, Woodbury environmental resources coordinator, said the city is offering landscaping grants to residents, businesses and organizations for lawn projects that replace turf grass with native plants, reduce hard surfaces, create buffer areas of native vegetation around ponds and wetlands and build rain gardens, which are designed to collect rain and melted snow.  Burnsville offers up to 10 $1,000 grants per year. Environmental officials say it's important to get residents involved in water-quality maintenance. Cities simply aren't able to do all the work.  Excerpted from an article by Nancy Young, Pioneer Press.

 

Gov. Pawlenty Proposes to Dramatically Weaken Environmental Standards for State’s Largest Feedlots

Twenty-seven environmental and family farm groups are calling on Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty to withdraw his proposal to significantly weaken the rules governing environmental review of the largest feedlots in the state.  “A healthy livestock industry and meaningful environmental protection are not incompatible.  Weakening the rules for environmental review will harm Minnesota’s environment and is out of step with values important to Minnesotans,” wrote the coalition in a letter to Gov. Pawlenty.  The EQB will review the proposed rule and decide whether or not to begin the rulemaking process.  The rulemaking process can require that the state defend the proposed change before an administrative law judge. 

 

The environmental review process, which is part of the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act, plays a unique and important role in safeguarding the state’s environment, according to the Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) on Animal Agriculture, the state’s most comprehensive science-based examination of the livestock industry. For example, because it assesses potential environmental harm before permits are issued, it allows for environmental harm to be avoided by identifying the need for alternative designs and locations. The environmental review process also gives citizens an effective means to contribute to the process via the public comment period and a public hearing, something often not available through the permitting process alone.  Despite the conclusions of the GEIS, the Minnesota Legislature weakened the environmental review process significantly in 2003 when they exempted most feedlots under 1,000 animal units in size from environmental review.  Weakening the standards even further through the rulemaking process would pose a major threat to the state’s environment, say the environmental and family farm groups.  Excerpted from a Land Stewardship Project Press Release, 11/23/05, Contact: Bobby King, LSP, 612-722-637.

 

 

LAKE ASSOCIATION NEWS & RESOURCES

Long Lost Lake Association Bulrush Plantings

The Long Lost Lake Association (LLLA) in northern Minnesota’s Clearwater County was awarded a DNR Lakeshore Restoration Grant to plant bulrushes along 17 shoreline sites, which have experienced tremendous rises in water level over the last several years, having a detrimental impact on both aquatic and shoreline vegetation.  The LLLA decided to revegetate with bulrush stands because the lake used to support to several acres of bulrushes, once excellent fish habitat and shoreline protection from heavy wave action, most of which were lost to rising lake levels.  In late July 2005 a group of 28 Long Lost Lake Association volunteers, DNR employees, and representatives from the Soil and Water Conservation District convened to plant approximately 680 bulrush bunches and about 20 flats of bulrushes.  The plantings took about two and half hours, which included photographing and mapping each site for monitoring purposes. 

 

The LLLA Shoreline Grant Manager, Greg Scherzer, explained the first monitoring visit about two weeks after the planting, demonstrated a high success rate with most roots initially well established.  Continued monitoring plans include site visits once each month.  Having also received a supplemental grant from the DNR, the LLLA will be back on the lake next summer, carefully checking all planting sites and determining which require a second application.  With an understanding for the fragile system in their lake, the LLLA volunteers are proving to be exceptional stewards, working hard to protect the lake today with a clear vision of a preserved Long Lost Lake for tomorrow.

 

MLA Developing New Resources

As part of the MLA’s Lake Stewardship Program we’ve been working closely with member lake associations and COLA’s, identifying priority resources to be developed in 2006.  Please watch coming Lake Bulletins for updates on the following:

 

The Shoreland Homeowner’s Guide will offer lake associations, realtors and especially new shoreland homeowner’s a comprehensive and practical tool kit for effective local lakeshore management, as well as strategies for navigating some of the challenging questions around shoreland ownership and establishing a grassroots effort to coalesce groups at the local level.

 

The Citizens Guide for Working with Local Policy Makers is being developed to outline basic principles of zoning and state and local applicable rules, citizen opportunities for intervention, tools and information needed and where to get them, and case examples of successes of citizen advocacy that has affected local government decision-making for the benefit of protecting water quality.

 

The Revised Guidebook for Lake Associations, last published in 1997, will be an up-to-date edition with information on how to form a lake association, examples from effective groups, and step-by-step instruction for getting a viable association off the ground.  The revised Guidebook will also provide a primer on watersheds, water quality and where to begin focusing an association’s long range plan.

 

The Lake Association Highlights, a special section on the MLA’s website, will chronicle a variety of associations and their successful attempt to navigate a given project, the play by play process involved, helpful resources and recommendations for other groups pursuing a similar goal.  With hundreds of dedicated and thriving associations across the state, the MLA is never at a loss for exemplary success stories and the Highlights will offer a roadmap for other Associations to follow.

 

The Revised Sustainable Lakes Workbook will be updated from its original publication in 2001 with more current examples of Lake Management Plans.  The Workbook is a complete guide to developing a Lake Management Plans, including steps to initiating support for the Plan, watershed mapping, conducting a property owners’ survey, planning for lake management actions and much more.

 

 

PUBLICATIONS/REPORTS/RESOURCES

 

Minnesota Stormwater Manual

The Minnesota Stormwater Steering Committee is proud to present The State of Minnesota Stormwater Manual. As a group of public and private stakeholders, the Stormwater Steering Committee is charged to inform, advise and coordinate stormwater management efforts across the state. One of the key efforts of this group was to write and maintain a comprehensive stormwater-management manual that specifically addresses Minnesota stormwater issues.  The Minnesota Stormwater Manual is a valuable tool for stormwater managers; it helps professionals and newcomers manage stormwater in a way that conserves, enhances, and restores high-quality water in our lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and ground water, ensuring a high quality of life for all Minnesotans.  The manual is a dynamic document. User comments will guide the Stormwater Steering Committee’s twice-yearly revisions.  Click here to download or to comment on the Manual.

 

DNR Magazine is a Great Holiday Gift Idea for Outdoors Enthusiasts

Cross-country skiers, hunters, anglers, birders, gardeners, natural history buffs and others can read the magazine's photographed stories about Minnesota's woods, waters and wildlife.  Published since 1940, the magazine features outdoors news and information from around the state and includes a Young Naturalists section for young readers.  For each $20 holiday gift subscription, the Conservation Volunteer will send a holiday gift-announcement card to pass along to each gift recipient.  To order, call the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367), click here.

 

Conservation Easement Book Published

In “Reinventing Conservation Easements: A Critical Examination and Ideas for Reform,” author Jeff Pidot asks the questions, “Are the increasing numbers of unsupervised land trusts and conservation easements throughout the nation good for our (and their) future? What kinds of reforms should be considered to create a greater level of confidence in this popular conservation instrument?”  The underlying premise is that conservation easements should be evaluated and governed in the context of conservation-easement time, which is not the present but the long-term future.  Otherwise, we may simply leave to future generations a legal chaos involving many thousands of conservation easements whose terms, holders and locations may be difficult to determine, and whose public benefits ultimately could be lost.  For more information, visit www.lincolninst.edu. 

 

Minnesota 2005 Legislative Scorecard

The Minnesota League of Conservation Voters has released its 2005 Legislative Scorecard.  In it you will find each legislator's 2005 score on conservation votes as well as thoughtful analyses of the scored votes and a concise session overview. Go to www.mnlcv.org to download a copy (look for the scorecard link in the upper right hand corner) or call 651-298-1977, to have a copy sent to you.

 

 

CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS/MEETINGS 

 

Minnesota’s Energy Future- Clean or Dirty?

December 15, 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Eden Prairie Library, 565 Prairie Center Dr.

You’re invited for an evening presentation with Michael Brakke from the Sierra Club and J. Drake Hamilton from Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy as they present the facts on Minnesota’s energy present and future, from dirty coal to clean wind!  Learn how dirty coal plants are polluting our environment with mercury.  Discover how Minnesotans can ensure a healthy energy future and find out how you can clean up dirty coal and fight for clean energy.  To RSVP, contact Sierra Club Organizer, Cesia (saysha) Kearns at 612-659-9124 or email cesia.kearns@sierraclub.org.

 

Environmental Management at Fort Ripley

December 15, 3- 5 p.m., at MN Pollution Control Agency, 7678 College Road, Suite 105; Baxter

Hear from Marty Skoglund, Camp Ripley Environmental Supervisor, winner of numerous awards for accomplishments in natural resources conservation and community outreach (see http://www.dma.state.mn.us/cpripley/envir/envir.htm).  The Camp Ripley National Guard Training Site has developed an environmental management program that intended to support troops in training while also ensuring environmental protection. Marty’s presentation will focus on the conservation program and a recent initiative known as the Army Compatible Use buffer (ACUB) program.  The event is free and sponsored by Brainerd Area Environmental Learning Network.  For details contact Pam Perry at 218-828-2228 or pam.perry@dnr.state.mn.us.

 

17^th Annual MECA Erosion Control and Stormwater Management Conference—and a call for presentations

March 9 & 10^th at Double Tree Park Place Hotel, St. Louis Park

The Minnesota Erosion Control Association (MECA) is planning its 2006 Annual Erosion Control and Stormwater Management Conference.  If you’d like to share your experience with the group, please submit an abstract or short description of the project presentation.  Each session will be about 15 – 30 minutes long. The MECA Board will review the submittals and make a decision as to which presentations to include in the conference.

 

Please submit your presentation description, project location, and names and contact information of presenter(s) by December 15th to MECA at meca@mnerosion.org, or you can call to discuss your ideas for a presentation.  For more information call MECA at 763-478-3267.

 

MEP’s 5^th Annual Citizens’ Day at the Capitol—Save the Date

March 14, 2006 at the Lakes & Plains Regional Council of Carpenters & Joiners Union Hall

700 Olive Street, St. Paul

 

2006 Lakes and Rivers Conference—Save the Date

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

 

BoatU.S. Foundation Clean Water Grants

The BoatU.S. Foundation, established by the Boat Owners Association of the U.S., is dedicated to promoting safe and environmentally sensitive boating. The Clean Water Grants Program provides grants of up to $4,000 for the promotion of clean boating education. The deadline is February 1. This program provides grants to small, local, volunteer-based nonprofit organizations such as volunteer boating groups, clubs, and associations, as well as local chapters of national organizations. Visit BoatU.S.Foundation for more information.

 

Environmental Assistance Open Grant Round

Environmental Assistance at the MPCA requests proposals for projects or practices related to: the development or implementation of pollution prevention projects or practices. These include activities such as green building, sustainable community development, commercial/institutional projects, low-impact development, energy efficiency and renewable energy; environmental education; research, development, or implementation of waste collection, resource recovery, processing, recycling, and reuse; source reduction, and prevention of waste, hazardous substances, toxic pollutants, and problem materials; collection, recovery, processing, purchasing, or market development of recyclable materials or compost.  Eligible applicants include: individuals, public and private entities. $400,000 available; $40,000 max. grant; 33% cash or in-kind match required.  To learn more, contact Philipp Muessig at 800-657-3843 or philipp.muessig@moea.state.mn.us or go to:  http://www.moea.state.mn.us/grants/current.cfm#open.  The 2-page preliminary application is due February 10, 2006. 

 

Wetland Tax Exemption
Created in 1979 by the MN Legislature, this program exempts qualifying areas from property taxes so as to maintain wetlands in their natural state, providing wildlife and water conservation benefits. Eligible areas are generally those lands mostly under water that produce little if any income. Private landowners can apply without completing an application by contacting their county assessor's office. For more information see the web page http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/water/wetland_tax.html or contact Bruce Gerbig, DNR, 651-296-0515 or bruce.gerbig@dnr.state.mn.us

 

DECEMBER PHENOLOGY

 

The lakes are covered with an ever-thickening layer of ice and a deepening snow cover.  The crisp dry atmosphere is producing slow meandering sunrises and strikingly vibrant sunsets, marking the approach of the shortest day of our year and the inception of Minnesota’s delightful winter season.  The word “solstice” comes from the words meaning “sun stop.”  On our winter solstice the sun reaches its lowest point above the horizon, stopping its descent in the northern hemisphere. 

 

As the earth travels around the sun in its orbit, the north-south position of the sun changes over the course of the year due to the shifting orientation of the earth's tilted rotation axes.  As a result of the earth’s tilt at this time of year, Minnesota and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere is leaning farthest away from the sun, and therefore daylight is at its shortest.  The winter solstice, December 21 or 22, is the first day of the season of winter, after which the days begin getting longer again.  On this year’s solstice take the time for an evening hike or campfire to gaze the distinctive and fleeting winter sky.

 

 

Happy Holidays and best wishes for a wonderful start to your New Year from everyone at the Minnesota Lakes Association! 

 

Consider the gift of an MLA membership for your holiday giving this year—a gift towards protecting Minnesota’s lakes truly keeps on giving for years to come!  Sign up online (www.mnlakes.org) or call Keri at the MLA office (800-515-5253) to learn more.

 

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. 

 

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 join or for more information.