The Confluence is the monthly electronic newsletter of Minnesota Waters, a confluence of the Minnesota Lakes Association (MLA) and the Rivers Council of Minnesota (RCM). 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.

We're all downstream.
            -  Jim and Margaret Drescher

In this issue:

Minnesota Waters News

~ Minnesota Waters' Citizen Monitoring Program Highlighted at the National Level 

~ Shell Rock River Watershed District Focusing on Youth Education

~ New Association/Group Members Join Minnesota Waters

~ “RiverNight 2006:  A Minnesota Waters Celebration”

~ Lakes and Rivers Conference 2006—brochures will be mailed in late June!

Hot Off the Press

~ DNR Holds Public Meetings on Alternative Shoreland Standards

~ June is National Rivers Month! 

~ Vacancies for the new Legislative—Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources

~ Filing for Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor Candidates

~ Legislative Auditor Evaluating Minnesota’s Watershed Management

~ MPCA Needs Local Volunteers to Monitor Lakes

~ Shoreline Alterations, Plant Removal Might Require Permits

~ Lakeshore Development Hits North Shore, Too

Resources for Lake and Stream Stewardship

Conferences, Confabs and Conglomerations

The Bucks Start Here

~ Minnesota Waters News ~

Minnesota Waters' Citizen Monitoring Program highlighted at the National Level 

Angie Becker Kudelka, Director of Citizen Monitoring and Watershed Education, presented at the National Monitoring Conference in San Jose, California on May 8, 2006, with the innovative "Design Your Monitoring Plan" Training program.  Angie shared her research over the past four years that highlights barriers and successes to effective citizen water quality monitoring programs, noting that many citizens programs collect data, but often stumble when it comes to using data.  Successful programs in Minnesota are most often working locally to address issues, have strong partners, and committed leaders.  The "Design Your Monitoring Program," is one tool Minnesota Waters offers to help focus goals to create a plan that makes a citizen monitoring program more efficient and effective.  The program has been implemented across Minnesota with 75 citizen monitoring leaders, representing 19 groups.  Minnesota Waters' was further recognized at the national conference, when a program in Alaska, used our research to help justify new directions in this Alaska citizen monitoring program.   

Shell Rock River Watershed District Focusing on Minnesota Lake Ecology for Youth

The Shell Rock River Watershed District and the Albert Lea Chamber of Commerce Lakes Restoration Committee have partnered for clean lakes education and awareness.  The Committee started an annual raffle last year to fund watershed education, selling 300 custom-minted coins to raise more than $10,000 for education efforts, including the recently ordered 400 Minnesota Waters’ 5^th-6^th grade Minnesota Lake Ecology student workbooks and seven 7^th-8^th grade teacher curriculums with the goal to educate today’s youth for lake and watershed stewardship.  For the school year 2005-2006, 15 teachers and more than 700 students in Albert Lea area schools are now using the Minnesota Lake Ecology curriculum.  Teachers were trained on the curriculum by Molly Zins, Minnesota Waters Lake Stewardship Coordinator. If you’re interested in sponsoring the Minnesota Lake Ecology curriculum in your local schools, contact Molly Zins at 218-824-5565 or mollyz@minnesotawaters.org.

New Association/Group Members Join Minnesota Waters

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

Big Sugar Bush Lake Association, Becker County

Big Pine Lakes Association, Pine County

Albert Lea Lakes Restoration, Freeborn County

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

“RiverNight 2006: A Minnesota Waters Celebration”

RiverNight 2006: A Minnesota Waters Celebration will be held Thursday, August 3 and marks the first major event for Minnesota Waters—a confluence of the Rivers Council of Minnesota and the Minnesota Lakes Association.  Guests will be treated to a delicious meal prepared by D’Amico while having the opportunity to visit with our special guests and award winners – all as they enjoy a beautiful summer evening trip on the Mississippi River in St. Paul.  This year, we are inviting Mayors from local cities and members of the Governor’s Clean Water Cabinet to join us in this celebration.   To recognize the efforts of citizens engaged in both lake and river protection, we will present three awards during the event:  the River Friendly Community Award, Lake Association of the Year Award and Citizen Volunteer Monitoring Program of the Year Award.  Contact Angel Samolytz at angels@minnesotawaters.org for ticket information, table sponsorship for your company or for more information about the event.

Lakes and Rivers Conference 2006—brochures will be mailed in late June!

Mark your calendars—Minnesota Waters is planning for the 2006 Lakes and Rivers Conference, September 7-9 at the Duluth Convention Center.  Over three days, participants can choose from 8 workshops, three field trips, and 48 sessions on a variety of topics. Minnesota Waters will partner with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources to offer a workshop and sessions of special interest to local government water planners and their citizen advisory committees.  Make hotel registrations early; it’s a popular time of year in Duluth.  Conference rates extend through the weekend, so make the conference a fall destination.  For up-to-date information on the agenda, hotel conference rates, and online registration see http://www.minnesotawaters.org/conference06.html.

~ Hot Off the Press ~

DNR to Hold Public Meetings on Alternative Shoreland Standards

First meetings scheduled for June in Aitkin and Crow Wing counties
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has scheduled the first six public information meetings on the new Alternative Shoreland Management Standards. Existing statewide minimum shoreline rules affect nearly all of Minnesota's lakes and rivers. These rules set guidelines for the use and development of shoreland property, including a sanitary code, minimum lot size, minimum water frontage, building setbacks, building heights, and subdivision regulations. The alternative standards were developed as a set of additional tools that local governments could use within their zoning ordinances to address water quality concerns and declines resulting from increasing shoreland development.

The alternative standards project is a part of North Central Lakes Project in Governor Pawlenty's Clean Water Initiative. The standards offer an alternative to local governments.  They are not mandatory rules.  The public will have an opportunity to review the alternative standards and ask questions during the public meetings.  There will be two meetings at each of the sites, one from 2 to 4 pm, and another from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.  The afternoon and evening meetings will cover the same material.  There will be a presentation followed by a discussion.
Meeting dates and locations:
June 22, Nisswa Community Center, 25628 Main Street, Nisswa (Crow Wing County)

July 13, Minnesota Shooting Sports Education Center, Grand Rapids (Itasca County)  

July 20, Northwoods Bank, Park Rapids (Hubbard County) 

August 3, Holiday Inn, Alexandria (Douglas County) 

August 10, Hackensack Senior Citizens Center, Hackensack (Cass County) also from 2 to 4 pm and 6:30 to 8:30 pm

For more information on the alternative shoreland standards, including the science behind the standards, and/or driving instructions to the meetings locations, please visit the DNR website at www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters or call your area DNR hydrologist.

Tougher lakeshore regulations are optional; a recent Minnesota Public Radio show on the alternative shoreland standards

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/06/14/shorelineregs/

June is National Rivers Month! 

What is your favorite Minnesota river?  Haul out the canoe or grab your fishing rod and celebrate our flowing treasures.  Take the River Rat Map Quiz from Hamline University:  http://cgee.hamline.edu/rivers/Resources/watershedmaps/index.htm

Vacancies for the new Legislative—Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources

A new law, Chapter 243 changes the governance structure for making Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund expenditures. The Governor is now authorized to appoint five citizens at large to join with two appointed by the Minnesota House of Representatives and the Minnesota Senate. These citizens plus ten legislators will form the Legislative—Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).  The LCCMR will study natural resource issues, develop a strategic plan and make funding recommendations to the full Legislature once each year. Citizens appointed must have: 1) Experience or expertise in the science, policy, or practice of environmental work; 2) Strong knowledge in natural resource issues in MN ; and 3) A demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative environment.  The deadline for applications is June 27^th.  For more information, go to the Secretary of State website: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/home/index.asp?page=110 , click Special Services, Current Vacancies, then June Announcements for the application form.

Filing for Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor Candidates

Minnesota citizens interested in influencing natural resources issues at the local level are encouraged to run for supervisor of their local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).  Individuals who wish to be on the ballot in 2006 must file for the election between July 4 and July 18.  SWCDs are local units of government that manage and direct natural resource management programs at the local level. Minnesota’s 91 SWCDs cover the entire state and generally follow county lines.  Click here to learn more about the opportunity to protect and restore Minnesota’s lakes, streams and other natural resources in your local community.

Legislative Auditor Evaluating Minnesota’s Watershed Management

The Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor’s watershed management evaluation will examine the operations and performance of local water authorities (watershed districts, joint powers watershed management organizations, soil and water conservations districts, counties, joint powers boards, and other organizations).  The evaluation will investigate all aspects of watershed management (water planning, water quality, flooding, wetlands, permitting, drainage ditches, septic systems, stormwater runoff, agricultural best management practices, etc).  As part of the evaluation, the Office of the Legislative Auditor will visit about 15 local water authorities around the state.  The local water authorities visited will be selected from data analysis and reviews of BWSR, PCA, and DNR documents; as well as from other stakeholder input. 

MPCA Needs Local Volunteers to Monitor Lakes

MPCA Press Release: May 24, 2006

St. Paul, Minn. - Are you one of the many Minnesotans who live on a lake, own a boat or routinely visit one of our picturesque lakes over the summer months?  If so, the coordinators of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Citizen Lake-Monitoring Program (CLMP) would like your help.  The MPCA needs folks to monitor water quality weekly during the summer on several Minnesota lakes. All of these lakes have been monitored in the past, but  currently do not have CLMP volunteers.  Monitoring data gathered by volunteers provides valuable information about the current health of Minnesota's waters, including which lakes are showing a change in transparency.  Monitoring is simple, interesting, and doesn't require a big time commitment.  For information on becoming a CLMP volunteer, call the MPCA at 651-296-8544 or toll-free at 800-657-3864, or check the web at http://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/clmp.html.

Shoreline Alterations, Plant Removal Might Require Permits

Lakeshore property owners are reminded that removing aquatic plants or altering shoreline may require a permit from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.  "Aquatic plants and natural shorelines provide habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water clarity and protect shorelines from erosion," Enger said. "Changing the shoreline or improperly removing aquatic plants can seriously damage the lake in the long term."  While cutting or pulling submerged vegetation in a small area for recreation is allowed without a permit, the following activities require an Aquatic Plant Management Permit, which is valid for one year and costs $35:

- Using herbicides or algicides to control aquatic plants in public waters;

- Removing emergent vegetation, like bulrush, cattails or wild rice;

- Removing floating leaf vegetation, like water lilies, in an area larger than a channel 15 feet wide extending to open water;

- Cutting, pulling or mechanically controlling vegetation in an area larger than 2,500 square feet or wider than 50 feet;

- Removing or relocating a bog of any size that is free floating or lodged in any area other than its original location;

- Installing or operating an automated plant control device (such as the Crary WeedRoller, Beachgroomer or Lake Sweeper).

Lakeshore Development Hits North Shore Too

Whether you live in the Twin Cities, central Minnesota lakes region, or along the North Shore, lakeshore development is a familiar issue. Some residents want it, others hate it.  Lakes that just 10-20 years ago had a handful of summer cabins and a small resort or two along the shore are now surrounded by business, industry and year-around homes. How does all this development affect Minnesota’s lakes and, in particular, Lake Superior? Key factors that determine the effect of development on a lake include local population growth, development location in relation to the lake, and how individual lots are developed. Local politics and infrastructure decisions also affect lakeshore development.

According to the Minnesota State Demographer’s office, population in the three North Shore counties is expected to rise significantly over the next 25 years. St. Louis County’s population is projected to rise by almost 10 percent, Lake County’s by nearly 20 percent, and Cook County’s by more than 60 percent. And what could be better than a lakeshore home and view?  New roads are built to accommodate increasing traffic and new wastewater treatment options must be made available. All of this development near the lake or in the forests and hills nearby affects both Superior and its tributaries.  A study by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership illustrated the differences in lot development between the 1940s and 1990s. The study shows that a typical 1990s developed lot would add five times more runoff, seven times more phosphorus and nearly five times more sediment to a lake. This is mostly due to more pavement, more clearing for lawns and much larger homes, adding to the total impervious surface area.  Click here to read the article in its entirety.

~ Resources for Lake and Stream Stewardship ~

For Minnesota Waters Legislative Summary:  http://www.minnesotawaters.org/leg_alerts.html 

Lake-Friendly Press Series—Good for Lake Association Newsletters 

Again this summer, the North Central Minnesota Lakes Project is offering a lake-friendly 12-article press series to newspapers throughout North Central and Northern Minnesota. In addition, these 400-word articles would be good additions for lake association newsletters or websites. Written by resource professionals, the articles will focus on practical projects and practices that individuals can do to improve water quality and shoreline habitat. If your association would be available to promote the series to your local press, please contact  Lakewaves@dnr.state.mn.us  for a media alert that you can take to your local newspaper to sign up. The articles will be posted weekly for associations to download for use in their newsletters. These can be found, along with copies of last year's LakeWaves series, at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakes/ncml_lake_waves.html

2006 Schedule of Articles
1—June 19 Tips to help your lake
2—June 26 Monitoring water clarity
3—June 30 Natural shorelines - It isn't all or nothing
4—July 10 What to plant near shore
5—July 17 Rain barrels
6—July 24 Lake-friendly mosquito control
7—July 31 Building a better bonfire
8—Aug 7 Controlling geese
9—Aug 14 Conservation easements
10—Aug 21 Importance of lake associations
11—Aug 28 Septic systems - conserving water
12—Sept 1 Attracting wildlife

Free Get the Lead Out! Kit

Order a free Get the Lead Out! kit for your next lake association gathering and help us encourage anglers to use environmentally friendly lead-free fishing tackle.  Free to Minnesota-based lake associations, this attractive educational kit includes:  tabletop sign, fact sheets, loon posters, and sample packets of lead-free jigs and weights.  Lead poisoning of loons, eagles and other wildlife can be avoided.  Please help us spread the word about safe, effective alternatives to lead tackle.  For more information visit www.moea.state.mn.us/sinkers or contact Dan Miller, daniel.miller@pca.state.mn.us, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency at 651-297-8319 or toll free 800-657-3864.

Minnesota’s 2006 Conservation & Environmental Media Guide—Now Available Online

MEP has just released its latest media guide online! This comprehensive guide to Minnesota media provides contact information for daily, regional and suburban newspapers, specialty publications, television and cable stations, news and talk radio stations and capitol press reporters. You will also find a section on press releases and media advisories.  To access the guide in Word format, click here.  For a version in Excel, click here.

2005 Invasive Species Report

The DNR recently released the report “Invasive Species of Aquatic Plants and Wild Animals in Minnesota: Annual Report for 2005.” The report includes a description of Minnesota’s Invasive Species program, progress in management of several species, education activities, watercraft inspections, enforcement activities, and expenditures. The report is available at: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/ecological_services/invasives/annualreport.pdf 

What About Those Lawn Pesticides Getting Into Streams?

A new United States Geological Survey (USGS) study found that lawn pesticides entering streams via stormwater runoff are not only increasing, but are also changing chemical composition and forming combinations that have never been assessed for human health effects. The study also concludes that in many streams, particularly those draining urban and agricultural areas, lawn pesticides were found at concentrations that may affect aquatic life or fish-eating wildlife. For more information, see the report “Pesticides in the Nation’s Streams and Groundwater” at:  http://www.fxbrowne.com/html/newsletters/April_2006/news_apr06.htm

~ Conferences, Confabs and Conglomerations ~

Aitkin County Rivers and Lakes Fair

June 17, 9 am—1 pm, Rippleside Elementary School, Aitkin

Join the Aitkin Soil and Water Conservation District, the Aitkin County Lakes and Rivers Alliance, and community members throughout the region to learn more about the rivers and lakes surrounding the area, and the many ways they influence our everyday lives.  For more information, contact Aitkin County SWCD: 218-927-6565.

Hamline’s Global Warming Colloquium

June 21, 6 – 9 pm, Hamline University’s Klas Center, Kay Fredericks Room, 1537 Taylor Ave., Saint Paul

You are invited to listen, participate and network as top environmental, business and community leaders gather to discuss how to address increasingly urgent human-generated climate change. The evening’s formal program will feature a panel discussion including Will Steger, polar explorer and educator, and Chris Coleman, mayor of Saint Paul.  The event is free and open to the public.  RSVP to Kate Knuth at kknuth01@hamline.edu or 651-523-2812.

Land Use - Who Decides?

June 22, 4:30 – 6:00 pm, Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Detroit Lakes, Room C101

Land use has always been, and will continue to be, a subject of great debate. Come hear this four-person panel of representatives from city, county and state offices as they speak on land use, shoreland development, new zoning laws, and long-term management and vision.  Time for questions and answers will be provided along with opportunity for networking.  The event is free and all are invited.  Refreshments provided by the Becker COLA.  Please direct questions to Erika Johnson, Natural Innovations Executive Director at 218-847-0025 or ni@lakesnet.net.  

University of Minnesota Extension Shoreland Education Program: Introduction to Shoreland Landscaping

July 14, Cambridge

This workshop emphasizes a holistic approach to shoreland vegetation—addressing environmental functions of a natural shoreline, property owner expectations, and shoreland regulations—that will enable participants to make sound shoreland management decisions and implement revegetation projects at the local level.  To register, contact Mike Mueller, MN DNR: 763-689-7105 or mike.mueller@dnr.state.mn.us.  For details on all Shoreland Education Workshops in 2006, click here. 

2006 Rivers Institute

July 24, 25 and 26 at Hamline University's Center for Global Environmental Education (CGEE)
In summer 2006, Hamline University's CGEE is again offering its acclaimed Rivers Institute. The three-day, two-credit field-based course addresses the natural overlap between science processes and content and the skills of literacy. Our natural affinity to water makes rivers and watersheds a useful and familiar context for teaching and learning. All 3-8 grade teachers (classroom teachers as well as science specialists) and middle school science and social studies teachers are eligible.  To learn more or request an application, email cgee@hamline.edu or call 651-523-2591. 

Aquatic Plant ID Workshop

July 28, 6-9 pm and July 29, 9 am-2 pm, Grand Lake in Rockville (just south of St. Cloud)

Registration is required.  The cost of the workshop (both days) is $20/person for anyone living in the Sauk River Watershed, $40 for all others.   For registration information contact the Sauk River Watershed District at 320-352-2231 or check out our website at www.srwdmn.org and view the “Shoreland Education Workshop Series.”

~ The Bucks Start Here ~

Heads Up—Be Ready To Apply For Clean Water Legacy BWSR Challenge Grants

In the recent legislative appropriations of Clean Water Legacy money, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) was appropriated $5.84 million, approximately 90% of which will pass through to local governments for non-point source restoration projects and assistance, compliance with county septic system programs, and local support for non-point source protection activities. The $1.4 million for protection projects will be delivered in the form of challenge grants to local units of government. While the criteria are not yet set nor has the request for proposals been issued, the BWSR board is expecting to review grant applications within a few months.  Get ready with your projects so when the RFPs are issued soon you are ready to apply in a short turn-around. Lake associations, rivers groups, watershed associations, and other non-profits can apply for this project money through local government partnerships (county, city, SWCD, watershed districts) and we urge you to be talking to your local governments now about potential projects to protect un-impaired waters.  

DNR Funding Available for Shoreland Vegetation Projects

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is making more than $300,000 available for grant proposals for restoring native shoreline vegetation across the state.  Grants recipients will be reimbursed for up to 75 percent of the total project costs. Applicants must be able to fund at least 25 percent of the total project costs from non-state sources. Matching funds may be cash, volunteer labor, and in-kind contributions of materials, equipment and services.  Applications for grants, are available on the Minnesota DNR Web site at: www.dnr.state.mn.us or by calling the DNR at (651) 296-6157 or toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367). Applications are due Sept. 18.

Minnesota’s Redevelopment Grant Program

The Redevelopment Grant Program, administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), offers funding for redevelopment and public infrastructure projects in communities throughout the state.  DEED currently has $4.2 million available to fund qualifying projects.  Minnesota communities may apply for grant dollars for public or private redevelopment projects on publicly owned land.  Because the funding comes from bond proceeds, the law requires that all projects funded through the Redevelopment Grant Program must have a defined public purpose and be on publicly owned land.  Applications must be received by August 1, 2006.  To register or to obtain more information, contact Irene Dassier: 651-296-5005 or Irene.dassier@state.mn.us. 

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.