BECKER COUNTY COLA POSITIONS AND POLICIES, 10/14/10
General:
1. COLA is organized for purpose of facilitating cooperation among member lake associations
2. To protect and enhance the quality of lakes and their shore areas
Monitoring
1. Each member lake association should undertake monitoring to ascertain the trophic condition of the lake, and to identify trends in lake conditions.
2. Each lake association should fully participate in the Minnesota Citizen Lake Monitoring Program (CLMP) by taking 12 Secchi disk readings each year and reporting them to CLMP
3. Each lake association should collect at least 5 chlorophyll (Chl-a) and phosphorus (TP) samples, June-September, two years in a row, followed by a 2-3 years interval during which no samples are collected.
4. COLA will assist lake associations in interpreting data from their monitoring programs
5. COLA will help lake associations to employ additional lake-specific monitoring programs to supplement monitoring activities described above.
6. COLA will provide information on remedial actions needed to respond to problems identified by monitoring programs
Environment/Zoning
1. COLA urges governing authorities to aggressively and consistently enforce all shoreland zoning ordinance provisions. There are insufficient resources applied to this endeavor at present.
2. COLA intends to inform its member lake associations of any activities affecting the management or regulation of lakes or shoreline by governmental agencies.
3. COLA supports that practice that individual Lake associations should be informed of, and consulted about, any contemplated government action that will affect the lake which they represent.
4. COLA urges governing authorities to avoid permanent exception to ordinance standards via the Variance process, when proposed site deficiencies can be mitigated and approved administratively.
5. COLA favors the identification of shorelines which are not conducive to traditional/regular shoreline development, and the assignment of a “special protection zone” to such areas and/or requiring development design and mitigation features to protect the lake or its lakeshore.
6. COLA advocates that the County to initiate a more expedient and enhanced program of shoreland septic system inspection and re-certification. Septic inspections should be conducted every ten years on all lakes which are either classified as Eutrophic, or which exhibit declining trends in trophic status. COLA believes that point-of-sale certificates of compliance should be required.
7. Further, COLA encourages lake residents to consider alternative methods of handling waste disposal and urges the governing authorities to establish regulations that are more accommodating to such alternative methods.
8. COLA encourages member lake associations to use a “Healthy Lakes” model (or something similar) to prepare and adopt Lake Management Plans which could qualify them for technical and financial assistance to address water quality problems. COLA will advocate that Becker County officials incorporate provision of lake management plans in its zoning/planning regulations.
Communications
1. An active and multi-faceted education program is central to the success of COLA. The committee recommends that an education committee be established.
2. The Communications committee will publish and distribute newsletters as funds are available.
3. Communications committee will maintain a membership data base based upon lists received from Lake Associations. COLA will not share its membership data base (names and addresses of LA members) to other organizations.
4. The Communications Committee will maintain the COLA website; COLA meeting announcements, minutes, newsletters may be placed on the website; links to relevant sites containing data bases, regulations, lake association newsletters, documents, and educational information will be placed on the COLA website. Website costs should be incorporated into annual budgets.
5. The Communications Committee will continue to search for ways to deliver COLA’s messages to the general public. It is understood that many different means may be used to deliver such messages.
6. COLA’s Secretary will send meeting announcements, minutes and other relevant information to COLA representatives and other Lake Association officers who provide addresses, as well as to County Commissioners, and Planning/Zoning officials, news outlets, and others who ask for them. In general this material will be send by e-mail, employing a BCC (blind copy) option. COLA reps and others may request a mailed copy.
Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force
1. Existing State resources, regulations and administrative structures are insufficient to prevent the spread of AIS. COLA will advocate for changes, including an emphasis on finding means for early-intervention and treatment.
2. COLA will advocate for local governments to place a higher priority in funding, and enforcement of regulations aimed at preventing the introduction of AIS to County lakes.
3. COLA will help Lake Associations to mobilize to adopt enhanced education and other AIS prevention methods.
Public Policy
1. COLA seeks to influence public officials and agencies in accordance with COLA’s by-laws and the adoption of specific positions by the members.
2. Continued study should be made of litigation and cooperation with neighboring COLA’s as tools to influence public policy.
Finance
1. There should be an audit of COLA finances each year.
2. A revised dues structure should be studied.
Adopted 10/14/10