The Confluence               December 2007

The Confluence is a monthly electronic newsletter for members of Minnesota Waters providing up-to-date information and resources to help citizens protect Minnesota’s lakes and rivers.  If you’ve received this newsletter and are not yet a member of Minnesota Waters, click here to learn more about how you can support Minnesota Waters programs and services by becoming a member.  To have material included for announcement or to request removal of your name from this mailing list, please contact info@minnesotawaters.org.  Do not reply to this listserv from which you received this message.

In this issue:

Minnesota Waters Board Articles

Minnesota Waters News

Resources for Lake and Stream Stewardship

Conferences, Confabs and Conglomerations

The Bucks Start Here - Funding Resources

Lake News – Local, National, and International

~Minnesota Waters Board Articles ~

It has been interesting seeing input from the Board and the Board would like to hear from you, not only on The Confluence, but on other matters that concern you.  For comments to the Board, contact Dick Fowler richard.fowler@comcast.net or Julie Klocker julieklocker@yahoo.com

From Our President, Dick Fowler

My goodness! Here it is December already, and my term as board chair is winding down. Will I suffer from attention deficit disorder?  I don’t think so.  I will become past president in January and will still be on the executive committee, so I will remain involved with all of the challenges and opportunities that Minnesota Waters has before it.

Back two years ago, as a relatively new member of the Minnesota Lakes Association board, I was somewhat taken aback when the merger committee asked me to be the board chair of the new organization. Now that I reflect back, it probably was a good decision. Having limited experience in the non-profit water world, I came in with no preconceived notions about the people involved or about how things should be organized. This naiveté, however, at least allowed me to keep an open mind as we negotiated and implemented the merger.

Today we have an organization that looks different, feels different and, I believe has a more global vision of the lake and river issues of our State – simply bigger and better – although challenges remain. One of our very experienced board members told me from time to time that mergers take 5 years to fully complete – I now believe him. So, we have more work to do.

I am pleased that Julie Klocker will be taking us to the next level as incoming President of the board.   Julie has a clear vision and enormous passion to move us forward.  I look forward to this transition. I also want to mention that working with Bruce Johnson for the last 2 years has been an inspiration. The energy and thought that Bruce injects into each and every issue is truly extraordinary. We will be honoring Bruce in detail in future communications and celebrations. 

It has been an honor to serve as the first board President of Minnesota Waters. I look forward to continuing service and helping us achieve our full potential.

Thank you all for your support.

Julie Klocker, President Elect

First of all, for the Board and Staff of Minnesota Waters, I hope you had a good Thanksgiving and we wish all of you the Best for the Holidays.

Minnesota’s lakes became my first true love when my parents moved our family from the outskirts of Chicago to a resort on Gull Lake, north of Brainerd, when I was nearly 6 years old.   Almost every childhood memory I have involves that resort and that lake, whether it be ice-skating, snowmobiling or ice fishing in winter or swimming, boating and even more fishing in the summer.   I preferred to do the outdoor chores of the resort and often would rake the weeds that had washed up into our beautiful beach.  It didn’t matter the reason whether it was work or fun, I would volunteer if it put me close to the water. 

The childhood attachment I had for the water has never gone away.  I believe it is what makes me a true “Minnesotan” rather than the Chicago roots of my family would indicate.  I believe that this relationship – our connection to our water - is the essence of what identifies us as Minnesotans.   It is what gives us the passion for the water and with it the passion to preserve and protect that which defines us.  This is why I am honored to serve as board President in 2008.  I share the same commitment to our lakes, streams and watersheds that our volunteers, constituents, members and stakeholders do.  It is how I define my career and my life.  I believe that Minnesota Waters is uniquely poised among environmental non-profits to protect our water resources.  We are the only statewide organization working to protect water resources through citizen based action.  We are the only statewide organization training volunteers to monitor our waters and influence watershed stewardship through locally led conservation efforts. 

As an organization, we will continue to grow and will work hard to address the challenges that our members face – invasive species, lack of adequate funding for real resource protection, laws that aren’t enforced, pollution that remains unchecked.  For the past two years we have been lead by two very able individuals, Dick Fowler as our President and Bruce Johnson as our Executive Director.  Dick will remain active in the organization as Past President.  However in late January we will all wish our departing Executive Director, Bruce Johnson, a most sincere thank you and farewell.  For those of you who know Bruce, I am sure you can share my view that Bruce is a passionate conservationist second to none.  In Bruce I have witnessed an amazing conviction to the protection of our resources.  He has worked tirelessly to lead this organization in our mission for citizen led conservation.  Bruce seems to view the lake and river resource challenges that the State of Minnesota faces as surmountable, given adequate resources and political will.  And it is his belief that the leadership of citizens will create the changes necessary for these protection efforts to succeed which fuels his passion.  I have learned from Bruce’s leadership and will miss him and his enthusiasm in the future. 

As we search for our new Executive Director I have been impressed with the leadership of the staff and the board.  The dedication to work for and serve Minnesota Waters is clear.  And it is with this dedication that we will continue to grow and serve our constituents and work to preserve and protect the waters in this great state.  

Within the next 45 days we will be introducing our new Executive Director.  At that time we will also be announcing a date, time and place for an open house for all our members, funders, stakeholders and constituents to bid a proper farewell to Bruce Johnson and welcome our new leader.  We will hope to see you then!

Ross Hammond, Our Newest Board Member

I joined the Minnesota Waters board because I believe that Minnesota is nothing without its lakes and rivers.  It seems that many Minnesotans agree with this, as evidenced by the very high prices of shore property on lakes, streams and rivers.

My cousin has a lake cabin in Central Wisconsin that has been in his family for generations.  We visited last summer and walked around the area.  I was shocked by the price differences.  A large cabin on half an acre on the lake was selling for $600,000 while a similar cabin 200 feet up the road away from the lake was selling for only $150,000.   

I feel that the challenge for Minnesota Waters is to translate this desire for being on the water into action to protect and keep the waters.  In addition, Minnesota Waters must work to get people to support both their local groups and the Minnesota Waters organization with money and time.  In addition, we need to get people to talk with their neighbors and ask them to stop doing activities that damage the lakes and rivers.  This includes watching for invasive species. 

I was working at NSP (Xcel Energy) 20 years ago when the Zebra Mussel first arrived here in the Mississippi River.  The plant operators first noticed that the cooling systems were not working properly.  The symptoms, however were unlike anything that they had seen before.  When they took the generating units off line and to inspect the river intakes, everyone was shocked.  The intakes (each of which is about the size of a garage) were full of mussels. 

NSP worked with the MPCA to test small amounts of chemicals to see if there was a way to kill the mussels and get them to release.  The mussels turned out to be very robust.  In order to kill them, everything else would have to be killed as well.  Finally a solution was reached where the river intake was closed off and the water was recycled until it was very warm, (I think it was over 100 degrees F).  This killed the mussels and got them to release without impacting the eco systems in the river.

It was a shock to see the dump trucks with loads of the Zebra Mussels being hauled away.  The moral of the story is that as we all know, a little prevention is a lot easier than the have to fix the problem afterwards.   I believe that education is the key.  If people know what the problems are and are personally involved, I think that the vast majority of Minnesotans will do the right thing. 

Minnesota Waters can play a key role in this process by making real positive changes by working at the grassroots level.  Minnesota Waters really helps local citizens and government accomplish what the state and federal governments cannot.  I feel that it is a great organization with a solid mission.

Kenzie Phelps, Board of Directors

At various times in my life I have been the recipient to that great piece of advice of “going to the source.” Research, guidance, conflicts, friendships.  Even a family vacation took us to the source:  Itasca State Park, headwaters of the mighty Mississippi.  If you want to find out about something first hand, go to the source.

It was with that vague thought that I responded to the Minnesota Lakes Association open invitation to members a few years ago to attend their annual meeting at Craguns Resort in Brainerd.  The topic of the day was the impending merger of three organizations into one:  Minnesota Lakes Association, Minnesota Rivers Council and the Freshwater Society.  Exciting stuff, given the potential synergies from joining three successful organizations.  I was impressed by the possibilities for the organization, but more so for the organizations’ members.

The merger is now history, and as is true for most great plans, the finished product is different than the one planned.  Minnesota Waters has emerged as the new organization from the MN Lakes Association and MN Rivers Council..  It gave me pause when I learned that Freshwater Society decided not to join forces.  Fortunately, insightful board members, great staff, and resourceful advisors crafted a very promising and progressive organization from the MN Lakes Association and the MN Rivers Council.   As the president of the Briggs Lake Chain Association I was fortunate to get to know the Executive Director and staff of MN Waters, and with our association participating in several MN Waters programs, I learned more about MN Waters, its vision, mission and values.  I liked what I saw.

As my term as president of our lake association came to an end I decided to stay heavily involved locally in my lake association, as well as “going to the source,”  and joining MN Waters in April 2007. Now a new board member and still getting immersed, I can comfortably offer advice why others should become members and make generous contributions to MN Waters.  As the only state wide organization concentrating on grassroots leadership to address Minnesota’s water quality problems, MN Waters

·         Focuses on citizen action and local leadership, the bedrock for protecting and restoring our irreplaceable natural assets

·         Provides proven programs: citizen water monitoring, watershed stewardship and public policy

·         Builds on partnership and collaboration with a wide variety of funding sources, public and private agencies, local lake and river groups, environmental groups and more.

I have confidence in MN Waters and our vision of an engaged citizenry working to protect and restore Minnesota’s irreplaceable natural assets – our clean and healthy lakes and streams – for current and future generation. It is a vision for successfully restoring and protecting our great assets.

~ Minnesota Waters News ~

News on the Executive Director

After three years of guiding the Rivers Council of Minnesota and the Minnesota Lakes Association into becoming Minnesota Waters, Executive Director Bruce Johnson has decided to seek new challenges and opportunities and will be leaving Minnesota Waters on January 31, 2008.  The Board of Directors has formed a Transition Team which has already gone to work in planning a smooth transition ensuring uninterrupted delivery of MN Waters’ strong programs and services while seeking the right person to invite to join its Board and staff in moving forward to empower Minnesota’s citizens to improve and protect their lakes and streams.

Minnesota Waters is currently seeking an Executive Director

Minnesota Waters seeks an experienced Executive Director with a proven track record in effective fundraising, strategic communications, understanding and influencing public policy, as well as guiding the development and management of programs which broaden and expand Minnesota Waters mission and statewide presence. Must have demonstrated experience in providing leadership and guidance to staff and board. Thorough understanding of financial management and budgeting is required. The ideal candidate will embrace Minnesota Waters’ Mission, vision and values focusing on locally led conservation. S/he will be a dynamic team and relationship builder capable of listening to, understanding and mobilizing our members, stakeholders and staff to have a strong influence on the preservation and protection of lakes, streams and watersheds in Minnesota. Experience as an entrepreneurial leader and the ability to learn quickly are a must.

Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor’s Degree and 3 – 5 years demonstrated experience as a leader. Resume, references and a cover letter stating qualifications and salary expectations must be received no later than 4 PM, December 15 at Minnesota Waters, ED Search Committee, 720 W. St. Germain St., Suite 143; St. Cloud, MN 56301.  E-mail applications are acceptable, send to Board Chair Richard Fowler at richard.fowler@comcast.net. No calls please. Interviews will be held January 4 and 7, 2008 at the office in St. Cloud.  No phone interviews will be allowed. For information on Minnesota Waters please visit our webpage:  www.minnesotawaters.org

Minnesota Waters Welcomes New Citizen Monitoring Coordinator!

Erica LeMoine joins Minnesota Waters as our new citizen monitoring coordinator. Erica has moved from warm Savannah, Georgia to the shores of Lake Superior to continue her passion for water quality protection. Erica recently coordinated a community – based oyster reef restoration program with the University of Georgia Marine Extension Service. Her work in Georgia has given her valuable experience working with citizen volunteers and communicating the importance of natural resource conservation. Originally a Midwesterner Erica is excited to be back in the land of seasons and is looking forward to working with our great citizen monitors! Be sure to welcome Erica to Minnesota Waters, her email address is erical@minnesotawaters.org.

Make a Year End Contribution to Protect Minnesota’s Water Resources While Protecting Your Pocketbook!

Please consider making a year-end, tax deductible contribution to Minnesota Waters.  Your contribution will go towards providing essential services and programs to our members while earning a tax deduction.  And what better gift can you give than preserving and protecting lake and river water quality?  Visit our website at www.minnesotawaters.org now or send your contribution to us at: 20 West St. Germain, Suite 143, St. Cloud, Minnesota  56301.  Gifts over $250 will receive a free copy of Impressions by Roger Cooper and John Erickson.  Gifts over $500 will receive a free copy of Rivers of America by Tim Palmer.  If you have questions about giving to Minnesota Waters or other ways you wish to support us, such as gifts of stock or bequests, please contact Linda Hamilton, Development Director, at 218-829-5282 or lindah@minnesotawaters.com.

MW & MCWD Continue Partnering for Citizen-led Lake & Stream Protection

In September 2006, Minnesota Waters and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) formed a unique partnership to carry out the MCWD Watershed Association Initiative.  The goal of the Initiative is to engage and empower citizens in the MCWD to help meet local water quality goals by strengthening citizen-led lake and stream protection.  Stronger locally-led conservation occurs through citizen interaction with local municipalities, and increasing outreach to local lake or stream users, decision-makers, and communities.  As the culmination for the Initiative’s first year, MW convened citizen leaders, local government officials, non profit partners and MCWD staff for the Citizens Protecting and Improving MCWD Summit this fall.  The Summit was one of many trainings designed to engage newly-forming and established associations for greater organizational capacity and ultimately more effective locally-led lake and stream stewardship.

Following a successful first year, MW and the MCWD have commenced a second year of partnership for the Watershed Association Initiative.  In year two, MW will again focus on providing training, facilitation and outreach services for citizen-led initiatives to promote greater water quality protection throughout the MCWD.  For more information on organizing or enhancing your local community efforts for increased lake or stream protection, contact Leah Peterson at leahp@minnesotawaters.org or Molly Zins at mollyz@minnesotawaters.org.

Strategic Communications for Citizen-led Shoreland Protection

Minnesota Waters and ActionMedia conducted two strategic communication sessions for COLAs and LARAs in the north central region to further locally-led efforts towards the adoption and enforcement of more protective shoreland standards.  Building from the dialogue and collaborative energy at the North Central Regional Summit, the two sessions included 25 leaders from five north central county COLAs and LARAs as well as regional watershed groups.  Session attendees participated in a half-day training focusing on the essence of effective communication: ‘how it relates to me personally, how it relates to you and how it benefits us’.  The session walked groups through discussion addressing local needs for greater shoreland protection, guiding participants to tactically identify what we’re trying to accomplish before determining how the initiative should be effectively implemented. 

Minnesota Waters and Action Media are providing ongoing guidance and consultation for the session participants as they continue navigating their local needs, opportunities and partners for promoting more effective locally-led shoreland protection.  ActionMedia provides issue framing and strategic communications training, research, and consultation services to advocates for positive social change (www.actionmedia.org).

~ Resources for Lake and Stream Stewardship ~

Help Your Lake: Join Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!

Doug Jensen, Minnesota Sea Grant

Our organization does not have the resources to adequately prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in our area.” Have you said or heard this before? What can you do? Answer: Join Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! (SAH!) a campaign that can help you protect your lake or river from aquatic hitchhikers such as zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil. What are you waiting for? It’s free and there are no obligations. Nearly 450 entities across the U.S. have joined. How about you?  Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! is in its second year of a special initiative working with a broad spectrum of partners from businesses, industries, media, agencies, and NGOs in a collective effort to combat the spread of aquatic invasive species across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. In 2006, Wildlife Forever estimated that the campaign reached over126 million people across the region! In 2007, prevention messages are again being extended via billboards, media, ads, news releases, highway radio messages, signs at water accesses, stickers, windshield flyers, display panels at rest areas, kiosks at retail outlets, ads outside of convenience stores, regulation booklets, watercraft inspectors, signs along roadways, panels at airports, and lawn banners.  These resources may be adapted or adopted for use in your area. Governor Pawlenty designated the last week in June as Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Week. Now is the time to join us. Learn how your organization can be part of the solution. Contact Doug Jensen 218-726-8712 or djensen1@umn.edu or visit www.protectyourwaters.net.

Editors Note: Minnesota Waters is an SAH! campaign partner working with Sea Grant for campaign promotion.

~ Conferences, Confabs and Conglomerations ~

Sixth National Monitoring Conference, May 18-22, 2008 Atlantic City, NJ

The National Water Quality Monitoring Council (NWQMC) presents its 6th conference, Monitoring: Key to Understanding Our Waters, in Atlantic City, NJ. Conference Themes Include: Connecting and Integrating Data About Hydrologic Resources Collecting, Assessing and Interpreting Data: New Technologies and Analytical Methods, Describing the Sustainability and Condition of Water Resources; Understanding Water Quality Stressors; Exploring Federal, State, and Local Monitoring Needs; Improving Communication through Innovative Outreach.  If you have questions about the conference or would like to be placed on a mailing list, contact the 2008 National Monitoring Conference Manager, Lara Hughes, at Monitoring2008@wef.org.  For more information on the NWQMC, visit: http://acwi.gov/monitoring/ .

2008 Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society Annual Conference Announcement
The Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society (MAPMS) date and location of the 2008 MAPMS Annual Conference has been announced.  The conference will be held March 1-3, 2008 at the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, OH.   For more information on the 2008 conference, or the Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society membership, please visit our website at www.mapms.org.

Minnesota Waters 2008 Lakes & Rivers Conference, Sept. 11-13, 2008, Rochester, MN

If you enjoyed the 2006 Lakes and Rivers Conference in Duluth you will love what we have in store for you in 2008!  Everything will take place at the Mayo Civic Center linked by skywalk to the beautiful Radisson, Galleria Mall, restaurants and shopping. We have lined up great rates so mark you calendars, get the event in your budget and come enjoy what southeastern Minnesota has to offer!

The 2008 National River Heroes Award

River Network is now accepting nominations for our 2008 River Heroes. River Heroes are peer-nominated and celebrated in a manner appropriate for river-loving types: with limited fanfare, but unlimited respect, inspiration and heart. Read on for more information.

Deadline for Nominations: Feb. 8, 2008 (deadline based upon the postmark)

River Network's River Heroes Award celebrates rivers and those who protect them by recognizing some of our victories and honoring those who provide us with leadership and inspiration along the way. To weave a celebratory thread throughout the watershed community, in 2001, River Network created The National River Heroes Award.

Eligibility:  Open to any one individual (board member, staff, volunteer or private citizen) who has successfully worked with a river conservation organization to improve a river and its watershed AND who over the years has made a sustained contribution to the conservation of the river.

Criteria:  The River Heroes Award will recognize individuals in the watershed movement who:  Provide leadership, Inspire the work of others, Use innovative strategies and techniques to achieve significant results, Foster the growth and sustainability of a watershed community and, are able (and willing) to give short speeches.

Nominations:  The Nomination Form and relevant information can be found online at:

www.rivernetwork.org/rally/2008-files/08RiverHeroNomination.pdf

Note:  While River Network understands and appreciates the inspirational work done by couples, trios, teams, committees, entire organizations and groups of organizations, this award is specifically designed to honor individuals. Please limit your nominations to one person.

Questions? Answers?  Contact Katherine Luscher |  kluscher@rivernetwork.org | 503.542.8384

River Rally 2008

River Rally 2008 will take place a Sawmill Creek Resort (May 2-5th) in Huron, Ohio. River Rally information and registration materials will be available in early January 2008.

~ The Bucks Start Here - Funding Resources ~

FishAmerica Foundation Offers Funding for Conservation and Research Projects

The FishAmerica Foundation ( http://www.fishamerica.org/ ), the American Sportfishing Association's conservation and research  arm, provides funding to nonprofit organizations such as sporting  clubs, civic associations, conservation groups, and state agencies in the United States and Canada for projects designed to  enhance fish populations, restore fish habitat, improve water  quality, and advance fisheries research, thereby increasing the  opportunity for sportfishing success.  The Foundation's Conservation Projects Committee funds hands-on,  action-oriented projects that have clear and identifiable benefits to sport fish populations and the sport of fishing and/or  directly enhance water quality, habitat, and/or sport fish populations. The average conservation grant is $7,500.   Conservation project applications may be submitted at any time.  The Foundation's Research Projects Committee funds research projects that have regional or national implications. The committee prefers to fund national model projects. The average research grant is $15,000.  Research projects are funded once a year, with proposals due on July 31, annually.  Visit the FishAmerica Foundation Web site for complete grant guidelines:  http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10008103/fishamerica

Development issues

Roosevelt & Lawrence Area Lakes Association is looking for support on a development in the Emily-outing area. (It's the "Northern Lights Over Roosevelt Lake" controversy.) There is more information on their web site:  www.minnesotawaters.org/ralala

For another view, industry experts and real estate professionals will address many of the critical issues that are unique to the lakeshore real estate market at a summit.

Click here http://www.lakeshoredreams.com/lakeshoresummit/  for more information.

~ Lake News – Local, National, and International ~

Minnesota: Interest Is Sky High in Carp Problem

Common carp now make up a majority of the fish population in several area lakes, and they threaten the very ecosystem that sustains them.  That’s one reason why interest is “sky high” in what the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District [Metro Area] is doing, says the group’s vice president Ken Wencl.

Sorensen is a fisheries professor [at the University of Minnesota], and Bajer is assisting him with the project. The management program will contribute significantly to the small body of carp knowledge, and Sorensen hopes it can be followed both locally and elsewhere to manage carp and improve lake water quality.  “It comes down to understanding your enemy,” Sorensen said of the study. “Once you get carp in, it’s very difficult to do anything. Learning about them is a way forward.”

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources calls common carp “one of the most damaging aquatic invasive species due to its wide distribution and severe impacts in shallow lakes and wetlands.”

Prior to undertaking his carp project, which is also being conducted at four lakes in Hutchinson, Sorensen found a way to reduce the scourge of sea lampreys in the Great Lakes.

Source: Southwest Newspapers, published on Eden Prairie News

Minnesota:  Grass Lake Needs Help on Project’s Final Costs [Editorial]

Grass Lake’s wetland restoration project supporters got a good opportunity to tell a state Senate committee about the importance of the project.  The state Senate Capital Investment Committee on Thursday toured the 1,100-acre site of the proposed Grass Lake restoration.

Grass Lake, which sits southeast of Willmar, once played a significant role in the southern Kandiyohi County watershed.  Some old-timers have told stories of traveling by water from Grass Lake southward all the way to the Lake Lillian area.

Source: West Central Tribune, Online

North Carolina: Hydrilla Treatments Begin Monday

The aquatic plant, Hydrilla, thought to be native to the warmer areas of Asia, was first discovered in the U.S. in 1960, and has spread like wildfire throughout the southern and Atlantic coastal states.

Hydrilla has found a particularly perfect environment in Lake Gaston, where both forms of the weed - monoecious and dioesious - can thrive.  In Florida, where the weed first became a major problem, much study has been done, all of which points to a serious and growing threat.

A third phase of herbicide application on Lake Gaston will be done this week, using public funds to finance control of the growth and spread of the weed.  Private waterfront landowners on Lake Gaston also spend thousands of dollars each year to control the weeds in many areas of the lake.

Source: Roanoke Rapids, NC Daily Herald

Colorado: Clear Goal for Grand Lake

Grand Lake [Grand County], known for its spell-binding clarity and cold blue waters, turned a shocking green in August, sending out a distress call heard around the state.

This fall, half a century after giant pumps began pulling water through its depths, an unprecedented effort is under way to save the state's largest natural lake, to restore what was once one of the clearest bodies of water in North America.

Locals want results by next summer. They want the lake safe to drink from and ski on. Federal and state officials say there may be progress by then, but a long-term fix could take years.

Source: Rocky Mountain News

East Africa:  Livelihoods Hit as Water Hyacinth Takes Over Lake Victoria

Titus Mula, a fisherman, watches apprehensively as the floating weed draws nearer to the sore, carried by the waves.  “If this continues, in a couple of weeks the entire bay will be covered by the weed,” Mula said,

The water hyacinth, a free-floating perennial aquatic plant native to tropical South America, is suffocating Lake Victoria, the second-largest fresh-water lake in the world.  “When the weed first appeared on the lake people were not concerned,” he said.  “We did not think the weed could pose any serious danger because of its beautiful flowers.”

“The water hyacinth problem is not a one-person, one sector approach,” she said.  While a long-term solution to ridding the lake of the water hyacinth is still being sought, local communities need to look into alternative used for the weed, which could be used to generate bio-gas or as weaving material, according to an environmental officer with the National Environmental Management Authority in charge of Kisumu, Wilson Busienei.  “If there is a commercial use for the weed, then maybe its level can be brought under control,” he said.

Source: UN Integrated Regional Information Networks

England:  Don’t Feed Ducks at Walsham Pond - Plea

Kind-hearted visitors are being begged not to feed ducks at a North Walsham beauty spot because the popular pastime is killing wildlife.  Volunteers had to take emergency action at Bluebell Pond over the weekend to save hundreds of fish and plants after ammonia in the water reached dangerous levels. 

Bluebell Pond Society chiefs believe people feeding bread to mallards is a major cause of the problem and this week they placed signs around the Bacton Road attraction urging the public not to feed wildlife.  “We had to act very quickly because we were told: 'If you don't get on top of it straight away, you will lose everything.'  “We're sorry to have to ask people not to feed them. We like having the ducks but on a small pond of water which isn't moving, as opposed to somewhere like the Broads, it can be a problem.”

Mr. Haynes said the emergency measures were beginning to pay dividends and fish were no longer gathering at the surface.  He added: “We are getting there and we will win the battle if the public support us. The amount of work that has gone into this pond over the years is huge. It's a real asset to the town and we don't want to see it destroyed.”

Source: North Norfolk News, United Kingdom

India:  Rapid Weed-Growth Choking Largest Freshwater Lake of Northeast India

Loktak Lake, which is rich in biodiversity and is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India, is getting choked with weeds.  Located at Moirang in Manipur's Bishnupur District, around 40 kms from the State capital Imphal, Loktak Lake is a source of livelihood for many people living in and around the lake.

The lake is popularly known as "Floating Lake" due to thick floating mats of weeds covered with soil, called "phumdis".  Phumdis, which forms a special habitat for many living beings, is turning into a nemesis of sorts.

A major cause is the barrage [blockage] at Ethai on the Manipur River, which is Loktak Lake's only natural outflow. The waters from the hills that flow into Loktak no longer flow out at their earlier rate, causing siltation.

Thousands of hectares of cultivable land have been submerged. However, the reduced land holdings are using the same amount of fertilizers and pesticides. The run-off from these fields is polluting the lake. In addition, fisher-folk pour toxins to increase catches.

The fast-growing weed in the lake, which is masking its beauty, has taken its toll, leading to a decline in tourist inflow.  "Loktak Lake attracted a lot of tourists earlier. Tourists would come and indulge in activities like boating to entertain themselves. But now, who will come to see a lake covered with weeds. Its beauty is slowly fading away," said Ibochou, a resident.

LDA Director Gojendro Singh said: "A management plan is being worked out for Loktak Lake in Manipur and other wetlands in South Asia. It is of five years duration. Things like water management, biodiversity, all are included in this project".

Source: Daily India.com

Minnesota Waters has a New Address

720 West St. Germain, Suite 143, St. Cloud, MN 56301

Telephone: 800-515-5253  Fax: 866-615-1771 

For questions regarding the Web site or Hosted Web sites please contact:

Dick Lacher, Telephone: 218-659-4511 or rglacher@paulbunyan.net

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.                             

****JOIN MINNESOTA WATERS TODAY! ****