Becker County COLA May  Update

The regular May COLA Board of Directors meeting was held on the evening of  May 12th with 21 lake associations present,  representing  twenty-nine lakes.  

AIS Program Featured.   At the May 12^th meeting,  the program featured reports from various lake associations on their AIS prevention and management activities.   Reports were heard from Bad Medicine, Big Toad, Straight Lake, Cormorant, Floyd and Cotton.   Others Lake reps also briefly reported on activities.  

New Invasive Species Regulations have been approved by the Legislature,  and if signed by Governor Dayton,  would go into effect immediately.   

Summary of Minnesota 2011 Aquatic Invasive Species Law

   Watercraft and water-related equipment can be thoroughly inspected for Aquatic Invasive Species anywhere in the state by a consveration officer, licensed peace officer (Sheriff Deputies and Police) or a certified inspector.

    Inspection includes full examination of watercraft and may result in the requirement of removal, drainage, decontamination or treatment to prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species.

    Law enforcement officers, Conservation Officers and certified inspectors can prohibit individuals from launching watercraft if the operator refuses to allow an inspection or refuses to remove/dispose of any Aquatic Invasive Species.

   Water related equipment (includes portable bait containers) leaving public waters must be drained and all vegetation removed along with drain plug out for transport. In addition, watercraft must arrive at access with drain plug out, all water drained and no vegetation or operator will be in violation.

   All bait containers must be drained before leaving access. Suggestion: bring water and a cooler to transfer bait.

   Mobile inspection stations may be utilized for certified and thorough watercraft inspections to ensure Aquatic Invasive Species compliance.

   A watercraft owner must obtain and display a DNR aquatic invasive species rules decal on a watercraft. After August 1, 2014, failure to display would become a petty misdemeanor violation.

   Lake Service Provider permits are required which include training, examination and permit fee. Persons working for a permittee must also complete training.

   Water related equipment (dock/lift) that is removed from infested waters may be stored on riparian (owner’s) property for the winter (or repair) to be returned only to the same water from which it was removed.

Compliance with aquatic invasive species inspection requirements is an express condition of operating or transporting water related equipment in Minnesota.

AIS Brochure being prepared.    Becker County COLA applied for and received a grant from the Minnesota DNR to design, print, and distribute printed brochures to educate the traveling public who may not be aware of the impacts of AIS transfer through public and private water access points.   We are asking COLA Lake Association Volunteers to assist us through the distribution of a brochure/flyer at business locations such as bail shops, resorts, gas stations, station stores, food markets, restaurants, taverns, sporting equipment dealers and stores, lake accesses, any where those who are recreational boaters moving from lake to lake would come in contact with this important information. The brochure/flyer will advise about the need to inspect, drain, and clean their equipment, and inform boaters of the most current Minnesota laws enacted to contain and stop the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species.    We plan to  have this material ready to distribute to lake associations at the June 9^th meeting. 

COLA’s Dues structure revised.   The old dues structure based upon membership with no cap,  has been revised.   There now will be four membership categories, under 25 members at $50,  26-50 members for $100,  51 to 100 members $200,  over 100 members $300. 

COLA’s “The Next Step” Project.    Becker COLA has received a grant to partially offset expenses of having RMB Labs undertake a water quality assessment of 20 lakes in Becker County.   For each lake RMB will review past water quality monitoring information,  and integrate basin and watershed information into an lake-specific assessment of the water quality,  the conditions which influence water quality, and recommendations for future testing or remedial measures.     The following lakes will be a part of the study;  each will be asked to contribute $250 towards the cost.  

DNR Volunteer Access Inspection Program.   Many lakes have adopted volunteer access inspection programs in order to protect their lakes from Zebra Mussels (or other AIS).   In order to undertake such inspections,  volunteers have to receive training from DNR staff.    The training is about 1 ½ hours.  COLA is sponsoring  a session  at Tamarac on May 28^th at 9 AM.   A background check release is required. 

County Septic System Survey Prioritization.   Postovit reports that this prioritization is based mainly upon the ratio of shoreline to surface area,  though condition of the lake and trends in water quality are also taken into account.   A septic system survey would entail a review of septic system records to ensure that current standards are met.  For those systems which do not have sufficient records on file,  a field inspection and certification would be required. Lakes ranked high on the list (the ones to be inspected sooner.   Long, Bad Medicine, Big Sugar Bush, Pickerel Little Cormorant, Eunic, Strawberry and Big Cormorant and Island are COLA lakes which ranked very highly.     Lakes may petition for “re-positioning” to an earlier inspection if 60% or more property owners approve. 

Zoning Changes.   John Postovit continues to work with a committee which is reviewing regulations governing resorts,  setbacks from lakes,  mitigtation, and other important zoning issues.

 Lake Service Provider Training session occurred in Detroit Lakes on March 29^th with about 30 businesses present.    Lake Associations were asked to communicate to their members the importance of hiring AIS certified boat, dock and boat lift providers to help reduce the chance of Aquatic Invasive Species spread, primarily Zebra Mussels.  Pending legislation requires that all such businesses obtain permits and requires training of all employees engaged in moving equipment in and out of lakes.  

Website.  The site www.beckercola.org is slowly taking shape.   Fred Tuominen,  COLA Communications chair has worked hard on this;  we are nearing the time when it will be fully functional. 

Budget Approved.   COLA Representatives unanimously approved a 2011 budget at the May 12^th meeting.  Anticipated expenditures will be approximately $16,000.  

Bylaws Changed.   Also at the May meeting,  these three changes were accepted by the COLA  Board.

1.      Dues Structure Change (see above)

2.     Committee Chairs to be included in the Executive Committee

3.     Clarification of the upon which Officers and other members may speak for COLA.

DNR Grants for Signage.   STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS SIGNS are available to Lake Associations according to Fred Tuominen.   Grants can be obtained to obtain the signs and assist with the installation at public accesses.   Contact Fred for more information – btoadlake@aol.com. 

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