Big Sandy Area Lakes Watershed Management Project

Big Sandy Area Lakes Watershed Management Project Executive Council & Technical Team Meeting Minutes January 11, 2017

Attendance: Jim Carlson, Big Sandy Lake Assn; Ray Gurske, Tamarack River Watershed Team; Barb Dahl, Carlton Co SWCD Supervisor; Tamryn Frauenshuh, Army Corps of Engineers, Big Sandy; Merritt Linzie, Prairie Lake Improvement Association; Gary Peterson, Carlton County Commissioner; Bill Pratt, Aitkin Co. Commissioner; Al Rinta, Tamarack; Carmen Rinta, Tamarack; Janet Smude, Aitkin Co SWCD; Frank Turnock, Aitkin County SWCD Supervisor; Sharon Zelazny, Mayor of Cromwell, Island Lake.

1. The meeting was called to order at 2:35 pm. Introductions were made. The agenda was approved as presented. M/S/C Merritt Linzie / Carmen Rinta.

2. Guest Presentation - US Army Corps of Engineers, Big Sandy Lake Recreation Area: Tamryn Frauenshuh from the Big Sandy Lake Recreation Area joined the group to share information about the US Army Corp of Engineers. The Corp was established in 1775 and has several missions including Civil Works, Emergency Services, Recreation, Sustainability Work, and Research & Development. Dams were created for navigation purposes. The Big Sandy Lake Dam was put into operation in 1895. The dam is 109’ in length. Big Sandy Lake is drawn down 2 feet over the winter months to allow for the capture of spring runoff. The Big Sandy Recreation Area hosts approximately 33,000 visitors each year. Staff conducts outreach and education activities, mainly dealing with water safety. Other activities include hosting an AIS boat launch inspector, hosting the Big Sandy Water Institute, participating in the Rice Lake Refuge Family Fun Day, and working with the “Every Kids in a Park” program for 4th grade students. Tamryn was thanked for joining the meeting and sharing this interesting information. Opportunities to work together on future projects and objectives will be sought.

3. The November meeting minutes were reviewed and approved as presented. M/S/C Al Rinta / Merritt Linzie.

4. A financial report for the months of November and December was shared. Expenses totaled $ 2,026.77 from the EPA Section 319 Grant. Funds were spent to reimburse the Aitkin County SWCD for staff time and materials spent on implementation of the grant in the second half of 2016. The report was approved as presented. M/S/C Merritt Linzie / Ray Gurske.

5. Old Business: 5.1. Watershed Wide Newsletter : Janet Smude shared that she has a goal of getting the spring newsletter out in March, before the bulk mailing permit expires. Merritt Linzie and Carmen Rinta agreed to review articles before they are printed. Pat Rath and Dianne Knoben have helped with this in the past and will be asked to help again.

5.2. 2017 Aitkin County AIS Grant Application: An application for $ 4,756 was submitted to this committee. Funding was requested for AIS themed placemats and reusable grocery / tote bags. Thanks was given to Carmen Rinta, Dianne Knoben, and Barb Dahl who assisted with developing the application. We should hear before the end of January if the application is approved.

5.3. Smith Cost Share Project Updates: This project on Big Sandy Lake has been completed. The project included a filter strip near the road, a buffer strip near the lake, a dry creek bed, and a rain garden. The group review the project summary and approved reimbursement to the landowner of $ 1,467 M/S/C Jim Carlton /Merritt Linzie. 5.4. AIS Fishing Tackle Box Distribution: Ideas for distribution of these tackle boxes, purchased in 2016, were discussed. Bruce Rengall is the McGregor teacher who takes kids ice fishing. He should be contacted. The Big Sandy Water Institute has two days of fishing, with 30 to 40 kids participating each day. Lori Wester should be asked in Cromwell. The Rice Lake Refuge Family Fun Day also includes fishing. These opportunities will be followed up on.

5.5. Potential Sources of Cost Share Funding / Project Assistance: Janet Smude shared that there are several landowners who have expressed an interest in cost share projects – Specifically the Erickson’s on Prairie Lake. Additional funding may be needed. Potential sources of cost share funding were discussed. BWSR Community Partners Grant: The application for the FY 17 Grant was not funded by the Board of Water and Soil Resources. The Aitkin County SWCD has a FY 15 Grant that still has a bit of cost share funding. The BSALWMP may be eligible to use these funds. Enbridge Eco-Footprint Grant: This program is accepting application until the end of January. Steve Hughes is submitting an application for shoreline stabilization projects. We may be able to tap into this if it is awarded. EPA Section 319 Grant(s): There is $ 3,447 remaining in the grant we currently have. This program is also accepting new applications until the end of January. A new application could only fund projects – it could not include education funds. The group discussed the options and decided not to pursue any new applications right now. Sources to help the Erickson’s will be sought, including financial and engineering assistance from South St. Louis County SWCD. Information on this project will be shared with Merritt Linzie.

6. New Business: 6.1. Reporting – EPA Section 319 Grant: Janet Smude will be working on the Semi-Annual Report for the EPA Section 319 Grant. Logs of volunteer time spent on watershed activities are requested.

7. Working Session: 7.1. Sub Watershed Project Reports: 7.1.1. SWHIM: No report was shared. 7.1.2. Sandy Lake: Jim Carlson shared that there is a vintage snowmobile run on the lake this weekend. Snowmobile traffic seems to be down this year. The lake level is being drawn down. 7.1.3. Sandy River: No report was available. 7.1.4. Tamarack River: This Group will begin meeting again in the early spring. 7.1.5. Prairie Lake / River: The Prairie Lake Improvement Association has been investing in beaver control. Nineteen beavers have been trapped for just over $ 1,000. Fur prices are low – there are not many trappers. The black dots noticed in Round Lake were mentioned to Rick Bruesewitz with the Mn DNR. He thought they might be mystery snails or potentially zebra mussels. It is unlikely they are zebra mussels given the sandy lake bottom. The DNR might be following up on this report.

7.2. New Project Submissions: There were no new project submissions.

8. Agenda Additions: The group discussed beaver control further. Representative Mike Sundin is introducing a bill addressing nuisance animal control. This is still in question. The Association of Minnesota Counties may not be in support. Townships are removing beavers impacting roads. Water flow in ditches seems to invite beaver and beaver problems. Elimination of ditches could help with the problem. The correct way to approach this is a challenge.

9. The next meeting will be held on February 8th at 2:30 pm at the Cromwell Park Pavilion, if the meeting room is available. The meeting adjourned at 4:00 pm. M/S Merritt Linzie / Ray Gurske .