The Confluence is a monthly electronic
newsletter for members of Minnesota Waters providing up-to-date
information and resources to help citizens protect
In this
issue:
Announcing a special “board issue”
of the Confluence
Essays from Several
Members of the Board of Directors
“Embracing the Concept of Citizen
Led Conservation”,
“The core of
Minnesota Waters has a New
Address
~
Notes and Thoughts in
this Confluence Come Primarily from the Board of Directors.
It
has been some time since the Board of Minnesota Waters connected with you, our
loyal supporters, and we thought that as we approached the second year of our
successful merger it was a good time to devote this Confluence to our
Board. Another consideration was that it just might give our hard working
staff a breather as well.
~ Essays from Several
Members of the Board of Directors ~
“Embracing the
Concept of Citizen Led Conservation” By
When I grew up in
I can recall staying at a friend’s
family cabin near Detroit Lakes and while out fishing, watching my friend’s
father sink his empty beer cans in the lake - unfortunately, a common practice
in the 1950’s. I’m not sure what the conservation officer would have done
if he had observed this behavior.
In today’s world with healthy
population growth and increased wealth, the resource protection situation has
become a great concern and a lot of information is available on remedies for
natural resource degradation– and people are concerned.
The government agency stewardship
side of the equation hasn’t seemed to change much. With increased population and
many more issues to deal with, the natural resource agencies don’t seem to have
geared up to handle the issues at hand. On invasive species issues, the agencies
seem to be content only with inventorying the type and location of new
invasions. This has been very disheartening and, I think, is not good
stewardship.
Private citizens today have the
power to do more good than at any time in our history. That is why Minnesota
Waters values citizen led conservation so highly. In our lake and river summits
around the state, we have found active, engaged citizens that are hungry to be
organized. We feel that these citizens who are concerned with their local
lake and river issues are the most effective forces that we have in the state.
This is one of the important goals of Minnesota Waters: “to promote responsible
stewardship of our water resources by engaging citizens”.
Our informed citizenry know that
conservation and environmental awareness are not hobbies – but matters of
survival. Minnesota Waters knows this too. Your support, both of
locally led conservation efforts and Minnesota Waters makes a
difference.
“The core of
We
are the only State wide organization that is actively working to improve the
waters of
We
value the ability of citizens and the organizations they form to play an
important part in water resource protection in
We
value the ability of
We
value the collection and use of data about the health of our lakes, streams and
watersheds. We believe that citizen monitoring contributes to better
understanding of our waters and leads to concrete action steps based on that
understanding.
These values, connected to our
This focus on volunteers can have
many results not directly related to water quality. Recently, a student
participant in a 14 year River Watch program on the
Zebra mussels are in
The article below appears in the
Fall 2007 issue of the Lake Minnetonka Association newsletter (available on www.LMAssociation.org) and it equally
applies to all of
Lake Minnetonka Association members
must provide financial support to protect
In my position, I often hear
lakeshore owners frustrated, sometimes angry, with lack of government or agency
initiative or investment. I also hear strong suggestions that boaters
should pay for management and prevention efforts, because they are the ones
bringing exotic species into the lake.
The problem is this – neither
government nor users can be looked upon for significant financial support to
protect our lake.
Why do I say
this?
Governmental attention at the
federal, state, and even local levels is focused elsewhere. At all levels,
we have serious deficiencies in funding and policy support for failed and
failing systems that include: energy, transportation infrastructure, public
works infrastructure, health care, social security and Medicare, and
education. This means that environmental programs come very low on the
priority list. Even with these obvious critical priorities, there is
gridlock. Bottom line – critical and essential support for protecting
In an almost perverse way, tax
reduction initiatives are also a priority. This means that local
governments – cities and counties – are being forced to confront reductions to
non-essential services. Again, this leaves
What about user fees? While
we have advocated for user fees as a fair and proportional way to help pay for
management and protection actions, especially for those involving exotic
species, the political hurdles are formidable. Is this fair?
No. Is this realistic? Yes, I believe it is.
A criticism often leveled at
In fact, we are lucky to have this
wonderful lake. Lakeshore owners, businesses, and the greater community
enjoy the great wealth
So,
We should continue to demand our
lakes get the protection they deserve, but in the meantime
What Can Members
Do?
Mostly get involved. This is
civics-101. Contact your state and local representatives and tell them
protecting
Effective programs for protection
and control of exotic species require funding.
The Lake
Minnetonka Association has a demonstrated track record of catalyzing positive
action to protect
Minnesota Waters members must
similarly support the protection and control of aquatic invasive species,
because no one else will. Minnesota Waters Public Policy Program can be an
effective change agent and advocate for better policies and laws to assure our
waters are protected, but we lack support of our members.
Please support Minnesota Waters
public policy initiatives now – before our lakes and rivers are forever spoiled.
There is an old saying that there
is a human drive to water. This attraction to water is somewhat instinctive
since water is necessary for life as we know it. I have always been attracted to
water ranging from oceans, lakes, ponds, rivers, wetlands to even mud puddles
(although not as strong of an urge these days).
The site of water is comforting,
and for me, the sight of clear water is exhilarating. Many
Various agencies, groups and
individuals are working on these topics, but Minnesota Waters can play a unique
role. Among many things we do, we can serve as a bridge for individuals
and lake associations to connect with other groups, agencies, or what ever
entities are needed to protect and restore our water
resources.
Minnesota Waters continues to
sustain a great staff with a lot of talent. Our mission to engage citizens
and partners to enhance lakes and streams remains true. But how are we
doing? You can help us to continually improve. Are there
topics we should be covering that we are not? Please let us know and thank
you. info@minnesotawaters.org
~
News on the Executive
Director and a Move
After three years of guiding the
Rivers Council of Minnesota and the Minnesota Lakes Association into becoming
Minnesota Waters, Executive Director
We’ve relocated our Central Office
to
Have you ever wondered about the
water quality in your lake or stream? Do you want to gather data that can be
used to influence local and state water management decisions? Minnesota Water’s
Citizen Monitoring program has an opportunity using Clean Water Legacy Act
funding to enhance and expand citizen monitoring around the state. Our
monitoring programs can support select groups of citizen lake and stream
sampling efforts on water not yet assessed by the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency. We can help interested groups with training of volunteers
on sampling protocols, purchase of equipment, and help pay for water quality
analysis at a certified laboratory. If you are interested in learning more about
this opportunity please call Courtney Kowalczak at 218-343-2180 or email at courtneyk@minnesotawaters.org
Minnesota Waters has
a New Address
Our new address took effect Oct.
15:
Telephone: 800-515-5253 Fax:
866-615-1771
Our final move is scheduled for the
end of October. Please drop in and say hello some time! But do give
us a bit of time to settle in unless your business is more than just a
visit.
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! ****