MN DNR Seeking Candidates for Fisheries Oversight Committee

A wise person once said, "The world is run by those who show up." The MN DNR is seeking candidates for the Fisheries Oversight Committee. This is a great opportunity for Lake Associations to gain a seat at the table when it comes to advising the MN DNR on issues related to Minnesota's fisheries programs.I have just received this announcement and wanted to make sure all of you saw it.  I encourage every lake association to submit a candidate - lake associations play a critical role in fisheries management, from running (and paying for) stocking programs, protecting aquatic habitat, and buying fishing licenses.

Another wise person (but perhaps more cynical) said, "You can either have a seat at the table, or you will be on the menu." It is long past time for Lake Associations to have a seat at the table.

Here is a link to the DNR website for more information:  http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/gamefishoversight/tasks.html
 
MN DNR FISHERIES OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE APPLICATION FORM
 
CONTACT INFORMATION – identify:
Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip code
Email address and/or phone number
 
DEMOGRAPHICS – identify: 
Gender
Age group (30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+)
Race/ethnicity
General MN location (NW, NE, Central, Southern, Metro)
 
RESPONSE QUESTIONS
Which licenses and stamps have you purchased in the last year?
 
What are your outdoors organization memberships, if any?
 
What are your particular areas of interest for this oversight activity, if any?
 
Why do you want to serve on citizen oversight of the Game and Fish Fund?
 

Please email your application to the following DNR staff:
Don Pereira        don.pereira@state.mn.us
Beth Carlson      beth.carlson@state.mn.us
Kristel Peters     kristel.peters@state.mn.us

Best to you all - and please keep in touch,

Jeff Forester

Governor Dayton Wants to Know Your Water Priorities

Governor Dayton has scheduled a Clean Water Summit for February 27th. This event will likely set the Governor's water agenda in coming months and years. 
Forward this email to all of your members and urge them to take the survey - let Governor Dayton know our lakes need his leadership on aquatic invasive species.
Take the Survey to let Governor Dayton know that the fight to stop Aquatic Invasive Species needs his leadership. AIS is a biological pollutant as serious as nitrogen and phosphorus, but unlike those contaminants, it CANNOT BE CLEANED UP.
As Lake Association members, and lake home and cabin owners, we have know the water problems facing our state. You may never have a better opportunity to bring the issues you care about forward in the public policy arena.
Please take the time to fill in the survey. And if you can make the event, there is a registration link. 

Let Gov. Dayton know Aquatic Invasive Species is a biological pollutant, capable of destroying Minnesota's Lakes and water based tourism economy.
TAKE THE WATER SURVEY AND HELP SET AGENDA FOR GOVERNOR'S WATER SUMMIT, which will take place on Saturday, February 27, 2016.
 
Registration Now Open for Governor’s Water Summit
January 14, 2016
Summit will focus on state’s water quality challenges, seek public input on solutions
Summit will convene broad group of stakeholders to address water quality challenges in all regions of the state – both rural and urban
ST. PAUL, MN – Registration is now open for the Governor’s Water Summit, which will take place on Saturday, February 27, 2016. The summit will focus public attention on the serious challenges facing Minnesota’s water supplies – in both rural and urban areas of the state – and continue statewide dialogue around steps that must be taken to address those challenges. The summit will bring together water quality experts, farmers, legislators, regulators, the business community, members of the public, local leaders, and a wide variety of other stakeholders.
Governor’s Water Summit Registration
Registration is now open for the Governor’s Water Summit, which will take place on Saturday, February 27, 2016, at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront. Registration can be found online at this link. This link will also be available from the homepage of the Governor’s website. Registration is open to all Minnesotans, and is free of charge.
Governor’s Water Survey
To ensure that all Minnesotans’ voices are heard on this important, statewide issue, stakeholders and other interested members of the public are encouraged to take this online survey, launched in conjunction with the Governor’s Water Summit, regardless of whether they plan to attend the summit in February. The information and input gathered from this survey will help inform the Administration and Legislature on Minnesota’s water quality challenges and possible solutions. The survey can be found online at tiny.cc/MNWaterSurvey.

Best to you all - and please keep in touch,
 
Jeff Forester- MN Lakes and Rivers Advocates

Water is Everyone's Business

From Jeff Forester, Executive Director of Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates (MLR)

Often, when I give presentations on Aquatic Invasive Species someone says, "We can't stop it. It is only a matter of time."  Or they say, "We can't stop it and it won't be that bad. The Scientists will find a solution anyway."

Well here is one of the world's leading scientists working in aquatic invasive species, and he debunks all of those false ideas in the video below.

I wanted to share an episode of a Water is Everyone's Business by the Rice Creek Watershed District in which Dr. Peter Sorensen, the top aquatic invasive species scientist in the state (his research was key to solving the sea lamprey crisis in the Great Lakes,) takes on these issues directly and explores them in great detail.

As for the idea that we cannot stop the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species, he says, "It's our responsibility and our obligation.... We brought these things here and without much effort, we can stop it."

He discusses aquatic invasive threats on the horizon, gives examples of where and how AIS has been stopped, and explains the solutions for Minnesota.

It is a well produced informative video. Please forward this to anyone you know who has an interest in Aquatic Invasive Species and wants to have healthy lakes.

The Rice Creek Watershed District is producing a series of these informative and entertaining videos around lake issues, and we will continue to get them out to you as they become available. Thank you for your advocacy. Thank you for your support.

If you have any questions or comments, please call me directly or email me using the information below. It is only by hearing from our members that we can understand and act on the issues important to you. And click the Facebook and Twitter links below - I post articles, announcements and updates through those social media sites almost daily. It is a great way to keep in touch.

Sincerely,

Jeff Forester
Executive Director
Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates (MLR)
jeff@mnlakesandrivers.org
Cell:  612-961-6144

Strange happenings on the lake

Walking by the shoreline on Sunday to grab a few images for you, and here on the lake were these odd looking cracks or vein formations. Do you have an idea how they were formed?

DNR seeking applications for Aquatic Invasive Species Advisory Committee

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking applications from people interested in serving on the statewide Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Advisory Committee. The committee was established in December 2012 to help guide the department’s aquatic invasive species activities.

People concerned about aquatic invasive species are encouraged to apply if they can commit to reviewing reports, preparing comments and participating in eight meetings per year. Applications are due by Dec. 10.

Aquatic invasive species is one of the state’s most important natural resources issues. Preventing the spread of zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, invasive carp, spiny waterflea, and other invasive plants and animals is of critical environmental, recreational and economic importance.

DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr seeks to continue building strong relationships with those who have a particular interest and stake in the issue. The insights and perspectives of individuals, citizen organizations, and local governments have been very helpful in guiding DNR aquatic invasive species activities.

The committee comprises 15 stakeholders appointed by the commissioner to up to four-year terms. Application questions reflect the DNR’s desire to have a well-rounded Aquatic Invasive Species Advisory Committee. Members have a range of personal and professional experiences with AIS issues, including prevention, decontamination, public awareness and control activities.

Similarly, the DNR seeks representation from different parts of the state, as well as a diversity of ages, genders, ethnicities, recreational interests and education. The committee also reflects the range of private, nonprofit and public sector organizations that are actively engaged in AIS issues. Appointees must abide by requirements pertaining to potential conflicts of interest.

HOW TO APPLY
Apply online at http://survey.dnr.state.mn.us/snapwebhost/s.asp?k=144770880809. Data provided for the committee application are classified as public data under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. 

Details about the AIS Advisory Committee, including bios of current members, are available at www.dnr.state.mn.us/aisadvisory. For more information, contact Ann Pierce at 651-259-5119, ann.pierce@state.mn.us, or Heidi Wolf at 651-259-5152, heidi.wolf@state.mn.us.
 

Minnesota loons remain under close watch in their migration to Gulf of Mexico

Tracking Minnesota's loons' migration to the Gulf of Mexico and studying the effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill on the birds have been revealing.   Click here for more information from the Star Tribune.

Last Boat Ride for the Season

Rick and Diane Zaske took their last boat ride for the sesason-Nov 15, it looks like this might be our last boat ride around the lake.  We only saw 4 small docks beside ours on the lake and one other small boat.  The loons all seem to be gone finally.  We saw a couple small flocks of mallards. What a beautiful day!  The forecast is for very cold this weekend here so I finally took my dock in today.  Does this shoreline look familiar Mark, Barb, and Paul?

There is a loon on the lake yet!

While Jackie Schumacher and her family were up over the weekend hunting, she was able to capture this picture of a young loon still on the lake.

Protect Your Lake Heritage

'Aquatic Invasive Species' was the main topic for Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Jeff Forester key note speaker at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region Summit.

"The relationship between a public who was looking to protect lakes in their entirety, and all the ecological services connected to those lakes, the tax base, as a source of drinking water, the way of life that lakes support, has grown increasingly strained. With each lake that becomes infested with zebra mussels, public impatience has increased. This same tension is evident in other areas of natural resource management."

The rest of the article can be viewed here.

 

 

It's all about Walter!

I am not the person to talk to about fishing, but I can share many 'Walter' stories of which I have heard throughout the years. I would much rather read your stories and this will be the place to share them with everyone.

Please submit your stories to: 

mybirchlake@gmail.com