Long & Crooked Lakes Association Annual Meeting

September 10, 2017, 1:00 pm

 

1.       The meeting was called to order by President Ken Bachofer at 1:00 pm.

2.       Introductions were made as follows

a.       Officers

                                                               i.      President (currently Ken Bachofer until 2017)

                                                             ii.      Vice-President (currently Judie Manea-Baker until 2018)

                                                           iii.      Secretary/Treasurer (currently Dan Torgersen until 2017)

b.       Directors

                                                               i.      Environmental Director, Bob Payne – appointed position

                                                             ii.      Lake Management Director, David Weeres – appointed position

                                                           iii.      At-large Director, Dick Nohner – appointed position

                                                           iv.      Immediate Past President  (currently Greg Koenigs)

c.       Web Master, Doug Kantor – appointed position

d.       The 42 attendees introduced themselves.

3.       Secretary’s Report – Dan Torgersen

a.       The September 18, 2016 Secretary’s Report (on website) was approved.

4.       Treasurer’s Report

a.       The Treasurer’s Report (on website and attached) was approved.

5.       Environmental Reports

a.       Water Level – Dan Torgersen

                                                               i.      For 2017 YTD, the average lake level was 0.87” below the Ordinary High Water Level (OHWL).

                                                             ii.      The lowest level recorded occurred on 7/21 at 7.2” below OHWL.

                                                           iii.      The highest level recorded occurred on 5/23 at 7.68” above OHWL

                                                           iv.      For perspective, the highest level ever recorded by the DNR was 21.60” above on 6/19/1983 and the lowest was 18.96” below on 8/23/1989.

                                                             v.      There is a link on the LCLA website (www.longcrookedlakes.org) that connects to the DNR.

b.       Water Clarity – Ken Bachofer

                                                               i.      Water clarity readings done by Ken show a clarity on both lakes as measured by a Secchi Disc of 10 feet.  This is typical for September.

                                                             ii.      In Spring, water clarity is typically 20 feet

                                                           iii.      There is no decrease in water clarity over the past several years.

c.       Aquatic Invasive Species – Bob Payne

                                                               i.      There are no AIS in Long or Crooked currently.

                                                             ii.      LCLA has a Rapid Response Plan in the event of infestation on the website.

                                                           iii.      State-wide, an increasing number of lakes are becoming infested.  The newest worry is Starry Stonewort.  It was most recently reported in Grand Lake.  Prior to that it was found in Koronis.

d.       Loon – Ken Bachofer

                                                               i.      On Long, there was 1 pair that did not nest.

                                                             ii.      On Crooked, the nest was washed out in the heavy rains of May.  The pair did not re-nest.

e.       Bass Slot Limit, Fish Census and Fish Stocking – David Weeres

                                                               i.      The Bass Slot Limit was extended in perpetuity in 2016

                                                             ii.      The fish census done by the DNR has been extended from every 10 years to every 15 or 20 years.

1.       The results of the 2016 census is contained in the Lake Management Plan (on the website).

2.       The Northern Pike census is dropping.

3.       A 24” Walleye showed up in the census.  Since Long and Crooked do not support natural propagation, the DNR believes it was a Walleye caught somewhere else and put in these lakes.

4.       The DNR refuses to stock these lakes because the mortality is so high.

5.       LCLA can stock the lakes themselves, but a permit is needed.

6.       Board of Directors Update

a.       Lake Management Plan (LMP) – David Weeres

                                                               i.      The LMP has been updated.  It is a 60 page document!  Everyone is encouraged to read it because it is a truly interesting historical document and provides current information on the lakes.

b.       Increasing membership – Judie Manea – Baker

                                                               i.      LCLA has only about 1/3 of the households on the lakes that actively participate in the association (as measured by people attending the Annual Meeting and the pay annual dues)

                                                             ii.      Judie encouraged each member to talk to their neighbors asking that they become active.

                                                           iii.      Randy Thole suggested that the LCLA plan a social event, including kids that would encourage participation.  Snowcones? Fishing tourney?  Community Party?

c.       Public access signage – Greg Koenigs

                                                               i.      LCLA had to replace several signs at the Public Access that were damaged or destroyed from vandalism.  LCLA pays for the signs but Lynden Township installs them.

d.       Beaver and muskrat trapping – Ken Bachofer

                                                               i.      The LCLA pays for trapping of beavers and muskrats since they interfere with inflow or outflow of water and cause shore bank erosion.

                                                             ii.      Justin Westrup, a resident on Eaglewood Road, has trapped 3 beaver and 24 muskrat over the past 12 months.

e.       Stearns County Coalition of Lake Associations – Dick Nohner

                                                               i.      LCLA joined the coalition.  It provides information from other lake associations in Stearns County and the state of Minnesota that could be beneficial for our association.

f.        Applied for “no-wake” zone through channel – Dan Torgersen

                                                               i.      The Stearns County Sherriff Water Patrol recommended that a No-Wake zone be established in the channel between Long and Crooked Lakes.  Shore Land erosion is evident.

                                                             ii.      The letter to the Sherriff’s department with supporting photographs by Ken is being written and will be sent.

                                                           iii.      It is unlikely that the ordinance establishing a no-wake zone will be completed in 2017 but hopefully will be in place in 2018.  At that point, the buoys currently stating “Danger” will be replaced by “No Wake” and be legally enforceable.

g.       Possibility of group training for AIS inspection volunteers – Bob Payne

                                                               i.      The DNR conducts classes to train AIS volunteer inspectors.  One class is 4 hours and qualifies attendees to inspect for AIS but the volunteer inspector cannot prohibit a boat from entering the water.  The 8 hour class qualifies the attendee to prohibit the boat from entering the water.

                                                             ii.      Before giving either course, the DNR requires 20 people.

                                                           iii.      The LCLA Board will query members to see if there is sufficient interest.

                                                           iv.      Randy Thole will coordinate class with the DNR if there are 20 people that would attend.

h.       Use of chemicals for weed control  on our lakes - Dick Nohner

                                                               i.      Long and Crooked are both classified as Natural Environment Lakes.  As such, chemical treatment is not permitted under any circumstances.

                                                             ii.      There are weed control measures that are permitted.  (See below)

7.       Plum Creek Watershed Report – Jerry Finch

a.       Jerry reported on the achievements in the Plum Creek Watershed.  See attached report from the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District

8.       Officer Elections – Judie Manea-Baker

a.       Dan Torgersen, incumbent Secretary/Treasurer, was re-elected for a 2-year term.

b.       Ken Bachoffer, incumbent President, was re-elected for a 2-year term.

9.       Gift Certificates and Door Prize Drawings, conducted by Judie Manea-Baker, were held throughout the meeting.  Judie was the primary facilitator in soliciting local businesses to contribute the door prizes.  Ken encouraged residents to support these businesses.

10.   New Business

a.       There was no new business.

11.   The 2017 Annual Meeting was adjourned at 3:42 pm

 

Submitted by Dan Torgersen, Secretary/Treasurer

 

 

2017 Long and Crooked Lakes Annual Meeting Treasurer’s Report

September 10, 2017

 

Opening Balance, 9/18/2016    $4,427.66

                                   

Income

                        9/19/16                       $420.00           2016 Dues

                        9/21/16                       $80.00             2016 Dues

                        9/28/16                       $60.00             2016 Dues

                        10/4/16                       $20.00             2016 Dues

                        5/3/17                         $20.00             2017 Dues                  

                        5/5/17                         $60.00             2017 Dues

                        5/23/17                       $80.00             2017 Dues      

6/19/17                       $40.00             2017 Dues      

7/26/17                       $40.00             2017 Dues      

Total                           $820.00

 

 2016 – 29 households

 2015 -- 19 households

 2014 -- 30 households

 2013 -- 23 households

 2012 -- 26 households           

 2011 -- 31 households

                         2010 -- 30 households

 2009 -- 49 households

                                                                                                           

Expenditures         

                        9/19/16           $8.58               Annual Meeting expense

12/17/16         $140.00           Fee for trapping 24 muskrat

2/18/17           $40.00             Fee for trapping 1 beaver

3/10/17           $52.00             USPO Box Rental

4/1/17             $20.17             Annual Domain Renewal

4/4/17             $40.00             Fee for trapping 1 beaver

4/26/17           $40.00             Fee for trapping 1 beaver

6/12/17           $60.00             Membership in Stearns County COLA

6/24/17           $95.88             Website Hosting (GoDaddy)

8/28/17           $18.23             Annual Meeting expenses (plates, name tags)

                        Total               $514.86

 

Closing Balance, 9/10/2017       $4,732.80

 

 

FIGHTING BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION WINS LYNDEN TOWNSHIP GROUP “OUTSTANDING CONSERVATIONIST” AWARD

By Brad Wenz, Stearns Co. SWCD

Jerry Finch, Lynden Township Supervisor, and the Plum Creek Neighborhood Network (PCNN) have been selected by the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to receive the SWCD’s “Outstanding Conservationist” award for 2017.   Plum Creek, a small stream in Lynden Township, was listed as impaired by bacteria for recreational use by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) in 2008.   The actions taken by Jerry and the PCNN to try to delist Plum Creek for this impairment is an amazing example of a grassroots effort by local citizens to protect water quality.

The MPCA measured high levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli), a sub-group of fecal coliform bacteria, in the stream which prompted the impairment designation.   While only a few strains of E. coli are harmful to humans, they also serve as indicator organisms for the presence of other disease causing pathogens including protozoa such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium.  

Alarmed about this impairment in a stream in which local residents swim and fish, Finch asked MPCA what could be done.  Basically he was told to start action on your own, don’t wait for government agencies to do it for them.  Since Jerry had little experience in watershed planning, he decided to educate himself.   He enrolled in a new Watershed Specialist Training course offered by the University of Minnesota and used the Plum Creek issue as his case study.  Applying civic engagement skills learned in the course, Jerry organized the “Plum Creek Neighborhood Network” comprised of the Lynden Township Board of Supervisors and 24 local volunteers.  Jerry and the PCNN learned as much as they could about bacterial impairment from private and government experts, then began intensive stream sampling for E. coli funded by the township.   Some interesting things soon came to light.

The Plum Creek bacterial impairment was not following the textbooks.  His testing showed that E. coli levels are increasing as you go downstream without any apparent watershed inputs such as manure or municipal waste runoff from fields, animal feedlot runoff, or non-compliant septic systems.   Again, he turned to the experts.  Finch contacted Dr. Yokav Pachepsky, USDA Research Soil Scientist from Maryland, and Dr. Michael Sadowsky, of the Biotechnic Institute at the University of Minnesota.  Their explanation: E. coli bacteria can live in stream sediment and become an endless “naturalized” supply into the stream flow during both low and high flow conditions.  Dr. Sadowsky suggested that water samples be sent to a laboratory in Florida for DNA analysis. The results were negative for poultry, ruminant (cattle), swine, and human markers.  In addition, bacterial samples taken from both the sediment and the water column were analyzed by Dr. Sadowsky and were found to be the same type.

 

Finch, with the encouragement of PCNN, immediately began sharing this data with MPCA.  This brought about a series of meetings involving MPCA, SWCD’s, MnDoT, Stearns County Public Works, Stearns County Parks, University of Minnesota, and St. John’s University.   They are now working together to expand refine the water sampling procedure and more closely look at watershed characteristics.  “We feel that one of our greatest accomplishments is facilitating the conversations between MPCA and academia concerning the impairment of rivers and streams with E. coli,” Jerry said. 

“We admire the hard work and tenacity that Jerry Finch and the Plum Creek Neighborhood Network have put into this effort,” said Dennis Fuchs, Stearns County SWCD Administrator.   “They are a great example of local citizens taking charge and figuring out how to get things done to protect their resources.  The Plum Creek Neighborhood Network has everyone’s attention at the highest levels of MPCA”, he said.   Dennis added that there are still questions to be answered and work to be done in Plum Creek but we wouldn’t be where we are now without the PCNN.   

 

Jerry Finch and the Plum Creek Neighborhood Network will be recognized during the Minnesota Association of Conservation Districts (MASWCD) Annual Convention at the Double Tree by Hilton, Bloomington-Minneapolis South on December 4^th and 5^th, 2017.   They will also be honored at the annual Stearns County Chapter of Pheasants Forever banquet to be held in spring 2018.