Shields Lake Project

Dear Friends of the Lake;

One of the major contributors of phosphorus to Forest Lake is from Shield's Lake which is right next to the Forest Hills Golf course.  

Attached is an invite for you and your neighbors to attend an open house to better understand  this exciting project and what it will do to improve Forest Lake. 

Phosphorus is one of the major contributors to algae growth and water quality.  This project when completed will have a great impact on improving Forest Lake. This is an exciting project and one we should all support.

I hope you able to attend.

Thank you

Jerry Grundtner - President

Changed date for treatment Flowering Rush

Please note that the treatment date has been changed to the week of August 20th due to several reasons.

PUBLIC NOTICE: Flowering Rush Herbicide Treatment on Forest Lake, Round 2 of 2

Forest Lake - The Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District, in conjunction with the City of Forest Lake, Forest Lake Lake Association, Washington County, and MN Department of Natural Resources, will be conducting the second of two rounds of aquatic invasive species herbicide treatment of flowering rush on Forest Lake during the week of August 20th. The herbicide that will be used is called Tribune (active ingredient is Diquat) and will be applied by the licensed applicator company, PLM Lake and Land Management Corp. PLM will treat patches of flowering rush in Forest Lake's middle (2nd lake) and east (3rd lake) basins. Signs will be posted along the shoreline as necessary, but due to the large span of the treatment areas throughout the lake, it is not time-efficient for PLM to post signs on each and every lot. There are no fishing or swimming restrictions for this treatment. Additional water use restriction information can be found on page 11 of the Tribune product label (see restrictions for application rate of 2 gallons/surface acre) link here: Tribune product label.

Signatures for aquatic invasive plant treatments are not required for the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has waived the signature requirement, as allowed by state statute. The law requires notification to lakeshore owners on how to opt-out of treatments. According to Minnesota Statutes (103G.615, Sec. 78, Subd 3a,b,c), the District is required to notify landowners of proposed treatments, offering them an opportunity to request that treatment not occur on waters adjacent to their property. (Adjacency is defined as waters within 150 feet of the shore lake-ward between property lines). It is the landowner's right to request treatment not be performed in front of their property. Contact the District using the information below to opt out.

Additional notifications for this year's treatment program were sent out earlier this summer. These included a post-card that was mailed to all residents on Forest Lake, handouts distributed by watercraft inspectors at public boat launches, posting in the Forest Lake Times, and an informational email by the Forest Lake Lake Association.

Those who wish to opt out of treatment may do so by contacting:

Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District

44 Lake Street South, Suite A

Forest Lake, MN 55025

(651) 395-5850

info@clflwd.org

Jerry Grundtner - President

Flowering Rush Herbicide Treatment

PUBLIC NOTICE: Flowering Rush Herbicide Treatment on Forest Lake, Round 2 of 2

Forest Lake - The Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District, in conjunction with the City of Forest Lake, Forest Lake Lake Association, Washington County, and MN Department of Natural Resources, will be conducting the second of two rounds of aquatic invasive species herbicide treatment of flowering rush on Forest Lake during the week of August 13th. The herbicide that will be used is called Tribune (active ingredient is Diquat) and will be applied by the licensed applicator company, PLM Lake and Land Management Corp. PLM will treat patches of flowering rush in Forest Lake's middle (2nd lake) and east (3rd lake) basins. Signs will be posted along the shoreline as necessary, but due to the large span of the treatment areas throughout the lake, it is not time-efficient for PLM to post signs on each and every lot. There are no fishing or swimming restrictions for this treatment. Additional water use restriction information can be found on page 11 of the Tribune product label (see restrictions for application rate of 2 gallons/surface acre) link here: Tribune product label.

Signatures for aquatic invasive plant treatments are not required for the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has waived the signature requirement, as allowed by state statute. The law requires notification to lakeshore owners on how to opt-out of treatments. According to Minnesota Statutes (103G.615, Sec. 78, Subd 3a,b,c), the District is required to notify landowners of proposed treatments, offering them an opportunity to request that treatment not occur on waters adjacent to their property. (Adjacency is defined as waters within 150 feet of the shore lake-ward between property lines). It is the landowner's right to request treatment not be performed in front of their property. Contact the District using the information below to opt out.

Additional notifications for this year's treatment program were sent out earlier this summer. These included a post-card that was mailed to all residents on Forest Lake, handouts distributed by watercraft inspectors at public boat launches, posting in the Forest Lake Times, and an informational email by the Forest Lake Lake Association.

Those who wish to opt out of treatment may do so by contacting:

Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District

44 Lake Street South, Suite A

Forest Lake, MN 55025

(651) 395-5850

info@clflwd.org

Jerry Grundtner - President

Weed Harvester Operation

Dear Friends of the Lake;

We have had several inquiries about the weed harvester. The weed harvester is being operated and maintained by the City of Forest Lake with the FLLA paying for both the running and maintenance of the harvester. In years past the harvester was run by volunteers of the FLLA. However in the last few years it became increasingly hard to find enough volunteers to operate the harvester enough so we are now paying the city to run the harvester 3-4 days a week. We have found this to be efficient and cost effective.

This year has been a heavy weed growth year and the harvester has been working since after July 4th. So far the harvester has removed over 130 tons of weeds or about 13 large dump truck loads. The weeds are being transported to a compost site for disposal.

The FLLA is required to have a DNR permit that only allows cutting of native weeds in designated areas around the lake. Generally we can only cut in navigation channels and those areas that have had heavy documented weed growth for several years. The weed harvester cannot cut weeds not in the designated areas according to the DNR permit.

More importantly the weed harvester cannot cut in areas where there is any AIS and therefore we are only cutting native weeds.

Not cutting AIS is one of the critical aspects that that must be strictly adhered to in order to not spread AIS. The weed harvester will continue operating into August and hopefully will help many of you.

If you have any questions regarding this please contact me.

Jerry Grundtner - President

URGENT NOTICE ON BBQ CHANGE

Dear Friends of the Lake; With the impending rain and wind this afternoon we have decided to move our Free BBQ today.  We were supposed to be at Lakeside Memorial Park but we are moving the BBQ to the Forest Lake Floral Garden Center. The BBQ will be from 5:30 -7:30 PM. We will be set up inside the green house area. This will offer us a great venue which will be dry and out of the wind and have beautiful flowers too. We look forward to seeing you and enjoying some great socializing and fabulous food from Famous Daves. Forest Lake Board of Directors

Reminder 3rd Annual Free BBQ

Dear Friends of the Lake; This is a reminder that the 3rd annual Forest Lake Lake Association Free Annual BBQ will be held on Thursday, July 19th from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. The BBQ will be held at Lakeside Memorial Park. This Free BBQ is open to all FLLA members and their families. Famous Dave's Pulled Pork and Pulled Chicken Sandwiches along with sides, drinks and dessert will be served. This is the 3rd Annual BBQ and we hope you are able to attend to enjoy some great food, socialize with other FLLA members and have a meal out of the house. We have a great and vibrant membership and this is a way to say Thank you for your support and membership. See you on the 19th. Sincerely Jerry Grundtner - President

Pontoon Boat Tie-Up

Dear Friends of the Lake;

This is another reminder and further information on the pontoon boat tie-up that is happening on July 15th in conjunction with the power boat races on Forest Lake. The tie-up will be on 1st lake and we will start tieing up at 2:30 PM. We will be tied-up just outside the race boundaries in the designated safe area but will have great viewing of the races. The races actually start at 3:00 Pm on the 15th.

The center of the tie-up will be a 38'-0" pontoon barge that Twin City Dock has just acquired and we will tie both directions from the barge. Please see the picture below. Look for the barge when you come out to 1st lake.

Make sure you bring something to drink and plan on a great time watching the races and socializing with fellow FLLA members.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to e-mail the FLLA.

Sincerely

Jerry Grundtner - President

Lake Advisory: Lake 2 Fluorescent Green Algae Blobs

Dear Friends of the Lake: During the past several weeks, strange fluorescent green algae blobs have been showing up in Lake 2 in large numbers. We contacted well known lake consultant Steve McMcomas (Blue Science Inc.) to help identify the problem and here is what his assessment is: "Those fluorescent green globs are filamentous algae.  The species in 2nd lake is a non-toxic green algal species.  It has a slimy gel-like appearance.  It is going to be around for most of the summer. Occasionally it will rise to the surface and float as well." "This is a natural outcome of slightly improving water clarity. Nutrient (phosphorus) pulses are not the probable cause.  This type of algae growth will likely occur in the future and in some years may be worse than other years.  Zebra mussels are clearing the water allowing better sunlight penetration which stimulates the algae growth. The algal cysts have been present in all 3 basins for decades, and will grow when all the right conditions come together.  Sounds like conditions are favorable in 2nd lake." "The algae is harmless.  It can be treated with copper sulfate, but is difficult to control and will pop up some place else.  The life cycle is about 60 days.  It will likely be gone by August." Hope this explanation was helpful. Forest Lake Lake Association Board Steve Schmaltz, Board Member

Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Sale!

Rain Barrels and Compost Bins Limited offer: Order by June 25 for pick-up in Forest Lake $20 Discount for Washington County residents Save water and reduce runoff with a 45-gal rain barrel ($59 with discount). Reduce landfill waste and create free fertilizer for your gardens with a 125-gal compost bin ($44 with discount). To order: 1. Go to Recycle MN for product information and scroll down to Washington County to purchase. Enter promo code "Washington" to receive the discount. 2. After completing your purchase, email  angie.hong@mnwcd.org to request pick-up in Forest Lake. 3. Collect your order on June 26: 5-9pm at Forest Lake "Arts in the Park" (East Metro Water tent) - or - June 27-29, July 2, 3, 5, 6: 8am-5pm at the Comfort Lake - Forest Lake Watershed District office (44 Lake St. S.) * Proof of residency required. Limit two rain barrels and two compost bins per household. Orders placed after June 25 can be picked up at the Washington County Environmental Center (4039 Cottage Grove Drive · Woodbury, MN). For more info and resources, go to  Washington County.

Exciting FLLA News June 2018

Dear Friends of the Lake;

I thought I would give you an update on some exciting developments that the FLLA has agreed to do and which will hopefully benefit all of you as members of the FLLA and users of the lake.

First, at our last FLLA board meeting it was approved to contribute $3,800 toward getting lights on the buoys between 1st and 2nd lakes and 2nd and 3rd lakes. For those of you that are on the lake at night it is impossible to find those channels in the dark. The buoys are provided by Washington County and installed by the sheriff department. The county told us they do not have the budget to get lights on the buoys so our contribution to the sheriff department will provide the funds to purchase the lights. We will have a much safer lake at night once the lights are installed sometime in July.

Second, the board also approved an expenditure of $4,600 to add 4 more sections approximately 48'-0" to the public dock at lakeside park. For those of you that have docked there in the past there is never enough dock space for all of the boats that want to use that dock. Adding 4 more sections may not eliminate that issue but it will help. I hope you enjoy the new docking space.

Third, The FLLA was asked if we wanted to be the recipient of the proceeds from the annual Powerboat race that happens each year on 1st lake. The board agreed that we would be willing to do that and after much discussion it was also agreed that our annual pontoon boat tie up that was scheduled to happen on June 23rd will be rescheduled for July 15th which will be the last day of the races and we will have the tie up on 1st lake and watch the races. More details to follow.

I want to remind you that our free annual BBQ will be held on July 19th at Lakeside Park from 5:30 PM - -7:30 PM. This is free to our members and your families. Famous Dave's will be served so please mark your calendars and come and enjoy some great food and visit with other FLLA members. More details to follow.

Summer is always a busy time. The FLLA board hopes you all enjoy the lake this summer and be safe on the water.

Sincerely

Jerry Grundtner, President

Job Opportunity - Watercraft Inspector

Dear Friends of the Lake,

If you are looking for a part-time job this summer and enjoy being outdoors and want to help the lake then consider the job that the Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District has as a watercraft inspector. click here for job information

Please see the attachment for the job description and information on how to apply. This is a great job if you are retired or if you know someone in college or between jobs or just want a part-time job.

The WSD is having a difficult time finding enough inspectors. If there are not enough inspectors the tremendous job that has been done in the past in controlling AIS and inspecting boats may not be accomplished in 2018 so please consider this job opportunity.

The watercraft inspectors on Forest Lake are essential to the overall well-being of the lake and help control AIS in the lake. We have many species of AIS in Forest Lake but we also need to keep any other AIS out of the lake. There are other species of AIS that we do not have. Some of these other species are worse than what we currently have so the effort of the boat inspectors is critical.

If you are interested or if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the WSD.

Thank you

Jerry Grundtner, President

2018 FLLA Annual Meeting PowerPoint

Scroll down to view the 2018 Forest Lake Lake Association Annual Meeting PowerPoint. 

Or you can CLICK HERE to download a pdf version