BAD MEDICINE LAKE AREA FOUNDATION,
BAD MEDICINE LAKE AREA FOUNDATION 2009 ANNUAL REPORT
Tim Holzkamm
The Bad Medicine Lake Area Foundation [BMLAF] was established in 2004 under the direction and approval of the Bad Medicine Lake Area Association. The Bad Medicine Lake Area Foundation 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 Bad Medicine Lake Area Foundation consists of a volunteer Board of Bad Medicine Lake Association board members and non-board members who own property in the lake area. The members of the board during the past year have been: Ray Vlasak, Chuck Church, David Wiest - BMLAA Board Members and Roger Olsen, Tim Holzkamm, John Backes - Property Owners.
The Bad Medicine Lake Area Foundation has been established as a fund of the West Central Initiative, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit regional foundation. The members from Bad Medicine Lake are an Advisory Committee which makes recommendations to the Board of Directors of West Central Initiative concerning projects by the Bad Medicine Lake Area Foundation including fund raising, environmental protection, educational, and promotional activities.
The board has devoted considerable time and energy to organization and the development of projects including:
Working in partnership with the MN DNR the foundation has secured a Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) grant and has applied for Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council funds for the East Side part of the “Bad Medicine Lake Natural Shoreline and Aquatic Habitat Project.” The Larson and Constans properties have already been acquired by foundation board members for the project using their own funds. The DNR anticipates making an offer for the Christiansen Point property in the near future. When completed the project properties will become a state-owned Aquatic Management Area [AMA] and will protect our lake quality.
The foundation has currently raised $209,332.84 in pledges and cash.
In partnership with the MN DNR the foundation has submitted another RIM grant and has applied for Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council funds as part of the Natural Shoreline Project to acquire the Gigstead property on the west side of Bad Medicine Lake to protect that sensitive area as an AMA.
Last summer the foundation assisted in the production of the new lake book “Bad Medicine at the Lake” created by Wayne Gudmundson and his students.
The foundation has arranged informational presentations on maintaining Bad Medicine Lake’s natural shoreline.
The foundation has applied for and secured an MN DNR grant to provide for 80 hours of inspection at the public access this summer to keep invasive aquatic species out of Bad Medicine Lake.
Developed “Welcome Wagon” type information to help acquaint new lakeshore owners with unique characteristics of the area.
The foundation has developed a pamphlet encouraging courteous and proper use of Bad Medicine Lake by visitors which is distributed at the public access.
We are well on the road to protecting our lake area, but still have much to do. BMLAF foundation members and supporters will be contacting members of the lake community to seek contributions and pledges of support for the Shoreline Project. The continuing support of members of the lake area community is vital. Please contact one of the board members if you want to participate in a project or make a donation to help preserve the Bad Medicine Lake area.
The BMLAF still has about 140 copies of “Bad Medicine at the Lake.” They are available from Ray Vlasak for a donation of $25 per copy. Get yours before they are gone!