Lake Currents Newsletter June 2022

Church Pine, Round and Big Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District Lake Newsletter • June 2022

LAKE CURRENTS WHAT’S INSIDE PAGE 2 - CHURCH PINE LAKE LANDING PAGE 3 - LANDING PROPERTY UPDATE - WEB COMMITTEE UPDATE

2022 CHAIRMAN’S GREETING By Mike Reiter, Board Chairman The Church Pine, Round and Big Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District Board of Directors along with all the lake residents and visitors are looking forward to a great boating, fishing, and outdoor recreational 2022 season! With Covid hopefully in the rearview mirror, our lakes will again be the go to place to partake and enjoy all they have to offer!

In 2021 we again had a very successful Curly Leaf Pondweed treatment on our lakes. Because of past successful treatments, we have enough in our grant to treat this invasive in 2022. Following treatment this year we will review the results and then make a decision to either apply for another grant or see if whatever remains will be incorporated into the natural flora of our lakes. We’ll keep you updated on the progress.

Last year we were able to update our lakes’ Aquatic Plant Management Plan and Lake Management Plan. These plans provide us a road map for protecting and enhancing our lakes along with allowing us to apply for state grants that will benefit our lakes into the future.

We were also successful in securing a Surface Water Grant that will allow us to continue to study the phosphorus loading to Big Lake and implement a strategy to manage it and keep Big Lake off the State’s Impaired Water list.

We completed several Healthy Lakes projects, extended two more, and will be looking for additional folks to step to the plate and apply for more Healthy Lake projects in coming years. We have again been successful with our Clean Boats, Clean Waters 2022 grant application, and this will allow us funding to help keep invasive plants and animal species from entering our lakes.

PAGE 4 - BOATING SAFETY - CLEAN BOATS, CLEAN WATERS PAGE 5 - HEALTHY LAKES - PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE

www.bigroundpine.com

Our 2021 Social Dinner was a huge success as was the Paddle Parade and the 4th of July Boat Parade. We are adding a Pontoon Band afternoon this year to the lake’s social agenda!

Over the last few years, our resident loons have not been successful at raising any fledglings, so we decided to lend them a “wing” and provide a nesting platform to help them along. If successful, we’ll expand this program to add a few more platforms.

Walleyes were again stocked to our lakes in 2021 through the generous donation of the Big Lake Store and your district. The fishing in our lakes system is one of the best kept secrets around!

Moving forward, we will continue to work toward our objectives for the Lake District. We have started an effort to provide an opportunity to get more folks involved. Expanding and even adding some additional committees is the goal of the Board this year, and you can help by contacting anyone of us to provide your input. Together we can make our lake system all it can be! Become part of the adventure!

Have a great outdoor recreational season on our beautiful lake system!

LAKE CURRENTS

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CHURCH PINE LAKE LANDING

By Tom Campbell

This spring there will be updates to increase the reliability of our Internet Landing Installed Device Sensor (I-LIDS) system installed at the Church Pine Landing. The system was previously connected to the neighboring cabin for power and internet. The updates, which include a solar panel, internal battery, and embedded cell phone, will result in self-contained power and internet access.

I-LIDS Background System include: The I-LIDS system (developed by Environmental Sentry Protection, LLC) is installed at the Church Pine Lake boat launch to prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) through video capture and remote inspection of boats and trailers entering our lakes. While in person monitoring is ideal, challenges such as costs, availability, scheduling, and training, still exist. To reduce the risk of a visitor launching at an odd hour, it’s important to be on duty all the time.

The goal of I-LIDS system is to capture boats entering and leaving Church Pine Lake when we are unable to have AIS inspectors on site to educate the users and discover any potential AIS violations. When movement is sensed by the I-LIDS system at the landing, an audio message provides information to boaters using the lake. The captured videos are uploaded to the cloud and can be viewed by the Environmental Sentry staff and authorized lake representatives. Any AIS violations are forwarded to local law enforcement for appropriate action. The main goal isn’t to catch violators, but to help remind boaters to take the time to inspect their boats and make sure they are not entering or leaving our lakes with AIS attached.

Features of the I-LIDS System Include: • • • • • • • • •

Continuous (24/7) video capture of launches Vehicle identification Analysis of visitor clean off compliance Web access to historical videos Configurable video duration Standalone deployment (no power or communications lines) Rugged housing to withstand abuse Seasonal installation at boat launches Remote management and diagnostics

ATTENTION

PLEASE CLEAN YOUR BOAT AND TRAILER TO PRESERVE THE LAKE. • REMOVE AQUATIC PLANTS AND ANIMALS • DRAIN ALL WATER • DISPOSE OF BAIT

INSPECTION CAMERAS OPERATING VIOLATORS REPORTED

AN

FOR LAKE M

ME

AP R A � AI M � T

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CA

AP

Ref. Wisconsin Statute NR 40.07 and 30.07 on movement of boats with aquatic plants and animals attached.

More information about the landing and the I-LIDS system is available on our web site https://bigroundpine.org/i-lids in the “About” tab. There you will find photos of the landing and I-LIDS system, sample videos captured by the system, system specifications, and statistics

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LANDING PROPERTY UPDATE As previously reported, West Immanuel Church received a donation of land adjacent to the current Church Pine Boat Landing. The Church then proposed a donation of approximately one acre of land to the Town of Alden to provide a safer landing on the south end of Church Pine Lake. Polk County approved the Certified Survey Map (CSM), and the land was formally transferred to the Town of Alden. The Town will now work with the DNR to finalize plans, obtain permits, and source funding for the landing. The town representative to the board emphasized that this is a slow process.

It could be years before work on the landing will be complete.

WEB COMMITTEE UPDATE Our website continues to be an important tool for the District. It provides a great way for residents to interact and learn about what is happening to protect the lakes they love! This past winter provided the Lake District with an opportunity to make some welcome improvements to our website.

We have enhanced many of our pages to make District business documents easier to find. In addition, several new sections have been added, including dedicated pages to our Clean Boats, Clean Waters and Healthy Lakes initiatives. These provide useful information and helpful links for residents who wish to learn more or participate. We have also introduced a Frequently Asked Questions or “FAQ” page to answer questions and provide important links regarding some of the most common questions our lakes’ residents have.

Another great new addition to our website is the creation of dedicated pages for our public access boat ramps and our AIS prevention camera system I-LIDS. These pages have useful info about our boat ramps along with maps and statistics. Our new I-LIDS page has greatly expanded access to our residents. Here you’ll find comprehensive information about how the system works and a thorough animated guide on how to access videos in the public database. We also have highlights from last years’ captures! These pages will also be accessible via a QR code printed on the new sign for the camera that residents and visitors to our lakes will be able to scan using their phones.

The web committee is always looking for new ways to improve the website’s functionality. Soon we will be adding a New Residents page that will have a lot of great info about how the

District functions, links to town and county web pages, and ways to sign up for Lake District communications.

We look forward to continuing to find new ways to keep our website relevant and always appreciate suggestions and ideas from residents!

The web committee would like to give a special thanks to Tom Campbell for his contributions.

Tim Rudolph Chair, Web Committee https://bigroundpine.org

LAKE CURRENTS

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BOATING SAFETY By Jerry Tack Boating season will soon be upon us, and we anticipate another busy season. Not only are there more boats on our lakes, but the size and speed of the boats seem to increase with each season, making boater safety even more important. A Wisconsin boating handbook is available online by searching “Wisconsin Boating Regulations.” All boaters are encouraged to review this resource prior to launching a boat this spring.

Following is a brief summary of key points to remember: •

•

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1989 must pass an approved boater safety class to operate a motor boat in Wisconsin and carry a boater education card. That’s age 33 and under this year. Even if you’re older, you can benefit from taking a boating safety class. Go to boated.com for state-approved boater safety courses, education materials, and to take the test.

A person 12-15 years may operate a motorboat only if they have completed a boating safety course accepted by the DNR and are accompanied by an adult. A person under 12 may not operate a PWC or motorboat.

•

A person 16 or older may operate a motorboat if they have completed a boating safety course approved by the DNR.

•

A vessel must operate at “slow, no wake speed” within 100 feet of shoreline, dock, or other restricted area.

•

A vessel must operate at “slow no wake speed” if within 100 feet of a person in the water.

•

A Personal Water Craft (PWC) may not operate at faster than “slow no wake speed” if within 200 feet of shoreline, dock, or other restricted area.

You may have noticed the absence of the “slow no wake buoys” last year. The DNR requires the placement of all navigation and other buoys be approved through a permit process. The Lake District Board will begin the approval process this spring.

It is likely the slow no wake buoys will be limited to the Church Pine/Round Lake channel and the Round/Big Lake channel.

The lack of buoys does not diminish the need to follow current boating regulations regarding no wake zones.

What happens behind your boat is almost as important as what is happening in front of the boat. Your wake is your responsibility regardless of buoys. Please be aware of how your wake affects shorelines and others who are enjoying the lake. Wakes are a leading cause of shoreline damage and contribute to silt build up in the channels, ultimately requiring expensive dredging.

Following the regulations is important for everyone’s safety and the health of our lakes. It can also be costly. Fines for violations of these regulations range from $162.70 to $200.50. Please be a courteous boater and have a fun and safe boating season!

What happens behind your boat is almost as important as what is happening in front of the boat.

CLEAN BOATS CLEAN WATERS UPDATE

By Warren Wasescha We are in the final stages of lining up our crew for the 2022 season. When you have a moment and see our team at the boat launches, let them know how very much we appreciate their efforts in keeping our lakes free of aquatic invasive species!

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HEALTHY LAKES PROJECTS FOR 2023

By Beth Hartman The Lake District will once again work with the DNR to provide property owners financial and technical assistance in habitat restoration and erosion control.

Runoff is a key stressor for healthy lakes, and we are working to lessen the damage from it as well as provide a pleasing natural setting that provides habitat for many types of animals.

Several lakeshore owners have participated in this program by installing native plantings on the shoreline, rain gardens to direct water from rooftops away from the lake to a lovely garden of native plantings, and diversions to direct water away from the lake. All of these practices help keep the lake water clean and free of runoff from lawns and roads.

The practices are described on the Wisconsin DNR website - www. healthylakeswi.com.

Visit the site and learn what you could do to improve your property and help our lakes stay healthy. It’s time to start thinking about what you can do.

Keep in mind the district will accept applications in the summer and fall and apply for the grants in September, 2022 for projects to be completed in 2023.

After consulting the website and reading about the possibilities for your property, please contact one of the Healthy Lakes Committee members: •

Church Pine: Beth Hartman, bhartmanstcroix@yahoo.com

•

Round Lake: Cheryl Beardslee, cherylbeardslee@gmail.com

•

Big Lake: Dave Fodroczi, david.fodroczi@outlook.com

PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE

By Beth Hartman The Healthy Lakes Committee will tackle the problem of Purple Loosestrife growing in various spots on our lakes by removing small areas of growth. They will also work with the landowners of larger beds to get permission to treat with herbicides. This will take place in August when the plants are in bloom and can be easily identified. The plant locations are indicated on a map which you can find on the district’s website - bigroundpine.com Purple Loosestrife is an attractive wetland plant that establishes easily but threatens our wetlands and lakes because it is very invasive with dense plants that takeover the area and don’t allow other plants to flourish. This plant produces an abundance of seeds (perhaps 100,000 per plant) and sends them off to establish more Purple Loosestrife beds.

To learn more about this invasive plant and how to remove it, visit “The Ecological Problem Purple Loosestrife” on the Wisconsin DNR website - https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Invasives/fact/ PurpleLoosestrife.html

CPRB P&R District PO Box 494 Osceola, WI 54020

Upcoming Events on the Lakes! n n n n n

4th of July Parade—At Noon on Big Lake Pontoon Band —August 6th On Big Lake from 1:00 to 5:00PM (Rain date August 28) Lake Social Dinner—August 20, 2022 UW Wanderoos Annual Meeting—August 27, 2022 Paddle Parade—Sunday, September 4, 2022, Noon North End of Round Lake

PONTOON CONCERT ON BIG LAKE Live Music by

NORTH OF 64 Saturday, August 6, 2022 1:00pm to 5:00pm (Rain Date August 28)

The band will provide the music and you all provide the fun. This local band has played at a number of nearby venues including Thirsty Otter, UW Wanderoos, Deer Lake Winery, and The Mix Up. They play many types of music and will entertain requests. Thanks to Steve Paulsen and Steve James for organizing this event!

We are looking forward to a new lake event!

Join your lake neighbors on Big Lake to listen to and sing along with “North of 64”