Becker County COLA April  Update

The regular April COLA Board of Directors meeting was held on the evening of  April 14 with 18 lake associations present,  representing  twenty-six lakes.  

Ordinarily the 2011 COLA budget, proposed by the Executive Committee would have been presented and approved at this April meeting.    However, since the budget was based upon a change in the dues structure (which requires a change in COLA bylaws, consideration of the budget will be delayed until May.

COLA’s dues structure for many years had lake associations charged $3 for their first 200 members, and $1.50 for all additional members with no cap.  Hecock outlined reasons for a proposed dues structure for Lake Associations as follows:

Under 50  members - $50

50-100 members $100

100-300 members $200

Over 300 members $300.

Based upon discussion from the floor, individual memberships will remain at $5 per year.

While there seemed to be consensus favoring this proposal,  a bylaws change is required to execute the proposed dues-structure change.   

Other by-laws changes proposed by the executive committee would add Committee chairs to the Executive Committee,  and would clarify the basis upon which Officers and other members may speak for COLA.  These too seemed to be supported by the COLA Representatives present.  

These three Bylaws changes will be voted on at the May meeting.   Copies of the proposed bylaws are available from Dick Hecock – richard.prwd@arvig.net.  

MN COLA Collaborative is a organization comprised of 14 COLA’s including Becker COLA;   it has been active  in advocating improvements in AIS and other legislation at the state level.    Barb Halbakken Fischburg described current legislative actions being considered:    We are confronted by a very fluid situation with respect to the legislative battle against AIS.   There are numerous bills under consideration,  with varying degrees of likelihood of passage.

Enhanced inspection – more authority for inspectors,  including DNR employees and trained volunteers, to inspect boats, open live-wells, refuse entry to a lake, and so on.

Roadway check points near high-risk waters – movable sites on highways where boats would be inspected.

Loss of watercraft license – for refusing inspection

Decontamination of boats leaving infested waters – boats would be pressure washed with hot water.

Higher AIS surcharge on boat and fishing licenses – fee revenue used to support prevention programs

Greater penalties for AIS infractions – greater fines for  transporting,  failure to remove drain plug, etc.

Incentives for enforcement of AIS laws by local police – fines to go to local coffers

Decal display – boaters would be required to display decal containing information about procedures for self-inspecting boats

Lake-service Provider training enhancement – all employees required to hold certificate indicating they have received training

Environment Concerns Committee:   John Postovit reviewed committee functions and highlighted activities from various Becker County Committees pertaining to environmental concerns, particularly the Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee.    He noted that a Point of Sale septic system inspection and recertification amendment of shoreland septic systems was rejected (Chuck Church later said that he was hopeful that this decision  would be reconsidered at some future time).  Ordinance recommendations impacting shoreland development still under discussion include setbacks, impervious limits within lakeside protection zones, resort vehicle and watercraft mooring density,  and water oriented structure size and location.  Enhancements of the septic inspection and recertification program have been submitted to the Commission for approval.  A report is attached and is available by request.  

Monitoring Committee:     Hecock  that the COLA’s “NEXT STEP” program had been funded by a grant through the Board of Water and Soil Resources.  Twenty lakes will be included in the first round of analysis in which past data, together with watershed, landuse, shoreline and other data will be integrated into lake-specific reports.   Each participating lake association will be asked to assist in this endeavor by providing additional opinions on lake water quality and lake problems.   Also participating lakes will be asked to contribute $250.     The following lakes (selected because their size and depth met grant requirements)   will be included in this round:

Bad Medicine

Big Cormorant

Strawberry

Toad

Tulaby

Height of Land

Upper Cormorant

Cotton

Island

White Earth

Round

Big Sugarbush

Maud

Pickerel

Little Toad

Little Cormorant

Middle Cormorant

Eunice

Two Inlets

Straight