Becker County COLA June, 2011  Update

The regular May COLA Board of Directors meeting was held on the evening of  June 9 with 21 lake associations present,  representing  twenty-nine lakes.  

Communications Featured.  In addition to regular reports from committees and others,  the topic of communications was featured.   President Hecock reported the results of a survey which indicated that COLA lake associations used a variety of approaches to communicate with their members.   The survey also indicated several methods were used to get COLA-developed information into the hands of lake association members.  

A number of special communication programs were highlighted,  including the Beach Captain program at Floyd Shores,  and the use of Facebook by Cotton Lake.      Newsletter design and distribution methods also were discussed in some detail.      The COLA Website (www.beckercola.org)  and COLA’s new facebook page
(http://www.facebook.com/pages/Becker-County-Coalition-of-Lake-Associations/165945406798533) were also shown.   

July 14 COLA Board Meeting to feature Septic Management.   Septic system problems may have important consequences for lakes.    A new County prioritized list of lakes that will see septic surveys over the next few years has been developed.   Also new policies are being enacted by the County that will impact residents on many COLA Lakes.  John Postovit will review these, and will offer a Septic System Educational Program Model  that may be attractive for lake associations that wish to be pro-active in ensuring that residents are employing the best septic management approaches.   

August 11^th Festival of Becker County Lakes.   “MANY LAKES, ONE FUTURE…TOGETHER”    The August 11^th COLA Meeting will focus on what lake associations, businesses, and governmental agencies are doing to

protect and enhance the quality of Becker County lakes and shorelines for future generations.    ALL COLA MEMBER LAKE ASSOCIATIONS WILL BE PROVIDED A SPACE TO SHOW OFF THEIR PROGRAMS, PRODUCTS, PROJECTS, PUBLICATIONS, PICTURES, WEBSITES, AND IDEAS.    The event will be held at the M-State Conference Center in Detroit Lakes from 5:30-7:30pm.  All officers, board-members, COLA Reps and Lake Association members, as well as the general public are invited.   A supper will be served.   LAKE ASSOCIATIONS ARE URGED TO BEGIN NOW TO PLAN AND ASSEMBLE MATERIALS FOR THEIR DISPLAY.   More information will be available at the July 11^th COLA Board Meeting.  

For Selected Lakes COLA’s “Next Step” project will entail the review of past water quality monitoring data, and integrate basin and watershed information and lake resident perceptions into a lake-specific assessment of   the water quality,  the conditions which influence water quality, and recommendations for future testing or remedial measures.     Lakes which are part of the Next Step project are urged to send  names of contact persons to Dick Hecock as soon as possible.    Also remember, these lakes are being asked to contribute $250 towards the cost of this program.     The participating Lakes are listed below.  

A FRESH LOOK.   The State of Minnesota has been conducting a Becker County Survey of wildlife, plants, animals, birds and trees that live on our public lands.    Becky Marty,  MN DNR’s Regional Ecologist will present results from this survey.   Her presentation will include new information concerning vulnerable, endangered and threatened plants and animals.   Come to the MN State Community and Technical College on Thursday, July 14 at 6:30.

Zoning Changes.  At a recent meeting, the Becker County Commission has approved changes to the County’s Zoning Ordinance dealing with increased setbacks from lakes,  mitigation of excessive impervious surface coverage,  and changes to the water-oriented accessory structures (storage sheds and boathouses).    The details of these changes are available on COLA’s website.   www.beckercola.org.   John Postovit continues to work with the committee reviewing regulations governing resorts and other important zoning issues.

And, by the way,   site www.beckercola.org has grown by leaps and bounds recently.    Please pay it a visit. 

And while you are at it,  check out Becker COLA’s new facebook page, mentioned above.  It contains much timely information and large numbers of links.   

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Becker-County-Coalition-of-Lake-Associations/165945406798533

Speaking Out.    Becker COLA recently has been getting its message out in several media outlets.    A special effort has been given to getting out the message that Zebra Mussels are a threat to COLA lakes, and the DNR needs to do more to protect Becker lakes. -  Here is a link to that article:  http://www.dl-online.com/event/article/id/61150/publisher_ID/5/

COLA also had a hand in an article on Flowering Rush a problem which afflicts several COLA lakes – see link.   http://www.dl-online.com/event/article/id/61260/publisher_ID/5/

Yesterday,  COLA through its connection with the COLA Collaborative joined six other organizations in calling on the Governor to include public accesses on those lakes which are infested with AIS in the State’s impending shutdown.   See http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/shutdown/archive/parks-and-outdoors/ .  The point is that inspectors would be laid off, leaving the public accesses untended during a possible government shutdown. 

Lake Associations are encouraged to request a COLA Officer or Chair to attend an association meeting.