The Confluence                 December  2006

The Confluence is the monthly electronic newsletter of Minnesota Waters. This newsletter will provide you with up-to-date information and resources on Minnesota’s lakes and rivers.  If you haven't received this newsletter before, please go to the end of this message for more information.

“The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all,

our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it, and to

foster its renewal, is our only hope.”

Wendell Berry

In this issue:

Minnesota Waters News

~ Minnesota Waters Supports MCEA Petition to DNR for Shoreland Rulemaking

~ Minnesota Waters Concerned About Proposed Wild & Scenic River Rules

~ Conservation Partnership Grant Recipients Announced

~ Minnesota Waters Annual Meeting, January 23

~ Minnesota Lake Ecology Workshops Train West Metro Teachers

Hot Off the Press

~ Pawlenty Cabinet Gets a Shake Up—New DNR Commissioner Announced  

~ No Permit Needed to Spray Pesticides Over Water

~ Global Warming Is a Threat to the Boundary Waters (BWCAW)

~ Reminder-Health Dangers of Wood Smoke

~ Crosby Loon Gets Free Plan Ride to Florida

 Resources for Lake and Stream Stewardship

Conferences, Confabs and Conglomerations

The Bucks Start Here- Funding Resources

~ Minnesota Waters News ~

Minnesota Waters Supports MCEA Petition to DNR for Shoreland Rulemaking

On October 20, the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) petitioned the Minnesota DNR for statewide rulemaking on shoreland management using the alternative shoreland standards developed through the North Central Lakes Project as the basis for rulemaking. In a letter to DNR Commissioner Gene Merriam, Minnesota Waters supported MCEA’s petition stating, “Minnesota’s lake shoreleands are being rapidly developed, with sensitive, shallow, natural environment lakes and our vast river shorelands as the next frontier of development. The current Minnesota shoreland standards, last revised in 1989, do not adequately protect our waters from the cumulative impacts of today’s shoreland development patterns.  More protective shoreland standards consistently applied are needed if future generations are to be guaranteed the enjoyment of Minnesota’s lakes and rivers.”

In their petition to the DNR, MCEA points out the DNR’s legislative mandate to “in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare, provide guidance for the wise development of the shorelands of public waters and thus preserve and enhance the quality of surface waters; to preserve the economic and natural environmental values of shorelands; and to provide for the wise use of water and related land resources of the state.”  The law also requires the DNR to ensure that Minnesota’s shoreland regulations are current and in keeping with demands on the resources and the most up-to-date science.  Minnesota Waters and MCEA concur that given the advanced age of the current regulations and their lack of relevance to demands and current science, it is time for the DNR to adopt the more current standards in order to meet its statutory obligations.  Since required science-based findings-of-fact (SONAR) for rulemaking is essentially completed, there should be no substantive reason why the DNR cannot move forward with the request as its responsibility to the people of the state of Minnesota.  

The DNR has 60 days to provide an answer to the petition; discussions with Minnesota Waters and MCEA are in progress. An affirmative answer would essentially start the rulemaking process; a negative declaration could leave the agency open to a court challenge. Click here to read Minnesota Water’s letter to Commissioner Merriam.

Minnesota Waters Concerned About Proposed Wild & Scenic River Rules

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has invited comments on proposed amendments to rules governing the management of the stretch of Mississippi designated as Scenic and Recreational under the Minnesota Wild and Scenic River Act from St. Cloud to Anoka.  According to the DNR, these new rules are driven by a need to allow cities to manage their development, and to make the cities more accountable for their development decisions.  Minnesota Waters has concerns about the proposed rule changes.

Under current rules, the DNR has specific permitted and non-permitted development standards within Scenic and Recreational land use districts.  The proposed rules create four new land use districts to replace the current ones.  A quick overview of new district locations and definitions makes it clear they indeed offer cities greater flexibility for development, but one must ask, do the districts offer toomuch flexibility?  The two new land use districts causing the most concern are Rivertown and Rivertown Expansion.  Rivertown districts are existing developed areas and Rivertown Expansion districts are developed or developing areas adjoining an existing urban area where municipal services are available or planned to be available.  Land use decisions in these two districts will be made entirely by local governments, with the only restrictions being some shoreline and bluff setbacks and limiting buildings in Rivertown Expansion to residential. 

In addition to the new land use districts, the new rules will also remove DNR oversight of cluster developments, remove DNR certification of variances within Rivertown and Rivertown Expansion districts, remove identification of potential scenic easements, and remove tributaries to the Mississippi from Wild and Scenic designation.

These new rules have the DNR walking away from their responsibility of management and oversight of this unique section of the Mississippi River.  Allowing development decisions to be made at the local level is not always bad, but by setting no minimum standards, what guarantee does the DNR have that forthcoming development decisions will be made with the ecological integrity of the river in mind?

The DNR is proposing to amend the Wild and Scenic rules on the St. Cloud stretch of the Mississippi only.  The rules that will be adopted in the St. Cloud region will set precedence for how Wild and Scenic rivers are managed throughout the state.  There are some pressing questions that need to be asked – and answered. 

• Will the DNR’s new rules increase or foster degradation of the river? 
• Do these new rules maintain the policy of the Wild and Scenic River Act?
• The DNR says they are revising their rules to address the unforeseen development along the river corridor in the St. Cloud region.  Why have they chosen to address the development pressures by just allowing more of it, and with no oversight by the DNR? 
• If the DNR claims that the proposed land use districts will allow them to better control development, then why are they not setting any minimum standards? 
• Are these land use decisions ecologically based, or based solely on the presence of development pressures?

Minnesota Waters urges interested parties to submit comments on the rules. Click here to view the rules. Comments should be submitted before Jan. 12 to Rebecca Wooden, Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, Box 32, St. Paul, MN 55155;  (651) 259-5717 or e-mail her at rebecca.wooden@dnr.state.mn.us.

Support Minnesota Waters and Receive Rivers of America

In this Holiday season of giving gifts, please consider a gift to Minnesota Waters to help support its mission of promoting responsible stewardship of Minnesota’s water resources by engaging citizens, state and local policy makers and other like-minded partners in the protection and restoration of our lakes and rivers. With a gift of $500 or more, you will receive a complimentary copy of Tim Palmer’s new book, Rivers of America—a $40 value. Tim has been involved with rivers since 1970 as a writer, photographer, planner, conservationist, speaker and consultant to citizen organizations and has received many national awards. Rivers of Life is the newest of 17 books he has written.  For members and others interested in joining or supporting Minnesota Waters, please click here.  Thank you for your support.

Minnesota Waters Annual Meeting- Mark Your Calendars

January 23, 2007, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Maple Grove Community, Maple Grove, Minnesota 

Minnesota Waters will host the 2007 annual membership meeting on January 23, 2007, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Rd, Maple Grove, Minnesota.  The meeting will be a celebration of the first year of Minnesota Waters with program highlights, lake and river awards, and time for networking among members. Please RSVP your attendance  to annan@minnesotawaters.org.  For directions to the Community Center, click here.

Going South for the Winter?  

If you’re heading south for the winter, please notify the Minnesota Waters office of your temporary address and email to insure you receive our correspondence. Email angels@minnesotawaters.org or call 800-515-5253.

Update to Minnesota Waters email addresses

During the past year, the Rivers Council and Minnesota Lakes Association emails have been kept open for transition of communications. Those accounts are being closed down, all correspondence to Minnesota Waters should be updated to info@minnesotawaters.org or individual staff emails, (first name)(last initial)@minnesotawaters.org. For example, to contact Bruce Johnson, Executive Director, email to: brucej@minnesotawaters.org.

Minnesota Waters’ Conservation Partnership Grant Recipients Announced

Minnesota Waters is pleased to announce the Lake and Stream Conservation Partnership Grant Recipients have been selected!  Many excellent and innovative proposals were submitted from groups across the state and among those selected were eight outstanding projects demonstrating plans for exemplary shoreline and aquatic habitat protection or restoration.  An Advisory Committee with representatives from the Department of Natural Resources, the Pollution Control Agency, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts, Minnesota Rural Water Association and Minnesota Waters guided the Grant Program development and awardees selection. 

The Conservation Partnership, made possible with funding to Minnesota Waters from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Anheuser Busch Michelob Golden Draft Light, provides funding assistance for lake and river groups across the state carrying out shoreland habitat improvement and restoration projects or lake and river inventorying and assessment projects to guide water resource improvement, restoration and management.  The following were selected for Conservation Partnership Awards and project implementation in 2007:

-          Briggs Lake Chain Association (Sherburne County), Restoration and Education Action: increasing the number of lakeshore restoration and other conservation projects on the chain of lakes, including an education component and a “coupon process” allowing information providers to assist their customers with funding and technical assistance for conservation projects.

-          City of Birchwood Village (Washington County), White Bear Lake Stormwater Treatment: includes the design and reconstruction of the parking lot to improve the treatment of stormwater runoff through porous pavement, prior to discharge into White Bear Lake.

-          Friends of the Minnesota Valley (Hennepin County), New Auburn Stormwater Rain Gardens: in partnership with Sibley County and the City of New Auburn, the project will collect the City’s stormwater in rain gardens before draining into High Island Lake.

-          Geneva Lake Association (Douglas County), Lake Geneva Rain Gardens: improve infiltration and reduce the volume of water that reaches the lake through a washout gully by providing financial and technical rain garden development assistance to homeowners in the critical lake watershed.

-          Middle Fork Crow Watershed District (Kandiyohi County), Rain Garden Education and Implementation: educational workshops for landowners to learn how to design and install their own rain garden, focusing on implementing rain gardens with workshop participants.

-          Spirit Lake Association (Wadena County ), City of Menagha Stormwater Management Showcase: in partnership with the Laestadian Church, the Association is developing effective stormwater practice designs for implementation at the new Church building site and as a community showcase example for stormwater management around Spirit Lake.

-          Stearns Soil and Water Conservation District, Shoreland Restoration Projects: restore shoreland properties through removing structural practices and/or non native vegetation, and replacing with native vegetation.

-          Thirty Lakes Watershed District (Crow Wing County), Biological Monitoring and Wetland Health Evaluation: track the health of a biological system (macroinvertebrates), measuring and evaluating the consequences of human activities and pollution on those systems. 

Congratulations to the Conservation Partnership Grant Recipients!  We look forward to working with these groups on their exciting locally-led lake and stream protection projects in 2007.

Minnesota Lake Ecology  Workshops Train West Metro Teachers

With funding support from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) Cynthia Krieg Memorial Watershed Stewardship Fund, Minnesota Waters held successful Minnesota Lake Ecology curriculum teacher workshops on November 9 and 10 in the west metro.  In total, 21 teachers attended the trainings to learn more about the curriculum and experiential education practices for watershed stewardship.  Early in 07, Minnesota Waters will select five participant classrooms for Lake Ecology mini-grants to fund watershed stewardship service-learning projects in the MCWD.

~ Hot Off the Press ~

Pawlenty Cabinet Gets a Shake Up—New DNR Commissioner Announced

Gov. Pawlenty has reshuffled his cabinet. Two key commissioners are leaving and another has asked for a demotion. Pawlenty's commissioners of finance and natural resources are stepping down. The revenue commissioner asked for a demotion and has been replaced. The moves come just one month before Pawlenty is set to begin his second term. DNR Commissioner Gene Merriam has resigned leaving on his own volition, though some inside and outside the agency wondered if Pawlenty didn't prompt the change to bring new direction to the DNR. Current DNR Deputy Commissioner Mark Holsten will replace Merriam as the new Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources.  Holsten served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for ten years, including as Chair of the House Environmental & Natural Resources Finance Committee. As Deputy Commissioner, Holsten oversaw all legislative and budgetary functions for the agency and had general administrative oversight of operations. He was also responsible for the Division of Fish and Wildlife and regional offices in Northwestern, Northeastern, Central and Southern Minnesota.

Additionally, the Governor appointed Brad Moore, acting commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency,  as the permanent MPCA Commissioner. Moore previously served as Assistant Commissioner of the Minnesota DNR, where he oversaw seven divisions including Enforcement, ecological Services, Waters, and Lands and Minerals and worked on the commissioner’s management team to establish strategic direction, develop policy, and manage the department’s $300 million annual budget. He also helped develop and implement recommendations to improve the competitiveness of Minnesota’s primary forest products industry.

No Permit Needed to Spray Pesticides Over Water

The Bush administration pleased farmers and frustrated environmentalists by recently declaring

that pesticides can be sprayed into and over waters without first obtaining special permits.

The heavily lobbied decision is supposed to settle a dispute that has roiled federal courts and divided state regulators. It's popular among those who spray pesticides for a living, but it worries those who fear poisoned waters will result. "Pesticides are intended to kill living organisms, something that most would consider an adverse effect on the environment," noted Janette K. Brimmer, legal director for the St. Paul-based Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. The EPA decision gave pest operators what they wanted—to be able to respond rapidly when waterborne pests are found.  After extensive public comment, EPA officials concluded that a pesticide, when it's deliberately applied, isn't a "pollutant" under the terms of the 1972 Clean Water Act, which doesn’t specifically include pesticides in the list of items covered under the Act. Environmentalists content that lawmakers did, however, specify a litany of similar types of substances, equally harmful, such as "chemical wastes, biological materials, radioactive materials ... and agricultural waste” in the Clean Water Act.  

Global Warming Is a Threat to the Boundary Waters (BWCAW)

At a recent lecture at the Science Museum of Minnesota, Lee Frelich, a BWCAW expert from the University of Minnesota, spoke about the possible effects global warming could have on the Boundary Waters. He warned that climate change is going to alter what plant species the BWCAW can support. The introduction of exotic animal species, often because of increased temperatures,is accelerating the alteration of the forest. The solution, said Frelich, is to "do everything possible to reduce global warming and the movement of invasive species."  Paul Douglas, meteorologist for WCCO TV, stressed that "this [issue] has nothing to do with politics; it has everything to do with science.” Global warming is largely human-induced, he said, and efforts need to be made to change that through sustainability and taking personal responsibility. J. Drake Hamilton of Fresh Energy told participants that reducing global warming is a complicated issue because it concerns everyday lifestyles. She encouraged individuals to fight global warming through recycling, buying Energy Star appliances, and buying green power from local utilities, which are required to offer such opportunities. Also, buy local and drive less, and encourage similar activities in your school, business and church. She noted it is extremely important that federal government policies are passed to cut emissions of fossil fuels, the number-one contributor to global warming.

Reminder-Health Dangers of Wood Smoke

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) want to remind citizens of the health dangers from wood smoke especially from fireplaces, older wood stoves and “backyard” boilers.  These appliances pose the greatest threat to owners, but can also affect neighbors.

Wood smoke is full of harmful fine particles that can irritate eyes and throat, and trigger respiratory and cardiovascular problems.   Smoke from backyard recreational fires can trigger the same health problems and may spread indoors to neighboring homes through intake vents or windows.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the average fireplace creates 3,000 times more fine particles than a natural gas furnace.  Even an EPA-certified wood stove creates 168 times more fine particles than a natural gas furnace.  The MPCA strongly encourages those who do burn wood to be a good neighbor by building only small hot fires with dry, seasoned hardwoods. It’s important to properly maintain your stove and chimney. Never burn green wood, plastics, garbage, colored newsprint or treated wood, and always be considerate of family members and neighbors who may have lung or heart problems. 

Crosby Loon Gets Free Plan Ride to Florida

When Lynn Harker, a Crosby resident, went out ice fishing a few weeks ago he came home with feathers instead of fins. He was setting his fish house on Rabbit Lake when he noticed an unusual number of eagles circling the lake. Harker discovered what the eagles were after: a young loon was swimming in a hole in the ice. When the eagles would dive for the bird, it would dive below the surface to escape capture. Harker was able to capture the loon and take it to the Wild and Free Program in Garrison. Soon the loon will be flying free on a plane to sunny Florida to join many other loon-loving Minnesotans escaping the winter. Click here for the details, including a photo of Harker with the loon and how you can support the Wild & Free Program.

~ Resources for Lake and Stream Stewardship ~

A Guide to Understanding Property Taxes

The Minnesota Seasonal Recreational Property Owners (MSRPO) Association has recently released “Understanding Your Property Taxes: An Educational Guide for Minnesotans” to provide a better understanding of your 2007 property tax bill. To learn more about limited market value issues, candidate survey results, right to vote, and other issues for seasonal property owners, participate in the MSRPO blog at http://msrpo.e-newsletters.biz/blog/

New Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently released a draft guide to help communities, watershed organizations, and local, state, tribal and federal environmental agencies to develop and implement watershed plans to meet water quality standards and protect water resources.  The Handbook for Developing Water Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters offers practical tips and a robust framework to help any and all local or regional watershed planning efforts.  EPA intends for the Handbook to supplement the many good watershed planning guides developed by other agencies, universities, and nonprofit organizations.  Order a free paper copy of the Handbook from the National Service Center for Environmental Publications by contacting NSCEP at (800) 490-9198 or e-mail  ncepimal@one.net, and request EPA document number EPA-841-B-05-005.  You may also download a PDF version of the Handbook for free at http://www.epa.gov/nps/watershed_handbook/

~ Conferences, Confabs and Conglomerations ~

Serving in Public Office

January 5, Little Falls

The Initiative Foundation is holding this special workshop to help all kinds of elected officials do a better job of representing the people who have elected them to office.  This workshop is for City Council Members, Mayors, Township Supervisors, County Commissioners, School Board Members and those elected to State Office. For more information visit www.ifound.org, contact Leah Posterick at lposterick@ifound.org or call toll free at 877-632-9255 for registration or more information.

MEP 2007 Legislative Reception & Forum

January 8, 2007, 5 – 8 p.m., Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul

The Minnesota Environmental Partnership (MEP) Legislative Forum is a great opportunity to meet Minnesota’s legislative leadership and discuss the important environmental issues that are expected to arise this legislative session. Cost is $20 with advance registration; $25 at the door. If you are interested in volunteering to work at this event, your registration fee may be waived. Contact Janelle Sorenson, 612-722-5355 to find out what jobs need to be filled. Register Here !

Grant Writing Workshop

January 9, 8:30 – noon, Little Falls

A valuable opportunity to hear professional writers and reviewers present techniques for researching funders and creating effective grant proposals.  Workshop topics include: types of funding; funders and funding research; developing the grant proposal; goals, objectives and evaluation; the budget; sustainability, and submitting the proposal.  The cost for registering is $40 which includes refreshments and program materials.  Confirmation will be sent by e-mail; checks will be returned if the workshop is sold-out.  Cancellation requests must be made at least three business days prior to the workshop to ensure a refund. For further information contact Jolene Howard, jhoward@ifound.org, or (877) 632-9255.

Helping Minnesota’s Communities Determine Their Energy Future

January 16-17, St. Cloud

Come and learn about successful projects and get connected to the ideas, resources, and expertise you need to bring clean energy to your community. Registration is $41.50. For more information visit: http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/conference-home.html

2007 MPCA Air, Water and Waste Environmental Conference (MAWWEC)

February 27 - March 1, 2007, Sheraton Hotel, Bloomington, MN

National and local speakers will discuss the hottest trends in environmental management during this annual event, including a 97-booth exhibit and educational tracks in: Air quality, Environmental innovation, Hazardous waste, Remediation, Solid waste, Stormwater, and Water quality. If you have registration questions, contact the MPCA at mawwec@state.mn.us or 651-297-5754.

Minnesota Erosion Control Association Annual Conference

March 8^th & 9^th, 2007 Double Tree Park Place Hotel, St. Louis Park, MN

The 18^th annual Minnesota Erosion Control and Stormwater Management conference entitled "Maximum Control Measures" will be held March 8^th & 9^th in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. The conference will feature two widely respected speakers: Tom Schueler, director of Watershed Research and Practice, Center for Watershed Protection,  and Dave Derrick, U.S. ACOE Research and Development Center.   For more information on the conference, see http://www.mnerosion.org/ or email meca@mnerosion.org or call the MECA office at 763-478-3267.  Registration materials and on-line registration will be available in January.

Shallow Lakes Forum IV

April 4, 2007, Holiday Inn, St. Cloud

The Shallow Lakes Forum IV, focusing on bringing stakeholders together to manage shallow lakes, will be held on Wednesday, April 4^th at the Holiday Inn in St. Cloud.  Information on the 2007 forum will be posted soon at: http://www.shallowlakes.info/pages/1/index.htm.

River Network’s Annual River Rally

May 18-22, 2007, Stevenson, Washington

This year’s River Rally, themed “Inspiration, Education & Celebration, will be held May 18-22 at Dolce Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Washington. For more information:

http://www2.rivernetwork.org/rally/index.cfm. To nominate a River Hero, River Network’s annual award presented at the rally to recognize individual excellence in river conservation, see: 

http://www2.rivernetwork.org/newsite/blank.cfm?doc_id=481.  The nomination deadline is February 9.

~ The Bucks Start Here ~ Funding Resources

DNR Pilot Grant Applications for Lakewide Control of Aquatic Invasive Species Announced

Applications for the 2007 DNR grant program for pilot projects for lakewide control of Curly-leaf pondweed or Eurasian watermilfoil are now available on the DNR website at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/habitat/lakewide.html This is year two of a pilot grant program funded with appropriations from the legislature in 2005.  Last year six lake associations were assisted in their efforts at lakewide control of aquatic invasive species. For more information, contact Wendy Crowell at the DNR at 651-259-5085 or email:  wendy.crowell@dnr.state.mn.us.  

Coastal Habitat Grants

The FishAmerica Foundation will grant up to $800,000 for on-the-ground projects for habitat restoration of marine, estuarine and riparian habitats clearly significant to fisheries resources, particularly sportfish, and must involve community participation through an educational or volunteer component tied to the restoration activities. Visit FishAmerica's web site at http://www.fishamerica.org for the complete announcement, funding guidelines and application, and helpful contact information.  Applications are due February 5, 2007; funding will be announced in June 2007. 

To have material included for announcement or to request removal of your name from this mailing list, please send information to info@minnesotawaters.org.  Do not reply to the listserv from which you received this message.

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.  

Minnesota Waters promotes responsible stewardship of our water resources by engaging citizens, state and local policy makers and other like-minded partners in the protection and restoration of our lakes and rivers.  We achieve our mission through watershed education, citizen monitoring, supporting conservation stewardship, influencing public policy and empowering citizen groups to manage their local water resources.                             

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