President’s Letter, September 17th, 2008

 As your president I would like to update you on things that have happened, that will be happening, and give you my opinions on some of the issues we face.  I also will list my goals for the remainder of my term.  My term will be up in June 2009 and I will not be running for a second term.  We need new people to step forward and become involved in the association so please let us know if you are interested in serving on the board.  We are also looking for someone willing to act as secretary in the future. 

First of all, the ballot count for the vote on “Should the county proceed with public hearings in order to change the “regulatory” water mark on Bad Medicine Lake”  was 67 YES,  54 NO.  Per my discussions with the county, they were looking for a more decisive yes vote in order to proceed with public hearings on this issue so they will not be taking any further action regarding this matter at this time

 MY OPINION- I want you to know where I stand on the ballot issue. It is my opinion that changing the regulatory water mark does not necessarily help insure our water quality.  I believe the major objection to the current OHWM and the reason this issue was brought up is the ability of property owners or developers to put fill in the lake in order to build in areas now covered with water and the apparent allowance of septic systems to be put in that same fill area. Certainly this is an undesirable situation and while changing the regulatory water mark may prevent this practice it may also restrict current property owners from making needed improvements to existing buildings depending upon their proximity to the lake. Variances are not easy or cheap to obtain. Nor are they guaranteed. Aesthetics have been a part of Bad Medicine for years and the “hidden cabin” look on most of Bad Medicine is undoubtedly preferred.  But, changing the regulatory water mark is too restrictive without some provision for current property owners to be able to make improvements. If you are going to change the rules midstream you need to be sympathetic to those caught in the middle of the issue through no fault of their own.  This is a highly controversial issue among the property owners. We don’t need more divisiveness on the lake; we need people to come together in a cooperative spirit and become more united. What is important and effective for our lake are proper septic system placement, management & maintenance; good shoreland management utilizing natural shoreline buffer zones; restricting the use of fertilizer on our yards; and managing the public access to prevent invasive species from entering the lake. If we want to keep our lake clear and pristine, these are as important as where a cabin is located on the lake.

Moving on.  As you may recall my main goal as president was to increase membership in the association and try to bring a spirit of cooperation back to the lake. I’m happy to report that we now have 150 paid association members as compared to 108 last year. I am taking no responsibility for this occurring, but I do believe that the support of the board and the officers to get information out to the membership has been in large part responsible for this increase. I think the efforts of Rose Andersen in particular to put forth a newsletter that is informative and yet fun and positive in its presentations has really helped us improve communications at Bad Medicine.  Also, I want to thank all of you who have shared information and articles for the newsletter. 

In my last year as your president I want to make progress on some processes that I feel will be beneficial to the lake and the property owners.  The board has been proactive in addressing some of these issues already so we will basically be continuing in that effort.

#1-Everyone on the lake needs to test their septic system unless it has been newly constructed within the last 5 years or so. This is so we can become aware of any problems each of our systems may have. Needed updates to those that are non-compliant should be considered. The State of Minnesota is in the process of changing the rules as it relates to septic systems and may put in place mandatory testing rules on existing systems. It is possible that they may make grants available for updating.  We will try to keep on top of this.  We need to be proactive as an association to guard our lake and improve our septic system effect on the lake. This will be voluntary so your cooperation is needed to make this work.

 #2-Most of us need to dedicate more of our shoreline to natural vegetation for the first 25-35 feet between the lake and our lake homes, excluding our lake access or beaches etc.  This is one of the most beneficial things we can do to preserve our waters.  Many already practice this but more needs to be done.  The goal for now should be 75-85% natural shoreline.

#3-We need to begin a voluntary invasive species monitoring program in conjunction with the DNR to begin boat & trailer inspections at the public access.  It will require a list of volunteers willing to give some of their time. If enough sign-up, it is something that can be done perhaps once a year or once every two years by each volunteer thereby taking very little time for each individual who signs up.  Along with this, some educational meetings would be necessary covering how to identify and spot invasive plants and then what to do if they are found.  Milfoil & Curly Pond Weed have been found in some Becker County lakes.  The DNR has a program where lake associations can have a DNR intern posted at the public access, and they also have grants available to help defray the costs of that service. We will be looking into this for next year.  See the volunteer sign-up information in this newsletter.

#4-Educate lake property owners on a continual basis concerning lake management issues, the lake history, what is happening at the lake, etc.

#5-Restrict the use of fertilizers (use phosphorous free only) on our lawns, flower beds, gardens, etc.  We need to keep in mind that Bad Medicine is a closed basin lake and thus is unique.  What goes in the lake stays in the lake. 

#6-Complete needed changes to the BMLAA by-laws and change the corporation’s fiscal year end to December.  Currently our year end is May 31 of each year.  Since this is right in the middle of people paying dues and some of the business of the corporation, it is a bad time for a year end.  By changing to a Dec. 31 end date, we can get a report covering the calendar year rather than ending right in the middle.  It would lead to more comparable information from a financial reporting stand point and allow the treasurer to report a completed years worth of financial data without having to scramble for it during the busiest time.

Other items of interest:

The lake association has requested that the township place a speed limit on the East Bad Medicine lake road and that off highway vehicle (OHV) traffic be monitored by the Becker County Sheriff.  There have been reports of far too much reckless OHV use on that road.  Too many people have expressed concern for it to be ignored.  If you have children operating an OHV or other vehicles, you need to talk with them about the correct and legal operating rules.  

There is a sign-up information included for volunteers who are interested in assisting with the watercraft invasive species inspection program; please give us some of your time and sign-up. You may also email me at jalut@arvig.net  or call me at 573-3411.

In closing I would like to thank the Board for their continued concern on our behalf, for their willingness to tackle difficult issues and for the cooperative spirit they have shown while working with one another in spite of issues that may have been divisive or controversial.  We have a good group working on your behalf; so if you get a chance you may want to thank them as well.  Here is hoping fall and winter treat you well and that spring and summer follow very quickly.

Jim Luttrell

BAD MEDICINE LAKE AREA ASSOCIATION

The BMLAA board meets on the 4^th Saturday of the month at 8:30 a.m. in Forest Township Hall. Minutes of the meetings are available on www.badmedicinelakeareaassociation.com   Following is a summary of the May, June, and July meetings:

·         A committee is reviewing the BMLAA by-laws with recommended changes to be presented at the 2009 annual meeting.

·        Currently there are 150 paid BMLAA memberships.

·        Don Tschudi, Treasurer, and Mike Slette were reelected as board members.

·        Lake residents were encouraged to use a kit provided by the BMLAA to test the quality of their well water.

·        Dues for 150 members have been paid to Becker County COLA.

·        There was considerable discussion regarding the speed of OHV’s and particularly how to address the safety issue on East Bad Medicine Road. A motion was made to recommend that the Township Board investigate the possibility of setting a speed limit on East Bad Medicine Road.

·        The Board in conjunction with the DNR would like to educate the public regarding invasive species on trailers and watercraft. A group of volunteers will be needed to visit the parking area at the north end of the lake and place flyers on the windshields of the parked vehicles/trailers.

·        A contribution of $500 has been given to the North Country Trail project.

·        Patty Swenson, Becker County Planning and Zoning; and Larry Knutson, County Commissioner were at the annual meeting and responded to questions regarding the ORIDINARY HIGH WATER MARK (OHWM).

·        Paid members were given ballots and registered their vote for the following:  “Should the County proceed with public hearings in order to change the “Regulatory” high water mark on Bad Medicine Lake?”  The final vote tally was:   YES  67    NO  54

·        A letter stating the results of the vote was sent to Patty Swenson and the Becker County Commissioners.

·        The board will continue investigating septic system compliance.

INVASIVE SPECIES VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP

If you are willing to help with this project, please let Jim Luttrell know by e-mailing me at jalut@arvig.net  OR write to: BMLAA, 39124 Horseshoe Rd, Ponsford, MN 56575.  This will not begin until sometime next summer at the earliest and will depend upon good response from volunteers.

 

   2007-2008 BAD MEDICINE LAKE AREA ASSOCIATION OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS & THEIR TERMS

President, Jim Luttrell, 573-3411, 7/06-6/09; Vice President, Chuck Church, 573-2209, 7/06-6/09; Secretary, Carole Olsen, 573-3081,  7/06-6/10; Treasurer, Don Tschudi,  573-3790,  7/08-6/11; Rose Andersen, 573-3690, 7/06-6/09; Tom Lorentzsen, 573-3394, 7/07-6/10; Mike Slette, 573-3766, 7-08-6/11; Rod Syverson, 218-784-3881, 7/07-6/10; Ray Vlasak, 573 -3243, 7/07-6/10; David Wiest, 701-866-9374, 7/06-6/09.

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS

SUPERVISORS: Ray Vlasak (Chair) 46522 Wildwood Trail, 573-3243  highpines@arvig.net  term expires January 4, 2009; John Backes 39250 Horseshoe Rd, 573-3626   jsbackes@yahoo.com  term expires January 4, 2009; Don Tschudi   38257 Bad Medicine Resort Road, 573-3790 dtschudi@eot.com term expires January, 2011; Helen Holmer (Clerk) 34409 E Bad Medicine Lake Road, 573-3813, term expires January, 2011; Donna Waliczek (Treasurer), 36916 Sunset Drive,  573-3792 badmed@eot.com  term expires January 4, 2009.

 

COLA – COALITION OF LAKE ASSOCIATIONS – Ed Klepperich

Our water quality was tested monthly again this summer in partnership with Becker County COLA.  You can view the results of the tests of our lake and all of Becker County on website www.rmbel.info  

As always, this summer COLA conducted a number of meetings and seminars designed to improve the quality of our lakes.  The meetings this year included information on the following topics:  Aquatic invasive species, Natural shoreline preservation, Septic cleaning and inspection, Sewage treatment systems, Enforcement of shoreline ordinances, and Lake quality monitoring.

Some of these programs are worth our particular attention:

The threat of invasive species is growing every year.  We have experienced a dose of that with the explosion of crayfish in our lake (now seemingly on the downward cycle).  This should serve as a warning to us about other invasive species such as aquatic plants.  To maintain our precious lake we must become educated and vigilant on techniques of prevention and control.

The second topic is perhaps the most dangerous, but it is also the more preventable.  That problem is the treatment of our sewage.  It is imperative that we properly handle our waste to keep it from polluting our lake.  Such things as sewer inspection and septic pumping should be on everyone’s agenda.  Make sure you are in compliance.  If your neighbor is not in compliance you must report it because the lake belongs to future generations. 

 

NORTH COUNTRY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL: LAURENTIAN LAKES CHAPTER

Hikes:     Oct. 4    - Volkssport event and hike at Tamarac Wildlife Refuge

Oct. 11  -  Cancer Awareness Hike on North Country Trail in Clearwater County

(Call Ray Vlasak, 573-3243, for more information on the hikes)

2008 Construction & Maintenance - Laurentian Lakes Chapter Volunteers have contributed over 900 hours of time to trail maintenance and construction so far in 2008. In addition there has been over $25,000 of Minnesota Conservation Corps crew time spent in our area. Over 8 new miles of trail have been cleared, and all of the certified miles have been mowed and reblazed. The trail has been cleared all the way to the Elbow Lake Road. Treadway construction is complete on about 3 of the 8 miles. It is flagged but not blazed or signed. Treadway construction is complete both north and south of Hwy 113 where the trail crosses  0.8 miles west of Co. 37. There is an approach and parking area on the north side of Hwy 113 at that location. Several Bad Medicine Lake property owners have been contributing time to this National Park Service project. Call Ray Vlasak if you are interested in helping and/or supporting the Laurentian Lakes Chapter of the North Country Trail Association

 

REMINDERS

2008 DIRECTORY UPDATES: The Bad Medicine Lake Directory is produced every two years; an update will be available next year. 

The directory was available at the 2008 Annual Meeting. Call correction or changes to Jim Luttrell, 573-3411 or email Jim at jalut@arvig.net 

 

BMLAA WEBSITE:  www.badmedicinelakeareaassociation.com  

 

ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY CLEANUP

BMLAA adopted a two-and-a-half mile stretch of County Road 37 that runs from Red Top Road to 113.  Fall cleanup is scheduled for October 4^th.  Meet at the entrance to Red Top Road at 9 AM weather permitting.  An alternate date will be Tuesday Oct. 7th, same time & place.  Call RayVlasak at 573-3243 or Jim Luttrell at 573-3411 to volunteer.

WATER QUALITY – Ed Strohmeier

Secchi Disc    5-10             26 feet

6-7               35 feet

6-22              37 feet

7-8                 27 feet

7-22              19 feet

8-5                 24 feet

8-18              26 feet

9-4                 18 feet   

BML STATISTICS

Ice on 2007 – December 1, Water level 1598.53 feet MSL

Ice out 2008 – May 9, Water level 1599.05 feet MSL

Record High Water Level, 1600.77, July 10, 2002

Ordinary High Water Mark, 1594.86

Natural Basin Run out Elevation. 1608.3

Sept 15, 2007  -  1598.55 feet MSL

Sept 9, 2008  -  1598.79 feet MSL

FISHING REPORT - Steve Lindow

Trout have been good, walleye slow.  Small mouth bass - smaller are biting, but bigger ones are harder to get.  4,000 one pound Rainbows scheduled to be stocked at seasons closing on or about October 31.  12,000 ½ pound Rainbows will be stocked around May 1, 2009

DNR LEAF REPORTS

To get the latest information on when and where the fall colors are expected to be at their peak, check out the DNR’s Web site:  www.dnr.state.mn.us 

 

 

DNR QUESTION OF THE WEEK

From Big Sugar Bush Lake Association newsletter

Q: Late summer and early fall large numbers of loons were recently spotted gathering on a number of lakes.  However, they were not feeding and not fighting, they appeared to be partying.  Why is this?  Is this part of the fall migration?

A: Loons are territorial when they are nesting and raising chicks.  But starting in mid-summer groups of non-mated loons, or loons that were unsuccessful with nesting, begin to gather and move around between lakes.  I call these groups “Loon parties” because they are indeed socializing and not fighting.  Sometimes the loons will circle and actively interact.

As the summer wanes, these groups get larger and blend into the pre-migratory behavior of gathering on larger lakes.  In September, many adult loons that successfully raised chicks leave those lakes, and their chicks, to join the loon groups.  In 1998 loon counts completed on Mille Lacs and Winnibigoshish lakes documented a peak of more than 1,500 loons on each lake in the third week of October.

 

MSRPO - MINNESOTA SEASONAL RECREATIONAL PROPERTY OWNER’S COALITION

MSRPO is a Cabin Owners Coalition that seeks property tax fairness and equity at the State Capitol for families that own cabins, lakeshore, hunting shacks and seasonal property in Minnesota.  Their activities are focused on educating legislators, the general public and cabin owners on the negative impacts of Minnesota’s antiquated property tax system. Without MSRPO, the average cabin owner would be paying at least 40% more in property taxes.   Membership is not conditioned on any level of dollar contribution but on any amount you can contribute.  Membership information at www.msrpo.org  or 952-854-1317.  This is our “Special Interest”, please support it.  Join Today!!!!

 

MSUM PHOTO SHOOT 

The weather was most accommodating during the week-long Bad Medicine Lake photo shoot by students from Minnesota State University Moorhead's Department of Mass Communications.

Given the positive results, we have increased the size of the book from 60 to 124 pages.  We have now entered into the editing and design phase and hope to have a completed book through the Bad Medicine Lake Area Foundation. The book will sell for $25 and can be ordered from Ray Vlasak, 46522 Wildwood Trail, Ponsford, MN 56575.  The profits will go to the B.M.L.A. Foundation.

It is important to remember that this is not a lake directory showing every cabin and each lake resident; rather it is an attempt to capture the feel of one week in August at Bad Medicine Lake.

I would like to thank those lake folks who so generously shared their stories and allowed the students to photograph them in and around their lake homes.  The students were struck by the warmth and kindness of the people that they encountered.

Thank you, Wayne Gudmundson

 Following is part of a description of the project written by Sayward Honer, a student involved in the project:

“I had the pleasure of participating in a documentary photography project of Bad Medicine Lake in August through Minnesota State University Moorhead. For one week, fifteen photographers were partnered with one another and given different sections of the lake. The outcome will be published this fall in a book for all to see. I am really excited about it. It was a great opportunity and another chance to hang out with Wayne before I say adios. This was a nice way to finish off my summer-long vacation from having a real job and feel like I was actually contributing something to the world. Plus meeting up with old friends and making new ones never gets boring.
My photography partner (Erin) and I were assigned a southern portion of the lake, including Veronen's Resort, High Pines and a few other cabins. We were the blessed ones to have the only resort to photograph with lots of activity and super friendly people.
I must say it was funny living with a bunch of photographers for a week. Think about it. It wasn't bad, just an interesting thought... "Are we all a type of leader?" I think we have to be leaders in the photography field, how else will we get the great photos?
We stayed in two bigger-type of cabins at Hoot Owl Resort (not on Bad Medicine). After our days of photographing we had time to kick back most nights and go swimming, paddle boating and play cards.

All in all it was a great week!”

       

  Photo by Stacy Campbell                                                         Photo by Lauren Taute

NEWSLETTER MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the newsletter is to provide lake area residents with information to build community. The newsletter will present current lake issues in a non-controversial and positive format.  Editor: Rose Andersen, Contributors for this issue: Don Andersen, Ed Klepprich, Jim and Linda Luttrell, Carole Olsen, Steve Lindow, Ed Strohmeier, Ray Vlasak, Gary Narum, Wayne Gudmundson, and MSUM students.  THANKS!!!!

BAD MEDICINE LAKE AREA ASSOCIATION

Jim Luttrell 39124 Horseshoe Road,

Ponsford MN 56575