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- NEWSLETTER - June 2008 ANNUAL MEETING SET FOR SATURDAY, JULY 12 MWLA members and friends are cordially invited to this year’s Annual Meeting featuring Michael R. Fitzpatrick, attorney for the Manitowish Chain Defense Fund. Mike Fitzpatrick is from Janesville and is Chairman of the Litigation Practice Group at Brennan, Steil & Basting Law Firm. He has been working with the Defense Fund since the fall of 2006. In that role he provides counsel to the Defense Fund Board on WDNR authority, relevant Wisconsin statutes, and applicable legal avenues The July 12th meeting will be called to order at 9:30am in the Community Building by MWLA President Karen Dixon. There will be a short business meeting during which nominations will be made to fill board-vacancies. Four officers will be re-slated, including Dixon, Vice President Tom Joseph, Secretary Marilyn Gabert, and Treasurer Eleanor Butler. The Town’s new Aquatic Invasives Species Coordinator, Mike Biszak, will be introduced. The MWLA will be kicking off its “Adopt a Shoreline” initiative, designed for lake residents who are not here continuously through the summer but want to do their part. The public is welcome. Come at 9am for Mary Sinkus’ famous brownies. For more information, call Julie King at 543-2065 or email to mwlamailbox@yahoo.com.
MICHAEL BISZAK, NEW AQUATIC INVASIVES SPECIES (A.I.S.) COORDINATOR Mike is not new to Manitowish Waters. He has spent summers here for many years with his grandparents, Rose Ann and the late George Biszak. He has worked as the Assistant Trips Director for Camp Jorn and is majoring in Natural Resources at UW-Stevens Point. Mike reports to the Town Lakes Committee which has received a grant for volunteer recruitment and training and to build awareness of the threat of aquatic invasive species. Under the grant, the State releases funds only if there are enough volunteer hours to match the grant dollars. Last summer, when waters were low, there weren’t enough volunteers. Costs had to be paid out of Town/taxpayer funds, instead of receiving the hoped-for matching dollars. The MWLA will be working closely with Mike Biszak through our “Adopt a Shoreline” program to meet this year’s grant expectations.
WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS YEAR’S A.I.S. PROGRAM? Many lake and river residents are only at their summer homes for short periods. It’s hard to find time to attend training-sessions and work at boat landings on weekends and holidays. The MWLA and the Town Lakes Committee decided to design a volunteer program that wouldn’t require more time than people can give. The “Adopt a Shoreline” program is open to all those who can access their shorelines. Your involvement can be as little as one hour a month, even if you’re here for only a month. You don’t have to attend a training program. We feel confident that if enough of our members sign up, we’ll add a significant number of protected front feet along our shorelines, and we’ll set a new record for volunteer involvement. Over in Lac du Flambeau 175 people signed up last summer to look for aquatic invasive species. With 1200 households on our Chain we feel we can do better than that. But we’re not just trying to set a record. The MWLA is determined to insure that our Chain remains free of Eurasian Water Milfoil, Curly Leaf Pondweed, and Purple Loosetrife. Lakes associations in Minocqua, Eagle River, and on the Gresham lakes just south of us are spending thousands of dollars on weed-killers. Shortly you will receive a communique describing the “Adopt a Shoreline” program, its flexible requirements, and how Mike Biszak will make it easy for your weed discoveries to be identified. The A.I.S. threat isn’t a false alarm. Fast-growing weed-cover changes forever the ways people use their lakes. A.I.S. is as much of a threat to property values as low waters. Our new program will make it possible for the Town Lakes Committee to concentrate on boat landings, fishing tournaments, and other aspects of A.I.S. prevention. Our motto is: “We’ll cover the waterfront!”
BLUE-GREEN ALGAE CAN BE A HEALTH HAZARD TO PEOPLE & PETS Three summers ago Audrey and Jim Wilson lost their 14-week-old Golden Retriever, Millie. Millie loved her daily swims, but no one realized that the mat of iridescent blue-green algae off their Clear Lake waterfront was toxic. For humans the effects can be annoying itching or eye-ear-skin infections, or gastrointestinal problems. For animals the impact can be deadly. Blue-green algae, technically known as Cyanobacteria, is found in our lakes and ponds in late summer, particularly when temperatures are high. When blue-green algae bloom occurs, local health departments advise staying out of the water. It isn’t always easy to determine, among our usual weeds, where algal toxins are being produced. A common-sense approach is to look for a scum-layer or a floating mat that has a shiny look. Avoid that area and look for another place for water activities. Prevent your pets from entering the water. There is something else you can do about blue-green algae. When phosphorus runs into a lake from leaky septic systems or lawn fertilizers, blue-green algae thrives. Think about whether your lawn really needs that extra dose of fertilizer that the next big rain will carry into your lake. And read on about other strategies to lessen the danger of blue-green algae.
STATEWIDE PHOSPHORUS BAN IN LAWN FERTILIZER FAILS When SB197 failed in the State Legislature, we lost an important advantage in the battle against nuisance weeds and algae growth in our inland lakes. This bill, if enacted, would have curbed the use of lawn fertilizers that contain phosphorus. (Minnesota passed such a law in 2005.) It is estimated that a single pound of phosphorus discharged into a lake can result in upwards of 500 pounds of unwanted plants. We need to think twice about using standard lawn fertilizers. Experts say that most lawns don’t need fertilizing, and certainly not within 35-40 feet of a lake. U.S.G.S. studies have demonstrated that lawns send 10-100 times more phosphorus into lakes than wooded areas do. Some shoreland management specialists point out that a more natural landscape filters out the harmful substances that come from fertilizers and ice-melting products. But if you feel your lawn needs a green boost, there are fertilizers on the market that are phosphorus-free. Locally you can find phosphorus-free fertilizers at Timberwolf Hardware in Manitowish Waters or at Knitt’s in Boulder Junction.
THE MW CHAIN NEEDS “LOON CITIZEN SCIENTISTS” In our April edition we advertised for volunteers for this program which is covering 100 northern lakes this summer. Program Director Dr. Michael Meyer reports that they’ve signed up over 100 volunteers from Oneida and Vilas Counties - but not one person from the Manitowish Chain. Our ad may have been too early for you to know how long you would be here this year. The program needs people who will be in our area weekly through August. Mike Meyer is concerned that there won’t be any coverage of our lakes, even though several Chain residents helped the DNR surveying teams last year. Volunteers use motorboats, canoes, or kayaks to view entire lakes each week. They count the number of adult loons, nests, and chicks. Data-sheets are provided, and information can be submitted on-line or in hard-copy. Volunteer “Citizen Scientists” can also assist project staff with night loon banding efforts in July and early August. Each “Citizen Scientist” receives two newsletters describing project results and findings. The data collected is critical to policy-making about loon survival in northern Wisconsin. You can ask for additional information or to sign up by contacting Mike Meyer at Michael.Meyer@Wisconsin.gov or at (715) 365-8858.
OUTCOME OF NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD VOTE ON ATVs IN NHAL On April 23rd Wisconsin’s Natural Resource Board voted unanimously against the proposal to site two ATV trails in the Northern Highlands American Legion State Forest. An ATV stakeholders’ group had met for over a year to review possible routes and settled on a trail from Lake Tomahawk to Star Lake and another in eastern Iron County that used public lands northeast of Manitowish Waters. The NRB decision came after DNR Secretary Matt Frank had had recommended against both trails. He said: “The public has demonstrated through this process that they care deeply about the NHAL State Forest. The public is strongly divided with respect to ATV recreation on public lands, particularly where ATV trails are not already established. Establishing either of these trails…would displace current users to some degree, and change the character of that portion of the property.” Steve Petersen, NHAL Superintendent (and our Annual Meeting speaker in 2007), had earlier reported that the majority of the 2,500 people who provided public input opposed the trails. Comments came from 300 zip codes in Wisconsin, 14 other states, and Ontario, Canada. The final recommendation is at http://dnr.wi.gov/master_planning/nhal/NHAL-atvtrail.htm.
A MESSAGE FROM TOWN CHAIRMAN, JOHN HANSON The Town of Manitowish Waters has adopted a revised sign ordinance. Section 6.6 deals with prohibited signs. One of the prohibited signs will be the residential black & white arrow signs located on many of the road intersections. Section 6.6 E reads as follows: “Prohibited; Black and White Residential Directional ‘White Arrow’ signs on all town road highway right-of-ways.” Business “White Arrow” directional signs will be allowed on road highway right-of-ways. They can only be installed by the Town on posts furnished by the Town. There are several reasons for prohibiting the residential signs. Now that all the Town roads are named and all residences have fire numbers, directions to a location can be given by road name and fire number. Many of the signs that are now up do not comply with the requirements of the current ordinance in terms of size and letter style. Once a sign is put up, it often stays up long after the party that put it up is gone from that location. Many signs have been up so long they are illegible. Some are put on trees or old wood posts. Overall, they do not add to the aesthetics of our town. In addition, Section 6.6D prohibits off-premise signs, so putting your sign on someone else’s property is not allowed. If you have a sign or signs on a post on any right-of-way, we request that you take it down before Oct. 1, 2008. After that date the Town Crew will be removing these signs and bringing them to the Town Garage. We will keep them there until June 1, 2009 if you want to pick them up there. After that date we will dispose of them. Thank you for your cooperation.
FROM TOM JOSEPH, MWLA GOVERNMENT RELATIONS The Rest Lake Floating Island is gone. This unique 2/3-acre floating bog, which provided fantastic fish and wildlife habitat, was removed pursuant to a permit issued by the Wisconsin DNR. The permit was granted to the Town of Manitowish Waters and a Rest Lake resident whose property was affected by the Island’s movement to the north, after its cable moorings had rusted and broken loose from its former site. How this happened is an unfortunate tale of inadequate public processes and misguided thinking. It is impossible to reverse this action; however, we can learn from it. The MWLA Board has written a letter to the Town and the DNR detailing the mistakes that were made and how to avoid them in the future. The Board asked that consideration be given to an environmental project, such as additional plantings at Rest Lake Park. To see the letter, go to the MWLA website at http://www.mwlakes.com.
STATUS OF PROPOSED CHANGES IN SHORELAND ZONING NR115 is the state legislation that governs development standards along shorelines. These rules have been going through revisions for several years and were supposed to reach the Legislature this year. However, before that can happen the Natural Resources Board must review the new rules and forward them to the appropriate legislative committees. We’ve checked, and the NR115 revisions have not been scheduled for NRB consideration. The MWLA Government Relations Committee is following the process. We may have more information in our fall edition.
WE WELCOME YOUR MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL Our membership now stands at 354 households, a new record. We hope to better that total this summer as we take on additional community responsibilities. Earlier in this Newsletter you read about the Boat Safety Course, sponsored by the MWLA. We’ve also teamed up with the Town Lakes Committee in the “Adopt a Shoreline” invasive species project. In addition to these service projects, the MWLA is very active at the Fourth of July and Colorama celebrations, providing information about issues affecting our lake and river residents like shoreland management, lighting, and boating regulations. Send your check for $25 to MWLA, P.O. Box 286, MW 54545. Pat in our office would welcome information about valid summer mailing-addresses and inclusive dates for mail delivery in MW (if you maintain a local mailing address). We hope this Newsletter provides the information you’re looking for. We try to provide up-to-date coverage of water-related state legislation and local ordinances, fish and wildlife management, DNR contacts, and community events. We’re an active organization, and we need your support!
Julie King, Editor
==================================================== Karen Dixon, Pres. Tom Joseph, VP Eleanor Butler, Treas. Marilyn Gabert, Sec’y Manitowish River Rest Lake Alder Lake Lake Manitowish 543-8141 543-8362 543-8401 543-8224 Rick Eble DeWitt Everix Greg Holt Jack King Little Star Lake Little Star Lake Benson Lake Clear Lake 543-2688 543-2962 543-8168 543-2065 Mike Kulczycki Jim Reichert Jean Rein Gayle Strand Island Lake Alder Lake Manitowish River Little Star Lake 543-8364 543-2647 543-2278 686-7993 Mark Suckow Fred Theisen Powell Rd. Island Lake 543-8748 543-8860 For more information about the MWLA or to join the MWLA: MWLA
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