PLEASE READ AND RETURN THE SIGNATURE SECTION BELOW THE PETITION

Why is the Nest Lake Improvement Association circulating this petition again?

 

            The Nest Lake Improvement Association has come to the conclusion that it cannot raise the money necessary to conduct a successful harvesting operation to deal with the curly leaf pond weed infestation.  In order to remove enough weed to make a difference, we need some very expensive equipment including a larger harvester, a transport barge, a conveyor/trailer, a truck and a paid work force.  We have looked at used equipment which would have been a good buy, but we do not have sufficient funds to make the purchases.  Our base of support has increased each year, but it is not sufficient for the operation needed.  We withdrew the last petition, which is identical to this one because we needed more information.  We now have an engineer’s feasibility study and a point intercept study to guide our decisions.  We now need confirmation of your continued support for pursuit of this project.

 

Why harvesting and chemical treatment?

 

            This is not an either/or question.  To deal with our infestation, we will need all the tools available to us.  We are pursuing a grant for chemical treatment as well.  Each control method has its benefits and limitations. 

 

What kind of timeline are we looking at for improvement in our lake?

 

            Realizing that the degradation of our lake has been going on for decades, the problem will not be solved over night.  However, the experience at Sauk Lake shows that significant improvement was accomplished in three years of intensive harvesting.  Maintenance is on going at a far less intensive level.

 

What will it cost me if the project goes forward?

           

            Cost will be determined as part of the study that this petition would initiate.  An appraiser’s or viewer’s report will provide the final determination on who will pay.  This report will be done before the public input hearings.  The cost of the remaining engineer’s study would be paid by the Association if the project does not go forward (See item 13 in the petition).  If the project does go forward, the cost gets rolled into the total project.  The Association Board is committed to using good used equipment, if available, to help contain costs.

 

 

What is the next step?

 

            Once we have enough signatures, the petition will be turned in to the Middle Fork of the Crow River Watershed Board for action.  Our association will post the required bond for the engineering study and cost analysis.  When those reports are complete, public hearings will be conducted before any action can be taken.

 

Board members: Joel Peterson, President 796-0431             

                             Tim Johnson, Vice President 796-5517 

                              Irene Mills, Secretary 796-2967

                              Jean Ruter, Treasurer 796-2611

                              Connie Filley 354-3730 

                               Brian Nelson 796-5507                                           

                              Jeff Johnson 796-0266

                              John Laughlin 796-4065

                              Bob Dice 796-2775

                              Wes Holmberg 796-5107         

                                                          

STATE OF MINNESOTA

MIDDLE FORK CROW RIVER WATERSHED DISTRICT

 

 

 

In Re: Nest Lake Curly Leaf Pondweed Mechanical Harvesting Equipment

Project Petition

 

 

For their petition to the Board of Managers of the Middle Fork River Watershed District, Petitioners state and allege the following:

 

1.       Petitioners are the Nest Lake Improvement Association and property owners around Nest Lake.

 

2.       The proposed project is intended to benefit all properties adjacent to Nest Lake, as well as all properties with deeded access to Nest Lake.

 

3.       The Nest Lake Improvement Association is a volunteer and member based citizen action association organized in 1964 under Chapter 317 of the Minnesota Nonprofit Corporation Act, and with an open application for 501(c)(3) status.

 

4.       The Petitioners have an interest in the basic water management function of the Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District and relies, in varying degrees, on the water resources of the District as source water and a significant natural amenity for its members.

 

5.       The Petitioners recognize the need to manage water quality and quantity within the Middle Fork Crow River Watershed, including the management of invasive aquatic species, in order to balance future economic and social growth with the water and other natural resources found within the watershed.

 

6.       The Nest Lake Improvement Association has worked with mechanical weed harvesting equipment since 1986 to deal with longstanding problems created by nuisance levels of aquatic vegetation; the Association has invested considerable human (volunteer) and economic resources to control the spread of curly-leaf pondweed.     

 

7.       The antiquated equipment the Nest Lake Improvement Association currently possesses is undersized for significant harvesting, is subject to frequent problems and must be replaced.

 

8.       The Petitioners seek to work cooperatively with the District, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and other interested parties in order to form an aggressive curly leaf pondweed program, consisting of mechanical harvesting and chemical treatment as well as surveying and effectiveness monitoring (as presented in the Nest Lake Management Plan).

 

9.       Petitioners believe that establishing a District project is necessary to facilitate the mechanical harvesting part of the Nest Lake curly leaf pondweed program, which is for the benefit of the public and the land and water resources of the region.

 

10.   Petitioners believe that the project should entail the purchase of equipment required for mechanical harvesting of curly leaf pondweed:

 

a.       Mechanical harvester (for cutting curly leaf pondweed);

b.       Transport barge (to transport curly leaf pondweed from harvester to trailer;

c.       Trailer with live bottom (for transportation of harvester and for disposal of curly leaf pondweed at compost site);

d.       Vehicle for trailer transportation; and

e.       Funding for personnel to operate curly leaf pondweed removal program.  

 

11.   Petitioners believe that the project will be conducive to public health, convenience, and welfare by: 

 

a.       Reducing the occurrence of curly leaf pondweed to non-nuisance levels (reduction of the degree and severity of vegetative mats, which hamper boating, fishing and swimming);

b.       Reducing the severity and frequency of nuisance algae blooms as a result of phosphorus release into the water column from decomposing curly leaf pondweed (also a factor in recreational opportunities);

c.       Reducing the degree and severity of anaerobic or anoxic conditions in the lake’s hypolimnion as a result of (b) above (due to impacts on fish populations as a result of depleted dissolved oxygen concentrations); and

d.       Reduce the negative impacts on property values as a result of prolific curly leaf pondweed infestation

 

12.   The actions petitioned as part of this project are consistent with Minnesota Statutes Chapter 103D, the Watershed District’s Watershed Management Plan, and the policies and bylaws of the Nest Lake Improvement Association.

 

13.   Petitioners understand that the cost of the project, including the preliminary costs of project establishment, will be paid according to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 103D and Petitioners agree to be bound by the provisions of the statute.

 

14.   Petitioners request that the Watershed District follow the procedures of Minnesota Statutes Section 103D.705 in establishing the Project.

 

15.  This petition may be executed in counter-parts, which together shall be deemed a complete and conforming petition.

 

 

{The remainder of this page intentionally left blank.}
The signature of the Nest Lake Improvement Association is supported by duly adopted resolution of the Nest Lake Improvement Association governing body, a copy of which is attached to this petition.

 

Dated ______________________                                         

 

 

 

Nest Lake Association                                              

 

 

By _____________________                                     By _____________________

Joel Peterson - President

Irene Mills - Secretary                                                            

  To submit your signature, send the form below to

Nest Lake Improvement Association, Inc.

Post Office Box 42

Spicer, Mn 56288

If you have not paid you dues, you could save a stamp and include that as well.
  The membership form is on the latest newsletter on this site.   Thanks so much!

My signature, below, indicates that I have read, understand, and support the petition to Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District for the establishment of a watershed district project on Nest Lake to facilitate the mechanical harvesting of curly leaf pondweed in Nest Lake.

 

_______________________  _________________________     _____________________

Printed Name                            Address/Property Description        Mailing Address

_______________________  ____________________________

Signature                                  Date

 

 

(new content page)