Lake Chemung Riparian Newsletter-- May 2006 

**** THE HERON***

2006 4^th OF JULY BOAT PARADE THEME IS TROPICAL....

Think Caribbean, Hawaiian, Jamaican ---Anything from Sombreros to Hula skirts to Dreadlocks or something in between.

Last year’s prizes included towing tubes from Wilson Marine and Wonderland Marine, TW Friends dinner gift certificate, Cleary’s Sunday Brunch certificate, Buffalo Wild Wings gift certificates, Great Escape certificates, and even a bottle of rum.

This year the prizes will be just as great or even better!   We are always looking for donations to this fun cause.

Outside of the theme awards, there’s always an award for the most patriotic and we’ll have one for the most unique too.

Beginning this year, the first prize winner will also be awarded a bragging cup which will be engraved and kept for one year until the next parade. 

The Himichs in Sunrise Park won first place for best Pirate ship last year.

We’ve heard your suggestions and we are starting the parade later in the day-- 1:00 pm on the 4^th of July Tuesday.

Email sunbumz@comcast.net for more information or call Laura at 517-545-5741

Send us your email address for up to the minute news related to alerts and updates

WEED CONTROL HISTORY AND UPDATE....

• Petition signatures supporting a Special Assessment District (SAD) to fund a chemical weed control program on the lake were turned in to Genoa Township in October 2002.
• Genoa Township's tax assessor verified that 54.8 % of the residents from around the lake signed the petitions to create the SAD.  The township approved the project to proceed.
• On January 6, 2003, the Genoa Township board approved a resolution to create a SAD to fund Lake Chemung's weed control project.  The first of two (2) required public hearings was held at the Genoa Township Hall on February 3, 2003.  The second of the two (2) required public hearings was held on Monday March 17, 2003 at the Genoa Township Hall.  The township passed a resolution to create the SAD at the March 17th meeting.  Residential properties will be taxed approximately $85/year to fund the project.  The tax will be assessed yearly (in the amount of $85/year) for five years.  Commercial properties in the SAD will be taxed a larger dollar amount based upon their front footage on the lake and the number of parcels owned.
• During the spring/summer 2003, the lake was treated with two applications of fluridone (to treat for Eurasian Water milfoil) and one localized application of copper sulfate to treat for algae.
• The year 2004 program addressed control of chara, Curly Leaf Pondweed, and filamentous algae.  A lake survey was completed in late May 2004 and Copper Sulfate (to treat the chara and filamentous algae) and Aquathol-K (to treat the Curly Leaf Pondweed) were applied to the lake in early June 2004. Lake surveys were performed on several occasions throughout the summer 2004 and chemicals were applied to the lake as needed.
• The Lake Chemung Weed Management Program was expanded in 2005 to include a contract for weed harvesting as an optional weed control method.  The program was also expanded to include an investigation of the surface water drains that empty into the lake to determine if they are having a negative impact on the lake's water quality, and, if so, to propose work that could feasibly be done to correct problems.
• Lake Chemung applied to the DEQ for their 2005 herbicide application permit in December 2004 and the permit was issued.
• Two chemical treatments were done in the lake, one in May and the other in June 2005, and weed harvesting was done in Mid-July 2005.
• 2006-Aqua Weed Control submitted an application to treat the lake with herbicides to the DEQ in December 2005.  The DEQ is in receipt of the application and the application is awaiting review. 
• March 2006 Lake Manager Paul Hausler from Progressive AE provided Lake Chemung Project Journal to lake residents attending the meeting at Chemung Hills Golf Clubhouse.                                                                                
• Focus in 2006 is maintenance and will include addressing targeted areas with problematic chara.  2006 weed harvesting will be subject to close scrutiny from or
• 2006 weed harvesting will be subject to close scrutiny from lake residents and better communication with contractor.  Comments can be registered with Paul Hausler 616-361-2664.

2^ND ANNUAL LCRA BENEFIT GOLF OUTING....   

Saturday September 9, 2006 1:00 pm at Chemung Hills Golf Course

• Four Person Scramble: $85.00 per person includes 18 holes, golf cart,  dinner, soda, water and/or domestic beer.    

• We are shooting for a shotgun or modified shotgun start. 

• Proceeds will go to Lake Chemung Riparian Scholarship Fund.    Our first golf outing last fall was a great success and a lot of fun. 

Our heartfelt thanks to:

DID YOU KNOW?

·        It is Illegal to Pump Water out of the lake without a permit from the DEQ...  

If you observe any company entering the DNR boat launch and pumping water from the lake into a tanker truck, immediately telephone 1-800-292-7800 (the DNR's Report All Poaching Hotline) and request the help of a Conservation Officer.

·        Reduce the phosphorus level in your lawn care products and you can reduce algae blooms??  Here is some information on phosphorus taken from the MN department of Agriculture:

Phosphorus is one of the most troublesome pollutants in storm water runoff. Phosphorus comes from many sources, and it is the primary cause of water quality problems in lakes and streams.

Everything that is or was living contains phosphorus. It is in leaves. It is in lawn clippings. It is in animal wastes. It is an ingredient in most lawn fertilizers. It is even attached to soil. When leaves, lawn clippings, animal wastes, fertilizers, and soil are picked up by storm water runoff and are carried directly to our local lakes and streams, they provide the lakes with excess phosphorus. This excess phosphorus causes increased algae growth.

Algae are small green plants that live in lakes and streams. Increased algae growth is observed as green algae blooms or “scums” on lakes. Too much algae is harmful to a lake system. It blocks sunlight and prevents other plants from growing. When it dies and decays, it also takes much needed oxygen away from fish.

Limiting phosphorus reduces algae blooms....

You can reduce the amount of phosphorus entering a lake or stream by:

1. Keeping your leaves and lawn clippings out of the streets and gutters. Leaves and lawn clippings are a major source of phosphorus. When they are swept or washed into the nearest street or storm sewer, they end up in your local lake or stream. Keeping your leaves and lawn clippings out of the streets and gutters will have significant benefits for your local lake or stream.  Never rake leaves into the lake and limit burning near the lake shore.
2. Applying only the amount of fertilizer your lawn needs. A soil test will tell you how much-if any-fertilizer your lawn needs. Excess fertilizer may harm your lawn or pollute surface water. Fertilizer applied to your streets or sidewalks will get into the nearest lake or stream. Phosphorus from fertilizers can cause algae blooms. Use only low-phosphorus or phosphorus-free fertilizers.
3. Control  soil erosion around your house. When soil is left bare, rain water will run quickly over it. The moving water picks up soil particles. These soil particles have phosphorus attached to them. Some soils are high in phosphorus and are another source of phosphorus in storm water runoff. The soil in storm water runoff will end up in your local lake or stream and contribute to algae growth.

This is our annual Lake Chemung Riparian Association newsletter “The Heron”, which is mailed to all of our neighbors who own property on or have deeded access to the lake. 

Due to the costs  and labor associated with printing, mailing and managing the mailing address list, our newsletter is only mailed once a year.

Send us your email address and we’ll keep you informed with up to the minute events, lost pet alerts, and lake items for sale or what you seek.

We also distribute flyers as needed to remind you of important events.  Don’t have internet access?  Please contact any of the below officers to see what’s happening.

Meetings are held 10 times a year the first Thursday of the month except in July and January. Presently the meetings are held at Chemung Hills Golf Course at 7:00 pm but it’s a good idea to call above to confirm location.
 

 Do you like what you see?

We encourage you to become a member of the Lake Chemung Riparian Association.  Annual membership is $15.00 which runs from September to August 31 of each year. 

Membership Form

Your membership helps to support activities such as lake wide water quality monitoring, weed control program oversight, development and distribution of educational materials, conference attendance, social events with your neighbors, the LCRA's annual scholarship award, and other LCRA sponsored events such as the newsletter, lake wide garage sale and boat parade.

We are always looking for new ways to meet the needs and requests of our neighbors and we welcome your input.

LAKE CHEMUNG RIPARIAN ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP....

EACH YEAR THE LCRA MAKES AVAILABLE A SCHOLARSHIP TO AN ELIGIBLE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT.  THIS YEAR,  A $1,000 AWARD WAS OFFERED.

TO QUALIFY:

Student must have a 3.5 or above overall grade point average

Student must have completed at least two courses in either environmental science, one of the natural sciences (geology, earth science, biology) or chemistry as part of their high school curriculum;

Student must be accepted for full time admission to the college of their choice and the college information must be included on the application.

Student must complete an application and do one of the following:

• Option 1--Complete 30 hours of volunteer service doing work somehow related to Lake Chemung or beneficial to the immediate community;  OR             

• Option 2--Complete a project that is beneficial to Lake Chemung.

There were no applicants meeting the requirements in 2006 therefore no scholarship was awarded.  The funds will be held over and offered again in 2007.

Just in time for the summer!! 

Newly designed drink coolers for 2006

Five Colors:  Navy Blue, Teal, Burgundy, Purple, Forest Green,

Price....$3.00 individually OR $10.00 for Four Koozies...

Available at Pete's Party Store & Wilson Marine  OR contact Gail at 517-546-4688

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