Summer - Gull Chain of Lakes Association

More documents

Recommendations

Info

2011 ANNUAL MEETING Typically, ants are known to dampen the mood of a picnic. But at the Gull Chain of Lakes Association annual dinner and meeting July 7th, another nuisance creature was on the minds of attendees. Zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species dominated the topics of conversation when the GCOLA Board and Association members gathered at the Gull Lake Yacht Club. Efforts in progress to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in the Gull Chain of Lakes were discussed. Tom Provost, Lieutenant Supervisor with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, was on hand to address concerns and answer questions regarding invasive species as they pertain to the Gull Chain of Lakes. “Maybe we’re having this conversation two years too late for you here on Gull,” Provost said in regard to last year’s initial detection of Zebra mussels in the Gull Chain. John A. Taylor II, CPA Box 810 Nisswa, MN 56468 218-963-7652 Tax Returns john@tayloraccounting.biz 6 Provost said data has yet to determine how much Zebra mussels have spread in the chain, but pointed to research on Mille Lacs Lake where the invasive species were first detected four years ago. “They reproduce at an exponential rate,” Provost said, noting they were spotted in five or six spots on Mille Lacs in year two, but are literally “all over the lake now.” In addition to the environmental impact, Provost said the economic impact is alarming. When Zebra mussels die, their hard shells are washed up on shore, leaving behind sharp shards that make walking barefoot difficult, if not impossible; potentially driving down lakefront property values. John Taylor, GCOLA President, addressed efforts being taken by the Lake Association to control Zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species, including a hot water decontamination unit installed at the Hole in the Day public access. The unit is designed to clean boats before launching and after leaving the lake to help eliminate the risk of bringing new invasive Continued on page 7 OPEN DAILY AT 11:00 AM NEW SHUTTLE SERVICE! Open Year Round The Great Food and Service You ve Come to Expect — At Your Door Ernie — s Catering Anymenu • Anywhere • Anytime Call Us For Your Catering Needs Great Food Reasonable Prices Ernie’s New Banquet Room For your Grooms Dinners — Parties — Private Meetings Absolutely No Room Charge! 218-829-3918 • 10424 Squaw Point Road Go to ErniesOnGull.com
2011 ANNUAL MEETING species in or taking Zebra mussels out and introducing them to other noncontaminated lakes. “It’s the only way to stop this other stuff from coming,” Taylor told the group. Trained staff operate the decontamination unit seven days a week at the public access and participation by boat owners is only voluntary. Taylor said, to date, over 200 boats have been washed this summer at this lone access. Hopes are to raise enough funds to purchase and place an additional two units at other access points on the chain next year. “We can’t wait for someone else to take care of this for us,” Taylor said. “If we want to prevent the spread of invasive species, we need to do it ourselves.” 7 The group intends to fundraise through letters to Gull Lake Chain residents, as well as appeal to others who may not live on the lake but frequent its waters as a recreation destination. For more information on GCOLA’s efforts, visit www.gcola.org. Additional business included the election of five people to the Board: Steve Allex, Ron Chaney, Arla Johnson, Rob Johnson, Charles McQuinn, and Ken Stover. The Cass and Crow Wing County water patrol officers were also present to answer questions on boating laws, as well as the Corps of Engineers which is in charge of maintaining the lake levels. Ron Faust also announced that the Association received a $15,000 grant for shoreline restoration projects (contingent on final budget passage by the Legislature.) As a part of that grant, a shoreline restoration tour will be held for interested parties on August 9 at 4 p.m. starting from the Lake Shore City Hall.
Page 1: S u m m e r 2 0 1 1 Nisswa, Minneso
Page 5: PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE John Taylor s
Page 9 and 10: 3RD ANNUAL HARVEST DINNER ON AUGUST
Page 11 and 12: BRAINERD CHAPTER OF FishinG has no
Page 13 and 14: NEW STATE LAWS AIMS TO SLOW SPREAD
Page 15 and 16: LAND AND WATER TOUR BREAKS COMMUNIT
Page 17 and 18: Q&A ABOUT THE WATERCRAFT AND BAIT C
Page 19 and 20: Serving the entire Lakes Area Tree
Page 21 and 22: REDUCING THE RISK OF SWIMMER’S IT
Page 23 and 24: MEET YOUR BOARD MEMBERS - Ken Stove
Page 25 and 26: 1620 Mary Fawcett Memorial Dr. East
Page 27 and 28: FOR ALL YOUR RESIDENTIAL HEATING, C

Summer - Gull Chain of Lakes Association

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?