The Confluence is the monthly electronic newsletter of Minnesota Waters, a confluence of the recently merged Minnesota Lakes Association (MLA) and the Rivers Council of Minnesota (RCM). It will provide you with the same up-to-date information and resources on Minnesota’s lakes and rivers you were accustomed to through MLA’s Lake Bulletin and RCM’s Thalweg.  If you haven't received this newsletter before, please go to the end of this message for more information.

The ultimate test of man's conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.

- Gaylord Nelson, former governor of Wisconsin, founder of Earth Day (April 22)

In this issue:

Minnesota Waters News

~ "Design Your Monitoring Plan" Training held in St. Cloud

~ Minnesota Waters First Quarterly Newsletter Sent

~ New Association/Group Members Join Minnesota Waters

~ 2006 Lakes and Rivers Conference

Hot Off the Press

~ States to Sign Deal Protecting St. Croix

~ The Minnesota Loon Monitoring Program (MLMP) 2005 Report

~ Is Global Climate Change For Real? How Will It Impact Minnesota’s Natural Resources?

~ Ice Cover Lacking on Lake Superior

~ Red River Volunteer Monitoring

~ 2006 Cannon River Watershed Cleanup

Resources for Lake and Stream Stewardship

Conferences, Confabs and Conglomerations

The Bucks Start Here

~ Minnesota Waters News ~

"Design Your Monitoring Plan" Training held in St. Cloud

On March 24, 2006 21 citizen-monitor leaders, representing nine groups met in St. Cloud for a special "Design Your Monitoring Plan Training" short course.  The groups explored 12 steps to creating a citizen monitoring plan - then focused on their monitoring issues, users of their data, and sampling techniques.  At the end of the workshop, each group completed an action plan which detailed specific steps they will take to advance their citizen volunteer monitoring program this season.  For more information about citizen monitoring, please contact a member of Minnesota Waters' monitoring team: Sandy Holm, Citizen Monitoring Coordinator (lakes specialist) at RNSholm@brainerd.net; Mary Karius, Citizen Monitoring Coordinator (streams specialist) at maryk@minnesotawaters.org or Angie Becker Kudelka, Director of Citizen Monitoring/Watershed Education at angieb@minnesotawaters.org.

Minnesota Waters First Quarterly Newsletter Sent

Minnesota Waters members and supporters will soon receive the 16-page newsletter, which offers detailed coverage of water resource issues and citizen conservation initiatives happening across the state, as well as an in-depth look at Minnesota Waters programming and outreach.  If you were not on either the Minnesota Lakes Association or Rivers Council of Minnesota mailing list and would like to receive the inaugural newsletter, please contact Keri at the Brainerd office: kerih@minnesotawaters.org or 218-824-5565.  Please note, if you have received any mailings from the Minnesota Lakes Association or the Rivers Council of Minnesota, you are already on the Minnesota Waters mailing list.

New Association/Group Members Join Minnesota Waters

Welcome to the new groups that have recently joined Minnesota Waters:

Blueberry Lake Assn, Wadena

Elbow/Juggler/Little Bemidji Assn, Becker

Friends of Lower Hay Lake, Crow Wing

Friends of Teal Lake, Hennepin

Green Prairie Fish Lake LOA, Morrison

Island Lake Area Assn, Itasca

Kimble Lake Assn, Crow Wing

Lake Geneva Area Assn, Douglas

Lake Maud Assn, Becker

Velvet Lake Assn, Crow Wing

Wilkins Lake Assn, Aitkin

If your Lake Association or River Group is interested in Minnesota Waters membership, please contact Keri at the Brainerd office: 218-824-5565 or kerih@minnesotawaters.org.

Lakes and Rivers Conference 2006—mark your calendars today!

Minnesota Waters is planning for the 2006 Lakes and Rivers Conference, September 7-9 at the Duluth Convention Center and we need your input.  Please consider which session topics will be most helpful for your organization, river sentinel or lake stewardship initiatives.  The conference will also offer an exhibit area for businesses in the field of water resource protection.  To share a suggestion for a topic or to inquire about exhibit space for your company, please contact Keri at the Minnesota Waters, Brainerd office: 218-824-5565 or kerih@minnesotawaters.org.

~ Hot Off the Press ~

States to Sign Deal Protecting St. Croix

Plan Aims to Reduce Phosphorus Levels

Hoping to turn the clock back six decades, Minnesota and Wisconsin will sign an agreement on April 6th that aims to reduce phosphorus in the federally protected St. Croix River by 20 percent by 2020.  Cutting the algae-producing nutrient to 1940s levels during a projected population boom in the St. Croix Valley will require unspecified land-use changes and better wastewater treatment plants, according to Jim Harrison, coordinator of a conference at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls where state officials are to sign the joint agreement.  "This will have to get right down to the local level, with local governments, landowners and watershed districts,'' Harrison predicted. "It's going to have to be an all-out effort here to make things go the other way.''

The St. Croix, one of the first rivers designated under the national Wild and Scenic Rivers program, still is considered one of the cleanest large rivers in the nation.  But studies have shown that agriculture and increased development in the river's 7,760-square-mile watershed over the past half-century have funneled more phosphorus to it. A 2004 report predicted the river's water quality would continue to decline unless regulatory practices in the watershed change.  To read Dennis Lien’s Pioneer Press article in its entirety click here.

The Minnesota Loon Monitoring Program (MLMP) 2005 Report

2005 is the 12th year of the MLMP, which was designed to detect changes both in Minnesota’s loon population and in the health of their lake habitats. With the help of over 1000 experienced volunteers, MLMP has completed loon surveys in six 100-lake “Index Areas” annually since 1994. These Index Areas were chosen to represent the different factors which may affect loons and their habitat throughout the state, including: human population growth, acid rain sensitivity, densities of humans and roads, and predominantly public or private land ownership.  This year’s results support the trends first observed in 2004, with some Index Areas showing significant increases in adult loons, and others demonstrating increases in juvenile loons.  Overall, the loon population in Minnesota appears to be remaining stable.  Volunteers visit each lake for one morning during a ten-day period in early July, count the number of adult and juvenile loons seen, and report these observations to the DNR for data management and analysis.  Click here to read the 1994-2005 Program Results or for more information on volunteering, contact Yvette Monstad at 651-259-5120 or yvette.monstad@dnr.state.mn.us.

Is Global Climate Change For Real? How Will It Impact Minnesota’s Natural Resources?

Global warming or global climate change is a controversial topic that KARE 11 news has featured in a recent special report. Minnesota’s lakes, streams, fish populations, and other natural resources are already showing signs of the impact of changing temperature patterns. For the story, and a large collection of resources and reports on Global Climate change see KARE 11 at: http://www.kare11.com/news/ts_article.aspx?storyid=118105

Ice Cover Lacking on Lake Superior

Anyone who knows Lake Superior knows that this inland sea behaves as if air temperatures measured in negative numbers are of no consequence. A large capacity to retain heat coupled with a vast and animated surface inhibits ice from forming well after other lakes support SUVs and ice fishing villages. This winter Lake Superior and other Great Lakes barely froze at all. This has consequences for the lakes and the humans and animals that depend upon them.

The formation, duration, and extent of ice cover influences the water balance of Lake Superior. An ice sheet keeps water in the lake. As the lake becomes encrusted, less water is gulped up by the thirsty air. In March, when ice cover generally reaches an apex, evaporation ranges from less than an inch (20 mm) to over 3 inches (87 mm), reflecting temperatures, humidity, and ice cover. While loss of an inch in lake depth might not seem like much, it can have a big impact on the shipping industry [and ecological balance of the lake].  To read Sharon Moen’s Sea Grant article in its entirety, click here.

Red River Volunteer Monitoring

Are you looking for a chance to volunteer and make a difference in the Fargo/Moorhead community? Here's an opportunity to work with River Keepers to monitor the health of the Red River. You'll learn about the Red River, the process of gathering river samples and how to report the information. Volunteers must be available occasional weekdays 8 a.m.-2 p.m.  Join them on Monday, April 17 from 1-3 p.m. at the S.S. Ruby landing.  To register go to: https://communityed.moorhead.k12.mn.us/wconnect/wc.dll?acecode~GroupCatalog or for more information, contact Christine Holland, River Keepers at 701-235-2895 or Christine@riverkeepers.org

2006 Cannon River Watershed Cleanup April 29, 9 a.m. – Noon

Clean-up Sites in Faribault, Northfield, Randolph, Lake Byllesby, Cannon Falls, & Red Wing

The Cannon is a Wild and Scenic River that, along with its tributaries, provides habitat for many rare plants and animals and offers summer recreation and respite!  The Cannon River Watershed Partnership’s goal is to empower citizens as they form a watershed-wide team to cleanup the watershed.  For more information or to participate in their spring river clean-up, please contact Hilary Ziols, CRWP, phone: 507-646-8400 or email: hilary@crwp.net

~ Resources for Lake and Stream Stewardship ~

For Minnesota Waters bi-weekly Legislative Alerts, see: http://www.minnesotawaters.org/leg_alerts.html 

The Social Side of Watershed Restoration

The spring 2006 edition of the U.S.D.A. Forest Service’s quarterly publication Wildland Waters focuses on the social aspects of watershed management and why collaboration and community involvement take time and skill to do well but are worth the effort.  The publication outlines several approaches to collaborative community-based watershed restoration, and discusseses how to apply basic principles of collaboration on the ground.  Click here to download the publication.

Stormwater Blog from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

The MPCA is offering on-line resource on stormwater: http://stormwaterblog.blogspot.com  The stormwater blog is a pilot project meant to give a behind-the-scenes view of what MPCA stormwater engineers inspectors do and find. It's also intended provide education about some of the newest regulatory developments.  Written by Dan McLean, MPCA Public Information Office; Phone: (651) 297-1607; E-mail: daniel.mclean@state.mn.us

A Wetland in Your Inbox!

The Izaak Walton League of America is offering an opportunity for you to experience wetlands through the Internet. Wetland Sights and Sounds is a series of email newsletters to help you get ready for American Wetlands Month in May.  By signing-up, you will receive one issue each week during the month of April. This series of Wetlands Sights and Sounds will introduce you to some of the ways individuals can promote wetland conservation in their own backyards. and in your community.  Issues will include educational information, pictures, sound cards, conservation project ideas, and links to other resources. To sign up, send a blank email to: join-friends@list.iwla.org  or visit www.iwla.org and click on Newsletter.  

Phosphorus-loss Assessment Tool
Generally, phosphorus loss occurs from relatively few sites within a watershed. The UMN Department of Soil Water and Climate, Minnesota Phosphorus Index project (www.mnpi.umn.edu), is working on a tool to help users quickly pin point those sites (or practices) by identifying and comparing the relative magnitude of risk factors for phosphorus loss.   They are looking for help from people in central Minnesota with the on-the-ground applications for this project -- who can help them better understand who the potential users would be, what tools are currently being used to assess and address phosphorus problems, and what gaps need to be filled. If you are interested in more information, please contact Ann Lewandowski Research Fellow; Department of Soil, Water, and Climate; University of Minnesota at alewand@umn.edu or 612-624-6765.

2005 Report on the Transparency of Minnesota’s Lakes

Click here to view or download the Report.  Hard copies will be available in late spring.  For more information contact, Jennifer L.K. Klang. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Citizen Lake-Monitoring Program at 651-282-2618 or Jennifer.Klang@state.mn.us.

From Stream to Table—Watch for This New Resource

Fish are good for us and fish consumption has many health benefits whether the fish is store-bought or sport caught.  Contaminants found in fish are a concern and there are specific guidelines on how often and what types of fish to eat, outlined in the fish consumption advisories.   Minnesota sport-caught fish are included in the advisories so anglers have some additional things to consider as they head out fishing.  What do you do with the fish you catch?  Food safety practices associated with safe care and handling are important in maintaining the quality of the fish you catch and provide guidelines on the best methods to preserve them.  From Stream to Table is an educational resource addressing these important questions and will be available through the University of Minnesota Extension Service.  To learn more, contact Jean Pitt, Regional Extension Educator at 888-241-0720 or pittx004@umn.edu.

~ Conferences, Confabs and Conglomerations ~

Itasca County Lakes Symposium—Fish Weeds and Water: A Delicate Balance

April 20, 7 pm, Itasca Community College Davies Theater, Grand Rapids

Displays, coffee, cookies and conversation with professional guides, resource managers, and landscaping contractors begin at 6:30 pm.  The symposium speakers include Jeff Sundin, Northern Minnesota League of Guides, addressing 20 years of fishing Itasca County lakes and how fishing provides economic viability; Nancy Lange, from the Izaak Walton League, addressing mercury and fish; and Dan Swanson speaking about aquatic vegetation and water quality.  To learn more about the Symposium, please contact Aaron Alto at 218-326-6940 or alto@mchsi.com.

Nonprofit Technology and Communications Conference 

April 25, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm, the Depot and Courtyard by Marriot, 225 3rd Ave. S., Minneapolis

From Web-based online communications to emails, podcasts, and databases, nonprofits face the challenge of understanding how, and when, to use the right technology to reach and engage their audiences. The conference is designed to provide an overview of current and emerging technology resources and trends, along with specific hands-on tools, for nonprofits to create High Definition communications to sharpen their organization’s image (and message).  Click here for more information.

Environmental Initiative Awards

May 3, 5:30pm, Minneapolis

A dinner and presentation by MN Environmental Initiative will honor innovative projects that have achieved extraordinary outcomes for Minnesota's environment through partnership.  Six projects from 15 finalists will win top honors in the categories of Environmental Education, Energy, Land Use, Private Sector Innovation, Public Sector Innovation and Partnership of the Year.  Cost: $65 - $75.  For details, descriptions of finalists and reservations, go to: http://www.mn-ei.org/awards/basics.html

University of Minnesota Extension Shoreland Education Program: In-Depth Shoreland Landscaping Workshop

Part 1: May 5, Fifty Lakes (Crow Wing County)
Part 2: May 20, Fifty Lakes (Crow Wing County)

For more information and to register, contact Eleanor Burkett at: 888-241-0720 or burke044@umn.edu.  For details on all Shoreland Education Workshops in 2006, click here. 

2^nd Midwest Environmental Ethics Conference

May 6, 8:00am - 5:30pm, St. Paul

The Conference, "Making Ethics Visible," will examine and foster discussion on the role of environmental ethics in community decision-making.  Cost: $35. For details, visit http://www.agricola.umn.edu/ethics/.  Sponsors: University of St. Thomas, University of MN, MN DNR, MN Association for Environmental Education.

Fifth National Monitoring Conference Monitoring Networks: Connecting for Clean Water

May 7-11, San José, California

The National Monitoring Conference will provide unique opportunities for volunteer program coordinators to learn from and share with others in the monitoring community.  The agenda features over 300 oral presentations and 150 posters – 60 of which were submitted by volunteer monitoring program coordinators. There will also be 16 workshops and short courses including “Getting Started in Volunteer Monitoring”, “Data to Action: Empowering Citizens through the Acquisition and Understanding of Monitoring Data”, “Words and Water Quality: Effective Communication Through Better Publications” and others directly focused on volunteer issues.  Angie Becker Kudelka, Minnesota Waters Director of Citizen Monitoring and Watershed Education will be presenting on Minnesota Waters' innovative "Design Your Monitoring Plan" Training program and development.  For more conference information, please visit www.nwqmc.org
 

Shoreland Planting

May 31, 9:00am-4:30pm, Sauk Centre, St. Michaels Hospital and Nursing Home

Participants in this one-day workshop will experience hands-on techniques for specific site preparation, plants and materials, and maintenance of shoreline restorations.  If you are planning a do-it-yourself shoreline restoration, this workshop is for you!  Registration fees are $10 for Sauk River Watershed residents and $20 for all others (includes lunch, beverages and materials). For more information, to obtain registration forms, or to learn about other workshops on shoreland management, contact the Sauk River Watershed District at 320-352-2231 or check their website: www.srwdmn.org.

MN DNR Stream Health and Restoration Workshops 2006

Fluvial Geomorphology and Stream Classification: July 17-21, Fergus Falls
Stream Assessment and Monitoring: August 21-25, Whitewater State Park, Altura

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources offers workshops that teach the basic functions and processes of rivers, the Rosgen method of stream classification, assessing and monitoring river health, and natural channel design river restoration. These workshops are designed for natural resource professionals whose work involves rivers directly or indirectly as well as those who are engaged in watershed-wide resource management issues.   For more information on the workshops, go to: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/events/streamworkshops.pdf  or contact Luther Adland, DNR at 218-739-7576 ext. 235   

Citizen Water Quality Monitors Needed on Shallow Lakes

MN DNR Wildlife Volunteer Opportunity

The DNR’s Shallow Lakes Program and Wetland Wildlife & Populations Research Group are conducting a 10-year case-study project to monitor habitat quality and waterfowl use on 38 lakes statewide.  Information from this study will aide in management of these lakes and volunteers are needed to assist with the water quality monitoring.  The Program will provide basic monitoring guidelines and data collected will be used to assess the long-term health and wildlife habitat condition of the case-study lakes.  To learn more, contact Nicole Hansel-Welch at 218-833-8626 or nicole.hansel-welch@dnr.state.mn.us.

~ The Bucks Start Here ~

EPA Wetland Program Development Grants

Region 5 of the EPA (which includes Minnesota) seeks to build the capacity of all levels of government to develop and implement effective, comprehensive programs for increasing the quantity and quality of wetlands. $520,078 is available. Proposals are due April 21.  Learn more at: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=8607

Patagonia Environmental Grants

Patagonia supports environmental work with a specific focus on nonprofits that work on the root causes of problems and approach issues with a commitment to long-term change. The foundation is most interested in supporting small grassroots activist organizations working on multi-pronged campaigns to preserve and protect the environment. Most grants are in the $3,000 - $8,000 range and the foundation has a history of supporting Minnesota nonprofits. The foundation has recently updated its guidelines and suggests that applicants carefully follow its instructions. Deadline: April 30.  For more information, visit www.patagonia.com/enviro/enviro_grants.shtml

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Minnesota is truly on top of the “water world” in North America.  We are at the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi draining to the Gulf of Mexico, the St. Louis River draining to the Great Lakes and the Red & Rainy Rivers draining to Hudson Bay.  The “land of 10,000 lakes” and 92,000 miles of river is blessed not only with an abundance of water resources, Minnesota is also home to countless citizens poised to protect and preserve these resources for generations to come.  Minnesota Waters celebrates the coming together of Minnesota’s lakes and rivers, the partnerships of engaged citizens and stewardship-minded leaders, and the inseparable bond connecting Minnesotans with its water.  In this light, The Confluence delivers timely news and information on the state of Minnesota’s lakes and rivers, and what citizens, policy makers and organizations can do to protect Minnesota’s priceless water resources, today and tomorrow.