Greetings!

Here is another in a series of COLA e-mail updates aimed at keeping our member organizations apprised of COLA happenings and opportunities for Lake Associations.  Please pass this information to other members of your Lake Association Board and other interested members of your association.   Newsletter editors should feel free to use any of this information.

Becker County Ordinance Review Committee – The County has appointed an Advisory Committee to review the current Shoreland Ordinance – COLA is represented by John Postovit of the COLA Environment Concerns Committee and he can be contacted via telephone 701-232-6401 or Email johnandardis@msn.com if you have any input on the Ordinance review.  The Advisory Committee is presently considering several changes to the Ordinance:

·         Septic System  -  The present periodic inspection/recertification program will likely be modified to improve the lake by lake selection sequence and give Lake Associations an opportunity to position their lakes in the program.  Also under consideration is the establishment of a Point of Sale Compliance inspection requirement.

·         Lake Setback- the  “stringline” method of determining new structure setbacks may be modified to increase setbacks taking into account reconstruction on previously developed adjacent lake lots.

·         Impervious Surface  -  Under consideration is criteria that would reduce the near lake impervious surface in conjunction with reconstruction on previously developed lake lots.

Future agenda topics include a review of the Existing Resort, Water Oriented Structures,  Mitigation, Variance, Enforcement, Accessory Structure and Retaining Wall provisions.

Representatives at County Meeetings – we still are looking for someone who can help COLA by serving as a County “watchdog”   - the idea is for someone to attend County Commission or other important meetings held by officials in our County.  We see this as a way to get to know people who are making key decisions, and to perhaps increase our influence.   If you are interested in this effort,  please contact me (richard.prwd@arvig.net) or Chuck Church (cchurch22@hotmail.com)

COLA Collaborative To Oppose Weakening of Variance Rules – representatives from Becker COLA have been meeting with representatives from other COLA’s from around the state to develop a strategy for defeating a legislative attempt to greatly weaken Minnesota’s regulations governing the granting of variances.   It appears that the effect of a proposed law will be to greatly expand the criteria used by Cities and Counties in the award of variances to local zoning and other ordinances.  It is believed that such a new law would greatly increase the number of variance requests, and make them much more likely to be granted.   Regulations governing shoreline protection,  impervious surface limitations, type, size and placement of structures would be likely targets.     Negative impacts on water quality,  habitat,  neighborhood integrity, property values – all would suffer.    The COLA Collaborative has been trying to develop strategies to make this new legislation more responsive to the interests of existing lakeshore property owners.     

Monitoring – “The Next Step” – COLA has joined with Becker SWCD and RMB Labs to submit a grant application to BWSR for support of  some diagnostic work  for several COLA Lakes.   The Grant calls for analyzing past monitoring efforts for up to twenty participating COLA lakes.   Specifically grant personnel and COLA will be working with representatives from each lake to review various data bases pertaining to those lakes (water quality monitoring,  fisheries surveys, watershed info, land use, etc.)  and developing specific recommendations for future monitoring needs for that lake.   We expect to know in March if the proposal is successful.    Several lake associations already have indicated their interest in being a part of this project. If your lake may be interested in joining such an effort, please contact Dick Hecock (richard.prwd@arvig.net,  or 218 846-0436).   

DNR Awareness Grants – DNR has announced 2011 grant opportunities for cost-sharing programs to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, especially zebra mussels and spiny waterfleas, into Minnesota waters. These offers are an opportunity for local entities, including lake associations, to receive state funding and/or partner with the DNR on public awareness initiatives, such as brochures, signage, news releases, or other ideas. Public awareness projects can be done with standard DNR informational materials or with informational materials developed by the successful applicant.  Each grant requires a 1:1 match from the grantee. In some instances the match can include volunteer time.   Application deadline: March 8th, 2011.   For more information contact Wendy Crowell at wendy.crowell@state.mn.us, or Darrin Hoverson at darrin.hoverson@state.mn.us.  

Aquatic Invasive Species.   There is considerable activity on AIS in St. Paul. As was reported at the AIS Legislator Summit last month,  the DNR has proposed numerous changes in its prevention strategies,  some of which will require legislative action.   In addition, some legislators have been pressing for changes which go beyond those proposed by DNR.  Working with members of the COLA Collaborative and other groups around the state,  Barb Halbakken,  Becker COLA’s Secretary,  has been heavily involved in promoting a more aggressive state program of prevention.  

AIS Alert:   Beware of Equipment Transfers Between Lakes.   Lake Association members, and others, should be very careful when purchasing boats, boat-lifts, docks, rafts, and similar equipment which has been used in other lakes.  Such equipment, unless it is treated properly (power-washed, dried, frozen, etc.) can inadvertenly bring AIS such as Zebra Mussels (and their veligers),  Spiny Waterfleas, Eurasian Watermilfoil, to a new lake – YOUR LAKE???. There is at least one documented instance of a purchaser finding Zebra Mussels attached to newly-purchased boatlift that he was preparing to launch into an un-infested lake.