2012 - Thief River Falls Times & Northern Watch

Page 10 NORTHERN WATCH Saturday, August 11, 2012
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • 11 A.M. - 11 P.M.
18 Hole
Miniature
Golf Course
Handicap
Accessible
Club House
w/concessions
KM Rib’s Plus More, LLC
Thief River Falls Chamber of Commerce
Presents The Tenth Annual
Dance
Featuring
Back Behind
the
Barn Boys
Beer
Garden
Rain
or
Shine
Arcade
Children, senior & group rates
Call today to book
Birthday Parties
World Champion BBQ Products
& Catering Service
Individual Racks - $ 14 00
Catering Services: Pulled Pork • Shredded Beef • Riblets
OPEN: 8:00 AM-7:00 PM Weekdays,
All Day Weekends
Keith & Kay Maidment - Owners
122 Maple Ave N • Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(218) 681-6426 or (218) 689-5618 • kmaidment@mncable.net
Food
Stands
Campground
33 sites
with full hookups
SATURDAY, SEPT. 8
LABREE AVENUE
DOWNTOWN THIEF RIVER FALLS
• Everybody’s Market 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Downtown & Floyd B. Olson Park
Cable TV and
FREE WiFi
Restrooms & showers
Playground
Reservations not needed
but available
Located next door to Petro Pumper
Falls Stay ‘n Play • 218-681-7066
Live Music 6:00 p.m. - Midnight
• 4-H - Vanessa Martell 6 - 7 p.m.
• Tami Lee & the Northern Lights 7 - 8:30 p.m.
• Back Behind the Barn Boys - 9 p.m. - Midnight
Admission $10 Adults
$5 Students at the Gate
Gates Open at 5:00 p.m. • Bring Your Lawn Chairs
Rain Location - Curling Club
Make A Lasting
Summer Memory
At
facebook.com/twofoolswinery
Drawdown exposes importance and risks
Welding takes center stage
Airport seeks $50,000
tax levy increase
(Continued from Page 1)
The preliminary budget and
$50,000 levy increase were
approved as presented. Final
approval of the budget and levy
could come as early as next
week’s (Aug. 15) Airport
Authority meeting, but there is
one hurdle to clear.
The joint powers agreement
that was approved by both the
city of Thief River Falls and
Pennington County to create the
Airport Authority states that
VINEYARD & WINERY
Free tasting of our award winning wines.
Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it with
a glass of summer wine on our beautiful patio.
NOT MANY SUMMER WEEKENDS LEFT!
From Thief River Falls, 7 Miles South on Hwy. 59,
4 Miles East on Co. Rd. 3 (Center Street E. [Casino Road]),
Then 2.5 Miles South on 240th Avenue SE
(218) 465-4655
OUR WINE LIST AND MAP ARE AVAILABLE AT
www.twofoolsvineyard.com
(Continued from Page 1)
said that because of a ditch in
the pool and certain other obstacles,
it is never fully drawn
down. It’s just not possible.
Knutsen said prairie wetlands
benefit from occasional
draw down that occur naturally.
This natural process of drying
out the ponds actually spikes
productivity, so drawdowns
have become a part of the management
plan at Agassiz.
There are roughly 26 ponds
at the Refuge. The large pools
are in total drawdown every 10
years, according to a statement
on the Refuge’s website.
Some plantlife depends on a
natural seasonal fluctuation
and that fluctuation benefits the
varied vegetation at the Refuge.
Emergent vegetation, which
grows along the edges of wetland
area, helps stabilize bottom
sediments and provides a
source of food and cover for
(Continued from Page 1)
waste, scrap and energy consumption
associated with traditional
welding training.
Northland offers several
welding programs at the East
Grand Forks and Thief River
Falls campuses. These programs
prepare individuals for a
job in the rapidly growing welding
workforce.
“Throughout northwest
Minnesota and the Midwest, the
waterfowl and furbearers.
Submersed vegetation, which
grows underwater, helps filter
sediment, reduces wind waves,
stabilizes bottom substrates and
provides food and cover for fish,
wildlife and invertebrates.
Mowry added that if a pond is
wet all the time, productivity
actually declines and it isn’t
good for wildlife.
Some pools can become so
rich in nutrients and so supporting
of dense plant life, that the
decomposition kills animal life
by depriving it of oxygen.
Drawdowns can result in sediments
with a lower water and
organic matter content as well
as decreased turbidity. It also
oxidizes exposed sediment.
Another issue for Agassiz is
the presence of cattails. Cattails
occur naturally, but managing
cattails has become difficult at
best. It is estimated that sometime
in the 40s or 50s an exotic
DNR says aquatic invasive species
violation rates are unacceptable
Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources has released
some initial statistics from its
increased aquatic invasive
species (AIS) patrol efforts.
So far this year, the AIS violation
rate among boaters is 20
percent. “This rate is unacceptable,”
said Maj. Phil Meier, DNR
Enforcement Division operations
manager. “The majority of
violations could have been
avoided if people had taken the
time to change their routine
when leaving lakes and rivers,
and comply with AIS laws.”
Extra patrols began May 12
and will continue through the
summer.
“Enforcement activities,
whether educational opportunities
or issuing citations and
warnings, are geared towards
compliance,” said Meier.
“Enforcement is a primary motivator
to changing the behavior
of those who may intentionally
or unintentionally move invasive
species.”
Through June 6, conservation
officers had worked nearly 3,200
hours dedicated to AIS enforcement,
making more than 20,000
combined law and education
contacts. During this time, 193
criminal citations, 463 civil citations,
975 written warnings and
267 verbal warnings were
issued.
Last year about 850 citations
or warnings were issued to violators
of Minnesota’s AIS laws.
That compares with 293 citations
and warnings issued in
2010.
“We hope these citations,
warnings and public contacts
will continue to raise awareness
that this state looks at invasive
species very seriously,” Meier
said. “We will enforce the rules.”
Under Minnesota law, it is
illegal to transport invasive
aquatic plants and animals, as
well as water, from water bodies
infested with zebra mussels and
spiny waterfleas. Violators
could face fines up to $500.
Some penalty amounts will double
beginning July 1.
To help prevent the spread of
aquatic invasive species,
anglers and boaters are
required by law tod drain bait
buckets, bilges and live wells
before leaving any water access;
remove aquatic plants from
boats and trailers to prevent the
spread of invasive species; pull
the plug on their boat and drain
all water when leaving all
waters of the state; keep the
drain plug out while transporting
water-related equipment on
roadways.
“Once an invasive species
gets established into our waters,
it’s very unlikely we can eliminate
it,” Meier said. “That’s why
vigilance and prevention are
critical.”
For more information on
aquatic invasive species and
how to prevent their spread,
please visit: http://www.dnr.
state.mn.us/invasives/index_aq
uatic.html.
need for skilled welders has
increased dramatically. With
the increased demand comes an
increase in the pay scale welding
graduates are finding,” said
Ralph Williams of Praxair.
Learn more about
Northland’s welding programs
by attending the event or by visiting
http://www.northlandcollege.edu/programs/welding_tech
nology/program_detail.php?program_code=600.
the airport authority may levy a
maximum of $200,000 per year.
However, the Minnesota
statutes that govern airport
authorities do not specifically
place any levy limits on airport
authorities.
Hedrick will meet with
Airport Authority Attorney
Mike Jorgenson prior to next
week’s meeting to determine
what steps need to be taken to
remove or increase the Airport
Authority’s levy limit.
Hedrick is scheduled to present
the airport budget to the
Thief River Falls City Council
on Tuesday, Aug. 21 and the
Pennington County Board on
Tuesday, Aug. 28. Both meetings
are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
Got Pain?
(non-native) species of cattail
was introduced in the Refuge
and that bonded with the natural
occurring species of cattail,
which has now overtaken large
tracts of land in the Refuge.
Knutsen said the ideal ratio
of vegetation and water is about
50/50. Cattails at the Refuge
now take upward of 75 percent
of the Refuge. A drawdown at
this time of the year doesn’t
allow the cattail time to sprout
and actually stresses cattails.
The repair of gates at the
Refuge is expected to take about
a month, provided the region
doesn’t receive any substantial
rain during this time. Because
the region is so dry, the rain the
region received last week was
quickly absorbed and barely
registered in the flow.
Mowry and Knutsen said
they hadn’t noticed a smell from
decomposing matter at the outlet.
They speculated that it is
possible that when the gates
were opened that the extra
water cleaned out stagnate
pools of water along its route to
Thief River Falls.
Knutsen said according to
their tests at the outlet, dissolved
oxygen levels were satisfactory.
When they opened the
gates, the amount of turbidity
spiked, but that was anticipated.
After a couple of days, turbidity
levels dropped dramatically.
Mowry said they hadn’t
received any complaints.
Voyageurs View Campground
and Outfitters thanked them for
the release of water because it
extended their season.
Pools in danger
Primary elections Tuesday
(Continued from Page 1)
• State Senate District 1 –
Jual Carlson, Republican; Steve
Nordhagen, Republican; and
LeRoy Stumpf, DFL, incumbent
• Polk County District 3
Commissioner – Dean Adams,
Clayton Briggs, Ray Ecklund,
Nick Nicholas and Gerald
Reitmeier
Tom Carson PT
Break Free!
Achieve Therapy
201 Brooks Ave N
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Phone: (218) 681-0292
(East of Thief River Ford in Brooks Strip Mall)
Back & neck pain***Headaches ***TMJ ***Orthopedics*** Chronic pain
Post-surgical rehabilitation ***Shoulder pathologies***Neurological disorders
ASTYM certified
Recent core samples taken at
Agassiz pool indicate that over a
period of roughly 68 years, 1.3
million tons of inorganic material
(dirt) has settled in ponds at
Agassiz. Knutsen said technology
has allowed them to “fingerprint”
this material and results
indicate that it’s not from bank
erosion, but upstream field erosion.
Knutsen said more study
needs to be done to determine
what sediment is going out. “We
need to know,” he said.
Knutsen also noted that several
efforts are underway to
reduce field sediment.
Mowry added that it’s important
for area residents to know
that Agassiz doesn’t make sediment.
The refuge is a flow
through system just like any
river or ditch. But, that sediment
is killing the refuge and
its pools. Mowry said the average
lifespan of a pool is about
100 years. They don’t die on the
expiration date, but the fact
that Agassiz has accumulated
1.3 million tons of sediment in
this period of time is an issue
everyone should be concerned
about. It impacts bird use,
tourism and many other elements
of our economy.
Flood benefit
Mowry and Knutsen also
noted one other benefit to the
fall drawdown. Although the
pool doesn’t exist to provide
flood protection, a drawdown at
this time allows the pool to
accept more water in the spring.
And, residents of northwestern
Minnesota are more familiar
with the impacts of flooding
than drought.
Upland bird hunt offers youth, women
opportunity to gain experience
Youth and women who want
to learn how to hunt upland
birds from an experienced
hunter can do so Saturday, Oct.
20, at a variety of Minnesota
locations.
Co-sponsored by Minnesota
Department of Natural
Resources, hunt participants
are paired with mentors from
Pheasants Forever, Woodcock
Minnesota and the Ruffed
Grouse Society. After discussing
safety, habitat, ethics, scouting
for places to hunt and securing
landowner permission when
necessary, mentors take participants
to the field for a hunt.
“These opportunities are for
those who have a desire to hunt
but don’t have a mentor to teach
them,” said Mike Kurre, DNR
mentoring program coordinator.
“Participants learn hunting
techniques, safety measures,
and how wildlife habitat plays a
big part in upland bird management
and hunter success.”
Parents and guardians must
accompany youth at all times
and at all events.
To participate in the lottery,
youth must be 12-17 years old
as of Oct. 20; have earned a
valid firearms safety certificate;
possess a small game license;
and have a parent, guardian or
adult authorized by a parent or
guardian accompany them as a
non-firearms carrying mentor to
join the youth at a pre-hunt orientation
as well as the hunt.
Free small game licenses are
available to a youth younger
than 16 at any licensing agent.
Reduced-fee licenses also are
available for youth 16 and 17.
Women 18 and older do not
need a parent or guardian to
accompany them but will need a
valid firearms safety certificate
or an apprentice hunter validation
certification, pheasant
stamp (if pheasant hunting) and
small game license.
All applicants must specify in
which county or area they want
to hunt, if they are willing to
travel farther if their choice of
area is not available and how
far they are willing to travel.
Some hunts may occur on
Sunday, Oct. 21.
Applications are due Monday,
Sept. 10. They are available
online at www.mndnr.gov/discover
or by contacting the DNR
Information Center at 888-646-
6367. Successful applicants will
be notified via mail or email by
the end of September.
The winner’s notice will contain
specific information about
hunting license requirements,
equipment and contact information
of the hunt coordinator.
Youth and women winners must
contact their hunt coordinator
after receiving their notice.
Landowners with pheasant
or grouse-producing property
interested in allowing youth or
novice women to hunt on their
land can help out by contacting
Pheasants Forever’s Eran
Sandquist at 763-242-1273.
Upland Bird Hunts
n Grouse/woodcock - (counties or
areas) Pine, Brainerd, Grand Rapids,
Duluth, Beltrami, Isanti.
n Pheasant - (counties or areas)
Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue
Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass,
Chippewa, Clay Cottonwood, Dakota,
Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore,
Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston,
Itasca, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui
Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Matin,
McLeod, metro area, Mille Lacs, Mower,
Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmstead,
Otter Tail, Pine, Pipestone, Pope,
Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock,
Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns,
Steele, Stevens, St. Louis, Traverse,
Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca,
Washington, Watonwan, Winona
Wright, Yellow Medicine.
• Polk County District 5
Commissioner – Ragnar
Bergendahl; Don Diedrich,
incumbent; and Randall Gust
In addition, the Warroad
School District will have a question
on the ballot. The school
district is asking voters for the
authority to keep local tax dollars
that have already been collected
in the district to be used
for capital items and improvements.
A “yes” vote allows the
money to stay in the school district,
where the funds will be
put in the Capital Improvement
Fund. A “no” vote would send
the money back to the
Minnesota Department of
Education.
According to information that
Superintendent Craig Oftedahl
submitted to the Warroad
Pioneer, “The district is seeking
one-day bond authority in the
amount of $495,000. Because
Warroad is a capital loan district
(meaning Warroad is a
property poor district and used
state money to build school
buildings), the one-day bond is
allowed through a loophole in
the law.” He noted the one-day
bond has no impact on the taxpayer
as the money comes from
taxes that have already been
collected in the school district.