RLAA Board Meeting

11/30/04

Directors present at meeting:

Eric Lind (host)                                    George Schneider                   Jim Storland (guest)

Chuck Berger                          Jim Malone

Steve Cady                              Rich Von Lehe

Wade Quale                            Nika Rybinski

Meeting Minutes

Discuss and approve desired portions of Lake Management Plan from Jim Storland (Environmental Lake Management Consultants, Inc.)

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

o        Phosphorous identification and reduction

§         Watershed Analysis - long term plan as one solution to help reduce phosphorous. Phosphorous is the #1 problem in our lake, but we don't know where and to what extent the sources are coming from. The watershed would be analyzed to find out where the problem 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)

§         Rainwater 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        Rough Fish Management

§         Carp - appear 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 the 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 areas 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 against 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 should 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 effective and has proven to be successful in the past. Cost - nominal - volunteer labor and city removing boards in the dam.

·         Harvesting CLP - Should be done early to mid-June when plants are at peak growth before the winter buds (turions) drop off. Cost - nominal - volunteer labor.

·         Herbicides - Early spring application of Aquathol K can be done, but 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

Drawdown Cleanup plans

·         Need to investigate dredging out channel into the Boat Ramp bay, which is becoming 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 lake 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.)

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. Need to wait until all bird activity has left the area and lake is completely frozen before starting the aerator.

·        Chuck noted that Aerator Training classes 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.

Sharing Nets with Fish Lake

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

Other Business

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

·         Eric gave a tour of his home; call him 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 contractor 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 Warden demanding we place warning flags on the aerator this weekend. People are filing 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

Paid Jim Storland balance of $500 for writing up Lake Management Plan

Approximately $20,000 remains in RLAA fund at this time

Meeting adjourned at 9:55.