A note to our website visitors, notice that everything we do is somehow related to improving the water quality of our lakes.

• Testing water on over 30 lakes lets us see trends in water quality.
• Restoring lakeshore with native plants keeps phosphorus and sediment out of the water. Less algae, more fish 
• Working with upstream farmers as we look at all sources of water flowing into the lake; so the  Harvest Dinner
  
• Inspecting boats for invasive species in order to keep the natural balance of the lakes.
• Working for shoreline policies that permit only shoreline uses and activities that result in clean water.
  
• Maintaining focus on the two most important issues:  water quality and invasive species.

January 20, 2012   WAPOA Winter E-Newsletter  CLICK HERE

Deadline March 13, 2012   Enter Photos in WAPOA's Cute Kids contest  CLICK HERE

Current News Items and Hot Topics

January 12, 2012

DNR aggressively takes invasive species fight to new level Enforcement rather than warnings for 2012

• fines and citations for traveling on highway with vegetation, zebra mussels, drain plug in, bait with water from previous lake
• mandatory road checks trailered boats diverted to roadside check area for inspection by enforcement officer 
• 150 more access inspectors 
• mandatory training, tests, certification for lake service providers

       all information above covered in excellent Star Tribune article........ 

        new lake service provider regulations.......

        DNR video shows what you have to do to pass their boat inspection......

        How WAPOA is fighting AIS   

        a quick overview of WAPOA activities.....

NEW LAW REQUIRES TEST AND CERTIFICATION OF DOCK INSTALLERS

 2012 Lake Service Provider Class Schedule    CLICK HERE

Lakeshore owners: dock installers and other waterfront workers are required to take this class and pass a test to be certified. They must have in their possesion evidence of having passed the test.

 2012 DNR Information for Lake Service Providers   CLICK HERE

February 4, 2012  Firewood hauled across ice to 3 islands in Whitefish for use by summer campers CLICK HERE

December 28, 2011  Hovercraft rescue necessary on Upper Whitefish, 2 men on ATV fall through ice   CLICK HERE

above: Crosslake Fire Dept Hovercraft used in rescue, seen here in 2010

Photos 8 days after ice rescue   here.....

MN DNR Ice safety guidelines   here....

DEALING WITH ZEBRA MUSSELS

December 1, 2011  DNR investigating zebra mussel found in Pelican lake    CLICK HERE

October 19, 2011  Crow Wing county lake newly infested, see new DNR list  CLICK HERE 

October 11, 2011  New Risk: Buy used waterfront equipment, get zebra mussels as part of bargain, DNR alert recommends thorough wash and drying period CLICK HERE

September 22, 2011 "Shocking" spread of zebra mussels in one year on Gull Lake. pineandlakes.com article by Nancy Vogt  CLICK HERE

Research scientist speaks at WAPOA meeting held September 13 -- Zebra Mussel Control Research--- 100 chairs set up, more have to be added as audience extends into next room  CLICK HERE

RECENT AWARDS

Award for Jack and Judy Wallschlaeger,  WAPOA volunteers  CLICK HERE 

May 25, 2011 WAPOA's invasive species efforts, article by WAPOA's Marv Erdman    CLICK HERE 

May 30, 2011 New invasive species law--draining bait buckets  CLICK HERE 

 

June 1, 2011 MN DNR summary of new invasive species laws  CLICK HERE

  

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SHORELINE RESTORATION

 

Restore your shoreline, the benefit is better lake water. Imagine colorful flowers and plants beautifying your lakeshore.   

 

You can do it!   CLICK HERE

Restore Your Shore is a powerful multimedia program for shoreland owners and professionals to use in implementing shoreland restoration and protection projects.

Photo courtesy Minnesota DNR

 

 

 

 

   

Shoreland Restoration Contest results    CLICK HERE

 

10 tips for improving your shoreline CLICK HERE  

 

 

 Restoration of Rollie Johnson Natural Area's Big island  CLICK HERE   

 Fixing this eroding sand bank will improve water quality and the fishery.

 

This was all bare eroding sand before.

Photo taken about 8 weeks after planting.

 

 

 

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  Invasive zebra mussels in nearby Gull Lake

 

Nature's glue machines, they stick to everything 

Found by trained waterfront installer

No practical method  to eliminate from lake

DNR inspection highlights new reality CLICK HERE

photo Amy Benson, USGS, Bugwood.org 

 

 

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Invasive species training class for your dock installer, CLICK HERE to see if your dock installer has taken the class.  Excellent Brainerd Dispatch article about the class  CLICK HERE

 

Latest WAPOA invasive species survey  CLICK HERE

 

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Maps Maps Maps

 

2012 Invasive plant survey sites map.

A map of where WAPOA will look in 2012 for invasive plants. Looking before they become entrenched. Who knew they checked so many places?  CLICK HERE

 

 

New water quality map. WAPOA measures water quality on many area lakes. See how your lake is doing. CLICK HERE

 

 

Where does the MN DNR stock fish on the chain?

Map shows location and amount CLICK HERE  

 

 

 

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A "MUST READ"

”Losing Our Lakes"  a three part series from the Star Tribune. This must-read series includes thought provoking observations from local DNR Conservation Officer Cary Shoutz. Additional county and citizen comments.  CLICK HERE

 

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Run for the Walleye July 7, 2012 fun family run/walk, raises money for walleye habitat, electronic chip timing on a certified course, event photos  CLICK HERE       
 

 

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 You should act now to make sure your dock installer has the latest information about how he can keep his equipment from transferring invasive species from lake to lake.  Certification is now the law.  CLICK HERE 

 

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Below, topics covered in the recent past

• WAPOA Annual Planning meeting November 2011 CLICK HERE

• Minnesota Supreme Court toughens variance standard  CLICK HERE

• Third Annual Harvest Dinner August 27, 2011 CLICK HERE

• WAPOA Shoreline Restoration Contest winners  CLICK HERE

• WAPOA educating boaters at Antique Boat show CLICK HERE

• $105,000 Grant Awarded to PRWA.   WAPOA is helping sponsor this valuable water quality project CLICK HERE  

•  Not a secret, but little known to most, how does WAPOA raise funds for big conservation projects? CLICK HERE 
  

• Lakes pressured by increasing population, help from land-use ordinances   CLICK HERE  
  

• Brainerd Dispatch on new land use ordinance March 23, 2011 CLICK HERE

•  WAPOA President Dave Fischer on new land use ordinance  CLICK HERE

• WAPOA Awarded state wide conservation awardCLICK HERE

   

  
  Bill Hudson of WCCO-TV at WAPOA April 2011 Board meeting to do story about DNR fish stocking. Ed Egan of WAPOA is in close contact with these activities.

   

  CLICK HERE

   

  WAPOA MISSION STATEMENT

  The mission of the Whitefish Area Property Owners Association is to promote environmental stewardship through out the Whitefish area and the Pine River Watershed.

  The membership shall work with area environmental groups, lake and resort associations, agencies and units of local government to preserve and improve the quality of our water, land, air, aesthetics, wildlife and other natural resources for present and future generations.