Friday, January 28, 2011

January 2011 Issue of The Confluence

The newsletter from Minnesota Waters is now posted on their website.  The link is located in the "Quick Links" box to the right.  There are articles about contacting your representative about water issues and information about a conference in April.  Check it out.

LLAA Board Minutes

The minutes from the October 16, 2010 board meeting for Long Lake Area Association (Hubbard County), Inc. are now available for you to read.  You will find the link to the document on our "Board Communications" page.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Update on Wellhead Protection Efforts

From 5 to 6 pm Tuesday, February 1st at the Northwoods Bank lower level, Luke Stuewe will provide an overview of Minnesota Department of Agriculture sponsored projects related to nitrogen issues in the ground water.  Stuewe is responsible for agricultural recommendations, technical assistance and subsequent water quality demonstrations to promote and evaluate best management practices in northwestern Minnesota.

This event is being presented the League of Women Voters and is free of charge to the public.  The information about this event was listed in the Park Rapids Enterprise of 1/26/11.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Quote:

"Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together."  - Vesta M. Kelly

One Approach Targeting AIS

Lake Minnetonka watershed is proposing a colored boat decal program to identify watercraft from infested and non-infested lakes. To read about this proposal click on the below link:

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Alexandria AIS Opinion article

The below link is from the Alexandria Echo Press and contains opinion and editorial comment on the AIS issue in the Alexandria lakes area. It is worth reading:

http://www.echopress.com/event/article/id/81471/group/Opinion

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Update on DNR Action Plan for AIS

According to an article in the Pioneer Press the DNR is "pulling out all stops in the war on lake invaders."  It mentions the tri-county AIS legislative summit to be held Saturday in Detroit Lakes and goes on to detail increased problems with invasive species and strategies to combat them.  You can read the full article by clicking on this link:  "DNR pulling out all stops..." by Chris Niskanen

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Aquatic Invasive Species Opinion Article

The following article is to be published in the Star Tribune in the very near future. The article is written by the President of the Minnesota Seasonal Recreational Property Owners and is supported by Hubbard COLA and other lake organizations (many have signed on at the end of the article).

Contact:  Jeff Forester
E.D. Minnesota Seasonal Recreational Property Owners, MSRPO
Office 952-854-1317, Cell 612-961-6144
Letter - 696 Words

Minnesota’s Lakes are under attack. Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), such as Eurasian watermilfoil, curlyleaf pondweed, zebra mussels and others, are inexorably advancing, carried from lake to lake on boats and trailers. They clog creeks, choke shallows, foul intakes, slime beaches, destroy native fish and plant ecosystems, and cost tens or hundreds of millions in lost recreation and eroded property values yearly.  Not only is Minnesota losing this war — we are not even fighting.

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Information Session

In the January 9th issue of the Pioneer Press is a summary of information from DNR's weekend educational session on AIS issues.

Go to:  Outdoors Now by Chris Niskanen

At the end of the article there is also a link to a condensed version of a presentation made by the Minnesota Seasonal Property owners organization.

COLA v Hubbard County update

The following is information received from Dan Kittelson, Hubbard COLA president, regarding the Board of Adjustment suit.

To: COLA Collaborative ParticipantS & Friends of COLA
Re: COLA v. Hubbard County
You can find complete information on the Hubbard COLA website at: www.minnesotawaters.org/group/hccola/welcome
You will also find the Affidavit's listed on the website.
I would encourage you to go to our website to learn more about our lawsuit.
Next Thursday, January 13th in the Hubbard District Court the Judge will hear oral arguments from both sides on the Motions for Summary Judgment. He will not rule from the bench at that time, but will take the matter under advisement and issue his decision at a later date, but before the scheduled trial date of some time during the week of February 14th. The trial will proceed only if the Judge decides that neither side is entitled to Summary Judgment.
Our attorney has advised us to encourage Hubbard COLA members, lakeshore property owners & the public to attend the Summary Judgment hearing on January 13th.  A large attendance of lakeshore property owners & the public will demonstrate to the Judge that Hubbard County residents feel strongly about enforcing the Shoreland Management Ordinance & protecting the economic and environmental values of our property & lake.
Dan Kittilson, President
Hubbard COLA

Zorbaz Night

Ten hardy Long Lakers met at Zorbaz Saturday night for the monthly get together. It was a cold night but everyone had a good time. Our next Zorbaz Night is Saturday, February 5th, at 6 p.m. Hope to see you then!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Tom Landwehr appointed head of DNR

Governor, Mark Dayton, has made his appointment for commissioner of natural resources.  We have listed links to two news articles that tell more about Landwehr, his experience, and the challenges he will face.  The newspapers offer a place for comments at the end of each article.

Pioneer Press:
Dayton taps conservation lobbyist for Minn. DNR

StarTribune:
Landwehr is Dayton's Choice to head DNR

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Ski or Snowshoe on a Lantern Lit Trail

On Saturday evening, January 15th, there will be an opportunity for you to cross-country ski or snowshoe along a lantern lit trail in Itasca State Park from 5 to 7:30pm.

Moon by LLK
Check out the details here:
Lantern Lit Ski & Snowshoe at Itasca


You may also want to check out the "Soaring Eagle" ski trails.  They will hold an open house from 1 to 4pm on Sunday, January 16th.

Details here:  Itascatur/Soaring Eagle cross country ski trails

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Link to Snow Depth Information

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html#439

This links to the DNR snow information page.  Most of the data is from 12/30/10, but I would expect that the DNR will up date it to include the most recent storms.