RLAA Board Meeting Minutes for November 9, 2009 (DRAFT)

Location: Maple Grove Government Center (Room 115)                               Time: 7:00 pm

Call to Order 7:10

Present: Joy Roeglin, Scott Roeglin, George Schneider, Rick Stulac, Nika Rybinski, Bill Kidder, Wade Quale.

Absent: Eric Lind

Guests: Brad Westenberg (commercial fishing partner of Jeff Riedmann); James Johnson (Freshwater Scientific Services)

Approve this agenda

Agreed to have Brad Westenberg to discuss fish removal first, as he needs to leave the meeting due to his work schedule.

Rough Fish Removal

Brad was invited by Nika to give a quick update on their intention to net carp this winter on Rice Lake. They will not be doing the early bullhead netting as originally discussed. Want to insure that there is an adequate access point onto the lake for equipment to haul off netted carp.

Board agreed with Brad/Jeff the best access point may be at south end of Glacier at the end of the cul-de-sac on east side. Would need to clear out some trees for about a 12' wide path onto the lake and maybe some Class 5 fill for a ramp. Need to find out property owners for this land so we can pursue necessary modifications to accommodate the fish removal.

Brad did not expect to have any issues with DNR permit; they have been operating fine under the current statute.

Next Steps

Scott Roeglin will check into ownership and let us know who the owners are and what we can do to make the area feasible for an access point.

Lake Update from James Johnson on Plant Survey results and recommendations

2009 Aquatic Plant Survey

o        James provided a formal presentation on his computer reviewing the key points found on the 2009 Plant Survey (http://ricelake.homestead.com/files/Rice_Lake_2009_SAV_Report.pdf).

§         West Bay is a good source for plants, which can be transplanted if desired. Healthy coontail population and more variety.

§         Key Findings (page 3 of report ()) include:

1.       Sparse plant growth and low native plant diversity in main basin and northern channel (Elm Creek), with dramatically higher plant growth and native diversity in the western bay.

2.       Widespread, but sparse, curlyleaf pondweed and Eurasian watermilfoil growth in shallow areas of the main basin (<4.5 feet) in June (no dense surface matting). Eurasian watermilfoil growth highest along the southwestern shoreline of the main basin.

3.       Very little plant growth observed in the main basin in August, but continued high plant density and diversity in the western bay.

§         James reviewed the native vs. non-native plants found in the lake with photos and brief descriptions of each.

2007 Rice Lake Monitoring on Elm Creek/Rice Lake report

James also reviewed this report, which he conducted with the City of Maple Grove to help demonstrate that Elm Creek exceeded TMDL standard. This report helped get Elm Creek on the MPCA's 2009 Impaired Waters List; Rice Lake will be on the 2010 list.

High levels of phosphorous coming in from Elm Creek into the lake need to be addressed (farmland, new development, etc). This increases the load in Rice Lake.

There are also high levels of phosphorous leaving Rice Lake.

Go to (http://ricelake.homestead.com/files/Rice_Lake_Monitoring_2007_by_CAMP.pdf) for complete report.

General Recommendations/Observations

Need to continue monitoring West Bay vs. Main Basin and Northern Channel to help understand why plants grow well in one area and not the other.

Need to improve water clarity for plant growth. Major contributors to address:

Reduce phosphorous.

Remove rough fish.

Introduce game fish.

2009 was exceptionally dry, which means less water introduced into the lake (flushing). More rains usually result in increased clarity as the water turns over and exchanges through the lake.

James recommended checking Secchi readings against Precipitation totals over the years to see if there is direct connection (improvement) with wetter years. Use the Minnesota State Climatology site for precipitation info.

Continue to pursue projects such as:

Carp Removal (this has worked in other places)

Carp Exclosure (James has worked on these in the past and would assist)

Chara (musk grass) plantings in test plot areas

Emphasize shoreline buffer strips to homeowners.

Aquatic Plant Monitoring every several years

Grant Opportunities

There hasn't been much response from members of the Lake Management Team that I have sent these to - maybe we need to help get this moving along.

Looking for volunteers from Board to investigate grant opportunities and report back to Board.

James Johnson recommended checking into the Star Lake project.

Nika will take a look into this project, which shows lake associations with a lake management plan and direction increases chances for receiving grants.

Treasurer Report

We currently have a total of $7,300 in the bank

Need to file for 2009 LIP on Plant Surveys by FSS; not done yet.

George followed up with James Johnson and he later sent paid invoices, which George submitted to the City for reimbursement of $1,775.

Do we have enough to pay for Rough Fish removal (winter carp)?

We have a few, but let's advertise for more to help reduce costs.

Any more new members?

2 total (88th Place and 89th)

Ideas for how to get more members on board.

Still need to work on this. Can use both Board members and general members.

Newsletter for Q3

Topic ideas:

Page 1 - Overview on our issues with water quality and things we can do to improve it.

Water quality issues and what you can do about them. Base this story on key points from FSS Plant Survey (George/Bill?)

Green Section - Things residents can do now

Buffer Strips

No phosphorous

Keep storm water drains clean

Write up a 'Fun Facts' segment on things about Rice Lake and how we can all help to improve it (Scott/Joy with Bill's Storm Sewer info)

Try to have the next issue out before the end of November (electronic version only)

Lake Management Plan update

I've started a formalized Lake Management Plan based on Minnesota Waters templates.

This will be a very good tool if we can complete it and have it available when we want to apply for grants or any external funding.

Need to delegate some of the specific portions of the LM plan to others on the Board to complete writing.

Decided by board members to reduce the first draft of this into a consolidated format so we have something sooner to use as a basis for grant requests, etc. (George to circulate a shortened version for board to adopt.)

Other Business?

Next Meeting date

Pick a general timeframe for our next board meeting at a neutral site (MGGC OK?)

Board decided Monday, December 7 at MGGC.

Scott to reserve a room.

Plan on inviting our membership to attend and to help spread awareness about RLAA

To Do list

Project Description

Owner(s)

Deadline

Completion

Comments

Investigate Glacier Lane access for commercial fishermen for this winter's carp removal

Scott

What is needed to make this work?

Reserve meeting room at MGGC for December 7 board meeting

Scott

11/15/09

11/12/09

Mayor's Conference Room

Check into Star Lake grant opportunities

Nika

Continue contact with Jeff Riedmann for carp removal project

Nika

12/1/09

Have an update for our December 7 meeting

Q3 Newsletter - Pull all together

George

11/30/09

Q3 Newsletter - Green Section (page 3)

Scott/Joy

11/27/09

Submit to George

Q3 Newsletter - Projects (page 1 & 2)

George

11/27/09

Use FSS major points

Q3 Newsletter - Recruitment/Treasurer

Rick

11/27/09

Can we add something about new member search (board and general)?

Secchi and Precipitation trend charts

George

Per James Johnson recommendation

Minutes written by George Schneider 11/14/09

Approved by RLAA Board 11/26/09