MWLA Newsletter

APRIL 2011

 GREETINGS!
     It’s that time of year when we begin to think of spending quality time with our families and friends in the incomparably beautiful Northwoods. There are many exciting events and projects taking place this summer in the Manitowish Waters area that are geared toward the preservation and enjoyment of the MW Chain of Lakes. We encourage you to become informed and involved so that we can continue to enjoy the Northwoods and MW Chain of Lakes for generations to come.  

"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”- Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac 
 
Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac is an incredibly poignant and enlightening book about the importance of nature conservation.
 
MARK YOUR CALENDAR - MWLA ANNUAL MEETING PICNIC/PARTY
     Save the date - Saturday, July 23, 2011 from 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. in the pavilion at the MW Community Center. Last year’s Annual Meeting Picnic/Party was considered such a huge success that we’re planning to provide the same format this year with a short business meeting and presentation by North Lakeland students, followed by a picnic/party with free brats, burgers, beer and wine. There will also be awesome door prizes and raffles. Look for our flyer in the MW Chamber of Commerce May mailing, plus more details will be provided in our June Newsletter.
 
MWLA, DISCOVERY CENTER AND TOWN PREPARE FOR 2011 AIS EFFORTS by Tom Joseph
     This summer, once again the MWLA will be teaming with the North Lakeland Discovery Center and the Town of Manitowish Waters to combat the threat of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in our area. We even have an acronym: TAISP - the Town AIS Partnership.
     We’re excited to announce that the Town has allocated $10,000 for AIS work and that Zach Wilson, the Discovery Center’s Senior Naturalist, will be leading the effort. The Discovery Center will also hire a Water Education Intern who will assist Zach. Tom Joseph will act as the MWLA liaison.
     This summer we plan to solidify and expand our lake monitoring program. The idea is to have a key person on each of MW’s waters to act as a lake captain who coordinates a crew of volunteers to monitor their lake’s shorelines and weedy areas. PLEASE VOLUNTEER! Zach will lead an on-water training session on June 10 which will include viewing of the Island Lake curly leaf pondweed patches.
     In mid-June, the WI-DNR will be conducting a Point Intercept Survey on Island Lake assessing the aquatic vegetation and doing a systematic search for the extent of AIS. This will help determine whether the small amount of curly leaf pondweed found last summer is limited to a few locations or more widespread. Following the study, TAISP will confer with the DNR as to what further measures may be in order.
     Other priorities for the summer include a continuation of the purple loosestrife beetle rearing program, Discovery Center educational AIS programs for kids and adults, an assessment of our Clean Boats, Clean Waters boat landing inspections, and placement of WI-DNR approved AIS signage at town boat landings.   (continued on next page)
     To sign up for the June outing or for more information about our AIS efforts, contact Zach Wilson at 715-543-2085, ais@discoverycenter.net or Tom Joseph at 715-892-2684, xtjosephx@yahoo.com. Keeping AIS out of our lakes requires the vigilance of ALL of us. We will only be successful if citizens get involved.
 
MWLA FISH CRIB PROJECT by Tom and Barb Kramer
     The fish crib project went very well thanks to all of the volunteers that helped. We ended up with 6 more cribs than we originally planned to build. The load of logs that was delivered went a lot further than I thought it would, so we added more cribs. We built a total of 17 cribs and placed them in Rest and Spider Lakes, including one off the fishing pier at Koller Park. We hope to eventually add at least three cribs to each lake in the Chain.
     The loggers (Jerry Litvinoff & Randy Greenfield) gave us a good deal on the logs. The load would normally cost $1,100. They gave it to the Lakes Association for $600. I would also like to thank all the rest of the volunteers: Todd Jeffers from Todd’s Caretaking, Luke Tornow, Rick McClellan, Mike Kramer, Chuck Kramer, Tom Kramer, John Hilbert, Dave Rein, Pat McCalligan, Will McCalligan, Terry Kurth and Todd Sarnio. Chuck from Chuck’s Excavating and Bear Country Builders, Inc. donated the machinery to load and move the fish cribs.
     My plan is to put out donation containers shaped like fish cribs in businesses for anybody who would like to donate for next year’s cribs. I’ve already had people offer to contribute. If you would like to donate to this worthy project, please send your donation to Manitowish Waters Lakes Association, P.O. Box 286, Manitowish Waters, WI 54545. The cost for the cribs this year was $1873.38, and the cost for next year is estimated at $2,000.
     The cribs were built on land and then hauled to the lakes and unloaded. We then dragged them out to where they go with ATV’s and 4-Wheelers. Brush was then cut from the woods and hauled out on to the lake on trailers to stuff the cribs. Since we’ve put the cribs out, the deer have been coming on to the lakes and feeding on the brush! Hopefully, they won’t eat all the brush before they sink in April. The cribs are constructed of 8 Ft. logs and average about 6” in diameter. They’re stacked like a Lincoln log effect. This allows space between the logs for fish to be able to swim in an out of the crib. The size of each crib is 8’ x 8’ x 4’ tall.  Each one costs approximately $100 in materials and the labor was all volunteered. If you would like to view a photo diary of the fish crib project please go to www.mwlakes.com and click on 2011 Fish Crib Project. 
    
Editorial Comment: The MWLA Board of Directors is extremely grateful to all the people and businesses that helped make this project a success. Thank you to everyone who was involved!
 
MW LAKE PATROL REPORT by Officer Jack Arndt, Manitowish Waters Lake Patrol
     The 2011 boating season will soon be here, let’s take a few minutes while there is still ice on the lakes to think about the coming summer. The Manitowish Waters chain of lakes is a wonderful resource but we need to use these waters safely and responsibly. Our state boating laws and relevant town ordinances are designed to help ensure that end. One of the biggest concerns I hear from lake residents is the importance of our Slow-No-Wake (SNW) zones. 
These zones are important as environmental buffers and for boater and swimmer safety. In an effort to address these concerns, I worked a greater number of hours in the rivers, all designated as SNW zones, making stops, issuing warnings and citations, and generally providing a higher level of police presence;  the goal is to encourage a high level of voluntary compliance in the SNW areas. The local DNR warden and the Vilas County Sheriff’s department are also aware of this concern and assisted throughout the summer in this same way. I and these other law enforcement agencies will continue this task this coming summer. 
     Let’s review what Slow-No-Wake (SNW) means, as defined in state statutes it is a tough standard to meet. SNW is the operation of a boat at the SLOWEST possible speed, without creating a wake, and still maintaining steerage. Some states call this “Idle Speed,” you have your engine idling, you shift into forward, and you creep forward. When you are operating in our rivers and other SNW zones, look backward and check your wake…. if there are waves any more than a few inches rippling toward the river banks or lakeshore, you’re going too fast. 
     Additionally, the State of Wisconsin, in the spring of 2010, enacted a law prohibiting ALL BOATS from operating within 100 feet of ALL SHORE LINES at a speed greater than SNW. Previously, that restriction only applied to boats operating within 100 feet of swim areas, piers, and rafts (that includes any skier or tuber you might be towing). You can see that this new law is much more restrictive. Watch out for areas like the narrows at the west end of Manitowish Lake, the entrance to Voss’ Bay, the narrows from Stone to Fawn Lake, and other smaller bays. This law, restricting speed to SNW within 100 feet of all shore lines, makes these areas very narrow for a boat traveling faster than SNW, and dangerous if other boats are in the same bottleneck. 
     The last couple summers I have issued the most citations for water skiing violations, this includes tubing and like activities. The violations are usually for no observer onboard or an inadequate observer (too young or not paying attention); or, for skiing after hours per town ordinance. Town ordinances restrict skiing to after 9:00 AM and skiing must cease by 7:00 PM. If you have guests, have renters, operate a resort, you should insure that your guests are aware of this ordinance. 
 
Quick misc. review:  
     All boats must have a wearable personal flotation device (PFD) for each person onboard.  The PFD must be in good condition, of the proper size for the various people onboard, and the PFD’s must be readily accessible. The old traditional boat cushion does NOT meet this standard. 
     Anyone born after 1988 MUST complete a DNR boating safety course prior to operating any power boat.
Proper navigation lights must be turned on if you are on the water after legal sunset.  This is strictly enforced. If you have other lights mounted on your boat, those lights or the light they emit cannot obscure the required navigation lights.
Personal Water Craft (PWC) must be 200 feet from all shore lines and 100 feet from any other craft unless being operated at SNW.  An operator must be at least 12 years old, and through age 15 must have completed a DNR safety course. Even with a parent onboard a person under 16 cannot operate a PWC. 
     Insure that your boat is currently registered and has the required registration number and decal properly displayed. 
     If you have a question concerning recreational boating check the Wisconsin DNR website or call the town hall and leave a message for me, Officer Jack Arndt, Manitowish Waters Lake Patrol.
           
BAER SUES TOWN AND COUNTY OVER CRANBERRY FARMS 
     On March 25, Alder Lake resident Tom Baer and related entities filed suit against the Town of Manitowish Waters and Vilas County in Vilas County Circuit Court. The lawsuit asks for a declaratory judgment that state cranberry laws trump local zoning ordinances, and that therefore the Town cannot prevent Mr. Baer from expanding his existing cranberry farm across Pine Lane and building a new one between Twin Pines Lane, Deer Park Road and Bluebird Point Road.
     The suit also requests a temporary injunction preventing the Town from enforcing its claim that Mr. Baer has already commenced agricultural activities on land zoned residential by clearing trees, installing culverts and ditches, and preparing for cranberry beds, and ordering Mr. Baer to stop these activities. A hearing on the temporary injunction is scheduled for April 13 in front of Vilas County Judge Neal Nielson. Town Attorney Greg Strasser will defend the Town.
      Recently, concerned local property owners opposed to the farms have formed a group called the Northwoods Property Rights Coalition. The group cites as potential negatives: noise, increased traffic on residential streets, clear-cutting of forested land, fertilizer/pesticide pollution being discharged into Manitowish Lake, fertilizer/pesticide polluted ground water leaching into nearby wells, adverse effects on property values, and water being drawn from the already stressed Manitowish Chain of Lakes for commercial purposes. MWLA shares concerns about the water-related issues; however, we did not form and have not endorsed this group. For more information, or to join the Northwoods Property Rights Coalition contact: info@northwoodsprc.com.  
     In January, Mr. Baer petitioned the Town to amend its Comprehensive Land Use Plan to pave the way for agricultural zoning on the two parcels. Approximately 100 citizens attended the Plan Commission hearing. All testimony other than from Mr. Baer’s team opposed the petitions, and the Plan Commission voted 5-0 to deny the requests, with Chairman Dan Sleight abstaining. The MW Board of Appeals then heard an appeal of the enforcement of the Town’s work stoppage order and ruled unanimously against Mr. Baer.
     Now the controversy shifts to the courts. Because of the potentially broad-reaching statewide implications, we believe the case will garner widespread attention. MWLA will continue to report on developments as appropriate in future newsletters and email alerts.
 
NEWS FROM THE DNR

  • Fishing forecasts from around the state are now available online in the 2011 Wisconsin Fishing Report http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/reports/fishingreport/   Karl Scheidegger, a Department of Natural Resources fish biologist says "We hope this information can lead you to the kind of fishing experience you're after, whether it's a shore lunch, a lunker, or great pan fish action for the kids."

 

 

  • In our October 2010 Newsletter,we alerted you to the urgency of training volunteers for the Wisconsin Bat Monitoring Program. White-nose Syndrome is a fungal disease that is lethal to bats. This unprecedented disease is currently spreading toward Wisconsin and help is needed to monitor bat populations. If you would like to learn more about this program please visit the Wisconsin Bat Monitoring Program website at http://wiatri.net/inventory/bats/index.cfm. Training sessions for those interested in becoming a part of this survey are set for Tuesday, April 26th at 6:30 pm at Trees for Tomorrow in Eagle River and Friday, April 29th at 6:30 pm at the NorthLakelandDiscovery Center in Manitowish Waters.  (You must preregister for the training sessions.)  For more information or to sign up for a training session please contact Licia Johnson via email at licia@discoverycenter.net or by calling her at (715) 543-2085. 

 

  • Get the Lead Out! (Feb. 16, 2011 Wisconsin Lakes Newsletter) is a campaign to educate anglers on the effects of lead fishing tackle on the fish, loons and other birds and wildlife. Lead poisoning from ingested tackle usually occurs one to two ways, a lead jig head is swallowed by a fish, or lost lead tackle is picked up along with small stone and grit from the bottom of lakes to help digest food. Fish, loons, eagles, trumpeter swans, and many other wildlife species are consuming lead in one or both of these ways, and the results can be fatal. One lead split shot is enough to kill a twelve pound loon! Inexpensive and ecologically sound alternatives to lead fishing weights are available. Anglers can use sinkers and jigs made from non-poisonous materials such as tin, bismuth, steel, and tungsten-nickel alloy. For more information go to http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/fish/pages/gettheleadout.html

 
INTERESTING WEBSITES
     To read a great article from the October 29, 2010 Lakeland Times about loon migration go to http://www.lakelandtimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=13&SubSectionID=13&ArticleID=12141&TM=25310
    
     If you’re interested in the history of Manitowish Waters, the Koller Library offers a blog where you can find several fascinating articles about the Town’s early history: an interview withMark Leistickow, Carol Keller Minch’s memories of Clear Lake, and Paul Brenner's recollections of early logging. Go to http://mwlibrary.blogspot.com/

LIMITATIONS ON PHOSPHORUS STANDARDS WOULD HARM OUR LAKES - excerpted from the March 2011 Wisconsin Lakes Newsletter
      Last November, new rules went into effect that limited the amount of phosphorus that could enter lakes and streams, and provide for a unique cooperative management structure that allows municipalities and farmers in a watershed to work together to reduce runoff and avoid costly upgrades to treatment plants. The Governor's budget would take a huge step away from these rules. It would seek to scrap the standards, limiting Wisconsin to the lowest standards set by any neighboring state (currently Minnesota and Illinois have set standards for lakes and none have set standards for rivers and streams). The intent of the provision on the part of the Administration is to make Wisconsin, at least in terms of phosphorus regulation, no less attractive to businesses than our neighbors. The budget language is misleading, however, giving the impression that phosphorus criteria are enough to reduce dangerous and unsightly algae blooms. Criteria are not enough - they can be used to list waters as impaired, but the new rules effective now in Wisconsin would allow these criteria to be USED to set permit standards resulting in an overall reduction in the amount of phosphorus released to a lake or river. In addition, the cooperative or adaptive management features, which are innovative and took time for the EPA to allow, would be prohibited.
      Lakes are a powerful driver of Wisconsin's economy, through their integral connection to tourism and recreation. The algae blooms and other problems caused from phosphorus impact not only the biological health of the lake, but also the economy of the State, and that is a large reason these rules and the compromise that resulted in cooperative management came to pass. The April 7, 2011 Wisconsin Lakes Newsletter reports “While we are not out of the woods yet, it seems the Governor’s office has been willing to listen to our issues, and has requested changes to the phosphorus provision in the original budget proposal.”
     The Legislature's Joint Finance Committee will hold public hearings around the state in April at which members of the public can appear to comment on any budget item. To educate yourself about the Executive Budget Bill go to http://legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/data/AB-40.pdf
 
WHITE ARROW SIGNS - UPDATE
     The Town is working on a plan to implement a system that will allow property owners to obtain a permit to have a sign made according to Town specifications. The Town will furnish posts for the signs and will also be responsible for putting the signs up when they are dropped off by residents. 
 
TROUT RIVER CULVERT - UPDATE 
     John Hanson reports – “As soon as the road limits come off we will be closing the road again. The contractor will come back and remove the concrete arches, and put a 12 " cap on the footings, re-set the arches and finish the project. The project should start in Late April or early May. The additional foot of clearance will make it much easier for boats to go through the culvert.”
 
MWLA WEBSITE AND E-NEWSLETTER - reprised from our October 2010 Newsletter    
     We invite you to check out our website at www.mwlakes.com with its new graphics and inviting pictures of our lakes. Thanks to Scott Bertz of Web Work Life for all the information he has provided, including recent news items and Quick Links to our Town Government, the Chamber, the Discovery Center, and helpful environmental websites. 
     The current edition of our Newsletter is highlighted, and there are archives of the most recent editions. You can contact us via the website, and if friends or family would like to become members, there is a membership form ready to be filled out.
     The MWLA is dedicated to providing current information about our lakes and rivers, their waters and shorelines, along with updates on governmental meetings, community events, recreational opportunities, and state and local regulations relevant to the Chain and the Northern Highlands State Forest. We do this via our Newsletter, our periodic Email Alerts, and now our user-friendly MWLA Website.  That website will enable us to upgrade our Newsletter and make sure that you find exactly what you’re looking for.
     We would eventually like to save on paper and postage costs by mailing out fewer hard copies of our Newsletter. We will be encouraging members to provide their email addresses in their membership renewal forms so that they can receive our e-Newsletter and email alerts. You will be able to indicate your choice about how you would prefer to receive the MWLA Newsletter when you receive your membership renewal form in June.
 
PLEASE BECOME A VOLUNTEER
     When you receive your MWLA renewal form in June, you will be able to indicate how you may be willing to volunteer your time and efforts to MWLA activities and projects this summer. Please consider how you can help us to become an even more relevant and proactive association by volunteering a few hours of your time this summer by helping with one or more of the following:
 - Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) activities
 - Set up tents, merchandise, and materials for July 4th and/or Fall Colorama
 - Man the MWLA booth on July 4th  and/or Fall Colorama
 - Man the Trout Pond on the 4th of July
 - Greet and sign in members at the Annual Meeting
 - Set up for the Annual Meeting
 - Donate money and/or new items for the Annual Meeting door prizes and raffles
 - Donate time and/or money to the Fish Crib Project
 - Assist with Newsletter mailings (spring, summer, or fall editions)
 
MEMORIAL TO PAT JASTRAB by Eleanor Butler
     On December 29, 2010, we lost a dear friend and devoted employee, Pat Jastrab. 
Pat was employed by Enzymes International for 23 years. She was a very conscientious worker who always went “above and beyond” in performing her duties. She also enjoyed keeping track of the MWLA membership and helping with the Newsletter. Pat was loved by all those who worked with her and by the many customers in the U.S. and Europe who spoke with her on the phone.  Her cheery disposition will be missed by everyone
 
THANK YOU TO JACK AND JULIE KING 
     The MWLA owes a huge debt of gratitude to Jack and Julie King for their 17 years of volunteering their time and expertise to our Lakes Association. The MWLA membership thanked them by presenting them with a gift certificate to the Pine Baron’s Restaurant at last year’s Annual Meeting, plus each MWLA board member personally contributed to a donation in their name to the Discovery Center for the upkeep of the Bill Lambrecht Interpretive Trail. Thank you, Jack and Julie!
 
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Karen Dixon, Pres.                   Manitowish River                   715-543-8141
Tom Joseph, VP                       Rest Lake                              715-543-8362                
Eleanor Butler, Treas.              Alder Lake                             715-543-8401                              
Marilyn Gabert, Sec’y               Manitowish Lake                   715-543-8224
Jim Banovetz                           Wild Rice Lake                       715-385-2812             
Bob Becker                              Spider Lake                           715-543-2219        
Greg Holt                                 Benson Lake                         715-543-8168                        
Barry Hopkins                          Rest Lake                              715-904-0480
Tom Kramer                             Highway51                            715-543-8000         
Merry Perkins                          Manitowish River                   715-543-2048                        
Jim Reichert                             Alder Lake                             715-543-2647                      
Jean Rein                                 Manitowish River                  715-543-2278
FredTheisen                            Island Lake                           715-543-8860