October 9th Annual Meeting Approved Minutes
BALD EAGLE AREA ASSOCATION ANNUAL MEETING SUMMARY
APPROVED on 11-28-18
10/9/18, 7– 9 PM at Hanifl Performing Arts Center
Current President, Bart Crockett, opened the meeting and introduced Steve McComas, of Blue Water Science, as our first speaker. Board members in attendance included outgoing members Gary Krejcarek and Rick Donovan, current members: Mike Doran, Bart Crockett, Antonette Alexander, Jim Ascheman, Adam Moore and Carole Moore. 28 homes were represented by attendees, of those 25 had paid dues and were eligible to vote.
Steve McComas – Blue Water Science:
Steve reported on the first and only zebra mussel to be found on Bald Eagle Lake, which was on the southeast shore. It was a juvenile, which means it spawned this year. The DNR checked the boat launch and the lake based on “drift patterns” and found nothing more. The Ramsey County Water Conservation District and Steve McComas checked the south side of the lake and nothing else was found. Steve suggested checking lifts and docks for zebra mussels when taking them out this fall. Also check tires and hub cabs, etc.
If Bald Eagle does get a zebra mussel infestation, it could be because we have some good conditions for their growth, which includes optimum calcium levels and optimum chlorophyll levels. It could take 3 years for them to grow to a density that would be visible. Zebra mussels are not good for the lake; they’re not bad for the lake, but can change the lake, per Steve. They can remove too much algae and alter fish populations. Zebra mussels are generally cyclical. If too much algae gets removed, they die off, then when algae gets restored, the population increases again. Juveniles are a food source for fish. The south side of the lake will be searched again. They will also check branches, logs and turn over rocks in shallow areas.
The protocol for dealing with a zebra mussel discovery is as follows:
- A zebra mussel is discovered and reported
- An expanded search is conducted in the next 30-50 hours
- Data is compiled
- Action is defined.
- If it’s not treatable, long term control options are investigated.
o Zebra mussels may be noticed on shoreline rocks.
o They attach to plants and the juveniles would die when the plants die.
o No decrease in fish necessarily, but there could be changes in the patterns of the fish. Walleye may go deeper, but would still be around.
o Zebra Mussels may attach to native mussels present in the lake. Native mussels could then decline.
o Homeowners can rake out mussels by the docks, if needed, and they’d probably be gone for a
while so wouldn’t need to be raked annually.
- Treatment is an option only if good results can be expected.
o Treatment options must go for 100% capture. A situation conducive to treatment would be if the zebra mussels are located in one area or are separated by a good distance between areas.
o A silt curtain can be rented and the water in those areas can be treated with copper sulfate, which must be maintained at a certain concentration for 4-6 days.
o Treatment can cost $20,000-$40,000.
- Lakeshore owners can check the shallow water areas ourselves.
o If you find a mussel, take a photo
o Try to remove it. If it’s stuck hard, it’s been around longer than if it’s easily removed.
o Save it and notify Kathy Fleming, who will notice the governmental agencies to proceed.
Justin Townsend of the Ramsey County Water Conservation District (RCWCD):
Justin gave kudos to the Bald Eagle Lake Association for its early detection and reporting process with our first zebra mussel. The county is now in the cycle of surveying and monitoring the lake to watch for more population.
Boat launch inspections covered 429 hours this season, with approximately 1510 inspections, which averaged about 3.5 per hour. 120 hours of additional inspection was paid for by the DNR with 340 inspections. 6 drain plug violations were found, 35 issues with plants on boats or trailers. These numbers have been declining annually. DNA testing is being investigated as a possible zebra mussel identification method. Zebra mussels shed cells. If the water can be tested for their DNA, identification of infested areas of the lake could happen much sooner. They may use White Bear Lake as a test site for a small sample area to check results, as they already have zebra mussels.
Justin also addressed homeowners concerns about weed control around their docks and the permitting requirements involved. Attached at the end of these minutes is information from the DNR website regarding lakeshore weed management.
BEAA BUSINESS:
Mike Doran – Treasurer
Our bank balance is currently $53, 138. We spent $17,000 on Eurasian Milfoil treatments. 169 people attended our spring dinner, which put $20, 145 into our bank account.In April and May, curly leaf was treated through the RCWCD.
By-laws state that BEAA is a dues paying organization. Only dues paying members are allowed to vote.
Annual dues for 2018 are $150, which is comparable to dues collected by other neighboring lake associations.
We collected $20,000 in dues so far this year.
Rick Donovan – 2019 budget
Rick wanted to make clear it was understood that without BEAA contributing to inspections and treatments, other governmental agencies would not be contributing to these processes. BEAA is an active association. It’s the first lake association to recruit signatures in support of being taxed for lake treatments. This process has improved our water quality/clarity. Our ongoing concerns are zebra mussels, Eurasian Milfoil, and Starry Stonewort. For these reasons, we need a cash reserve so if infestations appear, we have the necessary funds to address the problem, with the help of governmental agencies, if available. . Gary Krejcarek was thanked for his work getting a grant for filtration of Drainage Ditch 11.
Rick stated that the board can use volunteers interested in particular projects, outreach, marketing, membership development, etc. If you are interested, please contact a board member or email beaagroup@gmail.com. You can also communicate through our website, www.beaaassn.org Nick Guzzo and Molly Ertle will be joining the board, replacing Rick Donovan and Gary Krejcarek who were both thanked for their contributions to BEAA. Rick and Gary will both be available in an advisory capacity.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Aquatic plant regulations (from DNR website)
Under Minnesota law, aquatic plants growing in public waters are the property of the state.
Because of their value to the lake ecosystem, they may not be destroyed or transplanted unless authorized by the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources as stipulated in the Aquatic Plant Management Rules. A "public water" is generally any body of water 2.5 acres or larger within an incorporated city limit, or 10 acres or larger in rural areas. If you are unsure whether a particular lake is public, please contact your local Aquatic Plant Management Permitting Staff PDF .
Activities NOT allowed:
• Excavating the lake bottom for aquatic plant control
• Use of hydraulic jets PDF
• Destroying or preventing the growth of aquatic plants by using lake bottom barriers.
• Removing aquatic vegetation within posted fish-spawning areas.
• Removing aquatic plants from an undeveloped shoreline.
• Removing aquatic plants where they do not interfere with swimming, boating, or other recreation.
Control methods which MUST HAVE a permit
• Destruction of any emergent vegetation (for example, cattails and bulrushes).
• Cutting or pulling by hand, or by mechanical means, submerged vegetation in an area larger than 2,500
square feet.
• Applying herbicides or algaecides.
• Moving or removing a bog of any size that is free-floating or lodged in any area other than its place of
origin in public waters.
• Transplanting aquatic plants into public waters.
• Use of automated aquatic plant control devices (such as the Crary WeedRoller).
• Physical removal of floating-leaf vegetation from an area larger than a channel 15 feet wide extending to open water. When a permit is NOT needed
If you are a lakeshore property owner who wants to create or maintain a swimming or boat-docking area, you may cut or pull submerged vegetation, such as Elodea, without a DNR permit under certain
conditions:
• First, the area to be cleared must be no larger than 2,500 square feet.
• Second, the cleared area must not extend more than 50 feet along the shoreline or one-half the length of your shoreline, whichever is less.
The 2,500 square foot area may also include a boat channel up to 15 feet wide, and as long as necessary to reach open water (the boat channel is in addition to the 2,500 square feet allowed). The cutting or pulling may be done by hand or with hand-operated or powered equipment that does not significantly alter the course, current, or cross-section of the lake bottom. Such control cannot be done with draglines, bulldozers, hydraulic jets, suction dredges, automated aquatic plant control devices, or other powered earth-moving equipment. After you have cut or pulled aquatic plants, you must dispose of them on land to prevent them from drifting onto your neighbor's property or washing back into the lake.
In floating-leaf vegetation a lake shore property owner may maintain a channel 15 foot wide extending to open water by mechanical means without a permit. Any other destruction of floating-leaf vegetation requires a permit. If you have questions on control activities that do not require a permit, please contact your local aquatic plant specialist PDF .
If you plan to dispose of the aquatic vegetation someplace other than on your property you will need to download the aquatic plant transport authorization form PDF. This form allows you to transport the aquatic vegetation to a suitable location for disposal.
A DNR permit is not needed to gather aquatic plants for personal use (except for wild rice) or for constructing a shooting or observation blind.
Apply for a permit online
Fees for aquatic plant management permit depend upon the kind of control that you are doing, but generally will run about $35.
Fee Information: The aquatic plant management fee information in the table below is provided for your reference. Maximum permit fees apply when multiple applicants are applying for a permit on a single application. Do not send payment with your application. You will receive an invoice from the DNR once staff have received and confirmed that you require a permit, and determined the appropriate fee. If you apply for two or more treatment types ONLY THE LARGEST FEE WILL
APPLY.
The DNR does not grant permits automatically. Site inspections are required for first time permits.
Applications may be denied or modified. To ensure that plant control is done correctly and with proper care for the environment, take these three steps:
1. If herbicides are permitted carefully read the product label and follow all instructions.
2. Notify the DNR before control operations begin, as specified on the permit.
3. Post signs that identify the area that will be treated with an herbicide. These signs are included with the permit. There may be water use restrictions required on the product label for swimming, fish consumption, irrigation, or household use until the herbicide is broken down or has been diluted to safe levels. You will be asked to report the actual size of the controlled area and the amount of chemical used. This will help the DNR monitor statewide use of aquatic herbicides in public waters.
If you are inexperienced or uncomfortable applying herbicides, you may want to hire a licensed pesticide applicator PDF . These applicators will frequently help you obtain a permit as part of their services. There are also companies that will mechanically harvest aquatic plants PDF for hire.
Mechanical control company contacts are updated annually. Don’t see the new version? Right click on the link and “Save link as” to download onto your computer. Once downloaded, open the PDF to see the updated version.
Applications for a permit online
• Paper applications for aquatic plant management permit are available on request from Aquatic Plant Management Permitting Staff PDF .
Application to Collect and/or Transplant Aquatic Vegetation
• Instructions for completing application form PDF
• Application form PDF Costs, liability, and other information
In addition to administering permits, the DNR evaluates plant-control methods and provides guidance to lake associations. The agency does not endorse specific herbicides, products, or companies. Nor does the DNR arbitrate the results of control work. Liability for damage resulting from control work rests with the permittee (person receiving the permit) or his or her agent. Costs of aquatic plant control projects are paid by the property owners who benefit from the control. An exception is the control of exotic plants such as Eurasian water milfoil, where state funding may be available. In addition, Minnesota Statutes, Section 103G.621 authorizes cities and towns to levy taxes for the control of aquatic plants.