CLP Channel Treatment: Part 2

This map shows the next round of channel treatments approved by the DNR. The goal is to have it done by June 13.

If you have more questions, contact a Board member.

If you want to learn more about the process for managing AIS and make a positive impact, consider joining the Board.

REMEMBER the Annual Meeting is June 14 9AM at Shady's Long Shots.

rence.

Attention Boaters, Anglers, and Shoreline Residents

We all play a role in helping contain invasive species, whether you're a boater, an angler, or a shoreline resident. Here are some helpful reminders from the DNR on what you can do if you are one, two, or all three of these!

Download a PDF of the Attention Boater information.

Download a PDF of the Attention Angler information.

Download a PDF of the Attention Shoreline Resident information.

CLP Channel Treatment

The DNR has issued aquatic plant management permits to apply herbicides to create channels in the areas shown in the map below. The SRCLA is pursuing additional permits for other areas across the Chain as well. Stay tuned!

rence.

Weed Management, Transparency, and Communication

Weed and shoreline management is one of the most popular questions our Board receives, whether in the recently completed survey or conversations. It is critical that property owners manage their own frontage while the SRCLA simultaneously works on larger navigable and priority areas. Through collaboration, access can be maintained. We encourage you to use our website (srcl.org) to learn more about it and to communicate your questions and concerns with the Association. We're excited to share a new tool now available on our website!  Need to know where to treat, how to treat, whether you need a permit, etc.? This tool is made for you!

To learn more about weed management or things you can do, go to https://www.srcl.org/aquatic-plant-management.

For transparency and projects involving weed management that the SRCLA Board has done over the years, all the weed management activities since 2020 are documented at https://www.srcl.org/projects.

The SRCLA Board consists of 11 volunteers from across the Chain who meet monthly all year round. For further transparency and insights on the Board’s budget and decision-making process, see the minutes posted at https://www.srcl.org/board-1. In addition, the monthly meetings are open to the public and are posted on the calendar at https://www.srcl.org/calendar-1. Simply let a Board member know (https://www.srcl.org/contact) you would like to attend to observe, or time can be put on the agenda to hear your concern or issue. 

Despite Board members representing areas across the Chain, we can still miss concerns and issues. Communication is key. Reach out directly to a Board member by reviewing the area they work in and their contact information at https://www.srcl.org/contact, and give a call or send an email. If you don’t know who to contact, submit a message using the general contact form.  

Finally, anyone can be a Board member. Each Board member serves a minimum of two years, and about half of the Board needs to be elected each year at our annual meeting. If you are interested in being a Board member, go to https://www.srcl.org/join-the-board, and a Board member will contact you with more information. This year’s annual meeting is open to the public and is on Saturday, June 14, at Shady’s Long Shots at 9 am.

2025 Curly-leaf Pondweed Treatment Maps

In 2024, the SRCLA had trouble securing DNR permits to do curly-leaf pondweed treatments in a timely fashion. This year, the DNR issued permits based on areas we permitted and inspected last year.

Please see these maps indicating the areas on Knaus, Horseshoe, Cedar Island (per the DNR, Cedar Island includes East and Koetter), Zumwalde, Krays, and Great Northern that will be treated in the coming weeks with 200 ppb of flumioxazin.

In addition, these maps of Long and Becker show the areas that will be mechanically harvested in the coming weeks.

SRCLA Petition Urging Gov Walz to continue to fully fund AIS Grants

During the Richmond Fire Department’s Catfish Festival, we collected almost 100 signatures urging Governor Walz to continue to fully fund invasive weed control in our Minnesota lakes!  

Our Association (SRCLA) primarily uses funds from charitable gambling and memberships to fund weed control, but we also rely on some government funding. For 2025, government funding from county Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Aid (AISPA) totaled about $28,000.

Governor Walz announced a planned cut of 50% of government funding to treat invasive weeds.  The proposed reduction in funding would greatly hinder our ability to treat our lakes.  In addition to this petition, we’ve also sent a letter directly to Governor Walz to express our disappointment and concern about this initiative.  Thank you for making your voice heard through this petition!

See the one page summary below to learn more about how Minnesota’s county AISPA has been a game-changer in invasive species prevention and what you can do to let our state leaders know how important this is to continue funding these programs.  For even more information, go to this post on MN Lakes & Rivers.

If you were unable to sign the petition, MN Lakes and Rivers has this Legislative Action Center available for making your voice heard: https://www.congressweb.com/MLRA/77/

Save County AIS Prevention Aid Funding

An important message from MLR’s Executive Director, Jeff Forester:

As you probably know, Gov. Walz, in his 2025 Budget Recommendations released in January, proposes cutting the County AIS Prevention Aid Formula.

We have put out a few Action Alerts, and I know there is a lot of interest in this and also a number of questions about what individuals can do to protect this funding in the face of significant budget constraints.

We will be hosting a Legislative Update to provide more information on the process, the next steps, and some practical advice on how you and your organization can move the needle on this issue. We will also be able to answer your questions.

Monday, February 10th, 4:00 – 5:00pm

Time zone: America/Chicago

Video Link: https://meet.google.com/zie-wdvq-kha

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 219-390-9911‬ PIN: ‪563 532 205‬#

NOTE: this is a virtual only event hosted by MN Lakes and Rivers. The SRCLA receives about $30k through this program.

Plan Ahead: Shoreline Weed Treatment Permits

Hey SRCLA members! Are you ready to keep your shoreline accessible this season? Now’s the time to apply for your 2025 shoreline weed treatment permits—don’t wait until spring!
Getting your permit early ensures you’ll be ready to tackle aquatic weeds and maintain access when the season starts. Early applications help avoid delays and ensure a smooth treatment process.
💻 Learn more: https://www.srcl.org/chainlinksp24/battling?rq=weeds
Let’s work together to protect and preserve the Sauk River Chain of Lakes!

Latest Flowering Rush Report

Thank you to the Stearns Coalition of Lake Associations for using their MN DNR New Infestation and Innovative Control Grant to find and treat invasive flowering rush in the Sauk River. Over 62 miles of the Sauk River were surveyed, and flowering rush was present from Juergens Lake to just south of New Munich. Some of the infested areas were treated but more work will need to be done to control it and prevent it from entering the Sauk River Chain of Lakes. Many thanks to all involved including Limnopro, Stearns County Environmental Services, Tigris, and the MN DNR.

Click here to access the full report.

How Well Do you Know Minnesota? Part 5

There are so many water quality issues for which there is no simple solution. But the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species has a simple solution - if everyone thoroughly Cleaned, Drained and Dried their boats and water related equipment after each use, and then inspected it prior to each use in a new water body, AIS would not spread. This is why education is the cornerstone of all efforts to protect our lakes and rivers from aquatic invasive species."~Jeff Forester, Executive Director, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates.

Shoreland Owner Training for AIS Prevention

Shoreland owners play an integral part in AIS prevention by understanding the risks their watercraft and shoreline equipment like docks, lifts and rafts pose when moving from one waterbody. This training video lays out the best practices each of us can take to mitigate the risks to protect our resources for future generations.

How Well Do you Know Minnesota? Part 4

There are so many water quality issues for which there is no simple solution. But the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species has a simple solution - if everyone thoroughly Cleaned, Drained and Dried their boats and water related equipment after each use, and then inspected it prior to each use in a new water body, AIS would not spread. This is why education is the cornerstone of all efforts to protect our lakes and rivers from aquatic invasive species."~Jeff Forester, Executive Director, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates.

Be a Hero Transport Zero - Use Decon Stations

Fight the spread of aquatic invaders. Be a hero, transport zero. Use decontamination stations to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species.

How Well Do you Know Minnesota? Part 3

There are so many water quality issues for which there is no simple solution. But the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species has a simple solution - if everyone thoroughly Cleaned, Drained and Dried their boats and water related equipment after each use, and then inspected it prior to each use in a new water body, AIS would not spread. This is why education is the cornerstone of all efforts to protect our lakes and rivers from aquatic invasive species."~Jeff Forester, Executive Director, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates.

How Well Do you Know Minnesota? Part 2

There are so many water quality issues for which there is no simple solution. But the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species has a simple solution - if everyone thoroughly Cleaned, Drained and Dried their boats and water related equipment after each use, and then inspected it prior to each use in a new water body, AIS would not spread. This is why education is the cornerstone of all efforts to protect our lakes and rivers from aquatic invasive species."~Jeff Forester, Executive Director, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates.

An update on weed control.

Thank you to all who attended the Annual Meeting and were part of the discussion on how we can band together to enjoy the lakes as we know them, while also battling the weed issue present from many factors. 

Attached you'll see an assessment from our partners at Limnpro, where they applied a couple of different rates of 2, 4D to treat HWM along with ProcellaCOR. The assessment shows that 2, 4D worked, so we will move ahead with looking at the cost of 2,4D vs ProcellaCOR in treating the areas approved on Cedar Island and Zumwalde.

This type of research is running in parallel to the harvesting in the areas that we've shared recently, including Becker Lake and Zumwalde. 

Be a Hero Transport Zero - Drain Livewell

Fight the spread of aquatic invaders. Be a hero, transport zero. Drain all water from your watercraft before leaving the lake access to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Mechanical Weed Removal Continues

Can you believe this came out of Becker Lake's recent weed harvest? Look at those piles, they are 5 Feet HIGH! Thank you, WeedsUp for removing curly-leaf pondweed from Becker Lake! Why Becker Lake? It's one of the few lakes where the SRCLA was approved for a permit for mechanical weed removal.
Random fact time - Becker Lake is the only lake designated an "Environmental Lake" so no chemicals can be used.

Be a Hero Transport Zero - Clean Off Your Anchor.

Fight the spread of aquatic invaders. Be a hero, transport zero. Remove all weeds from your watercraft and equipment before leaving the lake access to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species.

How Well Do you Know Minnesota? Part 1

There are so many water quality issues for which there is no simple solution. But the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species has a simple solution - if everyone thoroughly Cleaned, Drained and Dried their boats and water related equipment after each use, and then inspected it prior to each use in a new water body, AIS would not spread. This is why education is the cornerstone of all efforts to protect our lakes and rivers from aquatic invasive species."~Jeff Forester, Executive Director, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates.