President's letter to WI DNR
This is a letter in support of the Bayfield Regional Conservancy’s Callahan Lake Protection Project sent to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources after a unamious board vote. The letter will be presetned to the members at the Fall Meeting in September.
A copy of the letter can be see here .
Spring 2011 President's letter to all Lake Associations
As issues are addressed this year, the Sawyer County Lakes Forum believes that an individual can make a difference, but collaboration with lake associations, countywide forums and regional waters organizations can further result in significant and enduring accomplishments.
Following numerous public hearings, at which Sawyer County Lakes Forum board members gave testimony, the Wisconsin legislature adopted revisions to NR151 requiring farmers to implement best management practices to reduce phosphorus runoff. These revisions also tighten up requirements for containing urban runoff, including that caused by construction. These rules go hand-in-hand with addressing point pollution under NR217, which creates numeric limits on phosphorus discharges from industry and municipal wastewater treatment plants.
Funding from Wisconsin’s Lake Planning Grant Program has granted $3,000.00 for the Sawyer County Lakes Forum Newsletter. The purpose of this project is to produce a countywide educational newsletter about proper use and protection of county waterways, and to be free and distributed throughout Sawyer County. The goals include increased awareness about aquatic invasive species, and awareness of lake issues, resources and opportunities to better use and protect county waters.
In January of this year a citizens committee was formed by the Sawyer County Lakes Forum to propose to the County a revised Shoreland Zoning Ordinance to comply with the new NR115. The committee used the work of the previous Zoning Administrator as a template in order to clarify or put in place current departmental policies as have been approved by the Zoning Committee but not included in the former ordinance. Each section of the 40 page ordinance was reviewed and issues were resolved in a document that was presented to the Zoning and Conservation Committee on February 4, 2011. It was accepted, forwarded to the DNR for review before public hearings and final County Board action.
The Fourth Annual Meeting of the Northwest Wisconsin Waters Consortium will be held beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Northwood School in Minong prior to the start of the Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference Friday June 24, 2011. Issues and proposals on the agenda will be sent out for consideration to representatives of the counties of our region. During the opening ceremonies, the Northwest Wisconsin Waters Consortium will again present awards to lake associations for outstanding newsletters and websites.
The Sawyer County Lakes Forum is committed to maintaining communication with lake associations, their newsletter editors and board officers as well as through articles published in the Sawyer County Record. Martin Hanson, our new webmaster, is a member of the Round Lake Property Owners Association and numerous professional engineering organizations. He is the current webmaster for several professional organizations and other non-profit organizations. Although he claims to not be a professional web designer, he has taken several courses in web site programming. The Forum is pleased to have his ability and services. You will find regular updates and information on the Sawyer County Lakes Forum website: sawyercountylakesforum.org.
SCLF will appreciate your ideas for action, suggestions for programs, requests for assistance and information, and comments as to what is happening on your lake or river.
Sawyer County Lake Forum open meetings are as follows:
- Regular 2011 Spring Board Meeting: Thursday, April 21, 10 a.m. at Hunter Town Hall
- Annual 2011 Spring Meeting: Saturday, May 14, 9 a.m. at Comfort Suites, Hayward
- Regular 2011 Summer Board Meeting: Thursday, July 14, 10 a.m. at Round Lake Town Hall Annual 2011 Fall Meeting: Saturday, September 17, 9 a.m. at Comfort Suites, Hayward
- Regular 2011 Fall Board Meeting: Thursday, November 10, 10 a.m. at Bass Lake Town Hall
If you have questions or requests please contact Waldo Asp, president 354-7450; Mary Ann Churchill, vice president 462-9140; Tom Rehfeldt, secretary/treasurer 634-9898; Cris Jeffords 945-3085; Phil Nies 634-2920; Dan Tyrolt 634-2353; Al Reinemann 462-3272; Paul Schwister 462-4440; Bruce Meyers, past president 462-4119; and, web master, Martin Hanson crown192br@charter.net.
Thank you for your consideration.
Waldo Asp, President
Sawyer County Lakes Forum
