CLA Annual Meeting Is August 13

The 30th Annual Meeting of the Cullen Lakes Association will be held during the late afternoon of Saturday, August 13 at the Nisswa American Legion.  

Registration and the opportunity to mingle with other CLA members and view exhibits begin at 4 p.m.  The annual business meeting will begin at 4:30 and will include time for member questions and comments.  A social time will follow the business meeting and a buffet dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.  Pre-paid reservations are required for the dinner.  Meeting announcements with a dinner reservation form were mailed to all members on July 7.  

The business meeting will include an overview of the Cullen Lakes’ curlyleaf pondweed (clp) control project given by Patrick Selter, vice president of PLM Land and Lake Management Corp.  CLA is in the third year of its five year contract with PLM to control clp in the Cullen Lakes.  Also, a special presentation will be made on the history of the Cullen Lakes and its residents.  An “open mike” time during the meeting will allow members to share their stories as well.  CLA will also present the 2011 Lake Friendly Shoreline Awards.  When this newsletter went to press, no one had yet applied for the 2011 Most Improved Shoreline Award, so it likely will not be awarded this year.   

At registration, attendees will receive a booklet with 2011 financial information and reports from the CLA committees.  Members will be asked to approve the 2012 budget and elect candidates to the Board of Directors.  In addition, member input will be sought as to the timing and format of future Annual Meetings. 

Your attendance and participation in the Annual Meeting are encouraged.  If you did not receive the mailing and wish to attend the dinner, please contact Carol Lindahl at 218-963-9806 for a registration form.  No reservations are needed for the business meeting or to view the exhibits. 

Spring, 2011 Curlyleaf Pondweed Treatment 

As you undoubtedly know, the lake association is in its third year of working to control curlyleaf pondweed (clp) in the three Cullen Lakes.  This is an on-going project with varying results from year to year, due to variations in weather conditions from fall through the early spring treatment time frame.  

CLA has been able to work to control this aquatic invasive species (AIS) thanks to the over 200 Cullen Lakes property owners who have generously donated more than $100,000 to help fund the project.

In 2009, the first year of the CLP control project, 40 % of Lower Cullen’s 512 acres, 7 % of Middle Cullen’s 382 acres, and 12 % of Upper Cullen’s 435 acres were treated with Aquathol K to control this invasive nuisance plant.  In 2010 the acreage in Lower Cullen that needed treatment dropped to 20.61 acres, in Middle Cullen 6 acres were treated, and in Upper Cullen, where more CLP was found during the spring survey, 18.73 acres were treated.  This year Lower Cullen had 29.3 acres treated and 18.73 acres were treated in Upper Cullen.  Middle Cullen was not able to be treated this spring because the CLP was not growing enough by the time the DNR permit ran out on May 31.  The northeast bay of Upper Cullen was not treated for the same reason.

The CLA Invasive Species Committee will be working with both the DNR and CLA’s contracted treatment company to find a solution that will allow the slower growing clp in Upper and Middle Cullen to be treated in future years in a way that won’t harm native vegetation. 

July 4th Boat Parades
It is great to have all three Cullen Lakes sharing in the fun of a boat parade and everyone in the parade seemed to be enjoying themselves, which is what it is all about!  Thanks to the residents on each lake for organizing themselves into a parade for those on shore to enjoy, too.

Well Testing for Nitrates  at Crow Wing County Fair

In conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Crow Wing County Land Services will be hosting a free nitrate testing clinic at the Crow Wing County Fair on August 3‐5, 2011. Nitrates are the most common contaminant found in Minnesota’s groundwater and experts recommend that private well owners test their drinking water regularly. 

To participate, homeowners are asked to bring at least one‐half cup of water in a clean plastic or glass container. Samples should be taken after running the tap for 5 to 10 minutes and brought to the fair for testing within 24 hours of taking the sample (keep refrigerated).  Samples will be analyzed on the spot. The process usually takes less than five minutes and the results are given directly to the homeowner.

Keeping the Family Cabin Without Tearing the Family Apart

by Jennifer Schaefer, MN Waters Membership Coordinator

If you live in Minnesota, chances are you’ve enjoyed the cabin experience. For many, the family cabin has been a source of cherished memories and traditions as well as a safe haven to retreat to for rest, relaxation and reflection. Whether it’s a small rustic cabin, a luxurious second home, or something in between, the cabin is a place that owners want to preserve for future generations.

Now that cabin season is here, take the time to think about your family cabin’s future. Do you have a plan in place for the management and operation of the cabin if you should become incapacitated or pass away?

Planning for your cabin’s legacy should not be taken lightly. While you may hope your family will continue to always get along, don’t assume that this will always be the case. Without adequate planning, various taxes and family disagreements can destroy the future enjoyment of the family cabin. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to cabin succession planning. It is a complex process with numerous issues to consider and the family’s goals and personal relationships will influence the ultimate decisions to be made.

However, by consulting with an expert in cabin succession planning and with careful consideration on your part, a planning process can keep generations of family memories intact and protect the family cabin. There are a number of resources available to cabin owners in regard to this form of advanced Estate Planning, such as software, guidebooks and professionals with legal or financial expertise. Minnesota Waters does not endorse or recommend any products, processes or services. Although, a quick internet search for “cabin succession planning” can get you off to a great start by yielding a bounty of results. Tip: The more specific your search, the fewer number of results. Seek out and utilize these resources to understand the challenges and come up with concrete solutions.

Leave a legacy for existing and future generations!

Currents on the Cullens

Deaths:  Ken Hirschey, Lower Cullen (L115)

  Malcolm Johnson, Lower Cullen (L54) Associate Member

Shoreland Campfire Ashes

Almost everyone enjoys good conversation sitting around a campfire.  However, when that campfire is close to the lake it involves a little more attention than the average campfire.  

For campfires along the shore, be sure to use a fire pit to contain the ashes.  After enjoying the campfire and when the ashes are cold, shovel out the ashes and dispose of them inland, well away from the lake.  This will prevent phosphorus from the ashes from seeping into the lake.

An overabundance of phosphorus stimulates an overgrowth of algae and aquatic plants which, after they die and decompose, will cause a premature buildup of muck on the lake bottom.

Membership Update

As of July 22, membership in the Cullen Lakes Association stood at 241, 238 of which are paid members and three of which are Complimentary Members (new property owners on the lakes).  Of the paid members, 22 are Associate Members, meaning they are a former lakeshore property owners, a property owner in the lakes’ watershed, or a family member of a lakeshore property owner.

If your name is highlighted on the mailing address of this newsletter, you are someone who was a paid member in 2010 but you have not yet paid your $25 dues for 2011.  CLA encourages you to join again this year.  Simply send a check for $25, made out to CLA, to:

CLA Membership

P.O. Box 466

Nisswa, MN 56468

SHORELAND TRANSITION ZONE  EXPO ’11

SATURDAY,  AUGUST 13,  2011 

 Deep Portage Learning Center   (Just off Hwy. 46 east of Hackensack)
                                   

8:30 – 9:00 AM         Sign-In   (Pre-registration by Aug. 7 required)                

9:00 – 9:50 AM         Opening General Session

Update on Invasive Species in north Central Minnesota

Presenter:  Kelly Condiff, Cass County ESD       

10:00 – noon             Workshops  - Choose from among information-packed “How-To-Do-It” Sessions including:

*Creating and Maintaining A Shoreland Transition Zone 

*Selecting the Right Plants for Challenging   Shoreland Sites  (e.g., ice ridges, wetlands) 

  *Rain Gardens and Barrels for Controlling Storm Water Run Off     

12:15 – 1:00 PM         Lunch and Exhibits

1:00 – 2:00 PM          Workshops  - Choose between:

      *Techniques for Planting Native Flora for Best Results     

       *Self-guided Tour of Shoreland Transition Zone Projects

To reserve your spot, call Jack Fitzgerald at 218-682-2941 or Deep Portage at 218-682-2325

Fee:  $15/person or $25/couple for the day, payable at sign-in.  Fee includes presentation, workshops and lunch. 

Sponsored by the Cass County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation, Deep Portage Learning Center, and Cass County ESD.  Partially funded by a grant from the Cass County Soil and Water Conservation District.               

Crow Wing County Land Services Department Develops a Landscaping for Stormwater Packet

Crow Wing County recently developed a Landscaping for Stormwater packet to assist landowners in developing a stormwater management plan for their property. 

Included in the packet are example plans, an impervious surface coverage calculation worksheet, a best management practices (BMPs) handout on stormwater/ erosion control practices, and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) factsheet. 

This packet is available on the Environmental Services page of the County website at: www.co.crow-wing.mn.us.  If you have trouble accessing the packet, contact Mitch Brinks, Crow Wing County Water Protection Specialist, at 218-824-1128 (office) or 218-820-9502 (cell).  Below is an excerpt from the FAQs.

What is stormwater?

Stormwater is rain water than does not soak into the ground during a precipitation event and typically runs off from surfaces such as roofs, driveways, sidewalks, patios, and lawns into nearby receiving water bodies. It is a concern because of the volume of water that flows into the receiving water as well as the pollutants and nutrients that flush into these waters causing a decrease in water quality.

Loon Found Dead on Lower Cullen Shoreline

Thursday morning, June 30, a resident on the north shore of Lower Cullen Lake found a dead adult loon washed up on his shoreline.  It appeared to have a broken wing and other injuries consistent with having been hit by a boat or jet ski.

This is a reminder and a plea to all who are boating on the lakes to pay attention to the whereabouts of wildlife and to give the loons an especially wide berth.  Other birds and ducks can quickly take flight in the face of danger, but since it takes them a long time to get airborne loons can only dive to get out of the way.

Fortunately for the single baby loon of the Lower Cullen west end pair, the dead loon was not one of its parents.

from the president’s pen

Reflections from a Beaver Lodge

by Ann Beaver

I hope you all have been able to enjoy your time at the lake so far this summer, in spite of the crazy variations in weather we’ve had.  I am really enjoying the sunny, warm (but not hot) days of this last week in July.  This newsletter issue’s column has no theme but is rather a potpourri of thoughts, both my own and those suggested by the CLA Board of Directors for inclusion.

*If you are not going to be able to attend this year’s Annual Meeting on August 13 and are part of a family with a long history on the Cullen Lakes, I encourage you to send me, via email or U.S. mail, your family’s story of your years on the lake, complete with photos if possible.  I would be more than happy to share your information with CLA members during the family history portion of the meeting and to include it in future newsletters.  I know there are many families that have at least 50 years of history on the Cullen Lakes.  It would be fun to hear about them!

*You may have wondered what the difference is between the lake association’s chemical treatment of aquatic vegetation and that of an individual lakeshore property owner.  This difference has an important, direct relationship to why the northeast bay of Upper Cullen and all of Middle Cullen were not treated this year for curlyleaf pondweed (clp).  

The permit issued to CLA for treatment of clp expires on a specific date (usually in mid May but May 31 this year, due to the late ice out), a date deemed by the DNR to be the last day when such treatment will not have an adverse effect on native aquatic vegetation.  CLA’s chemical treatment is thus targeted to killing only clp in areas where spring surveys find it to be fairly abundant.  Unfortunately, the clp in Middle Cullen, in the northeast bay of Upper Cullen, and in a few Lower Cullen sites had not yet begun to grow enough to be found in the spring survey.  Even though we knew where it grew last year, it wasn’t evident there yet this spring.  By the time it had grown enough to be surveyed, CLA could no longer have it treated because to do so would have also killed the native vegetation, vegetation that is needed for the continued health of the lakes and their fish and wildlife.

The DNR does issue permits to individual lakeshore property owners to remove/kill aquatic vegetation throughout the summer, but such permits are limited to 2500 square feet in total area treated and to 50 feet along the shoreline or 1/2 the lake frontage of the property, whichever is less.  The treatment area is limited because the chemicals used will kill all the vegetation in the area.  The downside to killing all the aquatic plants is that with no native vegetation the area is prone to being invaded by non-native species such as curlyleaf pondweed in future years. 

*If you want to keep up on the latest news of the loons on the three Cullen Lakes, visit the CLA web site -- www.cullenlakes.org --  and click on “Wildlife Sightings” on the Lakes Page.  If you have your own wildlife sightings to share, simply email them to sightings@cullenlakes.org  .

*On July 25 Greg and Carol Lindahl and I attended a workshop on setting up an aquatic invasive species (AIS) monitoring program on a lake.  We will report what we learned to the Board of Directors and the Board will determine if this is a program it wants to organize for the three Cullen Lakes.  I’ll include more about it in the fall newsletter.

*The permission form you all signed in 2009 that allowed CLA to treat curlyleaf pondweed (clp) within 100 feet of your shoreline expires at the end of this year.  It was a three-year authorization.  The DNR now requires the authorization to be annual, so this fall through next spring we will be asking for written authorization from those of you whose property is found or known to have clp off its shoreline.  This will be a labor intensive effort, so please help lessen the work by responding when you are first contacted.  If CLA doesn’t have your authorization it cannot treat the clp off your shoreline!

*CLA mugs are still available and will be sold at the August 13 Annual Meeting.  They are also available by contacting me, since they are stored in our basement.  They are 10 oz. mugs and the only color remaining is black.  They have white printing that says “Cullen Lakes Association” around a stylized flying loon outlined in white.  Cost is $7.50 each. 

*We need you!  The CLA by-laws require the board of directors to be made up of at least 12 and no more than 18 people.  Both regular and associate members are eligible to serve on the board.  With four board members not standing for reelection this year, we are left with only 10 board members.  We have found two people who are willing to be elected to the board, which would put us at our minimum of 12.  We would really like to have a few more people on the board.  If you are willing to run for a two-year term, please contact me ASAP.