Another good dose of
BAD MEDICINE
A NEWSLETTER FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE
BAD MEDICINE LAKE AREA
Spring 2010
2010 ANNUAL MEETING WILL BE HELD SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2010 at 9 a.m. at the Forest Township Hall
Join us for coffee at 8:30, meeting at 9. A potluck will be held after the meeting.
Dear Bad Medicine Lake Residents and Visitors:
Wow, what a spring!!! The ice went out on the south end of the lake on April 1st and on the rest of the lake on April 2nd. I was in the water yesterday, (4/25), with a wet suit on, putting in our lift and the water is already in the 50s. This lake is truly a paradise; right now the water is so clear that we can see the fish swimming past our dock. That is the good news; the other news is that we have some work ahead of us to keep it that way.
We did not get our DNR grant for watercraft inspections at the public access this summer. As you know, Minnesota is broke, and all aspects of funding, including the DNR’s funding for Aquatic Invasive Species prevention, have been cut. To make matters worse, in order to buy into the watercraft inspections program, the minimum number of hours has been set at 500 hours @ $15.25 per hour, or a minimum total of $7625.00. That number has us priced out of the game for this summer. Hopefully, we can gather enough funding to buy into next year’s program.
In the meantime, I have spent considerable time on the phone with several folks from the DNR, begging and pleading for help and here is what they have come up with as a solution for us. They will train our volunteers for free, give us a couple of DNR hats and educational literature to pass out, but for the most part, we will staff our own public access this summer. Bruce Anspach the DNR person in charge of water craft inspections will train us. This training will take about a half hour and he will come to us to do this training. The first session took place at our house on April 30th; we have ten volunteers, so far. Gloria and I are taking the fishing opener weekend and we have the month of May and maybe the first part of June covered, this means having someone at the public access from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings. That way volunteers will have most of their weekend available for family stuff and we will, at least, greet most of the fishing folks as they enter the lake. We desperately need more volunteers to help cover the rest of the summer. So if you are willing to help, please call me at 573-2209 and I will arrange for another training session wherever and whenever it is convenient for us. We need about ten or twelve more volunteers to get us through to September. I know this is a lot to ask, to give up six hours of a precious weekend is a big deal; however, if our lake becomes infested and we did nothing, imagine how we would feel.
We need your help in creating a special fund dedicated to battling the invasive species threat. It is much cheaper and easier to prevent rather than eradicate these invaders. Once they get a foothold the costs to control them will rise exponentially. Please send your contributions to Jim Luttrell at 39124 Horseshoe Road, Ponsford, MN 56575. If you haven’t renewed your membership send that along to Jim as well; it is still $15.00 per voting member.
A few years ago the Lake Association conducted a written survey asking lake residents their opinions on a wide range of issues concerning the lake. Now, as part of the process to seek a Star Lake designation by the state, (this will allow us access to grant funds) we distributed another, updated survey with some old, as well as some new questions. Your responses were great; we got back 90 plus of about 150 surveys that were sent out, about a 64% return.
The survey committee has spent many hours reading and accumulating the results and when the summary is complete we will publish it on our website, sometime in late May. We will also discuss the survey results and your priorities at the annual meeting. More importantly, your board of directors is using these results to determine what issues will be on our agenda for the upcoming year. It appears that we have some interesting things to discuss at this year’s annual meeting.
We are planning a potluck picnic after the annual meeting. We will furnish chicken and potato salad. Would you bring a salad or a dessert to share? I know there are some amazing recipes out there, so dust off those cook books and do some dazzle!!
Thanks to everyone who has participated in the amazing growth of our Lake Association. We now have more members and more members participating than ever before. Three directors’ positions are opening up; please contact me if you would be interested in serving.
I look forward to seeing you at the annual meeting; have a wonderful spring.
Chuck Church, President BMLAA
PROPOSED AGENDA FOR BMLAA ANNUAL MEETING, 9 o’clock, June 19th, 2010
1. Treasurer’s Report – Don Tschudi
2. Becker County Sheriffs Dept. Presentation, by Deputy Luke Sweere and Conservation Officer Al Peterson, followed by Q&A.
3. A summary of responses to the Lake Survey and discussion of the members thoughts on issues identified – Steve Lindow
4. Aquatic Invasive Species Presentation by Bruce Anspach, DNR, Division of Ecological Resources, followed by Q&A and a brief discussion of our BMLAA Volunteer Watercraft Inspection Program.
5. A presentation by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, followed by Q&A. After the presentation the Bad Medicinal Lake committee will present a proposal for conducting a water quality preservation long term research study. BMLAA membership will give direction as to whether to proceed with this research project. See article in newsletter.
6. Nomination and election of three new board members, followed by a short summary of the new bylaws and how they relate to the selection of association officers, board member terms, and the terms of officers. See article in newsletter.
7. COLA report – Ed Klepperich
8. BMLAA Foundation Report
9. North Country Trail Report – Ray Vlasak
10. Septic System Committee Report and discussion as to how to and/or if to proceed. – Chuck Church
11. Membership/Directory Committee Report – Jim Luttrell
12. Waubun School Dist. #435 Report. John Backes. See article in newsletter.
13. Newsletter – Rose Andersen
14. Fishing report – Steve Lindow
15. Additional Agenda Items
BMLAA BOARD ACTIVITIES
The BMLAA Board meets monthly (April – October) at Forest Township Hall. Current Board members are listed below, Dennis Anderson was appointed to fill Dollie Becklund’s vacated seat until a replacement is voted on at the Annual meeting. Actions taken at the October and April meetings are addressed throughout the newsletter. They include: Implications of new bylaws; Lake Directory; Septic committee findings; MPC grant application; Bad Medicine Lake invasive species prevention program; Lake Survey results; Newsletter and the BMLAA annual meeting.
IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW BYLAWS
Mike Slette
What is the purpose of the BMLAA? While its purpose may have been clear through its actions over the years, an overall purpose was not formally stated until the adoption of the Association’s new bylaws at a special meeting held August 22, 2009. The new bylaws now state that “The purpose of the Bad Medicine Lake Area Association is to bring together the residents of the Bad Medicine Lake Area to preserve and improve the quality of our water, land, air aesthetics, wildlife, and other natural resources of the Bad Medicine Lake Area; to provide educational and training resources for the healthy enjoyment of present and future generations, and to work in conjunction with federal, state, and local agencies, public and private, to further the purpose of the Association. The Association shall keep members informed of the status of the lake, the surrounding area, and the activities of the Association”.
Other important changes related to the operation of the Association were implemented with the adoption of the new bylaws. Some of these changes are highlighted below. If you would like to read the bylaws in their entirety, they can be found on the BMLAA website.
BAD MEDICINE LAKE AREA ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS & THEIR TERMS
President, Chuck Church, 573-2209, 7/09-6/12, cchurch22@hotmail.com; Vice President Mike Slette, 573-3766, 7/08-6/11,
mike.slette@hotmail.com; Secretary, Carole Olsen, 573-3081, 7/09-6/12, cjolsen@cableone.net; Treasurer, Don Tschudi,
573-3790, 7/08-6/11, dtschudi@eot.com; Rose Andersen, 573-3690, 7/09-6/11, rosander@juno.com; Dennis Anderson, 10/09-
6/10, 218-573-3502, ob79@arvig.net ; Tom Lorentzsen, 573-3394, 7/07-6/10, t4eyes@moorheadvision.com; Jim Luttrell, 573-3411, 7/09-6/10, jalut@arvig.net; Rod Syverson, 218-784-3881, 7/07-6/10,adabodsp@loretel.net; Ray Vlasak, 573 -3243, 7/07-6/10, highpines@arvig.net; David Wiest, 701-866- 9374, 7/09-6/12, drdavidwiest@msn.com
FOREST TOWNSHIP BOARD REPORT – Carol Peterson
Spring made a surprise arrival and along with it came our neighbors who have been gone for the winter. I can guarantee that both are welcome events!
Township elections will be held with the regular election on November 2, 2010, and will include two Township positions. Don Tschudi, Supervisor, and Helen Holmer, Clerk, terms end this year. Filing notices will be published in the Park Rapids paper. Opening date for candidate filing is August 24th and closing is September 7th. Tim Holzkamm and Carol Peterson are in the middle of their terms. Remember, Forest Township residents will vote by mail-in ballot.
The Annual meeting was held on March 9th with a good community turnout. The Board is always appreciative of constituency participation. Actions:
· Setting the township levy for 2011 at $62,500.00
· Allowing the township to enter into a limited one-year agreement with Pine Point Township to assist in graveling 470th street. The agreement will be reviewed annually.
· To treat with magnesium chloride: ¼th mile of East Bad Medicine/Holmer’s farm at 100% of the cost and to cost share with Red Top Road residences at 50/50. DNR, MPCA and Becker County were contacted to confirm that the treatment was safe for the lake.
· Purchased signs for Gardner Lake Rd, East Bad Medicine Truck Trail, and White Tail Drive.
· The Clerk will annually post a list of township meeting dates on the Public Notice Board at the Forest Town Hall.
· Board meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month except in March and August. The March regular meeting will be held Monday, March 7, 2011, and the Annual Meeting March 8, 2011, with March 15th as alternate. The regular August meeting will be held on August 9. Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. at the Forest Town Hall.
· Trash Amnesty Days are June 5th and August 28th 2010.
· June 20th is the scheduled date for opening the new section of Red Top Road and closing the old section.
We had an interesting winter with some very heavy snow that made us aware of the need to do brushing (removing brush from sides of the road) on township maintenance roads. It was very scenic but the plows and UPS trucks were not so appreciative.
At the April meeting a motion was passed for the Supervisors and township road contractor to do road inspections prior to May’s meeting which will include identifying the roads that need work and brushing. Once the inspection date is set, it will be posted at the Town Hall. Brushing notices will also be sent out. We encourage landowners to brush their property along the roadways. We would also invite people to dig out small trees from ditches along State/County land and transplant them.
The Board contracted to have gravel made and stored at the County gravel pit on County Road #37.
Arvig Communication petitioned for, and the Board approved, a franchise for Forest Township. The franchise is limited and is necessary by State Statute for ACS to expand services beyond 50 customers. This doesn’t prevent other vendors from coming into our area.
2010 FOREST TOWNSHIP OFFICERS
Chair: Don Tschudi, 218-573-3790, 38257 Bad Medicine Resort Rd, 2003 – 2010, dtschudi@eot.com; Carol Peterson, 218-573-2701, 37121 Red Top Rd, 2008 – 2012, carol_pete@hotmail.com; Tim Holzkamm, 218- 573-3442, 39414 Pinewood Rd, 2008 – 2012, tholzkam@arvig.net ; Township Assessor: Lisa Marschall - 15288 490th Ave, Menahga, MN. 56564.
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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.
Newsletter committee: Editors - Rose & Don Andersen: editorial board: Jane Gudmundson, Jim Luttrell, Ed Klepperich, Mardy Dovre, Ray Vlasak, Carole Olsen and Gary Narum.
REGULATION REFRESHER
AMNESTY & RECYCLIING
Greetings from the Township Trash Supervisor:
Township Amnesty Days are scheduled for June 5 & August 28. Please follow the posted rules.
With spring and summer come bears. Everyone must lock the dumpster covers. If a chain or fastener breaks give me a call at 573-3442.
The Township appreciates everyone recycling because it saves the Township lots of money in trash removal costs. But we need to do it right.
Becker County recycling only accepts narrow neck, # 1 & 2, plastic containers for recycling. Wide mouth containers, pails, plant cubes, packaging film, and plastic bags are not permitted. Cardboard boxes are to be recycled, but must be flattened. Do not put them in the dumpsters. It costs $10 for each cubic yd. of trash in the dumpsters. The dumpsters each hold 6 cubic yards. Brown paper grocery bags should be put in the cardboard drums.
BECKER COUNTY AMNESTY
We encourage you to take your appliances, tires, and batteries to the transfer station north of Detroit Lakes, phone 218-847-6382. Take these items to the transfer station instead of waiting for Township Amnesty Days. This will save the Township having to pay for hauling. Appliances include refrigerators, freezers, ranges, microwaves, washers, dryers, dish washers, and dehumidifiers. For those who do it right and most of you do, Thank You. Tim Holzkamm
FOREST TOWNSHIP TRASH RULES
1. Use the recycle bins – all clean cardboard must be recycled. Follow the posted recycle rules. Place unbroken fluorescent bulbs in labeled recycle container.
2. Recycling saves the township thousands of dollars every year and is the environmentally sound thing to do.
3. Put only bagged household garbage in dumpsters. Close and secure the lids to keep bears out. Fill dumpsters completely (front and back lids) in order starting from the east.
4. Take all other trash to transfer stations – Detroit Lakes, Park Rapids, or Elbow Lake.
5. No appliances, TVs, microwaves, electronic equipment, furniture, building materials, or steel. Take these items to the Becker County transfer station.
6. No animal carcasses, dirt, gravel, leaves, grass clippings, brush, or logs. These should be put in the woods out of sight from roads and trails.
7. No ashes or charcoal.
8. No treated lumber – take to transfer station (do not burn).
9. No commercial operation dumping – hire a commercial service if you are operating commercially from your home.
KEYS
Obtain a gate key from Don Tschudi, 573-3790, to gain access to the area. You are responsible for everyone who uses your key – be sure they know the rules. Lock the gate when leaving or close the gate if the lock is not present. Fee for replacement of a lost key is $25; each additional key is $5.
BURNING REGULATIONS, DID YOU KNOW???????
The leading cause of wildfires is burning barrels. Burning barrels are regulated by MN statute.
A burning permit is required for ALL open burning of brush/leaves/wood when there is less than 3 inches of snow on the ground. You can obtain burning permits at Bad Medicine Resort or Veronen’s Resort. A permit is not required when there is over 3 inches of snow on the ground.
NOTE: Several of your lake neighbors can testify to the cost of being cited by the DNR for burning without a permit.
BUILDING PERMITS FOR RESIDENTS OF FOREST TOWNSHIP
Building permit applications, as well as conditional use permit applications, for projects that are located 267' or more back from the high water mark must be reviewed and approved by the Township Board prior to submitting such requests to Becker County. This process can take a couple of meetings so it is important to get applications in as quickly as possible. Contact Helen Holmer, Clerk, to get a permit application and a copy of zoning regulations. Applications are also available from Becker County Zoning.
SEPTIC SYSTEM UPDATE
Ed Klepperich
New Minnesota laws governing septic system construction were scheduled to be implemented Feb 1, 2010. This date has now been moved back two years with possible changes to the requirements as they are currently written.
In any case, once the new regulations are in effect the result will be a much more expensive construction project. Systems now in place that are inspected and found OK will be exempt from the stricter requirements, as will systems that are replaced before the regulations are in effect. For this reason it is wise to have your system inspected before the changes.
If your septic system is in need of replacement due to failure there is some relief available through low interest loans of 3%. In order to get the loan you must have an inspection report showing failure and a bid from a contractor to replace the system. Then take them to Becker Soil and Water Conservation, 809 8th St SE, Detroit Lakes, 218-846-7360. They will provide a form that you can take to a cooperating bank. Our closest one is Citizens in Park Rapids.
COLA REPORT
Ed Klepperich
The first meeting of the year for Becker County Coalition of Lake Associations was held April 27. The meeting was mainly organizational in preparation for the new year. It has been decided to place each COLA representative on one of six committees, those being environmental, communication, monitoring, invasive species, policy action, and finance. The monthly meeting will include each committee meeting for 45 minutes and a report provided by each chairman. This will be followed by a program and in conclusion lake reports will be aired.
Programs for the year are:
May 20 – Building lake associations
June 10 – Improving communication
July 8 – Limnology (lake monitoring)
Aug 12 – Annual meeting and workshops
Sept 9 – More influential lake associations
Oct 14 – Invasive species
Meetings are held at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Detroit Lakes beginning at 6:30 p.m.
PONTOON SOCIAL
The third annual pontoon "floaters party" will be held July 10th.
Weather permitting, we’ll plan to meet and tie together in a flotilla of boats somewhere on relatively calm water at the north end of the lake at 5 p.m., exactly where will depend on the wind and its direction. Bring your own beverages and hors d'oeuvres to share - last year's offerings were delicious! Please also bring boat fenders and an anchor.
On July 10th. call Dennis & Ruby Anderson at 573-3502 or Don & Rose Andersen at 573-3690 between 11 a.m. to 1p.m. for an update on where we will meet.
BOOK CLUB
The Bad Medicine Lake Book club met in May at Dave and Alice Hagen’s home and reviewed the book “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien. In June the meeting will be at Ed and Bonnie Stromeier's home, and the book is entitled "Going Rogue" by Sarah Palin. “Sergeant York and the Great War” by Tom Skeyhill is the book for August.
We are a casual group and work best with a leader each month that’s chosen the book for all of us to read. We meet the 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m., skipping July and December, and occasionally change the date to the 4th Thursday.
Please join us if you’d like!
For information call Marlys Johnson,
573-3732
CHAPEL OF THE GOOD CREATION
Everyone is invited to attend the Chapel of the Good Creation for summer non-denominational worship services on Sundays throughout the summer at 11 a.m. Those who gather at Bad Medicine Resort will participate in fellowship and Christian worship led by a group of volunteers. There is no membership requirement, all are welcome.
A Bad Medicine Lake welcome makes for a good day!
Contact Don or Helen at Bad Medicine Resort: Telephone number 218-573-3790 or e-mail Dtschudi@eot.com with questions.
The Chapel is also available for other events.
ITASCA PARK NEW PHONE NUMBERS
Itasca Park has switched telephone service and has new phone numbers, they are:
Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center: 218-699-7251
Douglas Lodge: 218-699-7217
Campground Registration: 218-699-7214
BAD MEDICINE LAKE STATISTICS
Ray Vlasak
Current Level (April 29) – 1599.73 feet, MSL
2009 Range 1599.76 1599.43
2008 Range 1599.32 1598.73
2007 Range 1599.27 1598.69
2006 Range 1599.74 – 1598.53
2010 Ice-out 1599.81 (April 2)
2009 Ice-out 1599.59 (April 24)
2008 Ice-out 1599.05 (May 9)
2007 Ice-out 1598.95 (April 25)
2006 Ice-out 1599.47 (April 13)
Highest Recorded Level 1600.77 July 10, 2002
Ordinary High Water Mark 1594.86
Natural Basin Run-out Elevation 1608.3
The May 11 water level was 1599.87 and I recorded 4.07 inches of rain from April 11 through May 11.
BMLAA WEBSITE www.badmedicinelakeareaassociation.com
All previous newsletters, lake association by-laws, and other information about Bad Medicine Lake are available on this website. The website is maintained by Rusty and Cheryle McFarland.
2010 LAKE DIRECTORY
Help us keep updated information for the Bad Medicine Lake Directory and our mailing list. Call corrections or changes to Jim Luttrell, 573-3411 or email Jim at jalut@arvig.net . BMLAA members receive a directory with each paid membership. Directories can be purchased for $5 from the resorts on the east side of the lake and from Chuck Church or Jim Luttrell on the west side.
TICK-BORNE DISEASES IN MINNESOTA
Spring in Minnesota means ticks!! Wood ticks (American dog ticks) are most common from snowmelt until the 4th of July. Deer ticks (now being called blacklegged ticks) are active from early spring until freeze up in November.
The good news is that wood ticks do not transmit disease to humans.
Also, not all deer ticks carry disease. Only about one-third of deer ticks tested by the Minnesota Department of Health have been positive for disease-causing organisms. Deer ticks can carry Lyme disease, human anaplasmosis, and babesiosis, three illnesses which can lead to severe complications. In 2008 there were approximately 1046 cases of anaplasmosis, and 29 cases of babesiosis.
Deer ticks need to be attached for 24 to 48 hours to transmit Lyme disease bacteria and 12 to 24 hours to transmit human anaplasmosis bacteria. People who develop signs or symptoms of a tick-related illness after spending time in deer tick habitat should see a physician right away, even if they don’t remember getting a tick bite. Lyme disease, human anaplasmosis and babesiosis are treatable. Early diagnosis and treatment are important in preventing severe illness.
Not all people bitten by a deer tick will get Lyme disease. Signs and symptoms that can appear from three to 30 days after a deer tick bite include a skin rash with a bull’s eye appearance (a red ring with a central clearing), although not everyone gets a rash, and not every rash has a central clear area; fevers and chills; muscle and joint pain; fatigue; and headaches. If a person is not treated early for Lyme disease the following signs and symptoms may develop weeks, months or years after the tick bites: multiple rashes, facial paralysis on one side, weakness, numbness or pain in one or more joints, usually in the knees, which may be swollen and painful. Antibiotics are used to treat Lyme disease, but the disease is easiest to treat when diagnosed in the early stages.
Human anaplasmosis and babesiosis are less common than Lyme disease but can be life-threatening. Signs and symptoms of these two diseases are sudden and severe and can include high fever, joint pain on one side of your body, muscle aches, chills, shaking, and severe headache. Your doctor can treat these diseases with antibiotics.
Is it a deer tick? Positive ID of deer ticks is difficult. In general, they are smaller and darker in color than wood ticks.
Here’s a common sense approach.
Starting in April, treat your pants with repellant to help prevent tick problems. The best repellants for ticks contain the active ingredient Permethrin (DEET does not work nearly as well for ticks). Read and follow label directions. Wear
light-colored protective clothing (3M Ultrathon is suggested), tuck pant legs into socks or wear pants with elastic bottoms. Ticks usually hang out in low lying vegetation.
Check for ticks daily after having been out in the field or woods.
To remove a tick:
Locate the tick and remove it as soon as possible because risk of infection
increases between 24 to 72 hours after the tick attaches to the skin. You are
less likely to get sick from a tick bite if you remove the tick within 24 hours.
1. Soak a
cotton ball with rubbing alcohol or use a disposable alcohol wipe. Gently clean
the skin around the tick.
2. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull it straight up and out
with tweezers or with fingertips protected by a tissue, cloth, or rubber gloves.
Do not touch the tick with your bare hands.
3. Pull gently until the tick lets go. Do not twist or jerk the tick suddenly
because this may break off the tick's head or mouth parts. Do not leave any
parts of the tick in the skin.
4. Do not crush or squeeze the tick since its body may be infected with germs.
Flush the tick down the toilet.
Do not put a hot match, petroleum jelly, or fingernail polish on the tick. This
does not cause a tick to come off more easily. Doing this may cause the tick to
vomit (throw up) germs into your skin, exactly what you don't want to happen.
After the tick is removed, clean the area of the bite with rubbing alcohol. Wash
your hands with soap and water.
If you have been bitten by a tick, remove the tick and save it in a medicine bottle or other small container filled with rubbing alcohol. If later you develop any suspicious symptoms; send the tick you saved for positive ID with a $10 lab fee to: Jeffrey Hahn, Extension Professor, U of M Department of Entomology, 236 Hodson Hall, 1980 Folwell Avenue, St Paul, MN 55108. For more information Google these two U of M Fact Sheets written by Jeffrey Hahn: Tick-Borne Diseases in Minnesota and Ticks and Their Control.
This article was adapted from an article by Jeffrey Hahn that appeared in the Minnesota Forestry Association "Minnesota Woodlands" newsletter.
DEER TICK WARNING FROM A RESIDENT OF A NEIGHBORING LAKE
If someone comes to your front door and says they are conducting a survey on deer ticks and ask you to take off your clothes and turn around with your arms up.
DON’T DO IT!!!
It is a scam; they just want to see you naked.
I wish I’d known that yesterday. I feel so stupid…
QUESTIONS FOR THE DNR???
Information about Minnesota’s natural resources, DNR facilities, services, and programs are available on www.dnr.state.mn.us or by calling Toll Free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367).
PRESERVING THE PRISTINE WATERS OF BAD MEDICINE LAKE
John Backes
Tim James, Project Manager of the Water Quality Division, and Bruce Paakh, Water Quality Specialist from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), have agreed to discuss the current research and findings concerning sustaining water quality in lakes such as Bad Medicine. The discussion will take place at the lake association meeting on Saturday, June 19th at 9:00 a.m. at the Forest Township Hall. Tim and Bruce will present information concerning pollutants and the onset of high levels of algae and other factors which decrease water clarity and quality.
Tim Holzkamm, Steve Lindow, and John Backes from the Bad Medicine Lake Area Foundation have been in contact with Dr. Patrick Welle and other researchers from Bemidji State University concerning the design of a long term water quality research study for Bad Medicine Lake. The BSU researchers have recently completed a similar study in March of 2007 of Beauty Lake near the town of Lake George in Hubbard County. In the summers of 2000 and 2004, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitored the water quality of Beauty Lake. The shoreland zone of this lake was completely undeveloped until 1999, when the entire shoreline was platted for residential development with thirty (30) lots. Within one year all of the lots were sold and development began. The Hubbard County Environmental Services Office and the Hubbard Soil and Water Conservation District brought this lake to the attention of the MPCA and requested that these agencies collaborate on the monitoring of the lake. Data from the lake will provide the State and County the opportunity to track changes in water quality, shoreline characteristics, and overall ecology, as a result of the cumulative impacts of development. Funding for a similar study of Bad Medicine Lake may be available through a matching funds grant from the MPCA.
Lake association members are encouraged to attend the annual meeting on June 19th at Forest Township Hall to discuss whether the BMLAA should fund a long term study of the water quality in Bad Medicine Lake.
BAD MEDICINE LAKE AREA FOUNDATION
Ray Vlasak
The Bad Medicine Lake Area Foundation [BMLAF] was established in 2004 under the direction and approval of the Bad Medicine Lake Area Association. The BMLAF is dedicated to protecting and preserving the diverse water and land resources of the lake area for our enjoyment, as well as those who come after us.
The BMLAF consists of a volunteer Board of Bad Medicine Lake Association board members and non-board members who own property in the lake area.
The foundation is a component fund of the West Central Initiative, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit regional foundation.
Currently the foundation is working to complete two Aquatic Management Area (AMA) projects. The east side shoreland preservation project is funded by a Reinvest In Minnesota Grant which matches local cash and land donations dollar for dollar. The MN DNR Fish and Wildlife Division have added $75,000 to the pool of funds available for this $625,500 project. Many of you, recognizing the benefits, have pledged and contributed generously to this project. While funding is nearly complete, more contributions are still needed.
The MN DNR has agreed to completely fund the second AMA project on the west side of the lake with a Legacy Natural Areas and Wildlife Grant. The initial state appraisal on this property contained errors and the MN DNR is currently reevaluating the appraisal. Conclusion of the project is dependent on the DNR.
Both of these projects fulfill the Foundation mission to preserve Bad Medicine Lake and the broader State mission for water quality and wildlife. Natural shore and Best Management Practices on developed shore are widely recognized as essential for maintaining lake water quality. These projects will let property owners and visitors enjoy the recreation aesthetics and tranquility of these places for years to come. Property owners will reap the financial reward of owning quality lake property.
MINNESOTA SEASONAL RECREATIONAL PROPERTY OWNER’S COALITION MSRPO
MSRPO is a non-partisan grass-roots group that advocates for property tax fairness and equity at the Minnesota State Capitol for families that own cabins, lakeshore, hunting shacks, and seasonal property in Minnesota. MSRPO educates legislators, the general public, and property 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 dependent on any level of dollar contribution but on any amount you contribute. Obtain membership information at www.msrpo.org or 952-854-1317. Join today!!!
FIRE NUMBERS
Fire numbers are no longer of any value. They are an obsolete system that is no longer used by any government agency. They serve no purpose and might actually confuse emergency services. If you still have one on your drive, remove and discard. Look at it as beautifying the area. The 911 (blue) address signs are now how everyone finds your property. If you do not have one, contact the Becker County Environmental Office, 218-846-7314. If you share your drive with a neighbor, you need more than one sign.
WAUBUN HIGH SCHOOL: TIME TO IMPROVE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
John Backes
I sat in disbelief at the school board meeting March 18th, 2010, as the administration and board attempted to rationalize being identified as one of the 34 lowest performing schools of the 2637 public schools in Minnesota (i.e., the lowest 1.3% of schools). Minnesota, which will receive a $34 million federal “School Turnaround Grant,” has identified Waubun High School as one of those 34 schools whose students deserve a significantly better education. Waubun High School will potentially receive one million or more federal dollars with a mandate to implement one of the following four improvement models: (1) Closure Model - close the school and send students elsewhere, (2) Restart Model - close the school and reopen as a charter school, (3) Turnaround Model - replace the principal and half of the staff, and set up a new structure of school governance and instructional program, or (4) Transformational Model - extend learning and teacher planning time and replace the principal. At the board meeting, the superintendent and administration had already adopted language that assumed selection of the Transformational Model (essentially continuing the existing program, just more of it).
In discussing how to improve test scores, the high school building administrator suggested using incentives so students would take testing and academics "more seriously"...incentives such as pop and pizza...WHAT??!! With high school test scores historically low and student drop-out rates historically high, I believe District #435 citizens and the federal government expect school restructuring and reform at a higher level than offering students food, parties, or time off from learning. The superficial discussion of rewards itself seems to me to represent a greater fundamental problem in our district.
Educational research literature on turning low-performing schools into high-performing schools (Turnaround Schools) is straightforward and hard-hitting. Identified strategies assume changing the educational system itself, not blaming the students for poor institutional performance. Researched changes associated with Turnaround Schools include:
- Change in administration
- Change in staff
- Refocusing the school climate and culture to one of academic achievement
- Restructuring curriculum, targeting math, science, writing, and reading
- Adopting high expectations and curriculum standards
- Increasing student learning time (time on task) within each day and academic year
- Early identification of student deficiencies and commensurate instruction targeted to address learning needs
- Change from an educational goal of "providing opportunity" to "assuring student success"
According to Minnesota's most recent financial report, the Waubun schools already spend $11,178 per student for instruction (117% of the state average $9,312). Concerned parents and citizens had an opportunity to be part of the discussion when the school district held a public forum on March 30 at the High School commons area. As a result of this forum and numerous administrative and board member discussions, the Waubun board has decided to apply for federal funding to turn around Waubun High School. Superintendent Mitch Anderson has publicly stated that he is not satisfied with current student performance at the high school, and is committed to its improvement.
An outside evaluation team visited Waubun High School in April, and its recommendation for the appropriate improvement model is being considered by the state and local district officials. As the Waubun High School reform takes shape, more information will follow at the June 19th BMLAA meeting at Forest Township Hall, as well as in upcoming newsletters.
Why are we interested? Our real estate taxes are directly affected because Forest Township pays about 20% of the District 435’s levy!!
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BMLAA ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FORM
Annual dues to join the Bad Medicine Lake Area Association are $15 per person. The membership year is January 1 to December 31. Dues must be paid on or by the annual meeting in order to vote.
Member’s Name (s) _________________________________________________________
Lake Address ___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Home Address __________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Lake Phone ______________________ Home Phone _______________________
E-mail Address _________________________________________________________
Dues enclosed ($15 per person). Send Membership Dues to BMLAA, 39124 Horseshoe Rd. Ponsford, MN 56575
SEPTIC COMMITTEE REPORT SPRING 2010
Chuck Church
Last year we sent out a letter asking all of the property owners on the lake to check with the Becker County Zoning Department to find out the status of their septic system and if it did not have a current certificate of compliance, to hire a licensed septic inspector to do an inspection. Implicit in this request for an inspection was to take whatever steps that might be necessary to bring their system into compliance.
To prepare for this program, in 2008 we hired RMB Laboratories to go through Becker County’s septic records and compile a status report for our lake. Here is what they found:
1. There are 236 parcels on our lake, of those parcels, six (2.5%) are owned by the county or the state.
2. 100 parcels (42.4%) had no septic record on file. These could be undeveloped parcels or parcels that had no septic system.
3. Five parcels (2.1%) were non-compliant. The county deemed these systems as failed or non-compliant, and they, presumably, had ten months to bring them into compliance.
4. Nine parcels (3.8%) did not have a certificate of compliance on record. These parcels have a septic system record, but no certificate.
5. 116 parcels (49.2%) have a certificate of compliance on file. Of these 116 certificates of compliance, 74 were older than 10 years and 42 were current.
Note: As of last fall 22 people did voluntary inspections, 20 of these passed and obtained current certificates of compliance. We have no way of knowing, for sure, out of which group the newly certified parcels actually came, so we can not make any absolute assumptions about how these newly compliant systems fit into the aforementioned array, except that we now have 62, instead of 42, current certificates on file.
On April, 26, 2010, I met with Patty Swenson, Director of Becker County Zoning and asked her what we could do as a lake association to: 1. Bring our lake’s septic records up to date. 2. Get all septic systems on our lake to be compliant. She suggested that the easiest way to get our records at the county to accurately reflect the septic status of all parcels would be to hire RMB Laboratories to go into the county’s records and check each parcel against a parcel map of our lake and bring them all up to date. Island Lake is doing exactly this, so two people from RMB have been trained and given permission by Becker County to do this work using the county’s septic records. Note: I have already had one of Patty’s employee’s make a G.I.S. map of our lake with every parcel number on it. If we were to opt to pay someone to update our septic records we could then send out letters requesting our property owners to voluntarily bring their systems into compliance.
She said that we as a lake association do not have the authority to require anyone to seek compliance for, or update, their septic system. She also said that the only way the county can require a septic certificate of compliance, is if a property owner applies for a building permit, land improvement permit, or RV permit. Note: The sale of a piece of property does not require a septic certification of compliance. That issue is between the buyer and the seller and the county does not get involved.
So, that is the rest of the story, septicly speaking, I miss Paul Harvey. Let us talk about this at the annual meeting and decide if and/or how we should proceed.
BMLAA MEMBERSHIP REPORT
Jim Luttrell, Past BMLAA President
When I first became a lake property owner on Bad Medicine in the winter of 1998 I had no idea where to get lake related information. When you are a “newbie” you have to dig out what ever information you want from the neighbors and friends you eventually come to know. Where do I take my garbage? Are there unwritten “lake” rules or etiquette we should follow? What kind of fish are there in the lake? This list goes on and on. Then I attended a Bad Medicine Area Lake Association meeting and found it to be an invaluable source of information and a place where lake issues are discussed and dealt with.
The BMLAA Board has worked very hard in the past years to continually keep members and lake property owners informed about issues and general information related to lake life. Through the BMLAA Newsletter with Rose Andersen as Editor it is readily apparent that we have been successful. Rose is constantly making sure appropriate and useful information is being updated and relayed. We think this has been one of the main ingredients to our success in attracting new members. Here is some history that I think proves this. Though I don’t have exact numbers at my fingertips for 2005 and 2006, here is what has happened. In 2005 the paid members numbered in the 40’s. In 2006 they increased to 50 or 60. In 2007 the first newsletters were sent out and members increased to 108, in 2008 there were 150, and in 2009 we had 160 members by the end of the year. While there are other factors that may have affected the increase, I believe the information provided in the newsletter through her efforts have had a dramatic impact on membership.
The BMLAA is your association. The annual meeting, usually held in June of each year (June 19th this year), is the place to come and discuss and hopefully solve issues affecting us all. I urge you to become involved and become a member. It makes no sense to own valuable property and not be involved or have a vote.
NORTH COUNTRY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Ray Vlasak
The Laurentian Lakes Chapter, North Country Trail Association is responsible for construction and maintenance of the North Country Trail (NCT) from Itasca State Park to the Becker County south boundary, a distance of approximately 65 miles. The complete trail extending from New York to western North Dakota is over 4600 miles long. The trail is a premier footpath on par with the Appalachian Trail.
The BMLAA has been active in the development and support of this National Scenic Trail since the early 90’s. Several Bad Medicine Lake property owners have been and are active volunteers in the local chapter. In addition to construction and maintenance, the chapter sponsors hikes and other social activities. Similar to the Adopt A Highway program, Trail Adopters help with trail maintenance. Chapter hikes are scheduled on the first Saturday of each month and volunteers do trail work every Wednesday. Go to the chapter website www.northcountrytrail.org/llc for a complete schedule of activities.
The next scheduled hike is the National Trails Day Hike on June 5, 1:00 p.m. It will be a guided 4-mile hike beginning at the Old Headquarters (Co. 39) trailhead and ending at the Hwy. 113 trailhead. Shuttles will be provided. It will be followed by a chapter meeting and dinner at Bad Medicine Resort for anyone interested. Watch for an e-mail flyer with details or contact Ray Vlasak, 218-573-3243.
The local NCT is now completely finished north and east from Elbow Lake Rd. to Itasca State Park and further east through the Chippewa National Forest. Construction is now underway south of Elbow Lake Rd. The route has now been defined all the way to Frazee and an Environmental Assessment application submitted. The chapter with Becker County sponsorship has been awarded a $100,000 Legacy Parks and Trails grant (from the 3/8 of 1% MN sales tax) to hire the Minnesota Conservation Corps to assist with construction. In addition, the chapter applied for and was approved for an AmeriCorps crew. This 10-12 person team is scheduled to work for 6 weeks from June 7 to July 16. With these resources the chapter expects to complete trail construction within Becker County in 2012.
Detailed trail information is available at the trailheads, Hwy 113, Old Headquarters (Co. 39), Anchor Matson Forest Trail, and Itasca State Park South Entrance in addition to the website.
BAD MEDICINE LAKE AREA ASSOCIATION