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SAUK RIVER CHAIN OF LAKES ASSOCIATION Draft Minutes of Annual Meeting June 4, 2011 Meeting St Peter and Paul Elementary School Richmond, MN
Present: Jim Egan, Dale Bloomstrand, Fred Strub, Rich Gallea, Rod Ogrezovich, John Rocky, Kay Cook CALL TO ORDER: President Jim Egan called the meeting to order at 9:00AM with a welcome to all present. President Egan introduced the current board members present pointing out Rich Gallea as Vice President and Kay Cook acting as Secretary-Treasurer. MINUTES: Reading of the 2010 minutes was waived as were approved by the Board and are available on our website. TREASURE’S REPORT: Cook highlighted income and expenses for 2010 - 2011 and made available copies of the treasurer's reports. MAIN SPEAKER: Holly Kovarik, Administrator of the Sauk River Watershed District, was the main speaker. She highlighted the following current projects of the district. · Septic inspections - SRWD monitors waterways to support Stearns County's efforts to improve water quality in their surface and ground water. They are not staffed to handle the projects themselves. Next focus is upstream of Richmond. · TMDL process - Ms Kovarik said there has been an in-depth study of the SRCL to determine what and where pollutants are. She stressed the complexity of the lakes because some are part of the river and others are more like a reservoir; some are shallow and some are deep. Non-flowage lakes will move forward with hearings this fall; flowage will be site specific and they are waiting for EPA information. · Government shutdown - the effect of this is being studied. June 14 there will be a meeting of the managers to provide them information on the effect on watershed activities. · SRWD is one of 3 districts working with county SWCDs on a Mississippi River initiative for which they received a $13,000,000 grant to be proactive with agricultural projects. · Whole watershed district - She says that they have established a presence in the entire district looking at all aspects of water. Stormwater has been a major focus in Cold Spring where 71 home owners initially signed up for rain gardens; 28 have been finalized. · Grants - SRWD has received $1,300,000 in grants and $100,000 in loans for monitoring, education, and cost share assistance. · Planned events for the summer - celebrating the 25th anniversary of the formation of the district. 1. June 13-19 a district manager and friend will be canoeing down the Sauk from Alexandria stopping as they go to meet and greet in Sauk Centre, Melrose and Cold Spring. They will be monitoring the water as the go. 2. July 16 all are invited to join a canoeing event on the lower Sauk River. 3. July 21 there will be a celebration at the 400 Club highlighting the progress of the district. 4. August 16 a pontoon event will be held on Sauk Lake (as it was on the Chain last year). The public is invited to attend. Responding to a question asked about the Clean Water Legacy Ms Kovarik said that these are the funds they are using through the MPCA, BWSR and the DNR Lake Owner's Guidebook:
Volunteer Walleye Limit: John Rocky and Steve DiBrito introduced marketing tools to encourage fisherpeople to return to the water walleyes less than 15 inches long. Mr. Rocky thanked the board for its financial support of this effort. All agreed the tape measure and posters will be excellent reminders. Land Use Activities: Rod Ogrezovich had land use information available relating to ag runoff, stream erosion, and septics. Becker Lake Aerator: President Egan informed the group that no location with a source of power has been found on Becker Lake to hook up a new aerator. There was no fish kill this winter which would have been a tough winter for them to survive. Perhaps there is no longer a need for an aerator. If someone would like more information they should contact Jim Egan. Election of Board Members: Ballots were handed to the attendees along with space for write in names. Current board members were re-elected. Septic Certification Progress Report: President Egan reported 22 people are fighting the need to update their system and are with the County Attorney for court action. Muskie Stocking: Jim DeRose lead a group of area residents to meet with DNR management and legislative representatives traveling to St. Paul 3 days but it appeared the stocking was a done deal. Representative McNamara and Senator Engelbritson seemed to be on our side but DNR was in control. An initial stocking was done this summer. DNR did agree to do a lake survey this summer and again in two years; they agreed to stock every-other year. It was pointed out that muskie fisherpeople are the biggest contributor to invasive species in lakes. Once again we have to wonder how the DNR is financially supporting this project since they have been unable to meet our requests. Heart of Minnesota Fishing Tournament: Sheldon Lang, the organizer of the tournament, was unable to attend but encourages all to try their luck. President Egan also informed the group about the Pavilion being built across from the Civic Center. There is a 50/50 drawing sponsored by Richmond Civic and Commerce. Individuals are encouraged to buy memorial blocks or bricks which will be part of the structure. The SRCL Board is in the process of determining who they might sponsor as part of our heritage. Drawing: Shirley Murphy won a cap; John Rocky won a mug; and Kathleen Fliecek won a swimsuit cover. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 10:05AM Respectfully submitted, Kay Cook |