Meeting Minutes: 05/03/08

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Annual Spring Meeting

Jeff Falknor, President, called the meeting to order at 10:03 AM in Dobson’s community room. Vice President- Bill Greenawalt, Secretary-Carolyn Morrison, Treasurer-Colleen Humphrey, Trustee-Kaye Greenawalt and members were also present. Trustee-Al Baunock and Trustee-Jack Collins were absent.

The Secretary’s report from September 9, 2007 was distributed. One clarification was sited: “According to Paul Hauser we are currently spending enough for weed control”. Remove (Dues $10.00 a person), as these dues do not contribute to the weed control costs. With these corrections the minutes were approved. The treasurer’s report was submitted with an ending balance of $2381.62 (see attached) for full details. This report was approved.

Ben Wickerham, project manager for the 319 Grant for the North Chain of lakes gave an update. The project is about half done. He has been developing a watershed management plan, specifically looking at nonpoint pollution contributions. This includes a study of excess nutrients and sediments. Hopefully, the study will be done by fall with a plan to seek implementation grants. The EPA has a “to do list” to look at ecoli (from water fowl droppings), heavy metals, and mercury levels in fish.

Ben stated the following was being look at in the 35,000-acre watershed:

70% agricultural run off
Need for natural buffers
Urban area run off
Restoration, 2 stage ditches
Flood plains.
Ben also noted the information that the water clarification of algae content data collected by the NCLA has been very important. Unfortunately, we are ranked 4th highest in Michigan.

A bus tour for “Managing Your Shoreline for Lake Ecology” is being held, Saturday, June 14th. A sign up sheet was passed around. An excellent book was suggested, “Landscaping for Wild Life and Water Quality by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources”.

Ben asked for volunteers on Memorial Day weekend to help put labels on all the storm drains in Coldwater which would say: DO NOT DUMP HERE. Storm drains dump directly into our lakes. The storm water does not go through the sewer treatment system, so anything put into the streets goes into our lakes.

The City of Coldwater is still the largest contributor to the sediment load in the St. Joseph River System. We need to be politically active with our city council to let that know we are concerned. The city is going to dredge out the mouth of the Sauk River.

Jeff told the North Chain Lake Board that what Ben is doing with the 319 plan would give us a plan “to cut the head off snake”. Ben’s implementation plan is a wish list, “ask for the moon”. Then it goes to the EPA to Michigan’s DEQ to the US. It’s taken a decade to get this 319 grant. Our association is a partner in the plan.

Questions: local resident said sediment in front of dam on the river has really built up. Are there any plans to dredge it? Ben: will look into it. The study does end at the Hodunk Dam.

Who controls the water level of the chain? The courts determine it. The water level is checked on the old Highway 12 bridge and also another “in the water stick”. A resident is going to check with her GPS the accuracy of the measurement.

BUSINESS MEETING:

Elections: Trustee Kaye Greenawalt, the present trustee has decided not to run.

Dee Kehoe was nominated by Kent Miller and Kaye Greenawalt seconded it. Dee was unanimously elected.

Secretary: Carolyn Morrison was nominated by Bill Greenawalt and Dee Kehoe seconded it. Carolyn was unanimously reelected.

President: Jeff has decided not to run. Diane Blanchard was nominated by Jeff Falknor and it seconded by Jerry Wilson. Diane was unanimously elected.

Bill Greenawalt and Jerry Jones attended the Michigan Lake and Stream Association’s meeting. The following were discussed:

1. Riparian rights.

2. Water diversion issue from the Great Lakes.

3. Ice Mountain pumps water from wells and the local lake levels are dropping.

4. Individuals may want an umbrella policy to protect them from liability issues.

5. Managing fisheries

6. Zebra Mussels and a new mussel, quagga are still problems. No solutions yet.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Project chairs. Jeff is still looking for chairs for the website, membership, lake monitoring and activities committees. Ann Marie Moore volunteered for the website chair. Other interested people were asked to contact Jeff or Diane.

2. Dissolved Oxygen equipment is needed. Bill Greenawalt said the cost is expensive. Ben thought it was a good idea. Perhaps we could share the cost with the South Chain.

NEW BUSINESS:

It was asked if we could have a “goose roundup” to rid our lakes of the growing population of geese. The DNR will be asked. The white swan population is also growing.
NCLA might need insurance for facility liability.
Diane Betts reiterated the concern about the dam and to make sure it works. The flooding and high water levels have been devastating for some people. Because of the growing community and additional concrete more water is flowing from the watershed areas rather than being absorbed into the ground. It was suggested then that the courts change the winter level. Apparently Mike Hard, drain commissioner, is going to the courts to lower levels if possible. Mike also has no control over detention and retention ponds. These issues must be taken up with city and township boards.
ADJOURNMENT: next meeting date, Saturday, September 6, 2008, Dobson’s.

Respectfully submitted: Carolyn Morrison, Secretary