IMPORTANT NEWS from Otter Tail County Coalition of Lake Associations
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E-Newsletter
September 2023
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From The President
It was a cool September morning perfect for a bus ride. It couldn’t have gone any better! John and I were so happy to fill the bus. Breakfast was served at the Soil and Water Conservation District office and we were off with one stop to get batteries for the microphone. The Anderson bus driver was accommodating and maneuvered gravel roads and narrow driveways with ease.
On the 20 minute ride to Lake Seven riders asked good questions that showed the interest and enthusiasm of the group. Impressive growth on a slope and a unique rain garden were in that area and we headed back to Big Pine on Highway 60, passing the leftover cars of the train wreck on the way. Established plantings demonstrated what could be done to prevent erosion
and eliminate mowing a steep lawn. Grasses and flowers are eye-catching in all the yards. Our homeowners were willing to share their experiences with the group. Again, many good questions.
Liz and Pete kept us on schedule and shared so much information. OTC lakeshore property owners are fortunate to have SWCDs to advise and work with them. COLA thanks them and the homeowners who shared a successful COLA-SWCD Bus Tour to wrap up the lake season! Now the COLA Board will plan for 2024!
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Shoreline Restoration Bus Tour
The Otter Tail County Coalition Of Lake Associations (OTC COLA) and East Otter Tail County Soil and Water Conservation District (EOT SWCD) sponsored a bus tour of successful native plant shoreline and rain garden projects.
The event started at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2023 with registered attendees assembling at the EOT SWCD offices in Perham MN. The close to 50 tour participants then embarked on a 3-hour educational excursion visiting four sites on two regional lakes.
| | At each stop the property owners themselves described the unique challenges and opportunities they encountered installing and maintaining the native plants. | |  | There were dramatic examples of the natural beauty of the flowers and grasses. Also remarked was the relief from not having to mow steep lots. | | |
The Tour Guides were Liz Wiese and Pete Guck of EOT SWCD. There were constant questions from the group on the bus between stops. Liz and Pete demonstrated their extensive knowledge and experience working with lake property owners for many years. They related the availability of EOT SWCD to work with lake property owners offering technical consultation, advice and financial assistance. Pete says "We want to help lake property owners do things that are good for Otter Tail Lakes"
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Lake Steward Update
Lily Carr, MLR Lake Steward coordinator, finds that Lake Steward can drive an area's real estate market. Buyers value lakeshore property in a community that helps protect their investment in that lake.
Another example that clean water is good business.
| | Jeff Forester, MLR Executive Director | |
Early detection of an AIS in a lake can result in more effective management. In over 6 lakes in MN, early detection, followed by a quick strategic response, has resulted in either the eradication of the AIS, or containment to the point it is no longer invasive. Control following early detection is not only often more biologically effective, but is often more cost effective.
All living organisms shed DNA. eDNA or Environmental DNA testing looks for this DNA in water. This tool could make it far easier to detect AIS than with current monitoring methods.
This summer Executive Director Jeff Forester participated in Phase Two of a MAISRC study to test the effectiveness of citizen volunteers in using eDNA kits to test lakes for AIS. In 2023 MLR successfully lobbied for funding to support MAISRC's Lab to Lakes program that brings cutting edge science to engaged volunteers.
If successful, eDNA testing will be a powerful new tool to protect lakes from the damage of AIS.
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MN COLA September Update
MN COLA held a membership meeting on September 19 via Zoom. Topics included:
2. Presentation on the impact of climate change to our Minnesota water by Dr. Mark Seeley, Meteorologist/Climatologist, Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota Department of Soil, Water, and Climate.
3. Best Practice in Action. Presentation by Nick Bluhm, Treasurer, Association of Cass County Lakes, and Steve Henry, AIS Technician, Cass County Soil and Water Conservation District. Informative discussion about their AIS Cleaning Station concept - For more information, contact cleaningstations@acclakes.org.
4. 2024 Legislative Agenda presentation by Tom Watson & Steve Frawley. Discussed MN COLA's top priorities...
Watercraft use, Boater AIS compliance, 2nd tier (non-riparian property development), Update AIS prevention aid models, Funding of MAISRC (maisrc.umn.edu).
To review the benefits of joining MN COLA, click here
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Starry Stonewort Continues To Spread In MN
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of the invasive algae starry stonewort in Long Lake, near Park Rapids in Hubbard County.
An aquatic vegetation survey company hired by the Long Lake Association discovered starry stonewort in the lake, and a Minnesota DNR invasive species specialist confirmed its presence. Available treatment options could include hand pulling, herbicide applications or other methods as appropriate.
Starry stonewort confirmed in Dora Lake in Itasca County
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of the invasive algae starry stonewort in Dora Lake, near Wirt in Itasca County.
Minnesota DNR staff conducting an LCCMR-funded algae survey discovered starry stonewort near the Dora Lake public access. A follow-up survey to determine distribution confirmed a roughly 100 square foot area where starry stonewort is intermingled with other aquatic plants. Available treatment options could include hand pulling, herbicide applications or other methods as appropriate.
Funding for the Dora Lake algae survey was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources , Project 2021-055: Protecting Minnesota’s Beneficial Macroalgae – All Stoneworts Aren’t Starry.
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MAISRC 10th Anniversary Celebration
From the Lab to the Lake:
Celebrating 10 Years of AIS Research in Minnesota
The staff and researchers at the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) are excited to invite you to a special 10th anniversary celebration on Thursday, December 7, 2023 (new date!)
200 SE Oak St
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Connect with researchers and luminaries across Minnesota in the field of aquatic invasive species, play and learn with interactive exhibits (live fish!), and hear what's in store for the future of MAISRC! Your ticket includes a cocktail hour, plated dinner, and MAISRC swag. Registration opens in September; save the date now, and get ready for an exciting evening with MAISRC!
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AIS Task Force September Update
- 11,500 watercraft were inspected during the 2023 season
- Otter Tail County Continues to remind boaters to CLEAN, DRAIN and DISPSOSE
- Paul Miller Park rinse station to be installed this fall
- AIS Task Force to work with high school fishing leagues
- Be sure to check for AIS when taking watercraft out of lakes
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AIS Handbooks Still Available
The recently produced AIS Handbook sponsored by the Otter Tail County AIS Task Force continues to be distributed to lake property owners, resort owners, and civic organizations in Otter Tail County. Quanties are still available from Otter Tail County Land & Resource 218-998-8095. Besides disseminating AIS prevention best practices in the Handbooks, the AIS prevention information has also been published in area newspapers and included in social media posts.
To receive a quantity of Handbooks for distribution to lake property owners contact Spencer McGrew AIS Specialist 218-998-8113.
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OTC Board Of Commissioner Minutes
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Featured Posts - September 2023
to learn about new and featured posts
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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 ∙ 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 ∙ Lake Lida Property Owners Association ∙ 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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