Stewards of the land and the lakes
President's Message
Dear WAPOA members and prospective members,
While many of us are scratching our heads over the unseasonable weather, the DNR continues to work on containing the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). Major actions announced recently include:
-
DNR roadside check stations to ensure boaters are following the new rules on AIS control
-
Purchase of 20 decontamination units
-
150 additional AIS inspectors
-
Implementation of mandatory training and licensing of Lake Service Providers
-
Increased inspections at fishing tournaments on infested lakes
-
Increased education
Click Here to read the full Minnesota DNR News Release on 2012 AIS prevention efforts.
The WAPOA Board met in November to review our results for 2011 and to establish our annual plan for 2012. Please take a look below at the highlights of some of our accomplishments of 2011 as well as local awards won by a few of our members. A big “Thank You” to all of you who volunteered your time to help make these events a huge success! Keep in mind we are always looking for volunteers to help promote environmental stewardship throughout the Whitefish area and the Pine River Watershed.
We also encourage you to check out the WAPOA website at www.wapoa.org where you may learn more about all the activities of WAPOA.
 Run for the Walleye – 440 runners participated in the annual Grandpa’s Run for the Walleye 5K Fun Run and 102 kids participated in the Sunfish Dash at the Crosslake Community Center on Saturday, July 2. The event supports the Boots Buthman Memorial Walleye Project in support of walleye habitat restoration. Read More
 Dr. Dan Molloy PhD, a research biologist at the State University of New York gave a compelling presentation about Zebra Mussels which was enhanced by underwater video, some of it taken by himself on dives on Whitefish that morning. Fortunately he did not find any evidence of zebra mussels at the several sites he visited on the Whitefish Chain. Read More
 Antique Boat Show – Thousands of visitors stopped to view the 70 antique boats at the docks of Moonlight Bay while WAPOA volunteers provided information about measures that one can take to prevent invasive species. Read More
 Aquatic Invasive Species
-
Let's keep those Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Plants and Animals out of our Waters!
-
What else is WAPOA doing to minimize the risk for AIS?
-
WAPOA partners with LARA to obtain a DNR AIS Public Awareness grant!
Read More
 Shoreline Restoration – Richard and Margaret “Muggsy” Ferber won the top “in-kind” matching grant of $3,800. They were the top winners of a WAPOA project designed to help people solve lake property problems such as water runoff or bank erosion, and those who would like to improve lake water quality by planting a vegetative buffer. Read More
 Water Quality Testing Program – From May through September, WAPOA volunteers test over 43 lakes, streams and brooks. The result is a TSI (trophic state index) number. The higher the number the worse the water is. The TSI number combines measurements of water clearness (visibility), amount of phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. You can help keep phosphorus out of our lakes by preventing run-off of driveway sediment and chemicals, by not using fertilizer with phosphorus, by maintaining your septic system and by not mowing your lakeside lawn right up to the edge of the water. Let the vegetation grow up at the water’s edge so it forms a protective barrier. Watch for the full report in our Spring Newsletter!
 Minnesota Waters Volunteers of the Year Award – Jack and Judy Wallschlaeger received the Minnesota 2011 Volunteer of the Year award, sponsored by Barr Engineering at Minnesota Waters Night of Celebration in Excelsior. Read More
 Lake-Friendly Home Construction Award – This award goes to a riparian property owner who has undertaken new home construction or major reconstruction while preserving the environmental integrity of the natural lakeshore setting. The award this year went to Muffie and Geoff Davidge on Lower Whitefish Lake. Read More
 Harvest Dinner – The Annual Harvest Dinner gets lake area people together with farmers to enjoy locally produced food and to assure each other that clean, healthy water is a priority. It is sponsored by the Cass County Farm Bureau, the Pine River Watershed Alliance and Whitefish Area Property Owners Association, among others. Read More
If you have not yet sent in your membership application for 2012, we encourage you to Click Here to print a form and mail it to us.
Working with you, year around, for better lands and lakes,
Dave Fischer
President, WAPOA
P.S. Mark your calendars for these coming events
· WAPOA Annual Meeting – June 9, 2012
· Run for the Walleye – July 7, 2012
· Antique Boat Show – July 28, 2012
|
