In this issue:
[Spring 2008]
President's Report to Members - President's Page
Spring Meeting Agenda - Meetings Page
SCLF By-Laws - up to date
Useful Links - Links Page
Star Home Project -
see Editor's Page
SCLF Gets DNR Grant
for Aquatic Invasive Species Signs
In January the Sawyer County Lakes Forum applied to the Department of Natural Resources for an Aquatic Invasive Species grant and we are pleased to report that our application was approved. The cost share grant ( 75% DNR/25% SCLF ) is for a project to buy 10 permanent signs that can be installed at boat ramps, along roadsides, at boat dealers, etc. The signs are 2 x 5 feet and carry the message “Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers” - see the picture below of one installed. Also, 3 portable “sandwich board” signs will be purchased and made available to lake associations and other groups.
The signs and all materials needed for installation will be made available free of charge to any group or individual who is willing to install them in an appropriate location. The group or individual will have to obtain and pay for any necessary sign permit - $25.
The signs will be on display at our spring meeting May 10 at the Comfort Suites 9:00AM. Also, we are working with the Sawyer County Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator, Kristy Maki, on the project. If you are interested in obtaining one of the signs contact Kristy at 634 - 6463 or send an e-mail to her at the address given below:
invasives@sawyercountygov.org
New pier rules have been announced!
To see the details click on the link below.[Use the back arrow in your browser to return to this page.][You have to have Adobe Reader or another .pdf file reader to see this.]
Clean Boats, Clean Waters Workshop
Lake volunteers are working to prevent the spread!
April 28, 2008; Volunteers across Wisconsin are preparing to meet aquatic invasive species head-on. This spring, volunteers will take a frontline defense against aquatic invasives by participating in the Clean Boats, Clean Waters Watercraft Inspection program. Trained volunteers will be staffed at boat landings to instruct boaters on how and where invasive species are most likely to hitch a ride into water bodies and how to perform watercraft inspections.
Sawyer County Land and Water Conservation Department will host a Clean Boats, Clean Waters workshop at the Sawyer County Courthouse on May 17th. The training workshop will be held from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. There is no cost to attend the workshop, but for a fee of $25.00 volunteers will be given a handbook and a resource kit that contains educational materials, a DVD, invasive species identification cards, watercraft inspection stickers, and T-shirts that can be worn during the watercraft inspections.
According to Erin Henegar, Aquatic Invasive Species Volunteer Coordinator, the training and resource materials provided in the workshop will help volunteers organize and conduct a boater education program in their community. By performing boat and trailer checks, distributing informational brochures, and collecting suspect specimens, volunteers can make a difference in preventing the spread of invasive species.
“I believe this is only the tip of the iceberg for volunteer efforts in preventing invasive species spread,” said Julia Solomon, Aquatic Invasives Education Specialist. “With more communities involved in protecting lake quality, I predict there will be more resource kits and workshops planned for other parts of the state.”
For reservations and directions, contact Kristy Maki at 634-6463 or by e-mail at invasives@sawyercountygov.org. Registration is limited to 25 participants, so call early!
For more information about the Star Home Project, go to the Editor's Page and click on the link there.
Star Home Ambassador Training
The first training session for Star Home Ambassadors that was scheduled last fall but postponed has been rescheduled. We will meet at Grindstone Shallows Park off Poplar Avenue at 3:00 p.m. on May 24. Dale Olson will cover practices endorsed by Sawyer County for being a good lake steward, provide handouts to be used in reviewing properties, and review current zoning and DNR ordinances. Neighboring property owners have kindly given their permission for visits, so dress for the weather and a little walking. All persons interested are invited to attend.
After training, attendees will be forwarded names of lakeshore property owners in their area requesting a site visit.
Sign up for Training
In order to prepare materials and notify people in case of weather cancellations, we urge you to confirm with the Land and Water Conservation Department at (715) 634-6463 or conservation@sawyercountygov.org.
Directions to Grindstone Shallows Park: From County Highway K, go North one mile on Post Avenue, then turn left (East) on Poplar Avenue and continue for approximately 0.3 miles. The park is on the left.