BECKER COUNTY COLA’s 2010/11 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

·      developed  Positions and Policies statement to provide clarity about COLA

·      played a leadership role in current deliberations of County ordinance revisions, especially in the regulations governing shore impact zones, mitigation, resorts.    

·      advocated for improved shoreland septic system inspection and certification programs (including a requirement of point-of-sale certificate of compliance)

·      developed a model shoreline inspection program that can be adopted by LA’s

·      joined with other COLA’s in a Coalition to advocate for timely passage of new statewide shoreland and dock standards, stricter AIS regulations,  and to oppose attempts to weaken criteria for granting variances.  The COLA Coalition currently represents 16 COLA’s (30,000 riparian properties)

·      Organized the Becker County 2011 Legislative Summit on AIS with purpose of influencing legislators;  300 attended, including 20 legislators.  

·      helped develop, and distributed popular Shoreland Property Owners Guide (also reprinted)

·      distributed newsletter and several press releases on current issues and topics

·      promoted lake-specific diagnoses and monitoring programs

·      held a monitoring workshop for lake associations

·      received grant to prepare lake-specific monitoring plans for 20 COLA lakes, the Next Step Project.

·      paid 2/3rds of monitoring costs for COLA lakes not included in the Next Step.   

·      joined with League of Women Voters in holding a “candidates forum” for allow public to ask questions of County Commissioner candidates

·      Assisted Pelican River Watershed District in successful passage of legislation broadening definition of AIS, and altering the fee structures

·      sent delegates to Minnesota Water Annual Meeting to meet with other Lake Associations,  COLA’s, legislators, and key state officials

·      sent an observer to County Board meetings

·      prepared statements concerning deficiencies in the County’s proposed Recreation Plan and Ordinances – to be used in future revisions

·      initiated a discussion with the DNR about the need for Fisheries funds to be allocated to AIS education and enforcement.

·      Joined Minnesota Seasonal Recreational Property Owners Association – a group that advocates for interests of riparian property owners (especially on the matter of AIS prevention). 

·      helped organize AIS local training sessions for Lake Service Providers

·      Sponsored and organized AIS volunteer training sessions for AIS inspection programs

·      Engaged county in design of AIS brochure which was distributed with tax bills

·      Distributed press release timed to precede fishing opener – resulted in several articles and TV and Radio programs about the relationship of AIS and anglers

·      Prepared and distributed AIS boater checklist to LA’s, bait dealers,  resorts and marinas

·      Obtained DNR grant to prepare and distribute Zebra Mussel Alert brochure to bait dealers, resorts, and marinas.

·      converted to electronic communication to alert its membership and friends to important developments,  meeting agendas, and other matters. 

·      upgraded the website