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.

New AIS Prevention Initiatives.    On March 16, 2011,  the DNR introduced legislation which will strengthen AIS regulations.  It includes the following:

·         Expanded powers to inspect watercraft and trailers for AIS – it includes removal, drainage, decontamination or treatment to prevent the spread of AIS.  It also permits inspectors to open bait storage,  live-wells and bilge areas on boats.

·         Broad powers of inspection and control to include any person designated by the DNR Commissioner as an Inspector

·         Lake Service Providers must have permits

·         Increased penalties for violations

COLA budget work.   Dick Hecock and Wayne Lee have been working on a 2011 budget proposal that will be presented to the full Board on April 7^th.  The proposal includes several significant changes in COLA’s finances,   including a proposal to restructure COLA dues.   The latter would require a change to COLA bylaws.  

Whither COLA?     One of the discussions that will need to occur this year is to consider COLA’s role as an advocate.   In the past, advocacy has been primarily limited to local situations, especially at the County level.   In recent years, and particularly this year,  it has become clear that there are state-level activities in  which our COLA may have an interest.   One example is the development of the COLA collaborative and its recent lobbying efforts  (see below).  While our  Public Affairs Committee goal calls for an expansion of work to the state level,  the implications,  including budgetary,   have not been fully explored.  

A derivative problem has to do with COLA’s traditional schedule.   For historical reasons the COLA Board meets seven times a year,  from April through October.   However,   many of the actions having potential impact on lake associations and/or COLA occur during months in which COLA Board meetings do not occur.   Examples include legislative hearings,  county zoning ordinance review committee deliberations,  grant application deadlines, and so on.     We have tried to accommodate this mismatch by empowering the Executive Committee,  but there is only so much that four officers can do.   COLA needs to have a discussion of this situation.  
  

Theme for COLA’s 2011 Board Meetings.    At a recent Executive Board Meeting,  there was a consensus that we will revisit the 2009 theme “Lake Associations Teaching Lake Associations”.   It was decided that each month will feature one or more lake associations making a presentation about a (successful) program or strategy – shoreline inventories, AIS public access inspections, website development,  and many others come to mind.   If you have a successful program you would like to brag about,  let Hecock know (richard.prwd@arvig.net).  The idea of organizing the annual meeting around sharing lake association successes also received some support.  
 

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 focusing on possible ordinance changes having to do with septic system inspections and certifications,  lake setbacks, resorts, and water-oriented accessory structures.   

Representatives at County Meetings – 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 Opposes Weakening of Variance Rules – representatives from Becker COLA continue to work to oppose an attempt to weaken Minnesota’s regulations governing the granting of variances.    The Bill has been approved by a House Committee, but has not come to a floor vote.   In the Senate it has not been heard by a committee yet.   There are powerful political forces supporting this bill which would 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” – No word has been received on a Becker COLA initiative to analyze past monitoring efforts for twenty COLA lakes.   The project also would make lake-specific recommendations on future monitoring on those lakes.   We are reasonably confident that the project will be approved.    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 – Fred Tuominen, COLA’s Communication Committee Chair submitted a grant request on behalf of COLA.   Should this proposal be accepted,  COLA will receive funds to assist in the preparation, publication, and distribution of a brochure warning Becker County lake users about the dangers of Zebra Mussel infestations (and other AIS problems).  

Lake Service Provider Training.    On March 29^th,  Minnesota Waters will join DNR in presenting a training session for dock and lift service providers,  marinas,  marine retailers, and others who move equipment in and out of our lakes.   This is part of a series of such sessions which are aimed at ensuring that such LSP’s are aware of the problems,  the regulations, and the proper techniques for protecting our lakes from further infestations of Aquatic Invasive Species.    The session will be held from 9-11 AM on Tuesday, March 29^th,  at the MNDOT Area Headquarters in Detroit Lakes (at the intersection of Highway 10 and 59).   The program is intended for business owners and their staff,  but anyone can come.    To register for the program you can e-mail courtneyk@minnesotawaters.org or call 218 343-2180.   COLA has contacted all Becker County Providers with an invitation to attend.   You can help by urging any lake service provider with whom you do business to attend such a session and receive the certification.