Accomplishments /
Annual Plan
An Update from Your Forest Lake Lake Association
Founded in 2007 as a non-profit organization, the mission
of the Forest Lake Lake Association is to build an expanding, sustainable
entity of caring individuals to Promote, Protect, and Conserve the natural
resource that is Forest Lake for future generations. To date, the Lake Association has
accomplished the following:
January 15, 2012
2012 Membership
Dues and Lake Improvement Plan/Calender
Dear Friends of the Lake,
In the next few days we will be sending a request for your 2012, $40 membership dues.
Since we are a 501(C) (3) non profit organization your donation is tax deductible. Please pay your
dues promptly since the 2012 lake improvement plan /event calender (listed
below) is entirely dependent on your financial support. If you think about it,
I know you will agree that the $40 is a
small price to pay to help protect the property investment you have made in the
lake.
‘’Keep the Lake Clean’’ Ice Signage: Signs requesting winter users of the lake to take trash with
them will again be posted at all public accesses.
Annual Ice Clean Up (March 10th or 17th) : This will be
the 5th annual clean up with a complimentary barbecue to follow.
Annual Meeting( April 17th): The annual meeting will
review Association accomplishments /plans and lake issues. The guest speaker
will be Steve McComas, President of Blue Water Science , Inc who will
discuss a study assessing
our CLP treatment program as well as discuss plans to assess to what
extent Forest Lake will support Zebra
Mussels propagation.
Invasive Species Weed Management Program
A. Herbicide management of Curly Leaf Pondweed(CLP)…DNR
approved and monitored
1. Early May: Steve McComas of Blue Water Science,Inc.
will assess which beds of CLP should be treated to prevent prolific growth ( up
to 170 acres on Lakes 1,2 and 3). The
$1500 cost of the assessment will be funded by the CL-FL Watershed
District( WSD).
2. Mid May: Treatment of 170 acres of CLP at a cost of
$37,000. Funding : $25,000 by the City and $12,000 by the FLLA.
3. June: Aquatic plant Survey point intercept study will
be conducted by Blue Water Science to determine the types and population of
lake vegetation:both natural and invasive. This study is required by the DNR
every 5 years for lakes where invasive
weed species are herbicide controlled. The
$3000 cost will be funded by the
WSD.
B. Weed Harvesting :
The City and FLLA will again work together to provide weed harvesting to
maintain
paths to open water for lake channels , bay entrances and
public launches. FLLA to donate $2000 to
the city for harvester maintenance.
Zebra Mussel Prevention Program( April –Sept):
Boat Launch Inspection/Education Program: The FLLA (
$1500) and the WSD ( $4500) will jointly provide funds and apply for a matching
grant program from the DNR. If we win a grant ( as we did last year) , it will
provide 800 hours of boat inspections/ education for Zebra Mussels and invasive vegetation
species such as milfoil. If we don’t win
a grant , we will buy as many inspection hours as we have joint funds.
Zebra Mussel Assessment Study and Rapid Response Program
for Forest Lake: The WSD will fund the $1500 cost of the program to be
conducted by Blue Water Science ,Inc
Spring Boat Clean Up and Fundraiser(May 12th or 19th):
The FLLA will sponsor a boat clean up ( steam clean/ extract carpeting) as a service to our members and as a fund
raiser.
Wine Tasting –Food Pairing Fund Raiser (June !st): This
popular , fun event will be held as part of this years
Lakefest”. Plan to attend our major fund raiser
Reduction in Algae Blooms /Improved Water Clarity:
Untreated storm water is a major contribitor of phosphorus contamination in
Forest Lake. Phosphorus supports algae blooms and reduces water clarity. This
year we will begin to work with the City to have them start rectifying direct
water runoff into the lake via culverts and drainage ditches as part of their
Storm Water Pollution Management Plan written in 2007. The WSD is providing
grants to Cities of up to $50,000/yr for such storm water runoff management projects. This represents a major
step in improving our lake water clarity.
Lake Monitoring for DNR records( April –October): The
FLLA will again provide volunteers to take lake readings/ water samples( every
two weeks for seven months) for the
DNR to track water quality/ clarity on
Lakes 1,2 and 3 of Forest Lake. This data is key in order to begin to qualify
for lake grants.
Maintaining and Building Relationships: A primary and
important role of the Association is to build and maintain favorable relationships
and represent you on issues impacting the lake or lake property. Over the past
4 years we have worked and continue to work closely with the City , DNR,
Watershed District, Mn Waters , other lake associations, local papers and key vendors . This has made a significant
difference in our effectiveness in working toward our organization mission of
safeguarding and improving the lake for future generations.
Thank you for your ongoing financial support.
FLLA Board of Directors
Steve Schmaltz, President
651-777-5277
We need your help to continue making an impact on issues
concerning
Forest Lake.
Membership: More
members will strengthen our efforts.
Membership dues fund projects and help us communicate with our members
and the community. The more members we
have, the stronger our voice and the more we can accomplish! Anyone who uses the lake is welcome to join.
Membership dues are $40 for a Standard Membership or
$150 for a Business Membership.
Click on the “Membership” tab on the left to register
on-line.
Volunteer: The
Lake Association has formed several committees to address specific areas of
concern and importance to Forest Lake.
If you are interested in volunteering, please let us know on the
registration form or click on “Contact Us”.
