Fall 2007

Birch Island Lake Association
9-01-07 Meeting of the Membership
9 a.m., Lakeside Community Lutheran Church

The meeting was called to order by President Mick Peterson.

Minutes from May 2007 meeting were presented by Secretary Gayle Teskey. Motion to accept by Pat Glerum, seconded by Colleen Johnson

Treasurer’s Report: Mary Kirby

· Copy of financial report distributed to all in attendance

New Business

- BILA Areas of Focus & Interest introduced by Steve Hemping. Asked for input from BILA members. Intended to be a “living document”
2008 Boat Parade – Saturday, July 5^th (assuming higher water levels)
2008 Ice Cream Social – Sunday, July 6^th 2 p.m.

Old Business:

Water Quality Report – Barry Borman

Water levels down 18” since ice out (36” total last year and this year)

Water quality has deteriorated

	White algae bloom extended over two acres along the southeast shore of the lake and the green bloom was suspended in the water of the south end of our lake
	Weed (aquatic plant) growth
	Herbicides are prohibited

Projections for next year

	Continued drop
	More aquatic plants

Birch Island Lake included in pilot program to find and eradicate invasive species

2-3 year cycle to return to normal levels

Note that vehicle use on the shore is prohibited (ATVs)

Guest Speaker: Ed Slaminski/Spooner DNR, Water Regulation Program

· Discussion of regulations, particularly with regard to the low water levels

o OK to remove loose weeds that wash up on shore

o OK to remove (by hand) 30’ around dock for boat access

o Cannot remove objects (dead trees, etc) that have appeared but are below the normal water level (they are habitat)

o Point of jurisdiction is “normal high water mark”- separates private from public. County regulates above the high water mark, DNR regulates below the water mark

o Don’t allow decks or platforms at end of docks (6’ width)

o His department issues permits for things like rip rap

§ Permits are available on the website

o (Note that BILA board members are meeting with POA and VV representatives)

o Riparian owners are allowed to pump water from lake to water lawns. Non-riparian owners are NOT allowed to pump from the lake because they do not own the land adjacent to the lake. Commercial pumping is allowed in some circumstances and limited.

o (Note that VV Golf course is not pumping from Birch Island Lake)

Birch Island Lake Appreciation Award – Introduction and Presentation

· Bill & Kay Whitmore

· Don Waddick (accepted by Helen Waddick

· Nomination forms are available on website

· These names plus the first recipient, Curt Johnson, will be added to the permanent plaque

Meeting concluded, MSC (Motion made: Steve Hemping seconded Pat Glerum). Next meeting: Saturday, May 31, 2008, 9 a.m. Lakeside Community Lutheran Church.

Submitted by Gayle Teskey, BILA Secretary.