IMPORTANT NEWS from Otter Tail County Coalition of Lake Associations | | |
E-Newsletter
June 2024
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In This Issue:
- Upcoming Events
- From The President
-
Lake Property Owner Meeting June 2024
- Jacobson-Speaker at May COLA Meeting
- Free Nitrate Water Testing
- Leek-Trowbridge Hold Annual Meeting
- Minnesota Lakes & Rivers June Newsletter
- MAISRC 2023 Annual Report
- MAISRC Research Showcase
- MAISRC Guided Tours
- MN COLA Update June 2024
- Volunteers Needed For Loon Survey
- AIS Prevention 2023 Report
- New AIS Handbooks - Now Available
- OTC Board Of Commissioners Minutes
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www.lakeadmin.org - Featured Posts
- Instant Access Links-
Newsletter Article Index
Water Quality Analysis Reports (2023 Samples)
Lake Property Owner Directories (2019)
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Upcoming Events For 2024
Currently scheduled events.
Meeting events are scheduled to be held at the Ottertail Community Center in Ottertail, MN on 3rd Thursdays, June, July and August.
- June 20- Lake property owners meeting
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Featured speaker: Chuck Becker, safewakes.org
- July 18- Lake property owners meeting
- Featured speaker: Jeff Forester, Minnesota Lakes & Rivers Executive Director
- August 15- OTC COLA Annual Meeting and lake property owners meeting.
- Featured speaker: Nicholas Kludt, MN DNR Fisheries- DNR rock rapids
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From The President
The first member meeting of the the season was a success! The COLA Board is happy with the turnout, response to the speaker, OTC Assessor Heather Jacobson, and the coffee hour bars!
June is on to new topics that you as a lake property owner want to know about. Chuck Becker has been learning about wakeboats and Safewakes since wakeboarding came to Becker County. COLA supports research being done by the U of M’s St Anthony Falls Hydraulic Laboratory and looks forward to results to come soon. It’s not my thing, you know, but it’s enjoyed by more surfers every year. On the other hand the lakes must be preserved.
Another hot topic will be the dire straits of Emergency Medical Services in rural MN. Rebecca Huebsch, Perham Area EMS Director, was introduced by OTC Commissioner Dan Bucholz in May. Becca will report on the shortage of funds threatening services due to low reimbursement for ambulances and shortage of volunteers. Good news is the developing pilot program for OTC that is from $30 million allocated by the MN Legislature. You can learn how that works. It’s not the solution, but it’s a start.
Why should you care about EMS service? Nick Leonard from OTC estimates the population in the county grows by 100,000 in the summer or possibly doubles. If you need an ambulance, EMT or firefighters - we all hope not - we expect it to be there ASAP! Only so many are available to come running and they need to be supported.
Come for cookies, fellowship, and be educated on June 20!
Sylvia Soeth, OTC COLA President
Otter Tail County Ambulance Operations flyer
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OTC COLA Lake Property Owner June Meeting
Wake Boats On Minnesota Lakes
The featured speaker for the OTC COLA June 20, 2024 lake property owner meeting will be Chuck Becker of SafeWakes.org.
The latest craze in lake recreation is wake boats. Coming on the scene in Minnesota in 2018 they offer a new and unique water sport. The sport is enabled by the technology of creating a wake behind a boat large enough to create a surfable wave, without any towable connection to the boat. The proliferation of these wake boats on Minnesota lakes has been a source of concern for lake property owners and others who enjoy other activities on the lakes. Critics of wake boating point to adverse environmental effects, economic impacts and safety concerns.
Chuck Becker, along with other like-minded individuals, have created a grassroots organization SafeWakes for Minnesota Lakes (SafeWakes.org). Chuck has networked and developed relationships with hundreds of people, as well as organizations, scientists and legislators across the United States, Canada, Australia and Great Britain.
Chuck Becker bio
MI Fisheries Report - Wake Boat Study
MI DNR Fisheries Executive Summary
The OTC COLA Meeting will be held on June 20, 2024 at the Ottertail Community Center, 93 Lake Avenue South, Ottertail MN 56571. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early for coffee and bars and a time of socializing and networking. All Otter tail County lake property owners are invited to attend.
For more information contact John Kruse, otccola2@gmail.com
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Jacobson, County Assessor
Featured Speaker at May COLA Meeting
Heather Jacobson, County Assessor, was the featured speaker at the May 2024 meeting of Otter Tail County lake property owners sponsored by OTC COLA. Heather’s presentation focused on current values and the changes to the 2024 assessments.
Attendees had many questions for Heather. She explained that determining property values includes data collected on sales of properties in the county. Heather explained that The Assessor's Department does not determine the amount of taxes owed. Property taxes are determined by each jurisdiction's budget. The parcel value and classification are what determine the share of that budget. While the Assessor Department plays a crucial role in determining property values, the final tax is determined by various taxing authorities and collected by the Auditor/Treasurer Office.
Otter Tail County Assessor's Department
The May 16, 2024 meeting was the first of monthly meetings held on
third-Thursdays in May, June, July and August of 2024. Get details on www.otccola.org.
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Free Nitrate Water-Testing Clinics in Otter Tail County
Homeowners who rely on private wells for their drinking water supply should test for nitrates on a regular basis. Private well owners are encouraged to participate at one of three free nitrate testing clinics.
Clinic dates are:
- June 14th, 2024, at the West Otter Tail SWCD Office in Fergus Falls from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
- June 28th, 2024, at the Ottertail City Community Center from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
- July 26th, 2024, at the Prairie Event Center in Parkers Prairie from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The clinics will be conducted by the East and West Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Nitrates are the most common contaminants in Minnesota’s groundwater, and a significant number of the state’s wells have high nitrate levels. In 2017 the Minnesota Department of Agriculture targeted several townships in the county for nitrate testing. The results showed that 2.5% of the tested wells throughout the County were above the 10-ppm nitrate drinking water standard. Out of these townships including Perham, Otter Tail, Compton, Inman, Clitherall, Elmo, and Woodside the wells tested were 5% above the 10-ppm nitrate drinking water standard. While over 10% of the wells tested in Parkers Prairie township exceeded the same standard.
MORE
Fergus Falls Nitrate Clinic
Parkers Prairie Nitrate Clinic
Ottertail Nitrate Clinic
MN Department of Agriculture- Nitrate Testing
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Kruse Speaker At Leek-Trowbridge Annual Meeting
Included in the 2024 OTC COLA Speaker Team Outreach Program John Kruse, OTC COLA Administrative Assistant, presented at the Leek-Trowbridge Association Annual Meeting on June 1, 2024 at the Vergas Event Center in Vergas Minnesota. The event was well attended. John outlined the programs and activities offered by OTC COLA and highlighted the campaigns and events sponsored by the organization since its beginning in 1992.
John Kruse, OTC COLA Administrative Assistant
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MLR Newsletter June, 2024
Welcome to this month's edition of our Water Connects Us All Newsletter by Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates (MLR). We're celebrating the arrival of another warm season in Minnesota. Gain insights from articles focused on water quality, learn more about MLR's activities, and discover local events and learning opportunities. Whether you're like the loons returning to their summer homes or the bears waking up to enjoy the long-awaited warmth, we are all connected by our rich lake & river heritage.
To all of our members, donors, and advocates, we thank you for supporting our mission to protect and preserve the social and ecological vitality of our waterways, lake by lake by lake.
MORE
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MAISRC Annual Report: 2023
We are pleased to share the 2023 Annual Report from the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC). This comprehensive report highlights our key achievements, research advancements, and the impactful work MAISRC carried out over the past year.
In 2023, MAISRC made significant strides in understanding and mitigating the effects of aquatic invasive species on Minnesota's lakes and rivers. Our dedicated team of researchers works diligently to develop innovative strategies and solutions to protect our waterways and address the impacts of aquatic invasive species.
A few highlights include:
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A new online tool to locate watermilfoil strains and herbicide tolerance in Minnesota
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Successful new volunteer project to test environmental DNA (eDNA)
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MAISRC's 10th anniversary event!
Click the image to download a PDF of our report, or click the button below to read our report online. Thank you for another amazing year of working together for the preservation of Minnesota's lakes and waterways!
We are grateful for our supporters, partners, and the community for an amazing year of working together for the preservation of our lakes, rivers and wetlands! Together, we can find solutions to the AIS problems that face our state. RT
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AIS Research and Management Showcase
We are excited to announce the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center's AIS Research and Management Showcase returns to in-person on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. This event is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet our researchers and learn about the latest tools, information, and technologies being developed at MAISRC.
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Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2024
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Time: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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Location: St. Paul Student Center, University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus (Google map)
- Parking: Hourly parking available in the Gortner Parking Ramp and daily rate parking available in lot #S101 and #S106. Accessible parking is available on Buford Ave. There are also some metered parking spots available on this campus. Visit Parking and Transportation Services for rates and maps.
- Tickets: $50; discount codes will be available (more to come).
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details!
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MAISRC Guided Tours
The Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center is excited to share an opportunity to get up close and person with aquatic invasive species: monthly tours in our containment lab!
Join us the last Wednesday of each month from 3:00 - 4:00pm for a guided tour of the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center Containment Lab (MCL), where you'll get an inside look at our state-of-the-art facility and discover the innovative research underway. It's a perfect opportunity for individuals curious about the world of science. Large group or a special occasion? Use the sign up form to request a custom tour!
MORE
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MN COLA June 2024 Update
Interested in an inside look at MAISRC's state-of-the-art facility and discover the innovative research underway? Register for a lab tour of the MAISRC (Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center) facility. https://form.asana.com/?k=Ua3KramhzBkS2feUnuWQpw&d=939683240123509
Read about the Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory's "Healthy Waters Initiative," researching the potential impacts of boat-generated waves and propeller wash on Minnesota's lakes. https://cse.umn.edu/safl/Healthy_Waters
Go HERE for a review of the benefits of joining MN COLA
MNCOLA.ORG
Subscribe to the MN COLA E-Newsletter
David Helgerson, OTC COLA Director Liaison with MN COLA
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Volunteers Needed In Otter Tail County
For DNR Loon Survey
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking volunteers to help monitor the loon population in Otter Tail and Becker counties. Volunteers can choose one (or more) lakes to count the number of adult and juvenile loons seen and report these observations to the MNDNR for data analysis. The survey will take place from June 28 through July 8, 2024. Volunteers need to monitor their lake(s) for one day during this survey period.
For the past 30 years, with the assistance of hundreds of volunteer observers, the DNR has gathered information about common loon numbers on more than 600 lakes distributed among six regions, or "index areas,” throughout the state.
To view a map of the lakes and create a Loon Account to sign up to monitor a lake, visit mndnr.state.mn.us/eco/nongame/projects.
People interested in being a volunteer loon surveyor may also contact Kristie Brezina, at 218-671-7977 or kristie.brezina@state.mn.us.
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AIS Handbooks Now Available
The enthusiastically acclaimed AIS Handbook sponsored by the Otter Tail County AIS Task Force is now available. The Handbook will be distributed to lake property owners, resort owners, and civic organizations in Otter Tail County. Quantities can be reserved from Otter Tail County Land & Resource 218-998-8095. Besides disseminating AIS prevention best practices in the Handbooks, the AIS prevention information will also be published in area newspapers and included in social media posts.
AIS Handbook for Visitors and Residents
AIS Handbook for Visitors and Residents Cover
Spencer McGrew, Otter Tail County AIS Specialist
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OTC Board Of Commissioner Minutes
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OTC COLA Board of Directors
David Helgerson ∙ Jeff Stabnow ∙ Jeff Vansteenburg
Roger Neitzke ∙ Ronald Christensen ∙ Scott Gaudette ∙ Sylvia Soeth
OTC COLA Members
Bass Lake Underwood Association ∙ Berger Lake Association ∙ Big McDonald LID ∙ Boedigheimer Lake Association ∙ Buchanan Lake Association ∙ Clitherall Lake Association ∙ Dead Lake Association ∙ Devils Lake Association ∙ Eagle Lake Lakeshore Association ∙ East Battle Lake WS Association ∙ Elbow Lake Association ∙ Franklin Lake Association ∙ Hoffman Lake Association ∙ Jewett Lake Association ∙ Lida Lakes Improvement District ∙ Lake Lizzie Lakeshore Association ∙ Lake Seven Association ∙ Lake Six Association ∙ Leaf Lakes Association ∙ Little McDonald Kerbs and Paul Lakes LID ∙ Long Lake at Vergas Association ∙ Loon Lake Association ∙ Marion Lake Association ∙ McDonald Lake Improvement Association ∙ North Long Lake Association ∙ North Turtle Lake Association ∙ Otter Tail Lakes Property Owners Association ∙ Pebble Lake Lakeshore Association ∙ Pelican Lake Property Owners Association ∙ Pickerel Lake Improvement Association ∙ Pine Lakes LID ∙ Prairie Lake Lakeshore Association ∙ Round Lake 56-214 ∙ Rush Lake Association ∙ Silent Lakes Association ∙ Silver Lake Property Owners Association ∙ South Turtle Lake Improvement District ∙ Spitzer Lake Property Owners Association ∙ Stalker Lake Association ∙ Star Lake Property Owners Association ∙ Stuart Lake Association ∙ Swan Lake Association ∙ Sybil Lake Association ∙ Tamarac Lake Association ∙ Ten Mile Preservation Association ∙ Trowbridge-Leek Lake Association ∙ Wall Lake Association ∙ West Battle Lake Association ∙ West McDonald Lake Association ∙ Wymer Lake Association
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