- Rush Lake Improvement Association

Rush Report
For the residents of Rush Lake and the Rush Lake Watershed
RUSH LAKE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, INC.
PO Box 677 • Rush City, MN 55069
MISSION STATEMENT: We are an association of members interested in improving and preserving the quality of the lake and preventing the spread of harmful aquatic plants, fish and chemicals in an effort to provide a healthy lake environment for the community and all it’s users.
DNR Fisheries activities on Rush Lake
by Deb Sewell, Fisheries Specialist
Spring netting results
The Hinckley Area Fisheries Office completed a
population assessment for muskellunge and northern
pike on East Rush Lake in late May. Fifteen large
frame trap nets were set at locations all around the
shoreline and checked every day for ten days. A
total of 32 muskies were sampled, ranging in length
from 33 to 50 inches. Two fifty inch muskies were
sampled. The average length of muskie was 40.9
inches. Numbers were similar to those seen in previous
years’ muskellunge assessments. 93 northern pike were
sampled; the average length of northern pike was
28.7 inches. Four out of five northern pike that were
sampled were within the 24-36 inch protected slot;
eight percent of the sample was over 36 inches. Future
spring trapnetting assessments will determine whether
the proportion of larger northern pike increases as a
result of the regulation.
Along with muskies and northern pike, numerous
walleye, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
were seen in the nets. Walleye averaged 20.3 inches,
with lengths ranging up to 27 inches. The size structure
of the largemouth bass population appears to be in
excellent shape; over half of the 20 bass measured
were in the 17 to 19 inch range. Although crappie and
bluegill were not measured, some 11-12 inch crappie
and 8-9 inch bluegill were observed while dipping fish
out of the nets.
A similar population assessment for muskie and
northern pike will be conducted on West Rush Lake in
spring 2007.
Proposed 48 inch minimum length for muskie
East and West Rush are among 46 lakes statewide
that have been selected for a proposed muskie
special regulation. This regulation would increase
the minimum harvest size for muskie from 40 to 48
inches. Signs have been posted at both public accesses
regarding the proposed regulation; public meetings
will be held in the fall locally and in St. Paul to gather
input regarding the regulation. Meeting dates and
locations will be announced in local papers. If you have
any comments or questions concerning the proposed
regulation, you may also contact the Hinckley Area
Fisheries office.
Walleye and muskie stocking
The walleye fingerling stocking quotas for East
and West Rush Lakes will increase beginning with
this fall’s stocking. Previously the quota for each lake
was 1.5 pounds/littoral acre (littoral=15 feet or less
in depth). This quota is now 2 pounds per littoral
acre. This change was made in an effort to increase
walleye numbers and meet walleye management goals
on the lakes. Walleye fingerlings are stocked in evennumbered years. Muskellunge continue to be stocked
in odd-numbered years, with 620 fingerlings (11-14
inches in length) stocked in East Rush and 604 in West
Rush.
While fingerling stocking provides most of
the walleye in Rush Lake, the status of natural
reproduction of walleye in the lake continues to be
monitored. Although some walleye spawning takes
place on the two spawning reefs that were installed,
the success of hatching, survival, and recruitment
of young walleye can vary greatly from year to year.
Hinckley Area Fisheries staff will be monitoring
walleye natural reproduction for the next five years
by conducting night electrofishing in early fall. By
fall, young-of-year walleyes have grown to about five
inches in length and their chance of survival is much
higher than when they were newly hatched. If these
young walleye show up in fall electrofishing samples,
successful natural reproduction is considered to have
taken place.
Upcoming fish population assessment
East and West Rush are scheduled for a routine
5 year fish population assessment in 2007. The
assessment will include night electrofishing for
largemouth bass in late May, and gill and trap netting
and shoreline seining in the summer.
Contact information
If you have any questions, concerns, or comments
regarding fish management on Rush Lake, please
contact Roger Hugill or any of the fisheries specialists
at the Hinckley Area Fisheries office.
Mailing address: PO Box 398, Hinckley, MN 55037
Phone: 320-384-7721
email: [email protected]
The RLIA Sailed Through the Chisago County Fair Parade
Our first-ever Rush Lake Improvement Association parade float was made possible by
a hard-working group of volunteers who designed, decorated, escorted and pulled the
float on a hot & windy July 15, 2006.
We would like to thank the following committee members and volunteers: Decorators
and Float Walkers-Bernie Knoss, Tom McKenzie, Kathleen Maloney-Nash, Ken Nash,
Ron Peltier, Bill Peters, Al Petschl, Larry Steeves and our Junior Escorts Joey Mitchell &
Jesse Mitchell.
The crowd was delighted with the giant Tootsie Rolls and RLIA Yo-Yo’s that were
tossed out by the Float Walkers. Riding aboard the float, smiling and waving to the crowd,
were the lovely young ladies Miss East Rush Lake Jordan Mitchell, Miss West Rush Lake
H H H H H
Rebecca Piersdorf and our little 1st Mate Sidney Granat. Ken Knoss pulled the sailboat
float along the parade route with his 1950 Minneapolis Moline tractor. Leading the float
was Chris Kuntz, who drove another tractor in Ken’s collection, a 1950 Farmall.
Our special thanks to: Ken Nash for designing, engineering and building the custom rigging for the unique sail-shaped banner that withstood the high winds along the
parade route, to Barb Guy, owner of Great Ideas, for the extra time and effort in getting
the unusual shaped banner made and printed for us, and of course to Kyle Maloney
for donating the use of his 1981-16 ft Luger Craft Sailboat. Everyone had a great time,
despite the scorching 99+ degree temperature, and we look forward to entering a float in
the parade again next year!
JULY 2006
H H H H H
Officers: President- Tom McKenzie, Vice President- Gary Weiden, Past President- Al Petschl, Treasurer/Secretary- Mary Rahman
Board of Directors: David Cartwright, Ken Knoss, Helen Leier, Kathleen Maloney-Nash, Ron Peltier, Bill Peters, Steve Schneider, Larry Steeves
Gambling Manager: Dennis Leininger Rush Report Editor: Kathleen Maloney-Nash
RLIA Awards First Scholarship
The recipient of the first Rush Lake Improvement
Association Grant Allen Scholarship, awarded on May
20, 2006, is Rachel N. Piersdorf of Forest Lake High
School.
Last fall the membership voted to commit $300 to
the newly initiated scholarship fund. Several personal
contributions were received after the announcement
of the initiation of the scholarship. Those generous
donations allowed us to match the Association’s 2006
contribution with some of the funds from the private
donations, for an award amount of $600.00. The scholarship is our way of looking to the future by supporting our youth; it will be their responsibility to carry on
with the challenges that we face today.
The scholarship is dedicated to Grant Allen Jestus,
who at the age of only 5, tragically and accidentally
lost his life here when he fell out of a boat and drowned
in West Rush Lake, on May 24, 2003. We will never
know the young man Grant would have become, but
by dedicating this scholarship to his memory he is
helping to remind us to appreciate all the young people
in our lives. We extend our gratitude to Grant’s family
for allowing us to honor his memory with this scholarship, and we thank them for all the appreciation and
support they have shown. We applaud their courage
and hope their generous contributions
to the scholarship
fund are an inspiration to all. Attending the presentation
were Kimberly Jestus, Grant’s mom,
her fiancé Dan Watson, and her parents Allen & Nancy
Johnson.
Allen
(Grant’s grandfather) explained to
the audience their
Rachel read en excerpt from her
efforts in approachessay about growing up on Rush
ing the State to seek
Lake; memories and stories about
legislation for a
three generations of family and the
children’s life jackmany ‘firsts’ in her life that took
et law. The group,
place at the lake while spending
including
Kimweekends with her family.
berly, the Johnsons
and Joe Pung, succeeded in getting most of their requests approved and
the new requirement was signed into law by Gov. Tim
Pawlenty on Thursday, May 5, 2005 and went into
effect Friday, May 6 2005. It’s formally titled the Grant
Allen Law.
The scholarship is available to anyone pursuing a
post-secondary education. The student (or his/her
family) need not be a member of the association, but
they do need to have some connection to the lake. The
requirements to apply for the scholarship were to write
an essay answering 4 questions and submit the essay by
April 10th. The questions were: What does Rush Lake
mean to you? What activities, clubs or organizations
have you been involved in? Include any volunteer work
you’ve done and awards you have received. What institution do you plan to attend? What are you planning
to study and why? A committee was formed to review
and judge all the submissions. The committee included
Helen Leier, Joe Pung and Kathleen Maloney-Nash.
Judging the essays was no easy task. We can all feel
fortunate that we have so many outstanding young
people in our community. The applications we received
clearly were from well-rounded, smart, talented, family-oriented, goal-driven individuals. In judging, the
most weight was placed on how the applicant answered
the question about what the lake means to them. One
young man wrote, “These many times that I have fished
on Rush Lake have provided me with valuable bonding
time with my father.” Another wrote. “Ever since my
family and I moved to the Braham area we have been
members of the Rush Lake Improvement Association. Even though we do not live on or near the lake
we feel it is very important to support the association
and the great things they do for the lake.” One young
lady wrote about her lake memories and said, “Lake’s
really have a way of bringing people together, especially
one’s family” She goes on to say “Then July 4th comes
around, and as tradition my family piles into the car to
head over and watch the fireworks. It is the highlight of
the evening and will be one of the events I remember
most. Another wrote, “ I’ll always think of the green
lake and all the memories it gave to me.”
Joe, Helen and Kathleen unanimously agreed that
one essay stood out among the rest. Rachel is a high
school senior who lives in Forest Lake, but has practically grown up on Rush Lake, spending most of the
weekends of her life here. She wrote about all the firsts
that Rush Lake holds for her. Three generations of her
family have lived on Rush Lake and she hopes to live
here someday too. She lettered in academics and speech
in her Sophomore & Junior years and has been heavily
involved and awarded in theatre, choir, SADD, Student
Council and NHS. She loves to sing and has volunteered much of her time outside school to perform at
From left to right: Dan Watson, Kimberly Jestus, Kathleen Maloney-Nash, Rachel Piersdorf, Nancy Johnson,
Allen Johnson.
hospitals and nursing homes. She also participates in
Youth Performing Arts, a non-profit Christian organization that puts on plays for the community. This
future star plans to study theatre and music at the U
of M College of Liberal Arts where she has recently
been accepted to the honors program. She says, “I do
not know what will become of these two things (theatre and music) but I
just have to follow
my dream. I know
that if I don’t I will
always look back
and wonder what
might have been”.
We were delighted
to help this young
lady follow her
dream by presenting her with our first
scholarship award.
Rachel closed our
presentation by singing Hero, a song
that she specially Rachel sang Hero at the scholarselected. She dedi- ship presentation.
cated the performance to Grant’s family and sang with the voice of an
angel, drawing tears from nearly the entire audience.
The scholarship will be available again next year. The
details will be printed in the Dec 2006 Rush Report and
will also be sent to local high school guidance offices.
If you would like to help support this program you can
send a donation to: RLIA, Attn Scholarship Fund, PO
Box 677, Rush City, MN 55069.
East Central
RipRap &
Landscape
Beer Specials:
Mexican Mondays:
Tues.: Miller High, Life &
Miller High Life Lite
Wed.: Busch & Busch Lite
Thurs.: Tap Beer
Drink specials, tacos, quesadillas
Kitchen Open: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Everyday
Broasted Chicken, Burgers, Salads
BBQ Ribs Fri. & Sat. after 5
Outdoor Dining • Weekend Specials
• Boat Launch • Seasonal Camping
• On/Off Sale Liquor
Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-Midnight • Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.-1 a.m.
50155 Clover Trail, Rush City
(1 1/2 miles N of Chisago Co. Rd. 7 on Clover)
PAGE 2
320-358-9900
• SHORELINE STABILIZATION
• LANDSCAPING
Fieldstone RipRap Placement
to protect your lakeshore from
ice and wave erosion.
Fieldstone and landscape
boulders sold and delivered.
Installation Available.
320-358-3104
4th Annual Chisago
Children’s Water Festival
On behalf of the planning committee and the
members of the Chisago County Board, we wish
to extend our appreciation to the Rush Lake
Improvement Association for your continued
support of the Chisago Children’s Water
Festival. We are currently making preparations
for the fourth annual Children’s Water Festival,
scheduled for September 29th. The Festival will
be at a NEW LOCATION - Wild Mountain
Recreation Area near Taylors Falls.
In previous years we have hosted an average
of over 800 fifth graders at this important
educational day. Every fifth grade classroom in
Chisago County has accepted our invitation to
participate, and we expect a similar number of
students this year. In addition, over 100 teachers
and parent volunteers, as well as more than fifty
presenters and event volunteers will assist in the
event.
The county’s name of Chisago was derived
from the Native American words Ki-Chi-Saga,
which means fair and lovely waters. Holding
a water festival for fifth graders will give us an
opportunity to teach them to be good stewards
of our water resources and more fully appreciate
our county’s heritage and why our forefathers
chose to settle at Ki-Chi-Saga. We want the
children to have a fun day, but also to have them
come away with an appreciation of all our water
resources. With the growth issues facing our
county, there is no better time or opportunity
to create additional water quality advocates and
stewards.
Learning stations that the children will visit
include such fun activities as “Would you Drink
this Water?”, “The Secret Insides of Fish”, “The
Incredible Journey” and “Aquatic Exotics”. The
Chisago County Historical Society will teach
children how immigrants traveled to the area
by water and demonstrate why ice cutting was
important to early settlers. We have asked Janie
Peterson, Fox 9 News meteorologist, to attend
this year to make a presentation on weather.
Clancy, the mercury sniffing dog from the
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and his
handler have already agreed to participate again.
Over 150 volunteers and presenters helped to
make the first three festivals a success. If you
are interested in helping with the upcoming
festival, we ask that you contact Sue Humble,
Chisago SWCD at 651-674-2333. Once again, we
would like to thank the Rush Lake Improvement
Association for your help in making Chisago
Children’s Water Festivals a continued success.
--- Jerry P. Spetzman,
Chisago County Water Resource Manager
Boat & Pontoon Storage
on Rush Lake
Winter or Summer
Indoor or Outdoor Storage
Shrink wrapping is available
If you do not have a pontoon trailer, we can take
your pontoon out of the water in the fall and put
it back into the lake in the spring.
RUSHMORE
CAMPGROUND
(a seasonal campground)
555 – 510th St. W
Stanchfield, MN 55080
320-396-2186
Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the
mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and
teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.
–JOHN LUBBOCK
FISH I-35LAKE
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651-674-4734
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Cambridge, MN
55008
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763-689-2133
PAGE 3
The Bald Eagle Story
Keep birds healthy;
avoid moldy birdseed
Moldy birdseed and unclean bird feeders can
cause birds to become sick. In hot humid weather,
it is common for mold to form on wet birdseed.
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources (DNR), the mold can cause a fatal avian
disease called aspergillosis, which affects the birds’
respiratory systems.
Carrol Henderson, supervisor of the DNR Nongame Wildlife Program, urges people to rake or
sweep up fallen seeds and seed hulls under their
feeder to prevent moldy conditions from occurring on the ground. “These seeds can also attract
meadow voles, house mice or other rodents, and the
growth inhibitor in sunflower hulls can cause problems with grass or flowers near the feeder,” he said.
Salmonella is another disease that affects birds
and is associated with unclean feeders. According
to Henderson, it is important to keep a bird feeder
clean to minimize the threat of disease. To clean
bird feeders, Henderson suggests using a solution of
two ounces of bleach with one gallon of water and
scrub the entire surface. Allow the cleaned feeder to
dry out in the sun, as the sunlight will help kill bacteria on the feeder. Hummingbird feeders should be
cleaned about every week to 10 days during the summer to keep the sugar water from producing mold.
Keep the feed dry by using a hopper-type feeder
or a fly-through feeder. Scrape out old seed that
accumulates in the corners. Tray feeders with a
screen bottom will allow seeds to dry out from
above and below after a rain shower. “Remember
not to put out too many seeds as once, because
if the seeds are several inches thick, they can still
become moldy in the center of a feeder with a screen
bottom,” Henderson said.
More information on attracting and feeding birds
is available in “Wild about Birds: The DNR Bird
Feeding Guide” and “Landscaping for Wildlife.”
The books are available at Minnesota’s Bookstore
by calling (651) 297-3000 or toll-free 1-800-6573757. Production of these books was made possible
by the donations to the Nongame Wildlife Fund on
Minnesota income and property tax forms.
On June 20, 1782, the founding fathers of the United
States of America selected the bald eagle as the national
bird. Symbolic of the country itself, the bald eagle has
since gone through some trying times. It has been poisoned,
trapped, shot, killed for bounty and otherwise blown out
of our skies by people who felt an eagle belonged on a
dollar bill rather than atop a white pine tree in northern
Minnesota.
As our state was settled by pioneers, birds of prey were
generally considered “varmints” because they competed
with people for use of fish and game species. Sometimes
birds of prey also killed domestic livestock. Birds of prey,
collectively called raptors, were killed on sight.
In addition, the proliferation of pesticides like DDT followed World War II created a poisonous environment for
raptors. DDT was passed along the food chain
from fish and other organisms to bald eagles.
That concentrated the chemicals in their bodies, causing their eggshells to become so thin
that routine incubation crushed the eggs.
The American public, through neglect,
allowed their national symbol to become an
endangered species. This careless abuse of our
national bird did not reflect well on our commitment to save other, more obscure, endangered species. However, the eventual recovery
of the bald eagle has become a conservation
success story. The recovery of bald eagles
in Minnesota is particularly impressive. The
population has now exceeded its recovery goal
of 300 occupied nest territories and is growing by about 30 nesting pairs per year! Eagles
have expanded their range from northern Minnesota and now nest in southeastern Minnesota. In 1988,
they even began nesting along the Minnesota River Valley
in western Minnesota for the first time in over 100 years. At
the current rate of increase, we could have more than 700
pairs of eagles nesting in Minnesota by the year 2000!
Many people and agencies have helped bring back the
bald eagles. The recovery of the bald eagle began in the
early 1960’s in the Chippewa National Forest in north central Minnesota. United States Forest Service biologist John
Mathisen became nationally recognized for his pioneering
efforts to save nesting eagle populations. The U.S. Forest
Service prepared individual management plans for every
eagle breeding area on the Chippewa National Forest.
These now number 144. Buffer zones and seasonal limits
on human activity near eagle nests helped eagles increase
their numbers.
Dr. Dan Frenzel of the University of Minnesota and
Dr. Al Grewe of St. Cloud State University banded eagle
chicks on their nests and studies eagle ecology. Some of
their graduate students have gone on to become nationally
known eagle researchers - like Dr. Thomas Dunstan. Dr.
Dunstan grew up watching and studying the bald eagles
of Trout Lake in northeastern Minnesota. He later studied
eagles in the Chippewa National Forest. In all, nine graduate students have done research in the forest, resulting in
over 50 publications!
Beginning in the early 1970’s, The Raptor Center at the
University of Minnesota began contributing to the recovery of eagles by treating and releasing bald eagles that
were found sick or injured. They have treated more than
90 eagles every year. As a tribute to their success, a female
eagle nesting near the Twin Cities raised a chick in 1989
after being successfully treated and released by the Raptor
Center. Two of the original leaders in this effort were Dr.
CJ’s on Rush
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Gary Duke and Dr. Pat Redig. Mark Martell from the Raptor Center currently treats many of the injured eagles and
has also worked with Joan Galli of the DNR to study the
survival of released eagles and eagle wintering behavior.
In 1978, a cooperative effort by the DNR Non-game
Wildlife Program, The Raptor Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the University of Minnesota identified lead
poisoning in bald eagles at the Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area near Watson, Minnesota. The eagles were
eating sick and dead Canada geese and mallard ducks that
had lead shotgun pellets in their bodies. Graduate students
Steve Hennes and Fred Bengston did research projects that
verified this problem. This threat to eagles contributed to
the decision to ban lead shot for all waterfowl hunting in
Minnesota.
Another boost for eagles came when the
DNR Nongame Wildlife Program teamed up
with The Raptor Center, the DNR Division
of Enforcement and the Minnesota Trapper’s
Association to ban “open bait” trap sets for
predator trapping. These sets indiscriminately
catch and injure carion feeders such as bald
eagles. It is now illegal to place traps within 25
feet of exposed baits. This has helped reduce
the loss of bald eagles by accidental trapping.
Each year, the Minnesota DNR captures
four eagle chicks in northern Minnesota for
transport and release in other states. Only one
chick is taken from each of four nests, leaving
one or two chicks for the parents to raise. In
this way, Minnesota has aided in the restoration of bald eagles in New York, Pennsylvania,
Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas and Georgia.
The preparation of individual nest management plans
for bald eagles has now gone beyond the national forests.
Regional DNR nongame wildlife specialists prepare bald
eagle nest management plans for state, county, and private
lands throughout Minnesota. The plans are prepared free
of charge for landowners.
Other current eagle conservation efforts include aerial
surveys of eagle wintering areas in southeastern Minnesota by DNR regional nongame specialist Joan Galli and
analysis of mercury in the blood of eagle chicks hatched
in northern lakes where the water has high mercury levels
(blood samples are taken from chicks before they leave the
nest). Two bald eagle nests threatened by lakeshore development were saved through acquisition by the Nongame
Wildlife Program and the Reinvest in Minnesota Program.
The nests were on Trout Lake near Bovey. They had been in
use since the early 1950’s. The two areas total 55 acres and
are managed as wildlife management areas with seasonal
sanctuaries for the eagles.
The Nongame Wildlife Program spends about $50,000
per year on bald eagle conservation efforts. The bald eagle
is listed as a threatened species in Minnesota, but its dramatic increase during the past few years makes biologists
look forward to the time these birds will be so common
that they will be taken off the threatened species list. The
next time you see an eagle, remember the team effort that
has brought them back and remember that you can help
preserve the eagles by donating to the Nongame Wildlife
Checkoff on your Minnesota tax forms. You can also help
eagles by sending a donation to The Raptor Center, University of Minnesota, 1920 Fitch Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota
55108.
Rush City
Hardware
Specialized Services:
ELS Licensing • Hunting & Fishing Equipment • Key Cutting
Window & Screen Repair • Mower Blade Sharpening • Mix Paint
Take Out Dry Cleaning • Carpet Machine Rental
Pipe Threading & Cutting
Matt & Stacie Sisterman
305 W. 4th Street • PO Box 82 • Rush City, MN 55069
320-358-4762 • Fax 320-358-3162
• Snacks • Soups
• Burgers • Salad
• Sandwiches • Pasta
• Dinners • Beverages
138 S.E. 2nd Avenue
Cambridge, MN
763-689-9620
Grill Open Daily: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Pull Tabs by Rush Lake Improvement Assoc.
PAGE 4
Joan Stottler
4840 Rush Lake Road, Rush City, MN 55069
1 mile west of Rush City exit 169
Open 10-5
k!
7 days a wee
651-674-0126 • 651-674-0129
www.betweentherushs.com email: [email protected]
Raptor Word Find Puzzle
Read the text below and find the CAPITALIZED words in the puzzle. Words can be horizontal (across), vertical (down) or diagonal
(angled left to right from top). All words are forward; none are backward. Hint: after finding all the capitalized words there will be only 8 squares
not used. Answers are on page 11.
A raptor is a bird of PREY - which means it IS a HUNTER. What kinds of BIRDS are considered raptors? EAGLES, HAWKS, FALCONS, OWLS,
OSPREY, and KITES: birds with a HOOKED, sharp BEAK that can RIP and tear FLESH, and LONG SHARP TALONS on the end of their TOES.
Raptors are not the only PREDATORS of the bird world, but they are the only ones that HUNT with their FEET. Predators are AT the top of their
food CHAIN and therefore AN important SIGN of a healthy ecosystem. AS CARNIVORES, birds of prey EAT other animals - some like insects, some
like MICE or other RODENTS, some have a DIET almost exclusively of FISH, while others may choose SALAMANDER as their favorite FOOD. You
can imagine how HARD they work to catch SQUIRRELS... or how very FAST they must be to catch BATS! Raptors are specialized for hunting, YET it is
not an easy life. You rarely see a FAT predator - they have to work too hard! Most raptors KILL LIVE prey but some will also eat carrion: animals that are
already dead. Raptors eat the whole body of their prey but may not digest IT all - they CAST (regurgitate) what cannot be digested, such as the bones, teeth,
hair or feathers, as a PELLET. How can there be SO many different hunters? NO one species IS just like another: each bird of prey occupies its own NICHE.
Some are NOCTURNAL (are OUT at night), some are DIURNAL (active during the DAY). Some are large and some are small, so can catch different prey;
some are fast and catch birds; some hunt animals on the GROUND. Different raptors are found IN different kinds of HABITAT, from FOREST to DESERT to FIELDS. Some always
NEST near WATER, some like tall CLIFFS, some LAY their EGGS in a CAVITY in a TREE or build a big nest on top of a dead SNAG, some even nest right in the grass. Some raptors
stay in ONE place all year and others MIGRATE during the winter. Some fly all the way TO South America - isn’t it amazing they DO not get LOST?
It is exciting to see any raptor FLY and they have many different hunting styles - some may RISE on columns of warm air called thermals, and then SOAR while looking for prey. Others
SIT in one place and then POUNCE from a PERCH. Some like to HOVER
in mid-air, or STOOP (a very fast DIVE) to CAPTURE their food. These
birds have excellent eyesight and can SEE quite FAR. They also have good
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for animals they might hear but not see, like a RAT under snow or leaves.
Owls sometimes have a hard time hunting in the RAIN, since it makes
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noise and when the leaves are wet they do not rustle when a mouse moves!
Since most owls sleep during the day, the color of their feathers helps to
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CAMOUFLAGE them while they ROOST.
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humans have made; others become RARE due to habitat LOSS and end up
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on the Endangered Species LIST. And like other WILDLIFE, they often
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get HURT by things created by US. Raptors get HIT by CARS, caught
by CATS, can fly into a POWERLINE or hit a WINDOW, get tangled in
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FISHINGLINE or FENCES, even get SHOT or get very ILL from eating
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other animals that have eaten POISON. They can end up with a broken wing
or leg, an injured EYE, even NERVE or brain damage. Can you imagine how
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much your head would ACHE if you flew into a window? Sometimes birds of
prey get hurt or sick as an ADULT, but sometimes it is an EYASS (another
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word for NESTLING) that needs help. When such a young bird comes in for
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care, they need to be FED very often and just the right kind of food. Sadly,
sometimes people finding young birds think they are CUTE and forget they
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are fierce hunters that need the whole body of small animals for food; they
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cannot live on plain meat like
hamburger or they get very weak and sick.
What happens to the birds that are sick or hurt or orphaned? IF they
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are found and can be caught by people (they can RUN even if they cannot
fly!), they are brought to a wildlife hospital like Cascades Raptor Center,
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where every effort is made to heal them and let them GO - these birds belong
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in the WILD, where they are FREE. Sometimes, however, they have a
PERMANENT INJURY and cannot be released, because they could not
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survive in the wild. Such birds can sometimes be kept, with special permits,
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for education. You cannot SELL our native birds - they are protected by
federal law. Even their feathers, nests, and eggs are protected and illegal to
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possess without special permits. We have finally come to understand how
important such predators are to a healthy ecosystem - they are a key LINK to
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a complete, wild world.
Word Puzzle © 2004 Cascades Raptor Center • www.eRaptors.org
DON’T GET CAUGHT WITH
THE WRONG REALTOR!
CALL ME TODAY FOR ALL OF YOUR
REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
DEBBIE BROKKE
Broker/Owner
Longtime Rush Lake Resident
Service You Deserve. People You Trust.
Mora
Cambridge
131 N. Main
Toll Free 1-888-206-6395
763-689-2110
219 S. Union
Toll Free 1-866-679-0003
320-679-0003
Most firms independently owned & operated. GMAC is a registered trademark of General Motors Acceptance Corporation
PAGE 5
Get the lead out: Lead
poisoning of a loon
It started when the DNR received a report
on a loon that had not migrated. It was the
day after Thanksgiving, and the lake was
freezing. The loon was keeping a small hole
open in the ice on Big Jay Gould Lake near
Cohasset in Itasca County. Members of the
Cohasset Fire Department used the “ice
angel” air boat and wet suits to retrieve the
loon. Early the next morning, the loon was
taken to the Garrison Animal Hospital and
was diagnosed with lead poisoning. An xray showed that a lead jig-head was in its
stomach, and blood tests indicated a blood
lead level of 2.28 parts per million (ppm).
By the time the lead jig was removed, it was too late. The lead had already poisoned the bird. It
died. Lead poisoning occurs in birds of blood levels greater than 0.2 ppm and birds usually die
with levels greater than 1.2 ppm.
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One lead sinker can poison a loon
A loon with lead poisoning behaves strangely. It may fly poorly, have crash landings or
stagger onto the ground. The loon begins to gasp, tremble, and its wings droop as lead is
carried through its blood stream. As the poisoning worsens, it eats very little and hides among
aquatic vegetation, staying behind when other birds migrate. It becomes emaciated and often
dies within two or three weeks after eating the lead. It takes only one lead sinker or jig to poison
a loon.
How poisoning happens
Loons routinely swallow small pieces of gravel on the bottom of lakes. The gravel passes to
their stomach and helps in digestion, like grit in the stomach of a chicken. When fishing sinkers
are lost during fishing and drop to the bottom of the lake, they can be picked up by loons,
The loon photographs below show the or by waterfowl like ringneck ducks and trumpeter
small lead jig-heads (arrows point to swans. Some loons also swallow fishing jigs when they
them) that caused the lead poisoning of mistake them for minnows. As the lead sinker or jig
is exposed to the acids of the stomach and to other
these birds.
pebbles, lead enters the bird?s system and slowly
poisons the bird.
You can help
Give nontoxic sinkers a try. The less lead we release
into the environment, the better off our wildlife
will be. Next time you clean out your tackle box
and make a list of replacement tackle to purchase
for the upcoming fishing season, be sure to include
nontoxic fishing sinkers. Currently there are many
non-toxic sinker alternatives on the market made out
of bismuth, tin, stainless steel, tungsten, ceramic,
recycled glass and natural granite. Because weights of the
different materials vary, you’ll have to experiment to find
what works best for your type of fishing.
Ask your local bait and tackle store to stock
environmentally friendly unleaded sinkers. Two examples are
Gremlin Green and Bullet Weights. Some major discount
stores have made a special effort to increase the variety and
supply of non-lead sinkers. Never throw old tackle into the
water or on shore. Consider lead sinkers and jigs as toxic
material and dispose of them at proper household hazardous
waste collection sites.
To insure that future generations hear the call of the loon
we need to do more to safeguard their environment. Even if
you don’t fish, share this information with family and friends
who do. Just tell them to “Get the lead out!”
To go fishing is the chance to
wash one’s soul with pure air,
with the rush of the brook, or
with the shimmer of sun on blue
water. It brings meekness and
inspiration from the decency of
nature, charity toward tacklemakers, patience toward fish,
a mockery of profits an degos,
a quieting of hate, a rejoicing
that you do not have to decide a
darned thing until next week.
--HERBERT HOOVER--
FULL SERVICE LOUNGE
New expanded menu
including appetizers,
salads & more entrees
HAPPY HOUR
Monday-Thursday 4-6 p.m.
1/2 PRICE
Rail Drinks & Tap Beer
RUSH HOUR
Nightly 9-10 p.m.
$1.00 OFF
Rail Drinks & Tap Beer
MEETINGS AND SMALL PARTIES
Home of the Rush City
Tigers Golf Team
605 Brookside Pkwy • Rush City, MN 55069
320-358-1050 • Toll Free 1-877-358-1050
Off Hwy. 35W take Rush City Exit go West to Brookside Parkway look for signs
JERRY’S
Auto Repair Inc
Auto & Truck
New & Used Tires
Complete Auto Repair
Alignment • Balancing
Always Low Prices
No Hidden Costs
Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
320-358-3476
1265 W 3rd St • Rush City
PAGE 6
• 18 Hole Championship Golf
• Club House
• Pro Shop
• Golf Instruction
• Driving Range
• Senior Rates
• Twilight Rates after 4 p.m.
• Season Passes
• Golf Leagues
• Junior Summer Program
ODOR ELIMINATORS
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odors from your boat
The Fresh Again Boat Pack includes:
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Call us at 800-966-2909 or
order online at www.fresh-again.com
Fresh Again is also available for:
Incontinence • Shoe & Athletic Wear • Pet Odors
Tobacco & Smoke • Uniforms & Costumes
A product of C&H Chemical in St. Paul, MN
Do you wonder what that
“stuff” is in your lake water?
Q: What causes the blue-green scum (looks like spilled paint) you see on some
lakes?
A: This is a very common question
in the summer. In lakes that are
over-enriched with nutrients like
phosphorus and nitrogen, algae
tend to prosper and create “algae
blooms.” One group in particular,
blue-green algae (Cyanophytes)
can be quite bothersome. Bluegreens tend to form large colonies
that float on the surface of the
water. Some species of blue-greens
look sort of like grass clippings
(aphanizomenon) on the surface of the water while other more fine-celled forms
(anabena) may form large clumps -- both of which often accumulate on shores,
making a real mess. Nuisance algae blooms can be especially pronounced when
we get the warm water and hot, calm, “dog days” of summer. The characteristic
paint-like appearance and noxious odors result from the decomposition of the
algae. Blue-green algae may produce toxins which can cause skin irritation in
swimmers; in some cases, these toxins have killed animals (dogs, cattle, and
waterfowl typically) that have consumed large amounts of the water containing
the toxins. General rule: When you see conditions like this avoid swimming in the
water until it clears up, and keep your animals out of the water as well.
We can’t eliminate blue-green algae from a lake -- they are an inherent part of
the overall algal community in the lake. What we really want to do is control
their overall intensity and the frequency of the blooms. Since we can’t control the
water temperature, the best thing we can do is to reduce the amount of nutrients
getting into the lake. This can best be accomplished by reducing the amount of
phosphorus and nitrogen from man-made sources such as lawn fertilizer, and
runoff from cities, cultivated fields, feedlots and a myriad of other sources.
Though the response will not be immediate, it is the best long-term solution to
minimizing the frequency and intensity of algae blooms.
Top 10 Things You Can Do for the Lake
1
Keep it natural - Restore your shore - Plants absorb nutrients that would
otherwise end up in the lake.
2
Know your lake rules - It is unlawful in Minnesota to knowingly alter
shoreline, fish habitat or aquatic vegetation without a permit.
3
Appreciate aquatic plants - With their amazing filtering abilities, native
aquatic plants such as cattails and bulrush are natural water purifiers.
4
Reduce your lawn - Once established, natural landscapes are less expensive
and easier to maintain than traditional lawns.
5
Maintain your septic system - A well-maintained septic system saves money,
headaches and the environment.
6
Reduce runoff from roofs and roads - Minimizing hard surfaces will allow
water to soak into the landscape and keep pollutants out of lakes.
7
Properly dispose of animal waste - Animal wastes, containing bacteria,
phosphorus and nitrogen, should be disposed of far from the shoreline.
8
Be considerate of all lake users - Part of being a good lake steward and
neighbor is being considerate of everyone’s values.
9
Support land conservation - Conservation easements are a cost-effective way
to protect sensitive shorelines.
10
Show up - Speak up - Write a check - Decisions are made by those who show
up and speak up.
Q: What causes the foam on my shoreline?
A: In most instances the “foam” we see on the surface of our lakes and streams
is natural. It’s created by a combination of natural organic compounds (such
as decomposing plants and animals) in the water and mixing air with these
compounds. The mixing or agitation in lakes is commonly caused by wind and
wave action; in streams, it may result from the water flowing through a stretch
of rapids or over a dam. As with other things that float on the surface (like some
algae blooms), the foam will often collect on a downwind or downstream shore
and although it may not be aesthetically pleasing, it is natural and harmless.
Q: What causes that green floating stuff in my lake that looks like fluffy clouds
or cotton candy?
A: It’s probably filamentous algae, sometimes called “moss” or “pond scum.”
This is a common and troublesome aquatic weed that forms dense, hair-like
mats. This algae forms on near-shore bottom sediments or submerged objects
in ponds and lakes where there is good transparency and where sunlight reaches
the bottom of the pond or lake. As the algae grows, it produces oxygen that gets
trapped in the entangled strands of algae. This entrapped oxygen makes the
algae buoyant and causes it to rise to the surface of the pond or lake. Some of
the more common forms of filamentous algae can be identified by their texture,
although microscopic examination is usually required for exact recognition.
Cladophora feels “cottony”, while spirogyra is bright green and very slimy to
the touch, and pithophora (or “horse hair”) has a very coarse texture like horse
hair or steel wool. The best method for homeowners to remove filamentous algae
is to rake out the floating clumps and limit the nutrients that reach the water
from your property. You can compost these piles or use them in your garden as
mulch. Remember, chemical control does require a permit from the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources.
Study Shows That Bonfires Can
Cause Lake Problems
If you enjoy a bonfire near the shoreline, remember to grab a shovel after the fire is out
and dump the ashes inland to prevent the phosphorous in the ashes from seeping into the
lake, according to University of Idaho researchers. Or better
yet, consider moving your fire pit inland, far away from the
shore. Rains, winds, and other natural happenings carry the
ash into the waters.
An average bonfire containing 22 pounds of firewood produces enough phosphorous to raise the phosphorous level 1
part per billion in 350,000 gallons of lake water - a significant
amount. Phosphorous stimulates an over growth of algae and
aquatic plants, which decompose after they die and in several
generations - cause a lake to fill up with muck prematurely and become a marsh.
(Information from Whitefish Area Property Owners Association www.wapoa.org)
Clare & Kathy Lillis
Rush Lake Residents
This address...
www.realhomepro.com
will sell your address.
(Source of all MLS listings)
Lake Shore Specialists
44 Years Experience
Pro IV Realty
320-358-0822
800-758-4101
1220 4th St., Rush City, MN 55069
Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.
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PAGE 7
J O H N
H I R S C H ’ S
C A M B R I D G E
M O T O R S
Things Are Different Here!
2007 Chevy Tahoe
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Convertible
Corvette Convertable
HHR
Impala SS
Avalanche
CHEVROLET
Solstice
Pontiac G6
GTO
Torrent
PONTIAC
Lucerne
Rendezvous
La Crosse
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BUICK
700 South Garfield St. Cambridge
HWY 10
PAGE 8
I-35
HWY 65
HWY 169
HWY 95
HWY 242
763-689-7600
800-247-1168
cambridge-motors.com
Sales: Mon-Thurs 9-9 Fri 9-6 Sat 9-5
Service: Mon- Fri 7-6
J O H N
H I R S C H ’ S
C A M B R I D G E
M O T O R S
John Guarantees It!
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2007 Jeep Unlimited
“I want every one of my neighbors on Rush Lake to own a Cambridge
Motor’s Vehicle — So, I’ll give you an extra $100 off
for sharing your favorite fishing spot!”
Wrangler Rubicon
Liberty Renegade
Liberty LTD
Grand Cherokee LTD
JEEP
Ram 2500
Durango
Dakota Quad Cab
Magnum
DODGE
PT Cruiser
Crossfire
CHRYSLER
700 South Garfield St. Cambridge
HWY 10
I-35
HWY 95
HWY 65
Pacifica
HWY 169
300-C
HWY 242
763-689-7600
800-247-1168
cambridge-motors.com
Sales: Mon-Thurs 9-9 Fri 9-6 Sat 9-5
Service: Mon- Fri 7-6
PAGE 9
General Fund YTD
Financial Summary
Monthly Treasurer’s Reports are
handed out at the membership meetings.
RLIA General Fund
Cash Receipts
Dues
Advertisers
Clothing Sales
Scholarship
Lake Restoration Curly Leaf (passthru)
Transfer from Savings to Gen a/c
Transfer from Scholarship to Gen a/c
Unity Bank - Interest Income
Rural American Bank - Braham ATM
Other
Total Recepits
Cash Disbursements
City of Braham - Fireworks bal.
ECE - Siren
ECM - RC Community Guide Ad
ECM - Rush Report
Gambling Fund
K. Maloney-Rush Report Exp.
KBEK - Radio spots 8/25-31
Lake Restoration - Curly Leaf (passthru)
M.Rahman - Mileage - Atty. visit
M.Rahman - Postcards
M.Rahman - Services
Mannion’s - Funeral Arrangement
Miller Law Office - Legal exp
Nessel Twp - Carpet cleaning
Postmaster - Postage (massmail)
Postmaster - Postcards/postage
Postmaster - Postcards/postage
Postmaster - Stamps
R. Piersdorf - Scholarship
Rush City Chamber - Dues
Rural American Bank - ATM
Rush Printing - Letterheads, etc.
Rush Printing - Postcards/Labels
Skye Williams Fund
T. McKenzie - Cookies, donuts
Unity Bank - Printed Checks
Unity Bank - Scholarship Fund
US Postal Service - Box Rent
Total Disbursements
General Account - Net Cash
General Account - Bal. Fwd.
General Account - Bal. End.
Scholarship Account
Y-T-D
7,680
1,088
216
1,000
1,185
454
600
57
252
799
13,330
500
197
270
2,093
844
119
24
1,155
25
94
500
42
297
63
292
249
461
16
600
95
255
262
300
100
20
48
1,300
70
10,291
Another Successful
RLIA Booth at the
Chisago County Fair
The Rush Lake Improvement Association had
a booth at the fair again this year, and like last
year (our first year at the fair) we were fortunate
that so many of our association members
stepped up to volunteer their time. Ron Peltier,
who coordinated the arrangements for the
booth, reported that there was a great deal of
interest and activity and several new members
were signed up. This year we handed out RLIA
imprinted ballpoint pens, yo-yo’s and floating
key chains. A BIG THANK YOU goes out to
the following people for setting up, manning the
twelve 4-hour shifts, and taking down the booth:
Lindy Lundy, Bill Peters, Cathy Shevcheck, Bill
Welsh, Larry Steeves, Ken & Bernie Knoss,
David & Carole Cartwright, Gary Weiden, Dave
& Sue Haley, Al Petschl, Tom Mueller, Tom
McKenzie and Ron & Judie Peltier. Each of you
was instrumental in the success of the booth
again this year and we hope you’ll be back in
2007!
REBECCA PIERSDORF, Jordan Mitchell and
Sidney Grant all rode on the RLIA Float in the Chsiago County Fair Parade on Saturday, July 15.
Annual Report to the Gambling Control Board For
Fiscal Year 2006 ending in June
Allowable Expenses
Lawful Purpose Breakdown:
Charitable Contributions
Audit Costs
State Taxes & Fees
Total Lawful Purpose
Profit after all Expenses
1,199,254
1,009,817
$189,437
Ron Peltier
50596 Shorewood Cir
Rush City, MN 55069
320-358-3670
Term limit: 2007
Bill Peters
50528 Lakeside Cir
Rush City, MN 55069
320-358-3432
Term limit: 2007
Kathleen Maloney-Nash
3013 Woodlark Ln
Eagan, MN 55121
651-329-0664
Term limit: 2007
Larry Steeves
51480 Berry Ave
Rush City, MN 55069
320-358-3657
Term limit: 2008
David Cartwright
700 S Lewis Ave
Rush City, MN 55069
320-358-4660
Term limit: 2008
Ken Knoss
51445 Belle Isle Dr
Rush City, MN 55069
320-358-4438
Term limit: 2008
Steve Schneider
50800 Bayside Ave
Rush City, MN 55069
320-358-3165
Term limit: 2008
Gambling Manager
Dennis Leininger
555 510th St, Stanchfield, MN 55080
320-396-2186
Rush Report Editor
Kathleen Maloney-Nash
3013 Woodlark Ln, Eagan, MN 55121
651-329-0664
at
Flickabirds
Resort
Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Tentative Start date, as of this Rush Report
printing, is August 8, 2006. Come join the fun!
Eagle’s Club 2663 - Rush City
Flickabirds - East Rush Lake
29,100
2,500
49,968
Rush Hour Bar & Grill - Bulrush Golf Club
81,568
$2,679
Rush Lake Resort - East Rush Lake
Sidelines Sports Grill - Cambridge
Gambling Fund on 6/30/2006
PAGE 10
Board Members
Pulltabs benefit the Lake Association at:
105,190
Total of all Gambling Funds
Total all Unpaid Obligations
Reconciled Gambling Fund on 6/30/06
Secretary/Treasurer
Mary Rahman
50623 Shorewood Cir
Rush City, MN 55069
320-358-0157
Term limit: 2007
Helen Leier
49562 Azara Ave W
Stanchfield, MN 55080
320-396-3830
Term limit: 2007
RLIA
Gambling Fund Report
Pulltabs sold plus interest in checking
Prizes
Gross Profit
Past President
Al Petschel
50440 Bayside Cir
Rush City, MN 55069
320-358-3673
Announcing....
10,545
Monthly Gambling Fund Reports
are handed out at the membership
meetings.
Elections are held in July of each year. Newly elected
officers and board members assume their duties in August.
The president and vice president and one half of the
board are elected for 2-year terms, alternating years. The
secretary/treasurer and one half the board are elected for
2-year terms, alternating years.
President
Vice President
Tom McKenzie
Gary Weiden
1600 509th Street
51192 Bayview Ave.
Rush City, MN 55069
Rush City, MN 55069
320-358-3844
320-358-0985
Term limit: 2008
Term limit: 2008
FLOAT DECORATING COMMITTEE, from
left to right: Tom McKenzie, Ron Peltier, Larry
Steeves, Bernie Knoss, Al Petschl, Ken Nash & not
pictured is Kathleen Maloney-Nash who took the
photo.
3,039
6,756
9,795
750
Total Cash in Banks @ 6/17/06
BOARD MEMBERS PHONE LIST
34,433
20,798
$13,635
DESPITE THE 99+º temperatures, the first-ever
RLIA 4U float was a success and we look forward
to taking part in the parade next year!
Thank you for patronizing our charitable
Gambling Establishments!
RLIA Membership Roster
WE
WANT
YOU!
As of July 15, 2006
Many hours were spent reconstructing membership records; if you feel there is something wrong, please report the error or omission
to the Secretary. New members who signed up at the fair may not be shown below if the information was received after the deadline
for this printing. Dues are due in January for that calendar year, watch for the “Dues are Due” mailing this fall! The number in front of
your name indicates the year (Jan 1 - Dec 31) your dues are paid through.
We have a total of 324 Paid Memberships:
Paid through Dec 31, 2006................299
Paid through Dec 31, 2008...................2
Paid through Dec 31, 2010...................1
Paid through Dec 31, 2007.............................. 19
Paid through Dec 31, 2009..................................2
Honorary Member, lifetime...................................1
There are 45 members who, according to our records, have not yet paid 2006 dues. Members with 05 before the name will be
dropped from the membership on Aug 1, 2006, per the “Last Call” notice on the July ‘06 Meeting Reminder Postcard. We want you
back! To be reinstated please send in your 2006 dues and the membership form on page 15.
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Abrahmson, Douglas & Shelley
Adams, Edward
Adams, Marshall & Julie
Adamson,Ken & Marice
Akerson, Donald & Carol
Aldinger, Gaylord & Bonnie
Almquist, Roger & Barbara Ellestad
Anderson, Iona & Arne
Anderson, Marvel
Anderson, Raymond & Shelley
Anderson Sr., Robert L.
Arhip, Steve & Helen
Arneson, Tom & Kathy
Ausmus, Ken & Cheryl
Bachmeier, Ralph & Alexis
Baklund, Gordon
Bandholz, Dick & Marilyn
Barabash, Arnold & J. Fearing
Beach, Gary & Marie
Beach, Janice or John
Beers, Douglas & Shirley
Beise, Gerald & Carolyn
Bergman, CJ & Jenny
Bestick, Thomas & Ann
Bittner, Richard & Julie
Bixler, David & Darlene
Black, Dave & Cheryl
Bleed, Howard & Mary Rahman
Block, Phil & Bonnie
Blomquist, Howard & Lorna
Bohaty, Jim & Phyllis
Brand, Paul & Jeri
Brokke, Wayne & Debbie
Brown, Kevin & Jane
Burch, Robert & Donna
Bush, James & Laura
Card, Ronald & Carol
Cardinal, Doug & Diane
Carlson, Charles & Sharon
Carstensen, Colleen
Cartwright, David & Carole
Ceaglske, Norman & Beverly
Cermak, Dale & Sue
Chilson, Donald & Ruthanne
Chilson, Brian & K. Roggenkamp
Spetzman, Jerry - Chisago Co Govt
Christensen, David
Christians, Charles & Betty
Christlieb, Chris
Clemmer, Monty & Diane
Coleman, Paul & Judith
Cook, Bradley & Linda
Dehn, Ron
Dillner, Dave & Mary
Dillon, Gene & Marlys
Dock, Eugene & Edna
Dolinsky, Jerry & Jeanne
Dooley, Edward and Marlene
Dosch, Todd & Julie
Ebert, Mark & Wendy & Sarah
Egelkraut, Marlene
Eiden, Ron & Delores
Ellsworth, Ken & Joann
Elmquist, James & Rosalind
England, Bob & Lee
Engstrom, Bob
Enzenauer, Gladys
Erickson, Bob & Ruby
Erickson, Herb, Kent, Kurt, Ell
Erickson, Jay & Sherry
Erickson, Jeff & Jill
Erickson, Lloyd & June
Erlandson, Joe & Betty
Faber, Laurie
Fangel, Marion
Farrar, Ronald
Farris, Jim & Shelly
Fearing, Jeanette
Findell, Dean & Robin
Fisher, Scott C. & Janet L.
Fleck, Jerol & Mary Pat
Flom, Jacqueline & Peter
Foerster, Dennis & Diana
Folk, George & Julie
Fortuna, Ray & Carol
Frantzen, Michael
Garbe, Ronald & Cindy
Gardner, Lou
George, Stephen & Donna
Gillitzer, Robert & Sharon
Gilstad, Robert & Gloria
Glauner, Gary & Diana
Goetze, Jim & Gladys
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Goldade, Kevin & Christine
Grandt, Todd & Nancy
Gregory, Quintin & Katherine Smith
Grell, Brian & Karen
Grell, Roger & Julie
Groehler, Tom & Catherine Yngsdahl
Groess, Charles & Delores
Grossman, Karin
Grover, Steve & Connie
Gulden, Fred & Joyce
Hagfors, Gordon & Kathleen
Haley, David & Susan
Haluptzok, Bill & Mary
Hammond, Craig & Renae
Hansen, Harold & Sandra
Hanson, Irvin & Carol
Hanson, Richard
Hanson, Steven & Kathy Lind
Harmon Jr., Sally & James
Haugrud, Craig & Susan
Hedman, David & Adrienne
Hegstrand, Tom & Mary
Hein, Bob & Beth
Heitzenrater, Pat & Mary
Henderson, Ray
Hendren, George & Beverly
Henneman, Thomas & Marge
Henschke, Barry
Hockert, Chris & Evonne
Hoffmann, Jack & Colleen
Horn, Robert & Renee
Hruza, George & Marlene
Husnick, Tony & Melinda
Isadore, Clifford & Betty
Iskierka, Stanley & Jo Ann
Jansen, Jerry & Cathy
Jennings, Robert C & Katherine
Johnson, Marvin & Jean
Johnson, Michael & Jennifer
Johnson, Ray & Heide
Johnson, Warren & Joy
Juckel Jr., David & Doreen
Judd, Stephen & Marilyn
Jurchisin, Bill & Anita
Kachina, Geneva & Larry
Kendall, Josh
Kenneally, Mike & Wendy
Kieper, William & Mae
King, Harold & Joyce
King, Mark & Mary
Kjornes, Paul & Mary
Klesk, Kathy
Klose, Lowell & Marilyn
Knapp, David & Carol
Knapp, Greg & Darlene
Knoss, Ken & Bernice
Knudson, DeLon
Knutson, Carl & Pat
Koch, Margaret & Teri
Koroschetz, Kurt & Trudy
Kowitz, Daryl & Becky
Krein, Robert & Germaine
Kuntz, Chris & Marilyn
Laase, David & Jean
Langer, Tom & Ruth
Langevin, Jim & Jo
Langford, John & Inara
Langreck, Francis & Maria
Langston, Audrey
Larson, Craig & Jennifer
Larson, David & Betty
Larson, Jeff & Dorothy
Larson, Steve & Colleen
LaTourelle, Larry & Linda
Laven, Stephen & Judy
Lawrence, Richard & Sandra
Lee, Sheila & Frank
Legato, Rick & Betty
Leier, Helen
Let’s Go Fishing-Laird Mork
Lillis, Clare & Kathy
Lindgren, Brian
Lindgren, Jeri
Lindholm, Paul & Lynn
Lindstrom, Lester
Lindstrom, Roger
Lindstrom, Scott & Lori
Lindstrom, Virg & Karen
Lindstrom, Wayne & Holly
Luebeck, Lowell & Denise
Lundy, Ron & Lindy
Lunseth, John & Mary Ann
Magnuson, Virgil & Jeane
06 Maher, John & Jodie
06 Maloney, Kathleen
06 Manders, David & Linda
06 Mansun, William & Judith
06 Marholtz, William & Betty Lou
06 Matson, Gordon & Phyllis
06 Mattson, Darrell & Denise
06 Mattson, Pat & Jean Ann
06 Mattson, Pete & Terri
06 McAfee, Dale & Darlene
06 McCall, Jeanette
06 McCormack, Bob & Linda
05 McGinnity, John & Corrinne
06 McKenzie, Tom & Deloris
06 Meath, Terry
06 Mechels, Roger & Irma
06 Mell, Scott & Deb
06 Meyers, Robert & Becky
06 Michog, Myra
06 Millard, Ray & Delores
06 Miller, Diane
06 Miller, Doug & Susie
07 Miller, Shirley Ann
06 Miller, Tony & Patsy
06 Miner, David & Linda
06 Mitchell, Frank & Sheila
06 Mold, Brian & Debra
05 Molin, Craig & Marcy Linn
06 Montgomery, Stewart & Jean
06 Moreau, Brian & Bernice
06 Moulton, Jerry & Nancy
05 Muellner Jr. Thomas & Teresa
07 Muellner Sr. Tom
06 Mulnix, E. A.
06 Nash Ken & Kathleen Maloney
06 Navikas, Joel & Carol
06 Nawrocki, Roger & Gwen
06 Nelson, Angie & Charlie
06 Nelson, Clifford & Karen
09 Nemec, Tom & Audrey
06 Neumann, Ralph & Carol
06 Niederkorn, Carol
06 Nielsen, Lynn
06 Oberg, Tim & Mary Jurgensen
05 Odegard, Dennis & Linda
06 Olsen, Ken & Patricia
06 Olson, Dan & Kelley
06 Olson, Darrell & Candyce
05 Olson, Judy
06 Olson, Loring & Anne
HM Olson, Ruth
06 Olson, Scott & Laurel Kipp
06 Opatz, Ken & Sheila
06 Orton, David & Mary
06 Ostrom, Gary & Dana
07 Pariseau, Jerry & Carol
06 Partridge, Mr. Carroll
05 Paul, Marc & Holly
06 Peltier, Ron & Judie
06 Perreault, Randy & Julie
06 Peters, William & Mildred
06 Peterson, Greg & Darcy
06 Peterson, John & Shirley
06 Petschl, Albert & Mary Louise
06 Peyla Dave & Lynne Hanniford
06 Phillips, Edward & Barbara
05 Phillips, Howard & Diane
05 Phillips, Thomas & Lorie
06 Picha, Bill & Patti
06 Pieper, Wendell & Ruth
05 Prickett, David & Amy
07 Pung, Joe & Vicki
06 Reilly, Gary & Debra
06 Reilly, Kevin & Wendy
06 Reilly, Mike & Connie
06 Remitz, Steve & Judy
06 Riemenschneider, Richard
06 Ripp, Gregg & Lisa
06 Risk, Ted & Cathy
06 Roberts, Jim & Verna
06 Robertson, Virginia
06 Robinson, Mike
06 Rodrigue, Robert & Catherine
06 Rogers, Gerald & Karen
06 Roloff, Rich & Colleen
06 Ronning, James & Dorothy
06 Ronning, Ritchie
05 Rush City TV
07 Rush Lake Resort
06 Rush Point Store
08 Rushmore Campground
06 Ryberg, Kenn & Katie
06 Saari, Mark & Deanne
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Samplawski, Roy & Lenore
Sayre, Stanley & Marlene
Schalo, Richard & Carrie
Schechter, Herb & Marta
Schellbach, Jerry
Schindeldecker, John & Marlene
Schmidt, Connie
Schmidt, Jason
Schmitz, Roger
Schneider, Richard & Elaine
Schneider, Steve & LaVonne
Schroeder, Bob & Vangie
Schroepfer, Ted & Karen
Schulze, Ann
Schwan’s Ice Cream
Schwarten, Steve & Susan
Scofield, Darold & Jane
Scofield, Dwayne & Angela
Sedler, Lowell & Ellie
Seidel, Stan & Kathy
Semler, Al & Beryl
Sever, Frances
Shannon, Austin & Rhonda
Shaw, Robert & Rita
Shevcheck, Cathy
Shinler, Dean & Joan & Tracey
Shoquist, Ron & Gerry
Slavik, David & Kelli
Smith, Dale
Solorz, Thomas & Shirley
Solway, Scott & Steph
Sorenson, Tim & Judith
Sornsen, Gerald & Mary
South Bay RV Park
Spangler, Everett
Sparrow, Dan & Kim
Spindler, Al & Katherine
Splett, Philip & Patricia
Stambaugh, Randy & Jana
Steeves, Larry & Joan
Stenmo, Ralph & Pat
Stivland, Rodney
Storck, Kelli & Richard
Stottler, Brian & Julie
Stottler, Joan
Stream, Glenn & Clarice
Streetar, Tim & Jodi
Studt, Eugene & Lucille
Sullivan, James & Janice
Sutter, Floyd & Donna
Sybrant, Kevin & Maureen
Szczech, Jeffrey & Barbara
Tessman, Steven & Nadine
Thell, Charles
Thompson, Barb
Thompson, Jerry & Ellen
Tippelt, Paul & Joan
Torgerson, Paul & Sandra
Tran, Tin & Jennifer
Trog, Jeff & Cathy
Trudeau, David
Truskolaski, Ed & Jacki
Tschida, Gregory & Sandra
Tubbs, Paul & Cyndy
Turino, Steve
Vanous, John & Char
Veal, Sandra
Wallace, Scott & Tina
Walsh, William & Janice
Webb, Jerry & Kim
Webber, Frances
Weber, Donald
Weber, William
Wegleitner, Joe & Lil
Wegleitner Jr., Joe & Marcia
Weibeler, Barbara
Weiden, Gary & Livonia
Weinreich, William & Helga
Wende, Jeff & Leandra
Wheeler, Greg & Julie
Widell, Gary & Jean
Wille, Eric & Jan
Wille, Jim & Pam
Wilsey, Grant & Brenda
Wood, Dennis & Sandy
Wurst, George & Arlette
Yanta, Jim & Sue
Zajac, Tom & Elise
Zemlicka, Edward
Zierden, Boni & Barb
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT & INPUT
The R.L.I.A. meets the 3rd Saturday of each month
at the Nessel Township Hall. Coffee and rolls are
served from 8:00-8:30 a.m. Dues are only $20.00
per year. Membership forms are available at the
meeting. Please join us!
Raptor Word Puzzle Answers
Across
Down
migrate; ill; pellet; one
cliffs; hunt; salamander
falcons; wings
listen; adult; lost
camouflage; it; sell
habitat; is
fish; as; diet
ear; cavity; eggs
us; stoop
birds; forest; rise; if
poison; shaped; run
owls; adapt; fast; toes
hard; talons
do; nest; food
rain; hearing; an
link; capture
wildlife; fences
beak; long; day
cats; is; hunter
eat; feathers; dive; niche
shot; yet; permanent injury
carnivores; to; predators
water; far; ground; flesh
quiet; powerline
cast; roost; list
ache; window
hawks; in; prey
sign; kill
diurnal; feet
fields; perch
out; hover
cute; fat; nerve
go; to; eyass
sharp; hooked
snag; chain
mice; live
nocturnal; bats
lay; hit
fly; sit; no
eagles; rodents
osprey; soar
desert; free
nestling; so; cars
rip; fishingline; eye
Angled
(from top)
tree
squirrels
soft
kites
fed
pounce
wild; loss
see; rare
hurt
rat
Editor's Corner
Margaret Mead
is quoted as
saying“Never doubt
that a small group
of thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world.
Indeed, it is the only
thing that ever has.”
WANTED: Rush Report Co-Editor. No
experience needed! If you would enjoy
helping publish this newsletter please
get in touch with me. (This is a volunteer position).
The more people I get to know around
the lake the more I realize how many
are not RLIA members. Many newcomers to the area don’t know how to
join. Non-members are not on the mailing list; we need to get the word out to
them.My challenge to all of you is to
check the membership roster for the
names of your neighbors and friends. If
their names aren’t on the roster please
give them your application from on p.
15. Additional forms can be picked up
at membership meetings or by contacting any of the Board Members.
Our sincere thanks to each of the advertisers in this issue, without your support
this newsletter would not be possible.
Please contact me if you own a business
and would like to become an advertiser.
The next issue is planned for Dec. 2006.
I hope you enjoyed this issue of the Rush
Report. I welcome your comments and
suggestions and please send me any stories, articles or pictures that you would
like to submit for future issues!
See you around the lake! ---Kathleen
PAGE 11
PROPANE DIVISION
211 South Cleveland
Cambridge, MN
1-800-622-9730
5734 State Hwy. 70
Pine City, MN
1-800-894-3247
Sue Means, of Rush Lake
Resort, was the organizer
again this year of the patriotic
4th of July Boat Regatta
This was the 3rd year the Rush Lake Resort campers have paraded their decorated
boats around Rush Lake. Becky Meyers, a homeowner on the lake, has been their
“illustrious” judge for all the parades. Great job Sue!
East Central
Sanitation &
Recycling
ED & CHAR GUTHMILLER
1ST PLACE WINNER for decorated pontoon is Mark
& Twink Lam and their son Charlie.
East Central Sanitation Offers:
H Residential H Industrial H Curbside Recycling
H Commercial H Construction Rubbish Removal
Dependable Weekly Service Year Round
or Seasonal for Summer Customers
Trash Containers Are Available In:
1 to 30 cubic yard containers - 37 to 98 gallon carts
763-689-2171
320-358-4078
JOHN & PAT ONEY pontoon owners (on the right) and their friends Dick and Karen
Anderson on the left.
FULL REAL ESTATE SERVICES
FROM AN AGENT YOU’VE
GROWN TO TRUST!
Victoria Frieberg
As Co-Owner of Rush Point Store, Vicky has
15 years of getting to know the values and needs
of the community. Our daily fishing report is picked
up by websites across the state. With the new MLS
Search feature, you can check listings throughout
Minnesota & Wisconsin or check on local listings:
www.rushpointrealty.com
300 Rush Point Drive, Stanchfield, MN 55080
Offices Above the Rush Point Store
Office 763-689-5343 • Cell 612-369-3746
Fax 763-691-8008
Lakeshore, Land, Lots, Commercial, Hobby Farms, Townhomes
PAGE 12
-BP Amoco Gasoline- 24 Hours at the pump
H LIVE BAIT H UNIQUE GIFT SHOP H
H WE FILL LP TANKS H
ALSO PROVIDING:
Tackle • Ice • Groceries • Ice Cream Treats
• Low Milk Prices • Baking Supplies • FAX
• Full Line of Strong Beer, Wine & Liquor
• No-name Steaks • Seafood
• Greeting Cards
Prices Below Average – Conversation Above
763-689-1088
Monday-Saturday 7-8 Sundays til 4
Fishing reports at www.rushpointstore.com
s r
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TM
Local Artists Capture the Essence of Rush Lake
One Saturday morning last fall, after
leaving the RLIA Membership meeting,
I noticed a sign on the road pointing to
an Up North Clayworks Open House.
Feeling curious about what Up North
Clayworks was I followed the signs to
the house on Acacia Trail. Upon entering the home I was warmly greeted
and invited to enjoy appetizers, yummy
looking baked goods, hot cider, cocoa,
and fresh brewed coffee. The home was
filled with an enticing aroma of potpourri and festive music played softly
in the background. It was a delightful
and unexpected surprise. Putting aside
my desire to nibble on the tasty looking
spread I continued up a flight of stairs
to a room filled with exquisite pieces of
rustic, nature inspired stoneware. I was
thoroughly impressed with the workmanship and individuality of the unique
pieces.
Connie Reilly of Stanchfield and Barb
Dreyer of
Grasston
are the coll ab o r at i n g
artists of Up
North Clayworks. They
bring
to
their work a
mutual love
and respect
for nature
and its perfection of
design. All
their pieces
are created with stoneware clay using the
slab-built method, which is a unique and
less common way of working with clay.
Barb and Connie collect leaves, twigs,
grasses, flowers, pine boughs, lily pads
and other bits of nature from Barb’s
land on the Snake River and Connie’s
land near Rush Lake, then press
the plants into the clay leaving
a permanent record of nature’s
beauty. The details of the impressions are enhanced with underglazes and stains. Lead-free glazes
are used, making the functional
pieces food-safe, and upon preheating, the piece can even be used in a
microwave oven.
The pieces Connie and Barb create include: driftwood handled scalloped-edge bowls, platters, vases in
a wide range of styles, shapes and
sizes, wine buckets, serving bowls, pitchers, cracker bowls, olive trays, utensil
holders, wall art, wall sconces, wall pockets, candle holders, mugs, dinnerware
and many more unique pieces. Some are
one-of-a kind creations. The patterns
are seasonal,
featuring
more berries
and flowers in spring
and summer
and more
hardwoods
and pines
in fall and
winter.
It
was difficult
to choose a
favorite; the
sprays
of
blueberries
were gorgeous but I love the pinecone
with the sprig of white pine needles also.
The bowls imprinted with Rush Lake
lily pads are in high demand, as well as
THOMPSON’S SEWER SERVICE
the crappie platters (another favorite
of mine). The true-to-life detail of the
crappie even has fins that, due to the
perfection of the use of glazes, appear
to be translucent.
Barb and Connie travel to art shows
all around the Midwest and their cre-
ations can be found in many fine shops
in our area. Locally they will be at Braham Pie Day on August 4th and will be
hosting Open Houses again this fall.
For the Art Show schedule, Open
House dates and a list of shops
that sell their pottery go to www.
upnorthclayworks.com. You can
also sign up for their postal or email
mailing list at the website.
Had I not ventured down the
road that morning I might never
have known about these wonderful
treasures right in our own “backyard”. I can’t imagine that anyone
who sees these stunning works of
art, inspired by nature, would not
be awestruck. You must see the pieces in
person to appreciate their beauty!
By Kathleen Maloney-Nash
1655 East Hwy. 95
Cambridge, MN 55008
763-689-2468 • Fax 763-689-2468
Terry Baar, Manager
LUND’S
OUTBOARD
MOBILE
REPAIR
Give
a cal us
l!
CAMBRIDGE, MN
‰ Lower Units
‰ Replace Steering Cables
‰ On-Site Service ‰ Carpeting
‰ Tune-ups
‰ Pontoon Redecking ‰ Buy used, junk & Repairable Outboards
John H. Lund
41 Years Experience
& SOIL TESTING
612-270-5889
formerly Larson’s Sewer & Rooter Service
COMPLETE SEPTIC TANK
SEWER & DRAIN SERVICE
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
Chilson Jewelers
4 Pumping & Backflushing
4 Drain & Sewer Lines Cleaned with Speedrooter
or Hi Pressure Water Jet
4 Frozen Sewer Lines Thawed
4 Line Inspection • Camera Service
4 Lift Pump Replacement
4 System Troubleshooting 4 Portable Toilets
4 Perc Testing • Septic Design & Specialized
Systems for Problem Sites & Small Lots
PHIL THOMPSON, OWNER
STATE CERTIFIED • LICENSED
BONDED • INSURED
(320) 358-9941
49861 GOVERNMENT RD
RUSH CITY
The Diamond Store
North Branch • Cambridge
651-674-4500
763-689-2552
Quality, Style, Selection & Savings!
“SERVING THE COMMUNITY FOR OVER 31 YEARS”
•CARPET • VINYL • HARDWOOD • AREA RUGS
•CERAMIC •PAINT • WALLPAPER • STAINS
1565 East Hwy. 95
Cambridge,
MN 55008
689-3777
1-800-479-3770
s r
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TM
•Complete Interior Design Service
•Residential & Commercial
•Expert Installation •Over 300 Wallpaper Books
FREE ESTIMATES & IN HOME CONSULTATIONS
HOURS: Mon. & Thurs. 8-8;
Tues., Wed., Fri. 8-5:30; Sat. 9-4
Or anytime by appointment.
PAGE 13
Fish consumption Fish Consumption: Site-specific meal advice
advisories
and you
Eating fish is healthy, but
pay attention to the kind of
fish you eat
Almost all the mercury that most of us are exposed
to comes from eating fish. On the other hand, eating
fish has proven health benefits. You could stop eating fish altogether to guard against mercury, but
then you would deprive yourself of the low-fat protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids they contain.
Health agencies, including the Minnesota
Department of Health and the federal Food and
Drug Administration, have long issued advisories on
fish consumption – how much, how often, and which
species.
In general, it’s the largest predator fish that are
of most concern for mercury. In Minnesota, these
include northern and walleye pike, muskie, and bass.
“Fish is definitely beneficial to health,” says
Patricia McCann, coordinator of the Minnesota
Department of Health’s fish consumption advisory
program. “It’s nutritious, low fat, and has proven
cardiac health benefits. In addition, fish has benefits
for pre-natal and post-natal development. People
should continue to eat fish.”
The important point, she says, is that fishermen
and fish eaters should pay attention to Minnesota’s
fish consumption advisories. “Everyone should be
aware of which species and how much fish to eat,
and should know the recommendations.” Minnesota
Department of Health’s fish consumption advisories
can be found at www.heatlh.state.mn.us/divs/eh/fish/.
Minnesota Environment
Vol. 6, No. 1 Spring 2006
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
(DNR), the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
(MPCA), and the Minnesota Department of Health
collaborate in producing the fish consumption advisory. Each year the DNR collects fish from lakes and
rivers for testing. Minnesota has 6,000 fishable lakes.
Fish from nearly 1,000 lakes and streams in Minnesota
have been tested for contaminants. Waters are selected
for sampling where angling is popular, where there is a
known or suspected pollution source, or where fish contaminant trends are being tracked. Mercury is found in
most fish tested from Minnesota lakes. PCBs are found
mainly in Lake Superior and major rivers such as the
Mississippi River. These guidelines are based on the
contaminant level measured in fillets. The MN DNR
Hinckley Area Fisheries obtained the Rush Lake sampling for the testing. The site-specific advice below was
updated in mid-June 2006.
Fish Consumption Guidelines for the General Population
1 meal per week
Mercury
�
�
�
PCBs
�
�
�
Lake Name
County
�
13006900
�
�
DOWID*
Chisago Co.,
Rush
Do not eat
1 meal per month 1 meal every 2 months
Unlimited
Symbol Key
Fish Length (inches)
Species
< 15
20 - 25
25 - 30
Carp
�
�
Northern Pike
�
�
�
�
Black Crappie
15 - 20
>30
�
Walleye
�
�
* DOWID is the Department of Natural Resources Division of Waters lake ID number
Fish Consumption Guidelines for Women Who Are or May Become Pregnant, and Children under Age 15
1 meal per week
Mercury



PCBs



Lake Name
County
DOWID*
Rush
Chisago Co.,
13006900
Do not eat
1 meal per month 1 meal every 2 months
Unlimited
Symbol Key



Fish Length (inches)
Species
< 15
15 - 20
20 - 25
25 - 30
Carp


Northern Pike




>30

Black Crappie

Walleye

* DOWID is the Department of Natural Resources Division of Waters lake ID number
MN Dept. of Health: Fish Consumption
Frequently Asked Questions:
What contaminants are found in
Minnesota fish?
In Minnesota, mercury is the contaminant in fish that causes the most concern. Air pollution is the major source
of mercury that contaminates the fish in
Minnesota’s lakes and rivers About 70
percent of the mercury in the air is the
result of emissions from coal combustion, mining, incineration of mercurycontaining products and other human
sources. Over time, fish can accumulate
relatively high mercury concentrations.
That’s why it’s important to make wise
choices about the fish you eat and how
often you eat it.
Fish in Lake Superior and major
Rivers such as the Mississippi River
contain PCBs. These synthetic oils had
many uses and are found in electrical
transformers, cutting oils, and carbonless paper. Although they were banned
in 1976, they do not decompose easily and remain in the water and lake
sediments for years. PCB levels in
Minnesota waters are slowly decreasing.
Residues of toxaphene in lake trout
from Lake Superior suggest a potential
environmental health problem with this
insecticide. Toxaphene, actually a mixture of over 670 chemicals, was banned
in 1990, but continues to be a problem in certain areas. The Minnesota
Department of Health continues to
monitor reports, and will issue consumption advice based on toxaphene, if
necessary.
Dioxins are inadvertently produced
through a number of human activities as
well as by natural processes. Results to
date from an ongoing US EPA study of
PAGE 14
contaminants in fish from lakes across
the US indicate that dioxins are found
in every fish tested. The levels of dioxins in the fish tested from Minnesota as
part of this study are low overall and
low in comparison to other areas of
the country. Dioxins accumulate in animal fat and are therefore also present in
meat and dairy products. At this time
MDH does not provide advice to limit
fish consumption based on dioxins in
fish. Lakes and rivers where fish have
been tested for dioxins and where the
levels of dioxins that were measured
appear higher than typically found in
Minnesota are marked in the site-specific consumption advice tables.
Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) are a family of manmade chemicals that have been
used for decades to make products that
resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water.
Common uses include nonstick cookware, stain-resistant carpets and fabrics,
as components of fire-fighting foam,
and other industrial applications. PFCs
have been found in the blood of several
species of wildlife around the world.
What are the health risks of eating
contaminated fish?
PCBs, methylmercury, and dioxins
build up in your body over time. It may
take months or years of regularly eating contaminated fish to accumulate
levels which are a health concern. As
you follow the fish advisory, the amount
of methylmercury you take into your
body is safely eliminated between meals.
Large amounts of mercury may harm
the nervous system. Young children,
developing fetuses and breast-fed babies
are at most risk, because small amounts
of mercury can damage a brain that is
just starting to form or grow. Too much
mercury may affect a child’s behavior
and lead to learning problems later in
life. The first symptoms of adult mercury poisoning include incoordination
and burning or tingling sensation in
the fingers and toes. As mercury levels
increase, your ability to walk, talk, see,
and hear may all be affected in subtle
ways. The consumption advice given
by the MDH is intended to keep the
mercury in your body below levels that
damage the nervous system.
Exposure to PCBs is linked to infant
development problems in children
whose mothers were exposed to PCBs
before becoming pregnant. The consumption advice for PCBs is intended
to protect children from development
problems. PCBs also cause changes in
human blood, liver, and immune functions of adults. In addition, PCBs cause
cancer in laboratory animals and may
cause cancer in humans.
Currently, cancer will affect about
one in every two people in Minnesota,
primarily due to smoking, diet, and
hereditary risk factors. If you follow the
advisory over your lifetime, the PCBs
in the fish you eat may not increase
your cancer risk at all. At worst, using
Environmental Protection Agency methods to calculate risk from a lifetime of
eating contaminated fish, it is estimated
that approximately one additional cancer case may develop in 10,000 people
eating contaminated fish, according to
this advisory. Eating fewer meals of contaminated fish will further decrease your
cancer risk.
How do Minnesota’s fish compare with
other states?
Minnesota has one of the most
extensive fish monitoring programs
in the United States. It is not because
Minnesota has some of the most contaminated fish; rather, Minnesota has
more lakes and river miles than other
states. All of the Great Lake states, and
Ontario, face many of the same problems with mercury and PCB contamination, and all issue fish consumption
advisories. However, Lake Superior is
the least contaminated of the Great
Lakes. Mercury contamination in
Wisconsin and Ontario’s inland lakes
is comparable to that in Minnesota.
Advisories that states issue for interstate border waters may differ because
of differences in how health risks are
interpreted.
How are lakes and rivers selected for
testing?
Fish from nearly 1000 lakes and
streams in Minnesota have been tested
for contaminants. The waters that have
been tested are not necessarily more
contaminated than those not tested.
Waters are selected for sampling where
angling is popular, where there is a
known or suspected pollution source,
or where fish contaminant trends are
being tracked. Selections are made by
the Interagency Fish Contaminant
Monitoring Program.
--- Minnesota Department of Health,
for complete information visit www.
health.state.mn.us/div/eh/fish/faq.html
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of cleaning or cooking fish that can
reduce methylmercury.
Methylmercury concentrations in fish
vary widely because of physical, chemical and biological factors. For example,
lakes with a high proportion of wetlands in their watersheds are more likely
to have high mercury concentrations in
predator fish, because more mercury
methylation takes place in wetlands.
Mercury levels in water and sediments are three to four times higher
today than a century ago. One might
expect fish contamination to be the
same. There is evidence that sulfatecontaminated rain over the last century
increased methylmercury, so that fish
in some lakes were up to 10 times more
contaminated than they were prior to
industrialization.
Part of the reason that mercury
contamination in fish is slowly declining in Minnesota (about 1 percent a
year) is that the federal Clean Air Act
Amendments of 1990 succeeded in
reducing sulfur emissions by 50 percent
nationwide. Mercury emissions have
also declined. If these trends continue
as expected, so should the decline of
mercury concentrations in fish.
For more about the mercury cycle,
see http://wi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS216-95.
Minnesota Environment
Vol. 6, No. 1 Spring 2006
To join the Rush Lake Improvement Association, please fill out the form below and mail to Rush Lake
Improvement Association, P.O. Box 677, Rush City, MN 55069. The dues are $20 per year per family.
JOIN NOW!
To understand how mercury contaminates fish, consider the mercury cycle.
It begins with mercury being emitted
to the atmosphere by sources such as
coal-burning power plants. The mercury
washes out of the air with precipitation
and comes down on land and water.
In the mud of lakes, rivers and wetlands live bacteria that convert about
10 percent of this mercury into methylmercury, an organic compound readily absorbed by the digestive systems
of animals and people (other forms of
mercury are not as easiliy absorbed by
the digestive system).
Microscopic animals in the water
ingest the methylmercury as they feed
on algae and bacteria. These tiny creatures are eaten by small fish, which are
eaten in turn by progressively larger
fish, up the aquatic food chain. At each
level, the concentration of methylmercury in the flesh of fish increases threefold or more, a process called “biomagnification.”
As a result, the highest concentrations of methylmercury are found in
large predator fish, such as walleye,
northern pike, and swordfish. Eating
these fish gives a much higher exposure
to mercury than eating small, young
predators or pan fish such as bluegill or
perch. Consequently you can eat small
fish more often than large predator fish.
Since methylmercury is bound to the
proteins in the flesh, there’s no method
Our sod is harvested
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APPLICATION FORM
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PAGE 15
Critical Chisago County Wetlands Habitat Protected
Habitat for aquatic life and wetland dependant wildlife species, a haven for wildlife, and a natural water quality defense —
wetlands protection benefits all
The MN DNR, Division of Fish and
Wildlife announces that 670 acres of
vital wetland and wildlife habitat in rapidly growing Chisago County—located within an hour’s drive of the Twin
Cities—is now permanently protected.
This unique parcel of land was purchased in March of 2006.
This acquisition was only made possible thru the coalition efforts of the
following partners and their funding
sources: The Trust for Public Land,
Metro Fisheries Corridors Initiative,
Metro Wildlife Corridors Initiative,
Wildlife Acquisition Bonding Account,
Rush Lake Improvement Association
(RLIA) and The National Wild Turkey
Federation (NWTF). Half of the funding for this acquisition came from a portion of the $10 million in state bonding
dollars appropriated to accelerate land
acquisitions for Wildlife Management
Areas. The Metro Conservation
Corridors program provided about
one-third of the funding. This program provides state lottery funding
to the DNR, Metro Greenways, and
participating organizations to protect
key wildlife corridors within the greater Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. The
Metro Conservation Corridors program
funding comes from the Minnesota
Environment and Natural Resources
Trust Fund thru the Legislative
Commission on Minnesota Resources.
The RLIA and NWTF, each donated
money to the RIM Critical Habitat
Match Program (thereby doubling their
investment) to help purchase this large
tract of land.
This management area will soon be
available for public outdoor recreation
purposes now that monies have been
allocated for boundary survey and
parking lot construction. The DNR
will operate the property as a joint
Wildlife and Aquatic Management Area
(WAMA), thus providing the public
excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, hunting and fishing for many local
and Twin Cities’ residents The property includes three miles of undisturbed
Rush Lake shoreline that offer ideal
opportunities for canoeing, bird watching and angling. This wetland property
is a significant riparian environment
and has a direct effect on the ecological
processes of the lake and Rush Creek,
a tributary of the Wild and Scenic St.
Croix River. “Wetlands link land and
water ecosystems,” says TPL Project
Manager Becca Nash. “By conserving
this property, we not only create more
public access to the water, we also protect and enhance water quality, local
wildlife, and the natural beauty that
makes the area so special.”
This site is critical habitat for fish,
amphibians, migratory waterfowl and
other key game and non-game bird spe-
cies. The area also harbors an abundant range of local and migrant wildlife including deer, snowshoe hare, bear,
coyote, ruffed grouse, fisher, and, on
occasion, northern hawk owl and timber
wolf. The Minnesota County Biological
Survey has identified 450 of the 670
acres as being very high quality wetlands, which includes tamarack swamp,
shrub swamp, mixed hardwood swamp,
and emergent marsh.
“In addition to providing prime habitat for pheasants, turkey, deer, furbearers and waterfowl, this acquisition sets
aside increasingly scarce public hunting
lands close to where most Minnesotans
live,”
says
DNR Wildlife
Supervisor, David
Pauly. “It’s especially important
that we continue
to conserve such
places in rapidly
g row i n g a re a s
such as Chisago
County, where
natural resources
a re at t ra c t i n g
development that
in turn threatens those same
natural resources. Projects like
these help break
that cycle and assure a lasting quality
of life.”
What a great asset for our communities,” says Rep. Rob Eastlund of Isanti.
“It is so important that we work together to preserve natural areas and corridors throughout our region and across
the entire state. Future generations will
be grateful that we invested in preserving our natural heritage.”
The official public opening of
the East Rush Lake WAMA will be
announced by the DNR within the next
several months. Contact: David Pauly,
Cambridge Area Wildlife Supervisor,
(763) 689-7108.
Rush Report
RUSH LAKE IMPROVEMENT
ASSOCIATION, INC.
P.O. Box 677
Rush City, MN 55069
A lake is the
landscape’s most
beautiful and
expressive feature.
It is earth’s eye,
looking into
which the
beholder
measures the
depth of his own
nature.
--Henry David
Thoreau--
PAGE 16
©ECM Publishers, Inc. 2006 - Printed by ECM Publishers, Inc., Cambridge, MN