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Public Hearing on the Future of Lac Courte Oreilles

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comment on a rule currently under development that would establish a site-specific criterion for phosphorus for Lac Courte Oreilles, a lake in Sawyer County. Phosphorus is the driving factor behind the exploding aquatic plant growth, algae blooms, poorer water quality, and ruinous damage to the lake's cold water fishery. The rule would revise the lake’s phosphorus criterion (SSC) from 15 μg/L to 10 μg/L to protect the lake’s cold water fishery. This rule is similar to an earlier version of the rule proposed for Lac Courte Oreilles in 2019 that was rejected by the Natural Resources Board in a tie vote.

After a contentious two years of refusing to leave the NRB board after his term had expired, board chairman Fred Prehn has finally resigned. This puts COLA in a much better position to finally prevail in our long struggle for a more protective phosphorus standard.

The Department is holding a public comment period and public hearing on the proposed rule. Materials for review are available on the DNR's Proposed Permanent Administrative Rules webpage under rule number WY-21-20.
 

The LCO lakes really need your personal involvement!


A public hearing with both in-person and virtual options will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, January 23, 2023, at the Hayward DNR office, 16133 Nursery Rd., Hayward, WI, 54843. Participants may also join virtually using the following information:

The public is encouraged to submit comments regarding this decision. Submit comments by Jan. 30, 2023 to:
Department of Natural Resources
C/O Kristi Minahan, WY/3
101 S. Webster St., PO Box 7921
Madison WI, 53707
Kristi.Minahan@wisconsin.gov or DNRAdministrativeRulesComments@wisconsin.gov

Here are some possible talking points when you compose your comments.

Voyages of the Eco-Beast

The Eco-Beast has been hard at work since mid-June. First stop, Musky Bay for curly-leaf pondweed, then on to those sites with the most Eurasian watermilfoil - Chicago Bay, Anchor Bay, and now it is in Little LCO. The Eco-Beast is much improved from last year, and multiple trailer loads of plants have been hauled away from the lakes. The volunteer effort has been outstanding. Still some issues - mechanical glitches and the need for even more volunteers. The low lake level has made it difficult to get the Eco-Beast into and out of the water. The trailer has been modified to make it a little easier. Much remains to be done, and it is clear that herbicides will be needed for 2023. Maps of AIS locations are being made and updated for treatment next year.

COLA Launches its Year-End Campaign - Preserving the the Legacy of Lac Courte Oreilles

The combined cost of controlling invasive plants and the ongoing scientific work to protect the water quality of the lakes from phosphorus pollution will be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Each of us has a stake in maintaining the water quality of Lac Courte Oreilles. It is imperative that everyone become a Partner in protecting the lakes by contributing money for COLA’s operations. Just the minimal donation of $100 from the approximate 650 property owners on the lake would generate $65,000. So please consider a donation. (More information about the State of the Lakes in 2021.)

Natural History Field Trip Programs - Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College’s Extension Program

For the month of September we have two natural history field trip programs planned for the general public, courtesy of the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College’s Extension Program. Please note that the date for the Hawk Ridge trip has changed from the earlier field trip overview. Also, the felsenmeer trip will depart at 9:00 a.m. and involves traversing some very rugged uneven ground, so flip-flops or heels are NOT recommended! J  The trips are as follows:

Saturday September 18th:  Hawk Ridge from 10:00 a.m. until approximately 5:30 p.m.

If birds of prey fascinate you, then you and your binoculars will want to join us at Hawk Ridge by Duluth as we observe these remarkable birds during the best time of day at the very peak of their migration.  Most raptors prefer not to cross large bodies of water, so they get funneled around Lake Superior at this point.  Twenty species of raptors and vultures occur there, including the rare peregrine falcon and gyrfalcon.  Some nest as far north as the arctic and winter as far as South America.  A naturalist will be on site to help answer questions.      

Saturday September 25th:  The Blue Hills Felsenmeer from 9:00 a.m. until approximately 5:00 p.m.

Hiking the Blue Hills Felsenmeer, a State Scientific & Natural Area, is the closest thing to being in the alpine zone!  Cold air emanates from the pink quartzite talus all summer long, sustaining a lichen & moss community normally found much farther north.  We will hike down what is locally known as the "box canyon", a magical fern-enveloped cleft and come back up the base of the felsenmeer, which means "sea of rock". Every member of the family able to hike on rocks will enjoy the incredible scenery, interesting plant life, and geological features of this special place. This hike is not recommended for people with mobility issues.  

 Although lunch will be provided, you will need to pack it in. If it is raining the trip will be postponed until Saturday, October 23rd.

 We will meet at the main entrance in front of the LCO College. The field trip programs are sponsored by the Extension Department at no cost to the participants. This includes registration, the tasty bag lunch, and transportation in the college’s new touring van. Working closely with the college’s Covid Coordinator, we have concluded that the field trips can proceed in a relatively safe manner, altho there is of course always a slight element of risk to those who remain unvaccinated. Once the van fills, you can carpool or follow us in your own vehicle. Please feel free to bring the entire family to enjoy Nature and learn more about its wonders. Hawk Ridge is handicapped-accessible. Please make sure that you register ahead of time at this link: https://forms.gle/aZYbm8vauJbp2sqv7,  or if you have questions contact Cali Quaderer-Cuddy, LCO College Extension Program Coordinator, at cquaderer@Lco.edu, phone 715-634-4790 ext. 137. 

 Hope to see you there!  

 Mike   

Gov. Evers Announces Two Appointments to the Natural Resources Board

Gov. Tony Evers announced two new appointments to the Natural Resources Board, including Sandra Dee "Sandy" E. Naas of Ashland and Sharon Adams of Milwaukee. These appointments fill the vacancies created by the expiring terms of Dr. Frederick Prehn and Julie Anderson on May 1, 2021.

“Here in Wisconsin, our state and our economy—from our sporting heritage to fishing and boating to outdoor recreation—depend on preserving and protecting our natural resources. The Natural Resources Board is a critical partner in preserving this tradition, conserving our natural resources for future generations, and ensuring the growth and success of our state's economy,” said Gov. Evers. “I'm excited to appoint Sandy and Sharon who understand the vast and valuable natural resources Wisconsin holds and are ready to advocate on behalf of our land and water, our sporting heritage, and the health and wellness of our people and our wildlife.”

Naas has more than 30 years of experience related to conservation and currently serves as an Agriculture and Natural Resources Instructor and FFA advisor at Ashland High School. She is also the owner and primary Natural Resources Scientist at Stable Solutions, an environmental consulting firm in Ashland. Currently, she is the chair of the Bayfield County Conservation Congress and vice-chair of the Bayfield County Deer Advisory. Prior to these positions she also worked as a Soil and Water Scientist at JZ Environmental and held the position of County Conservationist at the Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas and Iron, and Adams County Land and Water Conservation Departments. Naas is an avid hunter and angler, and a certified trapper education instructor.

Adams founded the Walnut Way Conservation Corporation with her husband in 2000. Walnut Way is a community development organization dedicated to economically diverse and environmentally sustainable neighborhoods. In this role, she fostered initiatives to implement stormwater management, demonstrate healthy urban food production, and introduce 4-H programming. She retired in 2015 and formed HN Development to inspire real estate development in historically disinvested neighborhoods. She has also served as a board advisor for the UW-Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and has advised the city of Milwaukee on policy issues impacting natural resources.

View From Your Dock - Survey Results

The "View From Your Dock" survey was a great success. The response rate was about 24%, which is really good in these days of constant requests for on-line feedback.

But what was most impressive was the thought put to answering the survey's questions coupled with the emotion expressed in the comments. The full report is provided here, so take a look yourself. It’s obvious that we belong to a dedicated and thoughtful community, and the Lac Courte Oreilles lakes can look forward to a bright future.

High Winds and Turbulent Water Have Created Loose Mats of Uprooted Aquatic Plants

A number of people around the lake have seen large volumes of aquatic plants roll up onto their shores in the past several days. Most of the reports are coming from areas in Chicago Bay, and from first appearances, most of the plants seem to be the native northern milfoil.

This same phenomenon took place last summer when strong winds and waves tore up aquatic plants deposited them in piles on the eastern basin shores at the mouth of Barbertown Bay.

Northern milfoil and other native aquatic plants are occupying areas where they have not been observed before (e.g., sand bar at entrance to Musky Bay, small bay near Ashland point, south side of Wismo Point), and the density of all aquatic plants is increasing with time. This is the classic result of increasing phosphorus load to the lake.  
 
Unfortunately, some have reported that COLA and the new Eco-Harvester are to blame for the floating mats of milfoil.

Fact check: COLA's Eco-Harvester has not been built yet - it will be purchased and delivered early next Spring. COLA is not involved in any machine-harvesting nor cutting of aquatic plants on Lac Courte Oreilles.  
 
If you have any questions, please contact COLA. Please report any odd observations on the LCO Lakes using COLA's Lake Observation forms.

Thanks for your help.

The Eco-Harvester is Funded

The Eco-Harvester funding campaign began last fall, and the LCO Foundation received nearly $38,000 in donations. After the LCO Tribe joined the effort by providing $25,000 this spring, COLA ramped up the effort, and, within a short period, we reached the $100,000 goal.

A large number of both COLA members and NON-members quickly, generously, responded and donated. Donations ranged from modest to very generous, and what is so great about that is just that…people supporting COLA as they can because they know it is the most involved, dedicated organization working to save these two lakes, protect these two lakes.  

The Eco Beast will make its debut in 2021. COLA will spend the remainder of 2020 working with the manufacturer to create a machine best suited to LCO's conditions. We will also be recruiting and training operators so that the ECO Beast will be ready to go when and where needed next year.

A Message from Max Wolter, WDNR Fisheries Biologist, on How COVID Might Impact Fishing

Hey folks, 
 
Lots of questions about how COVID might impact fishing this season. Please see the attached FAQ, as it might answer a lot of questions people have. If you have questions beyond what is covered here, I would be happy to help track down that answer. 
 
The basic message is one you are likely used to hearing by now in other aspects of life with COVID: be smart, be safe, practice social distancing. Fortunately, fishing is designated as an essential activity and it’s one where social distancing is very possible. It may require some changes to how we move about and socialize while fishing, at least for the time being. 
 
I hope everyone has a great opener weekend. The weather is going to be fantastic and the fish have no idea there’s a pandemic going on. I think you’ll find them to be just as cooperative as normal if you are able to get out. Take care,
 
P Max H. Wolter 
Fisheries Biologist 
Hayward Service Center 
Bureau of Fisheries Management 
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 
phone:      (715) 634-7429 
fax:        (715) 634-9232 
e-mail:     Max.wolter@wisconsin.gov