Cedar Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District
August 2, 2003
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Flom at 9:03 am, August 2, 2003 at the Cedar Lake Community Center. All commissioners present:
Commissioners:
Doug Flom Kent Rebeck Nolen Chew Jr.
John Bonaprise Bernie Meister
Brad Johnson Bob Goodlad
The 2002 minutes were read. Motion to accept by Jim Gutting, 2nd Lorraine Goodlad. Minutes accepted as read.
Treasure’s Report: $36,587.36. Detailed funds report attached.
Chairman’s Report:
Doug Flom presented a progress report. He cited the following accomplishments: Operational Aerator, Waterskimming and Keyhole Ordinances, Internet Site, Three Newsletters, Contribution to Star Prairie Land Trust for shoreline and habitat protection and Contribution to Star Prairie Fish & Game for the Nutsman Carp Holding Pond. Doug said he looks forward to more progress in the coming year.
Presentations:
Star Prairie Fish and Game:
Update by Dave Peterson and Stuart Nelson. Star Prairie Fish and Game is active in many projects within the Cedar Lake District. Last year the Nutzman Dam and Carp Holding Pond were completed. Dave Peterson stated the dam will allow Carp from Cedar Lake to be captured in the holding pond prior to entering the Apple River. Stuart Nelson said this is just one example of the partnership between Star Prairie Fish and Game and the CLP&RD.
Star Prairie Land Trust, Inc:
Update by Dennis Early and Cheryl Bursik. Dennis Early stated that the Star Prairie Land Trust was grateful for the $4500.00 the CLP&RD had donated this past year. The Trust submitted the Cedar Lake Conservation Legacy Project proposal to the Department of Natural Resources in May. The grant was ranked in the list to be funded. Final funding depends on legislative approval of the state budget with grant funds intact. If all goes as expected, the project will preserve a total of over 100 acres and nearly ¾ mile of Cedar Lake shoreline. Cheryl Bursik stated that all the hard work of all the project partners was paying off and the acquisition of the grant properties will be critical to protecting and preserving two of the sensitive habitat areas on Cedar Lake.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources:
Update by Marty Engel (fisheries) and Deborah Konkel (aquatic plants). The major themes in both presentations by the DNR were Carp control and the need to protect and restore shoreland around Cedar Lake. Marty Engel began by reviewing the status of the Spring Vermia virus that produced the massive Carp kill on Cedar Lake in the Fall of 2001 and Spring of 2002. Marty said that the virus had been detected downstream in the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers. Carp tested in Cedar Lake last fall show the presence of antibodies in the Carp that indicate they had been exposed to the virus and survived and apparently built up immunity to the virus. The ban on Carp harvesting (fishing and bow hunting) was lifted in July. The bait harvest restrictions are still in place. Marty stated that Carp management is key to keeping the carp population down after the numbers were reduced significantly after the virus kill. Marty said the Carp will attempt to fill the void by increased production. He elaborated that any Carp management plan needs to be executed annually or the carp levels will be back up within a few years. Marty added that restoration and protection of shorland can improve panfish habitat and result in increased panfish populations.
Deborah Konkel stressed the importance of aquatic plants to the habitat of the lake. She said that the carp raise havoc with submerged vegetation and fish spawning beds. She said studies have shown that if the critical habitat can be isolated from the Carp, that the vegetation returns naturally. Deborah added that she would be glad to work with us on habitat projects such as the reintroduction of submergent vegetaion such as Bull Rushes and Lilly Pads.
Election of Commissioners:
Polk County – Nomination made by the board. Bob Goodlad ran unapposed and was elected with 66 votes.
St. Croix County – One board nomination: Bernie Meister – 38 votes. Two elector nominations: Jack Hayes – 53 votes and Dennis Early – 66 votes
Bob Goodlad and Dennis Early were elected to three year terms. Jack Hayes was elected to a two year term.
Old Business:
Aerator well:
Doug Flom said that the aerator has been operating steady since before Memorial Day and the plan is to keep it running until Labor Day weekend. Jack Hayes reported that other than a few spurious high temp shutdowns, the aerator has been performing supurbly. Jack added that the aerator electric bills are running around $1500.00 a month and will continue at that rate as long as the aerator runs.
New Business:
Star Prairie Land Trust Contribution:
A motion to donate $4,500 to the land trust was made by Jean Blinkhorn and second by Jack Hayes. A vote was conducted using a show of hands. Motion passed 69 to 8.
Water Quality and Habitat Committee:
Nolen Chew stated that the board is forming a Water Quality and Habitat Committee to assist the board with environmental issues. The committee is looking at three areas of interest: 1) Carp Management 2) Sensitive Area Protection and Rehabilitation 3) Education of Cedar Lake property owners. The board will address the status of the committee at the September meeting. The board is still seeking volunteers for this effort.
Budget Hearing and Adoption of Budget:
Each item of the proposed, $14,700 budget was discussed. The budget as proposed was adopted. A motion to to pass a levy to support the adopted buget was made by Dennis Early, seconded by Sandy Flom. Motion passed unanimously.
Next Meeting:
The meeting was adjourned at 1030a.m., Larry Williams made the adjourn motion and the second by Don Madsen. Motion carried unanimously. The next meeting will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2004, 9:00 a.m. at the Cedar Lake Community Center.