To OTC COLA General Directors & Friends: The article below is from the Fergus Falls Journal on the County’s AIS Task Force. Please feel free to share this with other interested persons. Shawn Olson, Past President, OTC COLA

http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/2012/01/26/invasives-fight-will-begin-in-spring/

Invasives fight will begin in spring

Published 10:55am Thursday, January 26, 2012 Updated 10:58am Thursday, January 26, 2012

Otter Tail County’s Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force will likely partner with the area lake associations to pursue grant applications. There’s an urgency to move forward due to the deadlines for Department of Natural Resources (DNR) grants.

Land and Resource Director Bill Kalar, the lead county employee on the new task force, said information about the invasive species threat will be mailed out with property tax statements.

LLPOA President, John McMillen

Happy New Year!

I would like to thank all people that support the Lake Lida Property Owners Association. Your support is extremely important to help achieve our goals and to keep our lakes as healthy as possible, for people to enjoy. We strive to improve water quality, to minimize the effects of development, and to develop a sense of community pride.

Our Association continues to move forward. Listed are some projects being worked on, completed, or in the planning stage:

1. Enlist matching funds from Lida Township for a water quality study and monitoring program (we will know in early 2012. Our old plan is now complete. We will start to work on a new plan after we hear from the Lida Township Board.

Subject: Update on Rose Lake Zebra Mussels – Press Release

October 6, 2011 – For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jeff Stabnow, President, Otter Tail County Coalition of Lake Associations (COLA) cell phone 218-770-1276; Alternate Contact: Shawn Olson, Past President OTC COLA email shawnmolson@hotmail.com

Photos taken by Shawn Olson; Photos Attached:
1). DNR Invasive Species Specialist Nathan Olson being interviewed by Paula Quam a reporter with the Detroit Lakes Newspapers 2). Employee of Lake Restoration, Inc, Rogers, MN applying copper sulfate, a chemical used to treat a small area of Rose Lake for zebra mussels; October 6, 2011 10 am;

Don’t Move a Mussel

Frazee, MN – “This will be groundbreaking if it works,” said Otter Tail County Coalition of Lake Associations (OTC COLA) President Jeff Stabnow, “it may just be the first successful extermination of zebra mussels from an open body of water in Minnesota, maybe even North American and perhaps the world.”

1. LLPOA has applied for a permit to spray the rushes on the outlet to Rush Lake/Lake Lizzie.
2. DNR video explains new aquatic invasive invaders law on the following webpage: ww.dnr.state.mn.us
3. Minnesota Waters offers Zebra mussel matirials. See the following website: www.minnesotawaters.org
4. “The Only Hichhikers Allowed on the Lakes” is a great poster available for downloading on the following site: www.seagrant.umn.edu/downloads/x103.pdf

LAKE LIDA PROPERTY OWNERS ANNUAL MEETING
FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2011 AT LIDA GREENS GOLF COURSE
Welcome by President Linda Kohls
Secretary’s report: motion to approve the minutes made by Phyllis Gilbert and second by Verlyn Strander was passed.
Treasurer’s report: Motion to approve the report was passed. Robyne stated that we had 441 paid members in 2009 and 345 in 2010.
President’s report: encouraged members to attend COLA meetings in Ottertail City on the 4th Saturday of the month at 9AM. On July 13 at 4:30 in Alexandria there is a COLA related meeting about Zebra mussels. Zebra mussels are not seen on Lida yet but a few eggs can create a rapidly developing population. High water issues are a concern all around us. Regional hydrologist, Julia____, and Steve Henry were consulted. Due to very high rainfall in river drainage areas cost effective solutions are very limited. Lida has a high evaporation rate so hot weather is best solution to lower our lake level.
Old Business

LLPOA BEACH CAPTAINS MEETING , May 26,2011 at 6:00PM AT LIDA GREENS GOLF COURSE

President Linda Kohls called the meeting to order and asked us to introduce ourselves.

Secretary’s report was accepted.

Treasurer’s report was accepted. By June of 2010 we had collected $6,900 in dues.  The balance as of May 26, 2011 is $13,219.13.  Robyne asked us to get name, address, one telephone number and email from dues paying members.

Lake Lida Property Owners Association

Membership Benefits

The Lake Lida Property Owners Association (LLPOA) has been an enormous force in protecting and enhancing the quality of the lake, the fishery, and the landmass surrounding the lake.  To give you an idea of the importance of membership and the dues that support the Association, the following is offered as just some of the things that have been accomplished over the past 20 years:

*          About every 5 years a new LLPOA lake directory is published and presented free to members of the Association.

*          Inlets have been surveyed to determine what materials are entering the lake that could cause pollution or other kinds of problems.

*          The outlet channel has been monitored and appropriate measures to keep it open have been recommended to the DNR, and in some cases funded by LLPOA.

*          LLPOA has worked with Pollution Control to eliminate or minimize feedlot flow to the lake.

*          Shoreline stabilization has been initiated and in part funded to eliminate erosion on a number of Lida properties, including the major project completed on the North Clay Bank area.

*          Enhance Bass Habitat through various efforts in cooperation with the DNR.

*          Purchases and released many thousands of walleye fingerlings (up to 10 inches) into the lake.  Currently walleye stocking takes place on years with poor natural walleye hatches.

*          Funded a lakes ecology unit for 5th grade students (Books and curriculum).

*          Water quality monitoring has been maintained by LLPOA volunteers each summer with samples taken monthly from May-September.  Sample testing has been paid for by LLPOA.

*          The Association developed the official Lake Lida Management Plan in 2003, paid for by a grant from Minnesota Waters and matched by LLPOA dues.

*          Official web page for LLPOA.  It is:  http://poa.lakelida.com 

*          Support the funding for a professional consultant who meets with land owners and discusses the “best” changes for their property.  Also will consult and contribute time to develop and write grants for LLPOA property owner’s shoreline improvement. 

            *          Funded trash pick-up every other year for major clean-up around the lake.

*          Supplied fishing rulers and refrigerator magnets to all property owners.

*          Paid dues to be an official member of Ottertail COLA and Minnesota Waters.

LLPOA BEACH CAPTAINS LUNCH AND MEETINGLUNMEETING

1:00 PM Saturday, May 2, 2010 at the Pelican Rapids Library.

Linda Kohls, our new president called the meeting to order.

Sec report:  The last year’s minutes of Beach captains and annual LLPOA meetings were reviewed.  Motion by Earl Strinden with second by Robyne Williams to approve the minutes was passed.

Shoreline Specialist Contribution: We contributed $2000 in 2009.  Steve Henry has worked with many Lida landowners applying for grants and helping with plans and planting.  COLA and many other lake associations are contributing also.  Dave Holsen of Sunrise Beach and his neighbors have completed a project and are very satisfied with Steve’s work. There were many other positive comments. Linda Kohls will write a letter to East Ottertail Soil and Water District regarding Mr. Henry’s work with LLPOA.

Motion by Arnie Jentz with second by Dave Holsen for LLPOA to contribute $2000 again this year was passed.

MN Waters Dues:  Dues are $200 per year. Motion by Mike Spangler with second by Robyne Williams to pay these dues was passed.

COLA Membership: $300 plus water testing fees of $200 was paid last year. The dues may increase as our membership has increased.  Bob Neilsen attended the April meeting. Shawn Olson is president and Steve Johnson membership chair.  Programs for this year are May 24- Invasive Species, June 26 -Steve Henry Shoreline Stabilization, July 24- New Septic Tank Rules- Lake Mellissa example, Aug 28- Round Table with other COLA’s,  Sept 25- DNR- 6 county update. Meetings start at 9AM and are usually held in Ottertail City Community Center. Anyone may attend.

Motion by Earl Strinden with second by Neil Lerfeld to continue COLA membership was passed.

LLPOA Dues: The Treasurer reported dues collection of $8,825 and $9,399.78 in the bank. Beach Captain honorarium has been difficult for Robyne to know who to pay as dues are submitted in many ways.  A few have received payment but others not. Discussion about what to do for the past year resulted in the decision to pay those who request it. Dues are $20.  Motion by Ed Strinden with second by Dave Holsen to cancel beach captain honorarium was passed.  Discussion ensued regarding incentives for joining LLPOA this year.  Garbage collection costs about $5000 and is too expensive to do every year. Linda Kohls will create a document listing what the LLPOA has done over the years.  Ed Strinden and Bob Neilsen and others who have something to share will forward info to her. The deadline is May 15.  The newsletter will be e mailed or hard copied out to members and beach captains for circulation to landowners.

Mussels :  Zebra mussels have entered the Pelican River and can be carried by boats to other lakes on boats, trailers, and live wells.  Some lake associations have paid people to be at lake accesses to reinforce the information and dangers of zebra mussels and other invasive species to our lakes.  There are fines for non compliance.  Mike S. will speak to DNR about providing a sign to private lake access on 108. Linda will attend COLA meeting in May about invasive species.

Lake Clean up After Ice Fishing: Discussion to explore paying Boy Scouts about $200 to do this work. Linda will follow up on this.

Water Quality report: Lida ranks 5th for quality among area lakes. First sampling due May 17 and done monthly until Sept.  Collection is done on Sunday and Mike S and Bob N could use a helper.  Bill Kohls will be contacted.  Mike does weekly secchi disc test on South Lida and Lyle Bring volunteered to do secchi disc test on North Lida. Motion by Robyne with second by Kathy Arntson to buy Lyle equipment for testing was passed.

 Water Run-off:  Discussion concerning car crushing business on farm which has a slough that eventually drains via culverts and other sloughs into Lake Lida.  The Gilbert’s have contacted OTC commissioner with this information without any resulting action.  Neil Lerfeld will contact them as LLPOA rep with a letter from President Kohls.  MPCA may also be contacted.  Question regarding watering property from the lake was answered by several who say it is good as the nutrients fertilize the ground and water filters back into the lake.  There is no law that controls this watering. MN Waters helped make fertilizer containing phosphorus illegal in the state.  

Star Lake Designation:  We have met the requirements and Linda continues to purse this status. We all need to work to keep LLPOA at this level.

Annual Meeting: Tentative meeting date is 6:30 PM Friday, June 25 at Lida Greens.  Linda will follow up on this.

Meeting adjourned

Gerry Langseth, Sec.

Beaches represented: Inlet, Bagley, Hwy 4, Forest Hills, Isle View, Klix Bay, Moonlight Bay, Kansas Point, Twilight/Omans, Crystal Lida, San Dee Cove, Eagle Ridge, Outlet, Sunrise, Lida Shores Loop, Tri lakes Dr, Matson Beach.

Picture of Bob N, Linda K, Gerry L, and Robyne W were taken by FF journal reporter attending meeting.

 
LAKE LIDA PROPERTITY OWNERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
9:00 AM Saturday, August 8, 2009 at Lida Greens

President Bob Nielsen called the meeting to order

  Beaches represented at the meeting were County 4, Crystal Lida, Inlet, Isle View, Kansas Point, Klix Bay, Matson Point, Matson Beach, Moonlight Bay, Twilight/Oman, Outlet, Sandi Cove, Sunrise, Rothsay, Bagley Bay, Thompson, West Shore, and Stony Bar for a total of 31 people.

Secretary’s report was presented by Gerry Langseth

  All previous minutes for the year were reviewed and members were reminded that they were available in detail on the LLPOA web page under the news icon.  The report was accepted as presented.

Treasurer’s report was presented by Robyne Williams. 

  Total receipts are $21,503.69 and total expenses $13,396.60 leaving a balance in checking and savings of $8,107.09 as of June 19, 2009. The report was accepted as presented.

Lake Shore Clean-up date is Wednesday, August 12. 

  A motion to do a clean-up this year was passed at the Beach Captains meeting June 20, 2009.  An announcement was in the Pelican Press last week and it read:  “The LLPOA junk/clean-up date is set for August 12th and includes metal, appliances, batteries, TVs, computers and furniture.  It will NOT including tires, concrete, construction debris, brush, grass, wood, oil or paint.  Please have your 2009 dues paid for taking advantage of this service and place the materials you want picked up on your lawn next to your road before the morning of the 12th. “

Dues and 2009 directory distribution

  Cost per book is $20.  There are some extras for future use.  Darnell Lundstrom stated that the executive board has power to hire anyone to do anything as approved by a motion at a previous meeting.  Some money was spent to pay individuals to work on the directory.

Lake Consultant

        Steve Henry has spent over 1/3 of his time on Lake Lida with 22

official landowner appointments, 216 hrs and 1000 in mileage recorded.  There has been over $3000 in grant money awarded.  Sunrise Beach on Dawn Drive has several projects done this year. Steve Henry says there is a possibility of a full-time landscape/lakescape architect intern from the University of Minnesota or from the Landscape Architecture Department at North Dakota State University for Lake Lida, who will be paid for by grant money. Approved projects are paid with 75% grant money and 25% landowner.  There are a large number of grants available for MN lakes this next year. Landowners can put in vouchers for their time and purchases also. Two landowners on Sunrise Beach paid only $40.  Steve Henry does all the paper work for approvals of projects. Lakescaping is part of our management plan.  A motion to contribute $2000 to the lake specialist program in Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District because of the fine work Steve Henry has done was made by Arnie Jentz and second by Dallas Israelson.  The motion was passed unanimously.      

Fishery Concerns

        The slot limit for walleyes is 17 to 26 inches.  These fish must

be returned to the lake immediately.  There is a 10 year sunset on this limit and we have 5 years left.  Although the DNR intended to do this slot restriction even without the landowners approval, LLPOA at the request of DNR, did survey the membership about six years ago with about 100 responding in agreement with the slot restriction and about 20 opposed.

Resort Owners liaison

  Darnell Lundstrom will head this project so each resort will have a representative at all Beach Captains Meetings.

Outlet into Rush Lake/Lizzie

  There was no report from the task force studying this issue, however it was noted that water runs back and forth dependent on rainfall.  Presently there is a good channel through the reeds but the Executive Board is to evaluate this annually to determine the need for the poisoning of vegetation along the channel to maintain a good water flow.

Annual meeting signs

  Individual beach signs were suggested by Kathy Arntson. Each Beach captain could put one up to remind people of the annual meeting if LLPOA would provide them.  The Executive Board will pursue this idea.

Thanks to Volunteers

  Thank you for after ice fishing clean-up and other volunteer work was expressed by several people. Kathy Arntson also reminded us of approval of paying expenses and proposed a small gift to say thank you for volunteers who contribute their time and efforts so extensively.

Election of officers

        Nominating committee of Darnell Lundstrom, David Boe, and

Greg Larson presented the slate of officers with the following statement.  Bob Nielsen served for 8 years and Bob Green and Earl Strinden also served for many years.  The following people agreed to serve a 1 year commitment in their office, including the Past President.  This will result in a 3 year commitment for the Vice-President as he/she moves through the procession of offices. 

Slate of officers

  President – Linda Kohls; Vice President – John McMillin, Secretary – Gerry Langseth; Treasurer – Robyne Williams and Past President – Bob Nielsen.  All were elected unanimously following a motion by Earl Strinden with a second by Conrad Posz.

President recognition

  Lake Lida plaque gift was presented to Bob Nielsen with our thanks for a job well done.

Meeting adjourned

        Gerry Langseth, Secretary