2013-06-05 P & R Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

watersheds and lakes. I contacted every legislator in the House and Senate trying to educate them. Luckily, the Bill failed. Would anyone help watch for problems or violations? If anyone sees a problem or violation or issue, it should be reported to the relevant agency. Would anyone help with a program like Sustaining Lakes in a Changing Environment (SLICE)? The DNR chose Peltier Lake as part of its SLICE program doing extra aquatic plant and other sampling and monitoring. Peltier Lake was chosen as 1 of 24 sentinel lakes for the project to monitor possible climate change factors. I spent 2 years and about 40 hours helping in this program. Would anyone be interested in becoming a Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer? I went through this program to learn more about the environment and volunteer for more environmental activities. It requires $250 or so and many weeks of training from the DNR and University of Minnesota. See www .minnesotamastematuralist.or . A Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer then donates 40 hours or more to the community. As part of my keystone project, I created a Great Blue Heron display at the Wargo Nature Center. Go check it out. Would anyone help with stream monitoring and participate in the Stream Health Evaluation Project (SHEP)? This project captures and analyzes macro invertebrates (water bugs) from streams in the watershed, above and below Peltier Lake. By identifying the aquatic bug species, stream health is gauged. Stoneflies, for example, show good water quality. We have yet to find any stoneflies in any of our creeks. Every year, I spend 8 -10 hours in new training, 15 -20 hours in field work and 15 -25 hours in lab work. Would anyone help with Sandhill Crane counts at Carlos Avery in the spring? Every year, on one designated day in the spring, I get up about 3:30am, travel to a designated location (in Carlos Avery for example) and listen and look at a designated time to count Sandhill Cranes. I fill out paper work which is input to a national count. 4. WHAT YOU CAN DO Support the Rice Creek Watershed District in its efforts to improve the watershed and Peltier Lake in particular. Support the TMDL. If you use fertilizer, make sure it has Zero phosphorus, the middle number, e.g. 10 -0 -10. If you have a septic system, make sure it is in good order and nothing is getting to the lake. If you live on the lake, establish a buffer of native or stable plants on your shoreline to reduce erosion, phosphorus and sediment entering the lake. Don't mow next to the lake or a wetland. Mowing next to a lake or wetland increases phosphorus and sediment. Motor slowly in shallow water to avoid disturbing the sediments. Keep and do not disturb as many native aquatic plants as possible. A progression from invasive to native plant communities seems to be in progress. Because Eurasian Watermilfoil is not causing any problems, and because it has potential to absorb nutrients, consider keeping these as well. In winter, avoid dumping dirty snow into the lake or wetlands. Construct raingardens to reduce runoff and aid infiltration into the ground. White Bear Lake levels appear to be lowering because the aquifers are declining. Adding raingardens helps to recharge aquifers by reducing water running off to the Mississippi and the Ocean. Volunteer, see IMPORTANT QUESTIONS and OTHER QUESTIONS.