RLAA Board Meeting Minutes for December 9, 2010

Location: Maple Grove Library (Room 105)                                                                                                                                    Time: 7:00 pm

Call to Order at 7:05

Present - Bill Kidder, George Schneider, Rick Stulac, Wade Quale, Scott Roeglin

Absent - Larry Bick, Joy Roeglin, Nika Rybinski

Guests - James Johnson from Freshwater Scientific Services (FSS)

Approve this Agenda

No changes made to agenda

Introduction of Board Members and Guests (George)

Freshwater Scientific Services Formal Project Presentation (James Johnson) 7:10-8:35

James presented his summary reports on the 2 lake projects he conducted this past season with a Powerpoint deck. He will formally send us the completed presentation along with billing invoice by the end of December.

Carp Exclosure study

2 Objectives for this project:

Are the carp causing an impact on plant growth?

Which plants do best in Rice Lake?

James reviewed the project plan and steps taken to come up with his results.

Yes, carp are causing an impact on plant growth in the lake. If the carp are removed we will see much more vegetation in the water, which in turn will improve the water quality.

Water Stargrass and Wild Celery did the best in sample test plots during the project. Both species are native to Rice Lake (were harvested in the West Bay) and should survive if given the opportunity. Flatstem Pondweed, also native to the lake, did reasonably well.

Plant varieties brought in from Weaver Lake did not do as well in the test plot areas. These included Bushy Pondweed and Chara.

Suggested next steps to accomplish our goal to improve water quality:

Insure that the RLAA membership understands that by removing carp, you increase the vegetation growth, which may be a nuisance in some areas (along shorelines, in shallows, etc.).

Measure the carp impact (track them with radio telemetry devices). This will allow us to establish a benchmark for measuring the number of carp in the lake and how many are eventually removed.

Get rid of carp population.

Encourage additional plant growth with either new plants or allow existing ones to spread on their own.

Zooplankton study

Objectives for this study included:

What types are in the lake?

How abundant are they?

How big are they?

Any seasonal changes?

The study revealed that the lake does have a high number of both Daphenia (larger size) and Ceriodaphenia (smaller) zooplankton. Both can sustain a native game fish population. James explained that zooplankton is consumed by fish during early stages of growth, and our lake has a high number of these organisms present. Zooplankton themselves are big algae eaters, except for the blue-green toxic algae varieties which they are not as willing to consume.

Final summary data for both of these projects will be posted on the RLAA website when they become available by the end of 2010.

James was excused from the meeting after answering some questions from the group about these projects as well as general inquiries about the lake.

Treasurer Report (Rick)

Any new members since last meeting?

No new members since our last meeting.

Current finances

Upcoming expenditures/bills

Homestead Web Services charge for $50 (2011)

Rick motioned that RLAA reimburse George Schneider for %50 of his personal Homestead website annual fee of $50.

The board members voted 5-0 in favor of that motion.

Old Business

Rough Fish Removal project (Nika).

Nika was unable to attend tonight's meeting, but she had previously sent a message stating that Jeff has secured a DNR permit for Rice Lake to remove carp this winter.

However, we still need to find out the timeframe so we can pursue permit from the City.

Also need to have Jeff provide insurance policy which removes any liability by the City.

City requirements for permit

RLAA Board needs to determine if we can meet the City requirements for obtaining a Special Use Permit for access to the lake by Riedemann Fisheries.

City suggests submitting the permit request at least 1 month prior to desired action.

Q3 2010 Newsletter (George)

·         Posted on RLAA website on November 27. Received one response back (positive) on the issue.

·         Notification sent by e-mail to all members (104) with link to website (no attachment was sent).

On-Going Business

Elm Creek Watershed TMDL Project Plan (George)

·         Next stakeholders meeting scheduled for January 20 at Plymouth City Hall.

·         New Project Manager is Rich Brasch from Three Rivers Parks District (who has received our Lake Management Plan and is aware of our intentions on how to improve water quality).

Continue discussions on 2010-2011 projects

·         Potential 2011 Projects for this winter/early spring include:

o        Dredging out boat ramp channel

§         Scott working with Rick Lestina on requirements to get this done.

§         City has asked that RLAA help keep the area free of snow so ice is more formed for the excavation equipment later this winter.

o        Potential Curlyleaf Pondweed problems in 2011?

§         Don't plan for a drawdown in 2010-2011, but reach out to membership for possible drawdown in 2011-2012 if necessary.

o        Plant Survey in 2011

§         Don't plan for one in 2011, but if we need to do one, request it then.

o        Carp Removal in 2011

§         This project is still a possibility for 2011.

§         Do we want to entertain some input from Dr. Peter Sorenson on the topic?

·         To Do: George will reach out to Dr. Sorenson to see what he may have to offer to our rough fish dilemma.

Storm Water Drain Inventory (Bill)

·         Plan on revisiting this next spring (2011)

·         Scott asked if we could have the City check out the cistern on Elm Creek south of County Road 30 located between the Nord and Grefe properties.

Action Item: George checked with the City to get more information on it. Cistern is a Sanitary Sewer and not Storm Sewer. Need to check further with Public Works department (pending).

New Business

RLAA Asset Inventory (George)

Due to a need to relocate existing RLAA assets (winter aerator, PVC pipes, and other related materials) elsewhere than current City Public Works garage, began taking inventory of our current assets.

George started a spreadsheet to track what we have and where it can be stored.

Larry has graciously offered to provide storage under his deck for the long-term storage items (winter aerator & carp exclosures).

Short-term storage items (lake rakes, weed cutters, annual meeting signs) will be stored at George's home.

Nika has volunteered her pickup truck to help us transport to new storage location (from City garage on 93rd and Fernbrook to Larry's house on Glacier Lane).

George will coordinate that removal with Frank Kampel from Public Works department.

Website update (George)

Tracking hits on various pages and posting results on our website by month.  (http://ricelake.homestead.com/files/RL_Site_Visits_2010.mht)

Newsletter page had 40 visits between 11/27-12/1 and nothing since. Is there a better way to get people to acknowledge and read our newsletters?

Eelpout in Rice Lake? (George)

Found an eelpout "spry" in my minnow trap when I pulled it out in early November. Marshal Alsaker mentioned they caught a 12" eelpout on the lower side of the dam this year.

Anyone else observe any this year?

No, but it was acknowledge that eelpout are not rare and are found in many lakes throughout the state.

Task Team Updates

Lake Management (George)

Nothing new to report.

Membership (Rick/George)

Star Lakes grant opportunities - clarification on qualifications (Nika).

Nika has asked for some help on this to submit a request to Star Lakes.

Other Business?

None.

Next Meeting date

Adjournment at 8:50

Minutes (draft) written by George Schneider 12/11/10

Rice Lake Area Association website = http://www.ricelakemn.com