11-27-2000 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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f * SAVE TWE LAKE November 2000 Dear “Save the Lake" Friend: LAKE MINNETONKA CONSERVATION DISTRICT 18338 MINNETONKA BLVD. DEEPWAVEN. MINNESOTA 553QI TELEr^WONE 952-745-0789 FAX 952-745-9085 WEBSITE: www.lmcd.org McpTiNG NOV 2 7 2000 Cl I t or Ofioivu A I Thirty years ago, Mr. Bob Pilisbury had the vision to establish the annual Save the Lake campaign. A long-time advocate for Lake Minnetonka, Bob died peacefully this past month at the age of 82. We are grateful for the dedication Bob has given to a lake that was so dear to him. As another boating season concludes, the Save the Lake Advisory Committee continues Bob’s legacy of maintaining the recreational needs and environmental integrity of Lake Minnetonka. A key concern of the Committee is preventing the introduction of a second exotic, zebra mussels, into Lake Minnetonka. Unlike our native mussels, zebra mussels attach themselves to any hard surface in the water creating a nuisance affecting boat hulls, dock ladders, rocky beaches, etc. Recently, the MN DNR identified Lake Zumbro near Rochester as the first inland lake infested with zebra mussels. During the 2000 boating season, a billboard and poster campaign project was funded through the Save the Lake Committee to increase public awareness of zebra mussels. Additionally, Save the Lake funding was committed to the Lake Minnetonka Citizens Monitoring Program to check whether veligers, the microscopic immature form of a zebra mussel, are present in Lake Minnetonka. At this time, we are happy to report that veligers were not found in the lake. Other Save the Lake projects funded for the 2000 boating season included: •On-going monitoring of water quality. Hennepin Parks has concluded its sixth season of water quality sampling in various bays on Lake Minnetonka. This is becoming a valuable database v/ith past results available at the District office. •Complementing the efforts of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Water Patrol. The purchase of public safety equipment to enhance the rescue efforts of the Water Patrol has been an annual project. A new project under consideration of the Save the Lake Committee is to partially fund an increase in Water Patrol presence for the 2001 boating season. •Promoting shoreline planting to prevent erosion and Improve water quality. An on-site demonstration workshop was held at Long Lake on September 9'*’. This workshop highlighted shoreline restoration techniques that are beneficial in preventing erosion and improving water quality. •Promoting boat safety. In April, the Minnetonka Power Squadron conducted a community education class titled “BoatsmarT. Those youth that successfully completed this safety course, v/hich was designed for 12-17 year olds, satisfied the MN DNR’s education requirements for a watercraft operator's permit. You can make a difference now with a year-end tax deductible to the Save the Lake fund. The Save the Lake Committee continues to work with other agencies to combine resources and expertise to best suit the needs of Lake Minnetonka. We appreciate your past support and welcome your suggestions on improving life on Lake Minnetonka. Sincerely. Liii McMillan, Chair 30 ”' Annual Save the Lake Campaign Douglas Babcock, Chair Lake Minnetonka Conservation District Save the Lake is a non-p>rofit fund investing in programs which benefit the environmental and recreational needs of Lake AAinnetonka