Pelican Lakes Association Fall 2009 Newsletter

Pelican Lakes Association
Fall 2009 Newsletter
Letter from the President
It’s a beautiful September on Pelican Lake – the trees are changing and the lake is quiet.
Cabins are closing for the winter and docks are coming out. As we wind down the year
for the lake association, I’ll take this opportunity to share some happenings from the
annual meeting.
Our annual meeting was held in July at the Elks camp. We had great attendance with
well over 100 people at the meeting. Thanks to all of you who were able to attend. Here
are some highlights:
• The name of the organization changed to Pelican Lakes Association. The group
opted to drop “Property Owners” to be more inclusive of everyone in the
surrounding areas.
• We have changed our dues schedule and fiscal calendar to be on an annual basis –
watch for renewal notices coming out this winter for 2010 membership.
• Pelican Lakes Conservation Club (PLCC) spoke about their mission, events, and
community service for the year. They have a new website with more information:
http://plccmn.org/. We encourage lake residents to become members in both
PLCC and the lake association.
• We toured the shoreline restoration project at the camp and look forward to
watching it grow.
• Clyde shared the invasive species report – we are monitoring our landings and
continue to train area service providers. As you take the docks out this fall, please
reference the list of providers in this newsletter and support those that have been
trained.
• Glen reported on the progress of runoff from the Breezy parking areas. You’ll see
an update in this newsletter. To share your thoughts, contact Thirty Lakes
Watershed District at 218-828-0243.
We have a few changes to the board. Welcome to Dave Slipy and Bill Rodgers as new
board members. Joan Mondale and Jodi Eberhardt have traded roles – Joan is now
secretary and Jodi is President.
If you have a neighbor who would like to be part of the association or receive the
newsletter, please provide their contact information to San Countryman at
[email protected].
Jodi Eberhardt
President, [email protected]
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Shoreline Restoration Highlights
Pelican Lake is fortunate to have both
beautiful beaches and wonderful woods.
We’d like to start to highlight different
examples of shorelines that have
remained native or have been restored.
This site is located at the entrance of
Jones Bay. The homeowner planted
mature trees, a shoreline buffer and
restored some of the water plantings.
It’s a great example of how shoreline
plants provide natural privacy and a
home for wildlife.
In contrast, the sandy beaches and mowed
lawns on the lake attract geese. In a recent
trip around the lake, we noticed over three
dozen geese parked on this shoreline. One
idea is to have the mowed lawn transition
into a native plant garden before the beach.
This would keep the geese out of the yard
and create an area that would absorb the
runoff from the grass. If you are
considering a project and would like some
help, contact Jodi at
[email protected] or 562-5335.
Shoreland Rules Update
The DNR is updating its shoreland rules and expects to start public hearings in the spring
of 2010. The rules will be finalized in the first half of 2010. The proposed standards
include, but are not limited to: better water quality standards achieved by improved
rainwater runoff management; increased drainfield setbacks and higher shoreline buffer
standards for new development; greater protections for vulnerable areas (e.g. sensitive
lakeshore, trout streams, bluffs); and improved standards for planned unit developments.
Please take a look at the proposal posted on their website:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/shoreland/shoreland_rules_update
_project.html.
Wildlife and Habitat Corner
As a new member of the board of the Pelican Lakes Association I am looking forward to
working with everyone to maintain and enhance the quality of our beautiful lakes. I also
have a strong interest in protecting and promoting our wildlife and preserving the
environment and habitats our area lakes provide.
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The unusual summer of 2009 has encouraged especially lush growth of plants, trees and
wild fruits in our area. The wild raspberries continued to be abundant throughout July,
along with a very nice crop of wild blueberries and juneberries (serviceberries). Not only
do we have plenty of jam from these, we have enough berries frozen to make some cold
winter days reminiscent of summer. We even harvested some chokecherries before our
neighborhood bear broke the tops of our two trees as he nearly stripped them of all their
fruit. We all do live together, and I am sure the repairs on our trees will help them
recover.
My wife and I enjoy all the wildlife that frequents our yard and shore, including the blue
and green herons, wood ducks, ospreys and loons (when nesting in spring). It may be
beneficial to establish a dialogue with others who have special wildlife residents they
watch, enjoy and monitor and invite you to share your experiences by email at the
address listed below. I would like to know who has loons or wood ducks that nest in
their area, as well as herons, eagles or whatever. By sharing experiences we can help
generate a better picture of what is happening on our lakes and help identify where
waterfowl and wildlife are regularly located. I look forward to learning of your
experiences with observing and enjoying the abundant wildlife that lives in our midst.
In the future I hope to use this newsletter to keep you informed of what others in the
Pelican Lakes area are doing and experiencing, as well as what we can all do to protect
and support our wildlife and its habitat.
Bill Rodgers [email protected]
What’s Draining into Pelican Lake?
In the Spring, 2009 newsletter, we featured an article with the answer to that question.
This is an update on the latest happenings since the writing of that article.
On Tuesday, July 14, 2009, after a large rain storm, a water quality team member took a
water sample for E.Coli (fecal coliform) count at the Breezy Point swimming
beach/playground area adjacent to the storm water runoff area. The sample was analyzed
by A.W. Research Lab in Brainerd. Results showed the E.Coli colonies count to be 867
which exceeded the public health limit of 126 by 6.8 times! Had the conditions been
favorable for swimming and recreation at that time, people in these impaired waters
would have been at risk for exposure to pathogens. Pathogens in surface water can cause
gastrointestinal illness, especially in children. Documented outbreaks are typically
associated with swimming beach areas like this one.
All entities responsible for correcting this storm water issue were notified about this high
E.Coli count. Not only is E.Coli an issue during a rain storm, but also are oil, antifreeze
and debris running into the lake. The Thirty Lakes Watershed District held a public
meeting on August 3, 2009, to once again look for a solution to this problem that has
continued for the last 5 years. As of this date, no solution has been found and no follow
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up meetings have been scheduled. The Pelican Lakes Association will pursue this until it
is resolved.
If you have comments or questions please contact our Water Quality Committee member,
please contact Glen Gustafson, [email protected], or 218-765-3796.
Membership
We are making progress in reaching people interested in preserving the quality of the
Pelican Lakes. We now have 310 members.
Remember, we have changed our membership year to coincide with the calendar year,
January 1st to December 31st. Watch for your invoice which will be mailed in January
2010 to all members.
A special thank you to those who have contributed at the following levels since May 1,
2009.
Loon ($50-$99)
Eagle ($100-$199)
Bender,Thomas & Mary
Degn, Jerry & Carolyn
D.H.Docks 7 tracks, Inc.
Fletcher, Ronald & Nancy
Hummel, John & Bonnie
Levig, Dr. Thomas & Dr.
Anne
Lewis, Jim & Tonya
Mellinger, James & Judy
Peterson, John & Julie
Van Kampen, Dolores
Pelican ($200+)
If you would like to have your newsletter sent via e-mail, please contact Glen at
[email protected].
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Keeping Invasive Species out of our Pelican Lake is up
to each of us! . Why is this training important?
Lake service professionals work in numerous lakes, providing their services for property
owners, area residence, and visitors. They therefore are exposed to the potential
transfer of known and /or unknown invasive species from one lake to another lake.
We ask you to choose your lake service providers carefully!
PLPOA wishes to thank the following area professionals who attended the DNR
seminars in 2008 and 2009. These Professionals were trained in the proper
identification of Invasive Species and how to prevent their spread.
Marv Koep
Lenny Hodgson
Nisswa Guides League
Breezy Point
Nisswa
Jeremiah Mich
Bertha Boatworks Inc
Pequot Lakes
Lenny Hodgson
Ed Carlson, Kevin
Swanson, Justin
Vargo, Tracy
Gibson
Dave Shogren
Nisswa Guides League
D.H. Docks
Nisswa
Nisswa
(218) 562-4187
(218) 569-4527
(218) 543-4100
(218) 568-4527
Brainerd Sports & Marine
Brainerd
(218) 963-2566
(218) 828-4728
Dan Zimmerman,
Dennis
Zimmerman, Bob
Ressen
Roger Landers
Nisswa Dock Co
Nisswa
(218) 963-2584
Norlake Dock Service
Nisswa
(218) 568-5016
Jim Spileman
Ricka MFG
Pequot Lakes
218-562-4923
Patrick Selter, Lisa
Schultz, Tanya
Lund
Justin Norring
Professional Lake
Management
Pequot Lakes
Cabin Care
Walleye Dan’s Guide
Service
Pequot Lakes
Nisswa
Dan Eigen, Tim
Ivandske, Toby
Kuaevos, Bruce
Meinz, Jeff Anderson
Tom Snook
Lake Restoration
Rogers
218-568-5379
218-562-4521
218-839-5598
763-428-9777
If you use a service provider that is not listed as having attended the Invasive Species
Sensitivity training, ask them to attend the next DNR Invasive Species Seminar.
Please send their name, address, and phone number to the Pelican Lake Association or
[email protected]
We will make sure they are added to our list of invitees for the 2010 season.
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Elks Club Wish List
Many of you know of our growing relationship with the Elks Camp on the South Shore of
the lake. The Camp has graciously allowed us to use their facilities for our last two
annual meetings and we have partnered with the Camp in a lake restoration project.
It has come to our attention that in its efforts to assist the large number of kids who enjoy
the Camp, it could really use assistance in the form of donations based on a wish list. We
are pleased to publish that list and to suggest to our members that if they might have
interest in donating any of the items to call John Miller (612 298-8142 or Wink Buchite
(218 831-9185).
Playground equipment
Good used pickup for camp use
Rain Jackets
Used 4 wheeler
Drinking fountains
Mountain bikes
Sleeping bags
Troop week camperships - $75 each
Monetary donations for nature program
Archery Equipment
Waterfront Equipment
PLPOA
Box 823
Nisswa, MN 56468
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