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.

 

Rain is grace; rain is the sky condescending to the earth;
without rain, there would be no life.
            -  John Updike

 

In this issue:

 

Minnesota Waters News

~ Call for 2006 Lake Association of the Year Nominations

~ War on Zebra Mussels: Now or Never

~ Minnesota Waters Trains More Citizen Monitors

~ Neighborly Advice to Wisconsin Lake Advocates

~ Nokasippi Group Keeping an Eye on Their Watershed

~ New Association/Group Members Join Minnesota Waters

~ “RiverNight 2006:  A Minnesota Waters Celebration”

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

 

Legislative News

~ Conservation Bills in Flux as Legislative Session Wraps Up

~ Mercury Limits Signed Into Law

~ Correction on Boat House Legislation

 

Hot Off the Press

~ Wanted: Multi-Million Dollar Citizen Advice

~ Grants for the Management of Eurasian Watermilfoil

~ New Zealand Mudsnails Found in Duluth-Superior Harbor

 

Resources for Lake and Stream Stewardship

 

Conferences, Confabs and Conglomerations

 

The Bucks Start Here

 

~ Minnesota Waters News ~

 

Call for 2006 Lake Association of the Year Nominations

Nominate your lake association for the 4th annual Lake Association of the Year award, which will be presented August 3, 2006, at Minnesota Water's River Night Celebration and acknowledged again at the Lakes & Rivers Conference September 8, 2006.  Again this year, Crystal Pierz Marine will sponsor the award with a cash prize and engraved plaque to the winning lake association.  By June 7, submit your narrative nomination of not more than two pages stating why your lake association merits the award based on the following criteria: 1) efforts and outcomes of lake management projects; 2) education for property owners; 3) membership participation in the association and projects; 4) partnerships with local and state government and other organizations; and 5) lake management planning. The winner and runner-up will be featured in the fall issue of the Minnesota Waters newsletter. Please do not include samples or attachments with the nominations. Submit nominations to the Minnesota Waters office by mail at 17021 Commercial Park Drive, #4, Brainerd, MN, 56401, or fax to 866-615-1771, or email to kerih@minnesotawaters.org.

 

War on Zebra Mussels: Now or Never

Minnesota Waters leads the charge for increasing actions to contain the spread of zebra mussels in Minnesota. With four inland lakes, three of which are located in the popular Brainerd Lakes region, now infested with zebra mussels, "It's now or never if we really want to stop them from moving around" according to a St. Paul Pioneer Press front-page article on May 11. Minnesota Waters wants the state to step up efforts to control the spread of zebra mussels. To stop their advance, Minnesota Waters has called for a more focused, ambitious boat-inspection program, including requiring inspections of all boats leaving infested lakes and charging fees on licenses or boat launchings to pay for that work.

 

Minnesota Waters will bring legislation back to the legislature next year to increase funding to fight the spread of zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species, such as Eurasian watermilfoil, Curlyleaf pondweed, Rusty crayfish, and others. Minnesota Waters will seek support from the DNR for this legislation, which would enhance the DNR's Aquatic Invasive Species Management Program and pass through monies to local governments and citizen groups to manage aquatic invasive species and prevent their spread.  For the full text of the St. Paul Pioneer Press article see:

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/14557987.html

 

Minnesota Waters Trains More Citizen Monitors

In April, fifteen citizen-volunteer monitors representing twelve lake and river groups received training on methods for collecting water quality samples.  Representatives from the Crow River Organization of Water, the newly formed Nokasippi Watershed Team, and the Cook County Water Plan Coordinator also received training.  Collection methods for lake sampling included total phosphorus, chlorophyll ‘a’ and Secchi Disk.  Stream methods included transparency tube (t-tube), stream stage, total phosphorus and bacteria.  Understanding and using correct water quality sampling methods is the first step in producing the reliable and credible data you need to make informed decisions about your lake or stream.  For more information about Minnesota Waters Citizen Monitoring Program, contact info@minnesotawaters.org.

 

Neighborly Advice to Wisconsin Lake Advocates

Paula West, Minnesota Waters Director of Public Policy, addressed 500 people at the Wisconsin Association of Lakes Convention in Green Bay, Wisconsin April 21 with “Neighborly Advice on Locally-Led Conservation”.  In sharing Minnesota struggles for the third year in a row to pass a Clean Water Legacy Act and long-term funding for cleaning up Minnesota’s impaired waters, she advised Wisconsin lake advocates to “take heed of Minnesota’s struggles because as Garrison Keillor has often said, ‘Wisconsin is just Minnesota with cheese’.”   With Minnesota’s political and fiscal uncertainty, Minnesota Waters’ advice for restoring and protecting our waters is “Locally-Led Conservation.” Instead of waiting for the state to solve this problem or local governments to provide the resources, citizens need to get busy and just do it—clean up and protect our waters. She further explained that  “going local” means accepting the physical realities about Minnesota lakes and streams along with the fiscal realities of the state budget, keeping in mind that the non-point sources of pollution to Minnesota’s waters comes primarily from what we do on our land, in small daily doses. For that reason, it is crucial for citizens to be involved in caring for their streams and lakes and they must be an integral part of the solutions to improving them.

 

“Cleaning up our impaired waters and improving water quality can begin with the commitment simply to work as advocates within our own small watersheds” said West.  “Citizens can apply the same process the state would go through to officially establish a clean-up plan.”  She explained that citizens can get started by: 1) identifying the problem with monitoring; 2) setting goals and developing a management plan; 3) implementing the plan; and; 4) monitoring the results of actions. Big Birch Lake Association and Rice/Koronis Lake Association were used as examples of how citizens can and have risen to the challenge head-on, mobilizing and taking actions for lake and stream protection and achieving positive water quality improvements through locally-led conservation stewardship. 

 

Nokasippi Group Keeping an Eye on Their Watershed
In southeastern Crow Wing County, Minnesota Waters member lake associations along the Nokasippi River (Upper South Long Lake Association, Lower South Long Lake Association, and Sebie Lake Association) have taken the initiative to form a new Nokasippi Watershed Group. Carol Crust, former Minnesota Lakes Association Board director and temporary chair of the new group, said “There has long has been concern about what's happening in the Nokasippi watershed, which extends from the river's source at Clearwater Lake in Bay Lake Township to its end at the Mississippi River at Fort Ripley.”

This summer the new group will begin a watershed monitoring program that will include all the lakes along the Nokasippi River’s route to the Mississippi. The group recently completed a monitoring plan after participating in Minnesota Waters’ “Design Your Monitoring Plan” Training.  Membership in the new group, which met for the first time in February, isn't limited to lakeshore property owners, but farmers and other landowners in the watershed, too. Crust said, "We've discovered that the farm people in the watershed are also very concerned about water quality. And, like everywhere else, the Nokasippi watershed has plenty of lakeshore residents who mow down to the water, install riprap, remove aquatic vegetation and engage in other activities that can impact water quality. Changing their habits will be our group’s biggest challenge.”  Minnesota Waters, Crow Wing County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the DNR have assisted the group in getting started and now they’re on their way.  To learn more, read the Brainerd Dispatch article, http://www.brainerddispatch.com/stories/042106/spo_20060421005.shtml

 

New Association/Group Members Join Minnesota Waters

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

Meadow Lake Watershed Association, Hennepin County

Lake Stella Homeowners Association, Meeker 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 June!

Mark your calendars—Minnesota Waters is planning for the 2006 Lakes and Rivers Conference, September 7-9 at the Duluth Convention Center.  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.  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, hotel conference rates, and online registration (starting in mid-June) see http://www.minnesotawaters.org/conference06.html

 

 

~ Legislative News ~

 

Conservation Bills in Flux as Legislative Session Wraps Up

Legislative initiatives for funding a Clean Water Legacy, a constitutional amendment on the November ballot to dedicate funding for the environment, and bonding bills are all in flux as conference committees try to come to compromise between Senate and House versions of these bills in the last days of the 2006 legislative session.  Read more at http://www.outdoornews.com/articles/2006/05/12/news/news2.txt

 

Mercury Limits Signed Into Law

With fish-consumption advisories for mercury in place across Minnesota, Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed a bill into law Thursday, May 10, described as one of the best mercury-reduction efforts in the nation. The legislation requires the state's largest coal-fired power plants to cut mercury emissions by 90 percent by 2015, a faster pace than a federal requirement of 70 percent by 2018. For more: http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/business/industries/environment/14558313.htm.

 

Correction on Boat House Legislation

The date of a boathouse moratorium was incorrectly stated in the May 1, 2006 Minnesota Waters Legislative Alert.  The information on recent legislation related to improvements of boat houses built prior to 1979 should read:

Replacement and Repair of Watercraft Storage Structures:  HF2994, SF 2736

This bill provides guidelines for restoring watercraft storage facilities built prior to 1979 to better-than-new or total replacement passed the House. Since the 1997 boat house moratorium on boathouse construction, owners of boathouses built prior to that year have been allowed to maintain only 50 percent of the structure in any given year. While the bill does not allow owners to increase the area of the boathouse, they could extend the height by one foot to accommodate taller boats. They could also replace the foundational structure as long as they use only materials nontoxic to aquatic life below the high water mark. The bill also allows existing boathouses to be consolidated or moved off the water onto the owner’s property. Boathouse owners would apply to the DNR for a permit to renovate, which would also require the approval of the local government unit and proof that the boathouse existed prior to 1979. To see the complete bill language, click here.  

 

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

 

 

~ Hot Off the Press ~

 

Wanted: Multi-Million Dollar Citizen Advice

Beginning July 1, 2007 there will be approximately $22 million dollars each year available from Minnesota’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. Your citizen advice is requested for future priorities for the Trust Fund money. Log onto the LCMR website and complete the Citizen Input Form to make your suggestions for funding priorities known.

 

Grants for the Management of Eurasian Watermilfoil

The DNR announces the availability of reimbursement grant funds for projects that manage Eurasian Watermilfoil in common use areas of lakes and control of milfoil in public boat access areas. Assessment of potential interference by milfoil with use of the lake may be eligible for reimbursement. Projects adjacent to private riparian property that primarily enhances the recreational opportunities of private riparian owners will not be reimbursed. Counties, cities, township, and lake associations may apply.  More information and application information is available at: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/habitat/eurasian.html.

 

New Zealand Mudsnails Found in Duluth-Superior Harbor

Yet another aquatic invasive species has found its way to Minnesota. The New Zealand mudsnail is now living in the Duluth-Superior Harbor and St. Louis River Estuary, the first finding of the tiny snail in Minnesota and Wisconsin waters. Like zebra mussels, the New Zealand mudsnails cause concern because their sheer numbers can disrupt the ecosystem and they can spread easily on aquatic plants, waders, and other gear used in infested waters. "They have adapted so well in Western rivers that they have pushed out almost all of the native insects, snails, and other invertebrates that are important food for fish," said Doug Jensen, Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator for Minnesota Sea Grant. "More than 700,000 snails per square meter cover the bottoms of some rivers. That's like having 585,000 snails in your bathtub!"

New Zealand mudsnails are about the size of a peppercorn and the spiral-shaped shells are usually dark gray or dark brown to light brown with a right-handed coiling pattern and 5-6 whorls. They look similar to some native Minnesota snails, which makes identification difficult. Mudsnails are able to close their shells, allowing them to survive out of water for days, and can reproduce without mating, essentially cloning themselves. One snail and its offspring can form hundreds of thousands of clones per year. Native fish and wildfowl eat them, but because they are so prolific, nothing seems to control infestations in North America.  These mudsnails have already impacted the Rocky Mountain trout streams and are suspected to have arrived in Minnesota via Great Lakes ship ballast water. The DNRs in Wisconsin and Minnesota are working to designate the New Zealand mudsnail as a prohibited invasive species, which will mean it is illegal to import, transport, possess, or place mudsnails in the waters of Minnesota. To prevent the spread of these snails, zebra mussels, and other aquatic invasive species, anglers are encouraged to:
-Inspect and remove visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud from waders, hip boots, and field gear before transporting.
-Rinse waders, hip boots, and gear with hot water (120 degrees F or 45 degrees C), OR
-Dry gear for five days before reuse. Click here for photos of the New Zealand Mudsnail.

 

~ Resources for Lake and Stream Stewardship ~

 

Who Owns the Lakebed?

For answers to this often asked question, “Who Owns the Lake Bed?” see the DNR fact sheet at: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/publications/waters/Pardon_Me_Myth.pdf 

 

Stop Aquatic Invasives Video Now on DVD

The popular Stop Exotics, Clean Your Boat video is now available on DVD, just in time for spring boating season orders. Stop Exotics, Clean Your Boat shows the simple steps boaters across North America can take to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. The 11-minute video features John Ratzenberger (better known as Cliff Clavin from the TV Show “Cheers”) who leaves boaters informed and motivated with his humorous style. Cleaning instructions cover boats (both marine and freshwater), sail boats, and personal watercraft. The video is designed for showing at boater and shoreland education programs, watercraft inspector trainings, visitor centers, environmental learning centers, and boating retail outlets.  DVD copies are available for $5 to order at Sea Grant’s online order form.

 

MPCA Launches Phosphorous Permit Website

To help citizens and communities do a better job reducing the amount of phosphorous in wastewater, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recently launched a website about the Minnesota River Basin General Phosphorus Permit. The site provides useful information for citizens as well as wastewater treatment facilities affected by the permit.  Too much phosphorus in water feeds the growth of algae. When algae blooms die off they are consumed by bacteria. The consumption process reduces the level of dissolved oxygen in the water, which fish and other aquatic life require to survive. When the river flow is low, wastewater treatment facilities become a primary source of phosphorus.  The new website contains general information about the permit and provides copies of forms and reports that facilities must submit to comply with their permit conditions. Check it out at: www.pca.state.mn.us/water/basins/mnriver/mnriver-phosphoruspermit.html.

 

MPCA Issues New Report on Environmental Trends in Minnesota

A new report issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) shows that most key environmental indicators are holding steady or improving despite increasing pressure from population growth during the past two decades. The report, "Minnesota's Environment 2005: How are we doing?," provides a broad overview of the status and trends of eight environmental indicators related to air quality, water quality and waste generation.

 

"Considering Minnesota has experienced more than a 20 percent growth in population in the past two decades, these environmental trends are encouraging," said Mike Sandusky, director of the agency's Environmental Analysis and Outcomes Division. "But given the projections for the state's population growth in the next 20 years, there is much that needs to be done just to maintain the status quo -- and even more to improve Minnesota's air, water and land."  The status of Minnesota's surface waters is a mixture of positives and negatives. In many instances, the condition of Minnesota's lakes, rivers and streams is better than in other parts of the country. But only a small percentage of our surface waters have been fully assessed, and many of those show signs of declining aquatic habitat or are not safe for swimming and other forms of recreation. Many lakes and streams also have advisories limiting fish consumption because of high mercury levels.  The status and trends report is available on the MPCA website at www.pca.state.mn.us/publications/reports/mne-2005.html.  Print copies of the report or an executive summary are available by calling Pat Engelking at 651-297-3847 or toll-free at 800-657-3864.

 

Two New Books on Water Bugs and Stream Stewardship

The Izaak Walton League of America has released revised editions of two of its signature books on understanding, monitoring, and restoring streams.  A Guide to Aquatic Insects and Crustaceans was written to help volunteers monitor the quality of their local streams using the League's Save Our Streams method of biological monitoring. Tthe book includes 100 drawings, costs $7.95 and is available from Stackpole Books at www.stackpolebooks.com or by calling 800-732-3669.   The second volume is A Handbook for Stream Enhancement & Stewardship, written by the staff of the Izaak Walton League's water programs and co-published by the League and McDonald & Woodward Publishing Company.  The Handbook is a basic resource intended to help individuals and communities plan and carry out environmentally sound, cost-effective stream corridor assessment, enhancement, and stewardship programs. The $34.95 book is available from McDonald & Woodward Company at www.mwpubco.com, via email at mwpubco@mwpubco.com by calling 800-233-8787.

 

From Stream to Table—Watch for This New Resource

Contaminants found in fish are a concern and there are specific guidelines on how often and what types of fish to eat, outlined in Minnesota’s 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. From Stream to Table, a University of Minnesota Extension resource, provides information on food safety practices associated with safe care and handling, the importance in maintaining the quality of the fish you catch and provides guidelines on the best methods to preserve them. To learn more, contact Jean Pitt, Regional Extension Educator at 888-241-0720 or pittx004@umn.edu.

 

 

~ Conferences, Confabs and Conglomerations ~

  

Fostering Sustainable Behavior & Family Forest Stewardship Conference

May 24 & 25 at St. John’s University

The conference, part of the Vital Forests/Vital Communities Initiative organized by the Blandin Foundation, will emphasize how we can encourage active, sustainable management of the 5.3 million acres of family owned forest land in Minnesota.  Forests are some of our best buffers for water quality.  A May 24 workshop, “Fostering Sustainable Behavior,” will explore a new approach called community-based social marketing as an effective way to encourage the behavior change by individuals and communities that is needed for resource sustainability. For the conference brochure, registration deadline May 21, see www.blandinfoundation.org/html/public_vfvc%20_ffconf_061.cfm.

 

University of Minnesota Extension Shoreland Education Program: Sauk Centre Shoreland Planting Workshop

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

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 and learn more, contact Sauk River Watershed District at 320-352-2231 or info@srwdmn.org.  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. 

 

 

~ The Bucks Start Here ~

 

Basic Grant Writing Workshop

June 13 at the Initiative Foundation in Little Falls

Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to hear professional writers and reviewers present techniques for researching funders and creating effective grant proposals. This workshop is geared towards those that have little or no grant writing experience and wish to develop practical skills related to funder research and proposal writing as well as those who what to refresh their grant writing skills. This is a half-day workshop from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Cost is $40.00, which includes refreshments and program materials. Seating is limited, so register early by contacting Jolene Howard at 877-632-9255 or jhoward@ifound.org.

 

Fundraising for Small Groups

To sign up for the “Fundraising for Small Groups” monthly newsletter with fundraising ideas, tips, and secrets see: http://www.fundraising-newsletters.com

 

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.