MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Location: file:///C:/9D48BA34/RLAABoardMeeting11-30-04.htm Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" RLAA Board Meeting

RLAA Board Meeting

11/30/04

 

Directors present at meeting:

Eric Lind (host)     &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;     George Schneider            &= nbsp;      Jim Storland (guest)

Chuck Berger      &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;       Jim Malone

Steve Cady        &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;         Rich Von Le= he

Wade Quale      &n= bsp;            = ;         Nika Rybinski

 

Meeting Minutes

  1. Discus= s and approve desired portions of Lake Management Pla= n from Jim Storland (Environmental Lake Management Consultants, Inc.)

·         Jim identified several key components of the plan and their cost/benefit to the lake:

o&nb= sp;       Phosphorous identification and reduction

§Watershed Analysis - long term plan as one solution to help reduce phosphorous. Phosphorous is t= he #1 problem in our lake, but we don't know where and to what extent the sour= ces are coming from. The watershed would be analyzed to find out where the prob= lem spots are and treat them accordingly. Alum treatments could be a partial solution to treat the water before it enters the lake from drainage systems= . Goal of this project is to reduce the phosphorous load into the lake before it becomes a problem. Cost for project - $9,000 (120 hours at $75/hour)=

§         Rainwa= ter Gardens - Good replacement for storm water ponds to catch rainfall and distribute properly back into the ground instead of run-off into the sewers. Cost for project - $5/sq. ft. (do it yourself); $12/sq. ft. (hire a professional)

§         Check Dams= - Alternative to rainwater gardens for controlling run-off. Cost similar to rainwater gardens.

o&nb= sp;       Rough Fish Management

§Carp - ap= pear to be the number one rough fish problem in Rice Lake. DNR has rejected request by Jim to allow RLAA to use seine nets to remove t= he carp (like Fish Lake is now doing).  DNR strongly recommends either commercial fisherman or removing them by angling, bow fishing, spearing, or= dip nets.

§Spawning Bed Checks - Process of identifying largemouth bass, crappie and sunfish spawning area= s and how carp impact these species. Period checks (3) are done throughout the spring/summer. Cost for project - $825.

§Stocking for game fish - can be done based on findings from Spawning bed checks and progress again= st carp problems.

o      =   Aquatic Plant Management Plan

§Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) and Curlyleaf Pondweed (CLP) - both exist in Rice Lake. CLP is large contributor to the phosphorous problems in the lake. Surveys of current plants need to be conducted before a plan is generated. Surveys sho= uld continue for at least 5 years. Suggest 3 surveys per year for a total cost = of $825 per year.

·         Continue with current Drawdown treatments for partial control - This method is most cost eff= ective and has proven to be successful in the past. Cost - nominal - volunteer = labor and city removing boards in the dam.

·         Harvesting CLP - ·         Herbicides - Ea= rly spring application of Aquathol K can be done, b= ut only to up to 15% of the lake surface area without special permit from DNR.=

§DNR has indicated conducting an Aquatic Plant Management Plan will be necessary= for future drawdowns. The Plan would help demonstrate the success of the drawdowns.=

·         Jim departed the meeting and the Directors conducted a vote to determine what projects to pursue

o      =   Motion #1 - External Phosphorous Plan - Steve Cady suggested this be done in 2 parts:

§Part 1 - Watershed Analysis Plan - Secure at least 50% funding from other sources (Elm Creek Watershed and/or Lake Quality Commission Lake Improvement Project). Remainder ($4,500 or less) to= be paid by RLAA funds.

§Part 2 - Aquatic Plant Management Plan - Approve at 100% RLAA funding.

§Motion carried unanimously to both parts of External Phosphorous Plan

o      =   Motion #2 - Spawning Bed Checks - Wade Quale recommended this be done to first establish what we are up against with current species in order to determine control/stocking methods.

§         Motion carried unanimously

  1. Drawdo= wn Cleanup plans

·         Need to investigate dredging out channel into the Boat Ramp bay, which is becomi= ng almost unnavigable due to sediment deposits.  (Chuck will check this out)

·         Request City to remove downed trees that= are causing navigation hazards to boaters. (George to check with City Public Works and Parks departments.)

·         Jim Malone mentioned he saw Public Works truck riding around his area on the la= ke bottom picking up debris and trees/logs. He suggested they leave natural objects for fish habitat, but it seemed like they were on orders to clean up everything. (George is following up with City Engineering inquiring why = this is being done to the extent Jim indicated.)

 

  1. Winter Aerator Activities

·      =   Will install PVC pipe over the exposed aerator cable along the shoreline this weekend. Plan on this Sunday (12/5) = at 14:00. George, Steve, Rich, Nika, Eric to work on this.=

·      =   Make up more Thin Ice warning signs - Will do this in next couple of weeks. Chuck has most of the material and all the sign labels.

·      =   Shorten anchor cables on the aerator = for drawdown level - This can be done anytime once the ice is solid enough or access is available. Placing warning flags on the aerator can also be done = at this time.

·      =   Aerator can be cranked up and work it's own way out of the ice when ready to fire up. Nee= d to wait until all bird activity has left the area and lake is completely frozen before starting the aerator.

·      =   Chuck noted that Aerator Training cla= sses are being offered free of charge for anyone who operates such units. Chuck = and Steve have already attended and others sounded interested in attending an upcoming local session. See Chuck for details.=

  1. Sharin= g Nets with Fish Lake

·         This is not going to be possible at t= his time, since DNR has refused to grant Rice Lake permit to cond= uct own seining activities. This may be possible later down the road if RLAA can prove need to remove carp without commercial assistance.=

  1. Other Business

·         = Steve Cady= secured a burning permit along his shoreline for construction debris. Others are welc= ome to contribute to that burning pile if interested. Must be done within the n= ext week.

·         Eric gave a tour of his home; call hi= m if you'd like details.

 

Next Steps

1.      Submit proposal to Jim Storland for approved motions (= Wade)

2.      Check deepening channel by boat ramp entrance (Chuck)

§         If successful, recommend same contrac= tor to check with George Schneider= for Tristan Bay Marina/creek deepening.

3.      Aerator work this weekend to cover cable with PVC

§         Chuck later got call from DNR Game Wa= rden demanding we place warning flags on the aerator this weekend. People are fi= ling reports to police already it looks like someone is stuck in the water/ice. = Crew working on Sunday will also set out warning flags and maybe adjust anchor cables as well.

 

Financials

  1. Paid J= im Storland balance of $500 for writing up Lake Man= agement Plan
  2. Approx= imately $20,000 remains in RLAA fund at this time

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:55.