Long Lake Link. Long Lake Property Owners Association Newsletter Vol 18:2 Fall Message from LLPOA President, Dick Locke

Transcription

1 Long Lake Link Long Lake Property Owners Association Newsletter Vol 18:2 Fall 2008 Issue Contents... Presidents Message... Page 1 Eight Year Review... Page 1 From the Editor... Page 2 Shoreland Buffer Grant Page 2 Editorial/Pine Cone... Page 3 Board Minutes July... Page 3 Board Minutes Aug... Page 4 Treasurer Report... Page 4 Walleye Stocking... Page 4 Board Minutes Sept... Page 5 LLPOA Updates LMP... Page 5 Secchi/Water Readings Page 6 Dear LLPOA, Message from LLPOA President, Dick Locke At the August Annual Meeting, I was honored to be named as President to follow Jerry Lerom. Please join me in thanking Jerry for 10 years of a job well done. In the Link there is a record of his accomplishments since We also thank Mark Bohnenstingel for the excellent job of publishing the Link. If you have not done so, please submit your address so we can publish all of the future issues online was again a very productive year for LLPOA. After the annual meeting, there was excellent attendance and participation at the Vision Session for updating our Lake Management Plan. A report follows in this issue of the Link. You should also have received a copy of "Cass County Shoreland Homeowner's Guide." Tony Ozark has agreed to serve as Vice President, and will be available on Long Lake if any changes occur in the Proposed Gun Club saga. I look forward to returning to the lake in late May, and thank you for allowing me the opportunity to continue to help LLPOA protect our treasure, Long Lake. I welcome any comments, questions, or suggestions. Dick Locke - Decrad@aol.com LLPOA Mission The purpose of this association shall be to maintain and improve lake water quality and lake bed health, maintain and continue fish propagation and protect wildlife and its habitat. It shall also include education about many issues affecting lake property owners and users through the dissemination of information to Long Lake property owners and their families. Long Lake Link P.O. Box 292 Longville, MN LLPOALink@gmail.com Website Eight Years in Review : Sponsored well water testing program; A status and trend assessment and water evaluation conducted by the MPCA at the request of the Association members to conduct field work for assessment. Hydrolab project ongoing; DNR stocks lake with 178 lbs.of walleye fingers; Association purchases 90 lbs.of finger and adult yellow perch; Association receives $5000 from Initiative Foundation to be used to implement lake management plan. 2002: Association purchases 100 native shrubs and trees to give to members; Received $11,000 grant from Miss. Headwaters Board and Cass County for inspection of individual waste water treatment systems; Purchased 35 lbs. of yellow perch; Living on Long Lake Guidlines resource notebook completed and distributed to all property owners; Association addressed public access issue. 2003: Association purchased and gave 150 Shrubs and trees to members; DNR Continues walleye stocking program with 356 lbs. of walleye fingers; Association contracts with UM Ext. Services to conduct hydro lab testing. 2004: Association purchased and gave 250 shrubs and trees to members; DNR Fisheries Dept. conducted electro fishing and net counts in June and August. 2005: Association purchased and gave away 200 shrubs and trees to members; Association contracted with the UM Ext Services to conduct water quality testing; Association purchased $2000 of perch; BOD conducted research into ownership of property immediately surrounding/adjacent to the lake; Report fish count results conducted in 2004/2005 to members at annual meeting. 2006: Association establishes a website; Association continued to give shrubs and trees to members; Participate in Walleye coalition; Participate in MPCA Get Lead Program ; Promoted a voluntary catch and release crappie program; DNR conducted fish count survey - report given at annual meeting. 2007: Conducted water testing program with RMBEL (Laboratory); Promote crappie catch and release; Association working with DNR to consider special crappie limit and/ or minimum size; DNR conducted Creel Study; BOD considers survey of association members and updating Lake Management Plan. (HLP). continues on page 5

2 Fall 2008 Long Lake Link Page 2 Board of Directors President Dick Locke decrad@aol.com Vice President Tony Ozark Secretary Ken Johnson colken@mywdo.com Treasurer Jean Olsen jjscabin@arvig.net Membership Jean Olsen Pat Brockton boone1@arvig.net Director Zone 1 Grace Ann Parkhurst graceann1942@aol.com Director Zone 2 Dick Loeffler Director Zone 3 Duane Schock Director Zone 4 Marilyn Bliss lakenut@means.net Director Zone 5 Roger Mitby pmitby@means.net Director Zone 6 Mark Eidenschiek Director Zone 7 Bob Alley alleyduo@yahoo.com Director Zone 8 John Evans jte24@uslink.net Web Master Tom Sorensen wave2000@aol.com Newsletter Editor Mark Bohnenstingel LLPOALink@gmail.com Association Web Site From the Editor In 2007, before the purchase of our cabin we happen to be in the boat on Long Lake during the 4th of July. We were fortunate enough to see the boat parade. All of us in the boat had a great time watching the boats go by all decked out for the holiday. On behalf of property owner Kit Arnquist I would like to request the organizers of the boat parade to drop me an at LLPOALink@gmail.com to let me know when the boat parade starts and where the lineup begins so that I can share it with the rest of the property owners for those who wish to participate or those who wish to be home to view. On a recent trip to the lake in September we took the boat out for one last ride prior to preparing it for storage. As we were cruising the lake I noticed a sharp contrast in water clarity from the end of August to the middle of September. This being my first year on a lake I thought some research was in order. What I found was this amazing concept of lake turnover. During late summer and autumn, air temperatures cool the surface water causing its density to increase. The heavier water sinks, forcing the lighter, less dense water to the surface. This continues until the water temperature at all depths reaches approximately 39º F. Because there is very little difference in density at this stage, the waters are easily mixed by the wind. The sinking action and mixing of the water by the wind results in the exchange of surface and bottom waters which is called "turnover." To read more visit MN Department of Natural Resources website at lakes/faqs.html#turnover. With this edition, in addition to the printed version, we will be sending a copy of the newsletter electronically. If you have submitted your address, check your electronic mail boxes for a PDF version to arrive soon after publication. If you have not sent us your address to receive the Link electronically, please do so. Your address will only be used by the Association and will not be shared. I would enjoy receiving any feedback you have regarding this newsletter. If there is something you like or dislike, if you have an interesting topic you would like to see covered, or if you have a story you would like to share please your comments to LLPOALink@gmail.com or send your comments to Long Lake Link P.O. Box 292 Longville MN Mark Bohnenstingel, Editor $$$$ FOR SHORELAND BUFFERS The Mn. DNR is offering two Native Shoreland Buffer Incentives Program grants ($75,000 each) during These two grants are intended to support local governmental units (LGUs) like Cass County in their efforts to offer incentives to private landowners who maintain or restore native vegetative buffers along the shorelands of lakes, rivers and streams. Cass County Environmental Services is going after one of the grants. The grants are to be awarded by the end of the year There is some reason to be optimistic that Cass County will receive one of the grants.. Cass County has asked CrowWing County to participate with Cass in a joint grant application. A total of five lakes would be selected with two lakes from each county plus Gull Lake that is in both counties. A total of about 40 private landowners who maintain or restore native vegetative buffers along the shorelands would be selected to receive funding. Why not Long Lake as one of the two participating lakes in Cass County????? Landowners would receive $$$ʼs for plants, materials and supplies specific to the project, technical assistance, etc. Kelly Condiff, ESC staff person, would be available to assist with plant selection, accessing plants, etc. INTERESTED? If you are (1) definitely interested; (2) very interested but would like to meet Kelly Condiff next spring to discuss details; (3) somewhat interested but will think about it please let me, Jerry Lerom, know at rjlerom@uslink.net; P.O. Box 72, Longville, Mn as soon as possible. If Cass County receives a grant Long Lake wants to be on top of the list. This project really compliments the Shoreline Restoration/Revegetation component of the Long Lake Management Plan. Source: Jerry Lerom

3 Fall 2008 Long Lake Link Page 3 Editorial from the Pine Cone Press So What happened to the peace and quiet of our lakes? Seven years ago our family purchased a lake home on beautiful Long Lake just north of Longville. We had finally found the peace and quiet we longed for in northern Minnesota. During our time here on Long Lake we have enjoyed the lake, wildlife, the slow pace and the friendly community. To our great concern the Longville Gun Club is proposing to build a gun range near Long and Kego lakeʼs and the Kego Okibway Tribal community, which will disturb that peace and quiet and take our right to the freedom away. You cannot tell us that there are not numerous better suited sites for the club to locate? There are many better range sites that would not affect so many of your neighbors. The proposed gun range will disrupt the lives of over 15o families and the thousands of vacationers that come to the Longville are looking for the pristine and peaceful environment we are known for in the Longville area. How can the Gun Club membership not listen to what all these families and their friends are saying? I am a hunter and was at one time a Gun Club member, so I appreciate its desire to have a gun range but please not where it affects so many of your neighbors. What happened to being a good neighbor? Please Gun Club membership, tell your leadership to respect and preserve the peace we currently enjoy. Find a better site and let there be peace and quiet on Long Lake, Kego Lake and the whole Longville area. Please do not chase all our Eagles, Loons, Deer, Fox, Grouse, Geese, Bear, and Song birds away. Please do not pollute the Long Lake, Kego Lake and Lundeen Lake watersheds and our future drinking water with your lead, steel shot and clay pigeons. Please do not lower our property values by scaring off prospective buyers becasue of all the noise and traffic your Gun Club will generate. Let us keep that peace and quiet we all deserve. Source: Dick Loeffler, Long Lake Property Owner Welcome to Doug and Deb Kuehl, on the north end near the boat launch. LLPOA Board Meeting Minutes 7/8/08 Meeting called to order by President Lerom at Patricks at 11:30. Members present: President Jerry Lerom, Treasurer and Zone 2 Director Jean Olsen, Secretary Ken Johnson, Zone 1 Director Grace Ann Parkhurst, Zone 3 Director Duane Schock, Zone 4 Director Marilyn Bliss, Zone 5 Director Roger Mitby, Zone 6 Director Jerry Chizek, Zone 7 Director Dick Locke Membership report Olsen has 138 paid members 58% of property owners. Treasurerʼs report Olsen. Current fund balance - $ , petty cash $ Mitby reported that the Cass County planning commission had tabled action regarding gun club proposed for land off north end of Long Lake. Next meeting to discuss conditional use permit will be held in Backus on July 22 at 7:30. Lerom stated that LLPOA 2008 annual meeting is scheduled for 9:30 am, August 16 th at Salem Lutheran Church. Topics for annual meeting. o Election. Primary vacancy will be President as Jerry has indicated that he is choosing to step down. o Program?? Healthy Lakes Program. Our association received a $500 grant the spring to send a team for update training. o We need to schedule a visioning session prior to September 1 st to update our current plan.may try to coordinate it with annual meeting. o Lerom suggested association spend up to $500 to encourage attendance and participation in visioning session. M-Lerom, S-Schock, Passed o Alternate program suggestions for annual meeting included: DNR Conservation Officer update; proposed Gun Club update. Lerom reported on water testing. Testing will occur five times this summer. Average secci reading is 25ʼ with one test in south basin reaching 32ʼ in early June. Prosperous and Chlorophyll levels consistent with past results. Long Lake ranks at top end of scale of Minnesota lakes for clarity. Vegetation will grow submergent up to 10ʼ deeper than secci reading. Technology New Link editor Mark Bohnenstingel will post Link of association web site. In future we will try to LINK to reduce mailing costs. We will continue to mail LINK once each year to all property owners in an attempt to encourage membership. Meeting adjourned at 12:45. Source: Ken Johnson, Secretary

4 Fall 2008 Long Lake Link Page 4 LLPOA Board Meeting Minutes 8/16/08 Meeting called to order by President Lerom at 9:30 am at Salem Lutheran Church. Lerom opened meeting by providing an overview of the meeting: Treasurerʼs Report, Membership Report, Fish Report, Lake Management Plan, Election of Officers, and general information update. Treasurerʼs Report Jean Olsen. Current association fund balance $ Membership Report Jean Olsen. 155 members paid to date which is 61.5% of property owners. This is about our past membership status. Election of officers The following members have agreed to run for board positions this year: President Dick Locke, VP Tony Ozark, Secretary Ken Johnson. M/S/P on slate of officers as presented. Zone 2 Director position is currently vacant. Septic compliance. In 2001 Board recommended participation in Cass County program to inspect all septics. As of end of 2007 Long Lake property owners were in 100% compliance which is a significant factor in our water quality. Fish Report Roger Mitby. o o Walleyes in September of 2007 DNR put 716 lbs of walleye fingerlings- approximately 17,600. There is a 10% survivability which equates to about 2000 walleyes. The DNR also stocked 104 yearling walleyes Additional walleye stocking will occur in fall of Recommend continued catch and release. DNR gill net count from this spring averaged 4-6 walleyes per netting. We owe a big thank you to Jim Bliss for getting the walleye stocking plan started in Long Lake. Crappie Special rules proposed for crappie failed to make it through DNR. Even though 67% of individuals responding in favor of proposal in last falls survey, DNR indicated an overwhelming lack of public support was the reason for not moving forward with special regulations for crappie on Long Lake. DNR also suggested future proposals most likely have no chance of being approved. May 07 sampling of crappie showed 41 netted with the largest fish being 7 years old and measuring only Average fish at 3 years old is 5.3. Lerom provided copies of A Brief History of Long Lake and Area which dates back to Lerom provided water quality handouts which provided some very interesting data on Long Lake water levels and quality. He emphasized the importance of continued water quality testing..3 rd best in Cass County. Data indicates water quality is a definite factor in increased property value. LINK Lerom introduced our new editor Mark Bohnenstingel. He and his family lives in Arden Hills. Our web site is and our webmaster is Tom Sorensen. Aquatic Vegetation Survey conducted in June of 07. Conducted by DNR biologists sites on Long Lake were studied. Report of findings indicated there were 565 acres of shoreline with depths less than 30ʼ. There were 47 different native species found with zero invasive species. There was also found one non-native species yellow iris. Previous plants surveys were done in 1950, 1976 and The end goal of the survey is to identify areas of the lake which may be environmentally sensitive. continues on page 5 Treasurerʼs Report - August 16, 2008 Balance Checking Acct (8/17/07) $4, Add Deposits (Dues) 2, Disbursements 1, Balance Checking Acct (8/01/08) 4, Disbursements: Ck. 887 Directory Printing $ Ck. 888 Meeting Supplies Ck. 889 Postage/Directory Ck. 890 Salem Church Mtg Rental Ck. 891 Void.00 Ck. 892 Leech Lk Area Watershed Ck. 893 Link Printing Ck. 894 Stipend Ck. 895 Post Office/Send Link Ck. 896 Post Box Rental Fee Ck. 897 Longville Catch & Release Ck. 898 ACCL Dues Ck. 899 Minnesota Waters Ck. 820 Link, Stipend & Postage Bank Charges Petty Cash Copies Made Total Disbursements $ 1, Combined Accounts Balance $ 4, Source: Jean Olsen, Treasurer Ten Year Walleye Stocking & Assessment Program 2001: 178# of Walleye Fingers (DNR); 90# finger and adult size yellow Perch (LLPOA) 2002: 35# Yellow Perch fingers 2003: 356# Walleye Fingers (DNR) 2004: Walleye Assessment (Gill net and Electro Fishing)(DNR) 2005: Yellow Perch #ʼs?? (LLPOA); Walleye #ʼs?? (DNR) 2006: Fish Assessment (Gill Net) 2007: 750# Walleye Fingers (DNR); Creel Survey (DNR) (*) 2008: Fish Assessment (Gill Net - week of 8/11/08) 2009: 712# Walleye Fingers (DNR) 2011: Fish Assessment (DNR) DNR Stocking Formula: 0.5 to 2.0 lbs of Walleye Fingers per litoral acre (Long Lake has 356 littoral acres) Littoral zone is the shallow area (less than 15ft. deep) around the lake shoreline, usually dominated by aquatic plants. GOAL: Walleye count to 4 to 6 per gill net lift. LLPOA: Consider purchase of additional yellow perch pending DNR assessment and recommendations. (*) Creel Survey provides data ref: daylight fishing pressure and fish catch and harvest. Source: LLPO Annual Meeting

5 Fall 2008 Long Lake Link Page 5 LLPOA Board Meeting Minutes 09/27/08 Members present: President Dick Locke, Past President Jerry Lerom, Treasurer Jean Olsen, Secretary Ken Johnson, Zone 3 Director Duane Schock, Zone 4 Director Marilyn Bliss, Zone 6 Director Jerry Chizek, Zone 7 Director Bob Alley, and Zone 8 Director John Evans. Membership report Olsen has 168 paid members 66% of property owners. Treasurerʼs report Olsen. Current fund balance - $ , petty cash $ President Locke presented recommendations for four fiscal matters. Donation of $1 per member to Leech Lake Watershed Foundation. Contribution to Woman/Girl Lake Lake Association toward their goal of raising sufficient funds to purchase land in the Lantern Bay Project. The Woman/Girl Lake Association has donated $18,000 toward the project. Money is being held by the Leech Lake Watershed Foundation in a special Lantern Bay Land Purchase account. Bob Alley motion to contribute $300, Dick Locke second, discussion, board vote passed. During annual association meeting in August discussion came up to make a donation to Mike Cochran, property owner on north end of Long Lake who is leading opposition to locating Longville Gun Range off northeast side of Long Lake. Strawvote of those in attendance at annual meeting favored donation. Money will go toward lawyer fees incurred in developing opposition documentation toward Gun Club location in Long Lake area. Bob Alley motion to donate $500, John Evans second, discussion, board vote passed. Dick Locke recommended payment of $100 to Salem Lutheran Church for use of Church meeting rooms for two meetings. Marilyn Bliss motion, John Evans second, discussion, board vote passed. Jerry Lerom presented bill of $96.56 for materials, food, and postage associated with visioning session held in September. Reimbursement approved. Jerry mentioned that 28 $10 gift certificates were purchased at One Stop for a cost of $7.50. Certificates were presented to those who attended visioning session. Certificates must be used by December 1 st and LLPOA would have to pay only for certificates used. Jerry has 250 of copies of Cass County Shoreland Homeownerʼs Guide. Copies were distributed to Zone Directors in attendance. Board will attempt to hand deliver copies as mailing costs would be about $1.50 each. New Zone Directors Mark Eidenschiek replaces Jerry Chizek in Zone 6 and Dick Loeffler replaces Dick Locke in Zone 2. Meeting adjourned at 12:45. Source: Ken Johnson, Secretary Eight Years in Review continued from page : Association participates in a two year water testing program (grant from MPCA); Association receives Aquatic Vegetation Survey of Long Lake report done by DNR in 2007; Association participates in HLP Program training to update Lake Management Plan; Association will distribute Cass County Shoreland Homeowners Guide to all property owners on Long Lake; Conduct visioning session for members in Sept. as part of updating Lake Management Plan. Source: LLPOA Annual Meeting Aug 16 Meeting Minutes, continued from page 4 Property owners should be receiving Cass County Shoreland Guide in October. Gun Club proposal Roger Mitby. In early June land owners on the North end of the lake learned of the proposal to locate the Longville Gun Club on property near the north end of the lake. A petition was circulated and 125 signatures opposing the location were gathered. On June 24 th the Cass County Planning Commission held a meeting to discuss the proposal. Several LLPOA members were in attendance. Planning commission decided to table issue until further input could be gathered. Mitby recommended membership approve a grant from the LLPOA fund to assist property owners who have hired a lawyer to aid in the opposition to proposed Gun Club location. A straw vote of members present at annual meeting voted in favor of $500 to assist with lawyer fees. Healthy Lakes Program LLPOA will receive a $7000 grant to conduct a visioning session to review and, if necessary, update our current plan M/S/P to adjourn at 10:45. Jean Olson presented Jerry Lerom with plaque to recognize his many years of dedicated and appreciated service to the LLPOA. Source: Ken Johnson, Secretary Association Updates LMP The Visioning Meeting was held on September 13 with twenty nine property owners attending. The meeting was facilitated by Don Hickman from the Initiative Foundation (IF). There was a good cross section of owners present, including year around residence, seasonal, weekenders, younger, older, and those who have owned on the lake for many years and more recent owners, etc. The end result of the Visioning Meeting was the identification and prioritization of three goals: (1) Fish population/management; (2)Water Quality; (3) Shoreline revegetation/restoration. These goals were also in the 2000 LMP, but it was decided they continue to be very important goals and should be revisited and updated as needed. Three teams were established and were asked to schedule meeting(s) to narrow the focus of the action plan to include the key elements what, when, by whom, expected results, etc. and forward these action plans to the LMP team to be incorporated into the LMP. The teams completed their meetings by mid-october. The team hopes to complete their rewrite of the LMP and have it submitted to the IF by end of November. The Association LMP Team members are: Bob Alley, Jim Bliss, John Kovar, Jerry Lerom and Dick Loeffler.

6 Highest recorded water level: ft (Jun 22, 2001) Lowest recorded water level: ft. (Aug 17, 1977) Last Reading: (May 06, 2005) Secchi Reading The Secchi disk is used to measure how deep a person can see into the water Every foot of water clarity, property value goes up. Long Lake Water Level and Secchi Tables 3 LONG (MAIN BASIN) ( ) Year w'aw \\~\~ Co ~ 10 >- g ~ 15 Co tn C E i- 20 :E o(.) Cl) en <::~r('"~ < :~~:~~~,. l", "'= ~l,,~c C%).. c±:~ Cb..,-",' ;;;J~<;;-!r,f~ "'.".. : ~~ ~~ ~ ~j~ ~t -+~ ~~~~ ~+-~ ~~\~ ~ '18' (..,fi 2010 ] - Water Level Data 1333 long r=7~ ,.,. 1 /'!.r"'.ji' u:i m0;1 /... 'f Iv 1329.L--.-~ r---r'-.----r---r' c 19% ~g ~4 ;-p Water Level Data Period of record: to 05/06/2005 # of readings: 247 Highest recorded: ft (06/22/2001) Highest known: ft (06/22/01) Lowest recorded: ft (08/17/1977) Recorded range: 5.16 ft.k Average waterlevel: ft Last reading: ft (05/06/2005) OHW elevation: ft Datum: 1929 (ft) Long Lake Property Owners Association P.O. Box 292 Longville, MN