Changing Lakes, Changing Policy
A Workshop for Lake Communities
Saturday, February 13, 2010
8:30 am – 3:45 pm
Waukesha County Technical College,
Richard T. Anderson Education Center
Pewaukee, WI
Join other lake enthusiasts for a lakes workshop on Saturday, February 13 at the Waukesha County Technical College in Pewaukee to learn more about ways to care for our lakes. Event topics will explore science, policy, and case studies in aspects of lake management and lake living. See the workshop agenda below.
AIS Smart Prevention Training
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin— Madison Center for Limnology will hold a special training session at the event to help lake managers more effectively direct aquatic invasive species prevention efforts to lakes that are most vulnerable to invasion.
Please let us know if you’d like to attend the AIS Smart Prevention Training. There is no extra fee, but the trainers need to know attendance numbers to prepare materials.
Registration
The cost to attend the workshop is $35\person. Registration fee includes program materials, lunch, and refreshments. Registration is due by February 8, 2010.
HOW TO REGISTER:
Download and fill out the registration form and mail it with payment to:
Wisconsin Association of Lakes
4513 Vernon Blvd., Suite 101
Madison, WI 53705
Or call Wisconsin Association of Lakes to register: 608-661-4313 or 800-542-5253.
8:30 – 9:00 am
Registration check-in and refreshments. Network with fellow lakes enthusiasts and view exhibits.
9:00 - 10:45
Welcome and opening remarks by Earl Cook, Wisconsin Association of Lakes President
Water Law and Policy Updates
Attorney William P. O’Connor, Wheeler, Van Sickle & Anderson, S.C. and Legislative Counselor for Wisconsin Association of Lakes
Bill O’Connor will highlight current legislative activity important to Wisconsin’s lakes. He’ll touch on proposed legislation to reform State groundwater laws, new statewide shoreland management rules, and bills passed this Session on nutrient management and boating regulation. Bill will also discuss two important Court cases that Wisconsin Association of Lakes is currently involved in. One case addresses transfer of riparian rights by easement to back lot owners in order to place piers or other structures. The other case questions the authority of local governments to use local zoning powers to regulate large livestock operations.
Implementing New Invasive Species Laws
Bob Wakeman, DNR Statewide Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator
The Invasive Species Identification, Classification and Control Rule (NR 40) and the AIS transport bill were signed into law in late 2009. We’ll discuss key provisions of these new laws, steps to inform the public about the new laws and address enforcement matters.
10:45 – 11:00
Refreshment break
11:00 -12:00
Choose 1 of 4 concurrent sessions
1 A. Leaving a Land Legacy: Legal Tools for Succession Planning of Family Land
Bill O’Connor, Wheeler, Van Sickle & Anderson, S.C
For many families, a vacation home, such as a lake cottage, is more than just a financial asset. It is a place where family memories are created and where we first experience the natural wonder of lakes. More and more families who own lake cottages wonder how they will keep these places of memory in the family for another generation. Attorney Bill O’Connor will review options to keep a vacation home in the family and considerations for families working through land succession planning. Discover how you carry on the legacy of the lake cottage as a part of the lives of your children and grandchildren.
1 B. Water Quality and the Local Economy: Lessons Learned from Delavan Lake
Mary Knipper, Delavan Lake Improvement Association, and Neal O’Reilly, Hey and Associates
Delavan Lake underwent a $7 million rehabilitation project 20 years ago that resulted in a dramatic improvement in water quality. Yet, development pressures, increased usage, invasives and watershed impacts continue to challenge lake users and community leaders. Economists from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater teamed up with the Delavan Lake Improvement Association to evaluate the importance of water quality to the area’s economy and tax base. Learn more about the project, the economic study, and the need for ongoing water quality monitoring and maintenance programs.
1 C. Sustaining Healthy Fisheries in our Lakes
Susan Beyler, DNR Inland Fisheries Supervisor for the Southeast Region.
Susan will provide an overview of lake food webs, what makes a healthy fishery, how Wisconsin is addressing concerns over the VHS fish virus, plus the nuts and bolts of fish stocking and time for your questions too. We’ll also explore a few examples of successful fishery improvements from area lakes.
Lessons learned from Restoration Projects at Big Muskego Lake
Jim Jackley, DNR Lands Real Estate Specialist
Jim will share the history of comprehensive rehabilitation projects at Big Muskego Lake and offer lessons learned from these efforts. We’ll explore lake drawdowns (a management tool to improve water quality and manage aquatic plants), biomanipulation of lake food webs, other aquatic plant management efforts, and wildlife habitat improvements. Learn more about how this system is faring today and ongoing management needs.
1 D. Implementing New Statewide Shoreland Zoning Rules in WI Counties
Gregg Breese, Dept. of Natural Resources Shoreland Team Leader
Forty years after they were first adopted, state shoreland development rules have been updated to better protect lakes and rivers while allowing property owners more flexibility on their land. Counties will have 2 years to update their shoreland zoning ordinances to be consistent with these new statewide minimums. We’ll discuss key provisions of the new rules and next steps for counties.
12:00 – 1:30
Lunch with topic tables
Topic tables are an opportunity to meet new people, engage in small group discussion, and network around lake-related topics of mutual interest.
1:30 – 2:30
Choose 1 of 4 concurrent sessions
2 A. Lake-Friendly Landscaping Methods for Waterfront Property Owners
Lisa Reas, LJ Reas Environmental Consulting Corp.
This session will provide step-by-step guidance on how to enhance your shoreline, whether you’d like to control erosion, attract beneficial wildlife, deter nuisance wildlife, infiltrate stormwater runoff, or add beauty to your yard. Get advice and tips on site preparation, plant selection, planting techniques, and maintenance. Plus, see many examples of native trees, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers appropriate for various soil conditions in our region.
2 B. Balancing Recreational Use: Lessons Learned from Lake Ripley's Recreational Carrying Capacity Study
Paul Dearlove, Lake Ripley Management District Manager, and John Molinaro Lake Ripley Management District Chairman
Many of our lakes are experiencing increased boating pressures. Excessive crowding and competing uses can lead to conflicts, frustration, and safety concerns among people, as well as water quality problems and loss of habitat for fish and lake wildlife. Paul and John will discuss methods used by the Lake Ripley Management District to estimate the lake’s recreational carrying capacity. Steps involve: performing a watercraft census and tracking lake-use patterns; calculating useable lake-surface areas, identifying activity- and watercraft-based space requirements, determining the lake's social carrying capacity, and evaluating whether observed lake uses exceed estimated carrying capacity thresholds. Find out how these study findings were used to help balance recreational use and protect sensitive areas on Lake Ripley, plus explore ways your lake community may benefit from a similar approach.
2 C. Aquatic Invasive Species Smart Prevention Training
Märit Sällström and Mona Papes, UW-Madison Center for Limnology; and Bob Wakeman, DNR Statewide AIS Coordinator
This workshop is from 1:30 – 3:45. Pre-registration is required for planning and materials.
Smart Prevention is an AIS management approach developed by the Jake Vander Zanden lab at the UW-Madison Center for Limnology (CFL) to more effectively direct resources to lakes that are most vulnerable to invasion. CFL researchers will help you learn how to apply this regional approach to invasive species management in your community, and develop a better understanding of how management decisions about invasive species are made.
In this hands-on training session, we will use scenarios to create a template for an AIS management strategy based on the concepts of vulnerability and prevention. We’ll explore how to assess lake vulnerability to invasion, how to mobilize prevention and control resources to vulnerable locations, and engage citizens and resource managers in smart prevention activities. We will also discuss the merits of adopting a more regional approach to prevention and assess the barriers to implementing such an approach.
2 D. Overview of Waterway and Wetland Regulations and the Permit Process
Andy Hudak, DNR SER Water Management Specialist
Placement of structures, grading and similar activities in or adjacent to navigable waters are regulated under chapter 30 of Wisconsin Statutes, and often require permits from the Department of Natural Resources. Water regulations protect everyone’s rights to use and enjoy Wisconsin’s waterways, and we all have a role to play to ensure that these rules balance the many competing interests in our public waters. This session will help answer your questions about the permit process for common construction and development activities along waterways, such as grading, piers and other structures.
2:30 – 2:45
Break
2:45 – 3:45
Choose 1 of 3 concurrent sessions
3 A. Changing Lake Levels
Madeline Gotkowitz, Hydrogeologist at the WI Geological and Natural History Survey
Over the past few years, Wisconsin has been experiencing weather extremes. In southern Wisconsin, many communities are struggling with flooding and high lake levels. In the north, lake levels are very low. Extremes in lake levels are related to surface water systems (such as rivers and streams) and groundwater. Understanding the connections among weather patterns, hydrologic systems, and climate change is key to helping us anticipate and respond effectively, including making informed decisions about controlling lake levels.
Learn more about the work of the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey at: http://www.uwex.edu/wgnhs/
3 B. Building Partnerships to Implement Pewaukee Lake’s Management Plan Goals
Charlie Shong, Pewaukee Lake Sanitary District
Pewaukee Lake has been following a comprehensive lake management plan to improve water quality, manage aquatic plants, improve fisheries and recreational lake values. Find out what this lake community has learned from various kinds of lake management efforts over the years. We’ll also explore the benefits of building community partnerships and involving youth to implement lake and watershed improvement projects.
3 C. Aquatic Invasive Species Smart Prevention Training, continued
Märit Sällström and Mona Papes, UW-Madison Center for Limnology
This training session is from 1:30 – 3:45. See description above. Pre-registration is required for planning and materials.
3 D. Wisconsin Association of Lakes Listening Session
Karen von Huene, Wisconsin Association of Lakes Executive Director, and Earl Cook, Wisconsin Association of Lakes President
Wisconsin Association of Lakes would like to hear from you! This session is an opportunity to meet Wisconsin Association of Lakes’ leadership and share your views. What do you want your statewide organization to do for you and Wisconsin’s lakes? What is the most important issue facing your favorite lake and lakes across the state?
Registration
The cost to attend the workshop is $35\person. Registration fee includes program materials, lunch, and refreshments.
Registration is due by February 8, 2010.
Download and fill out the registration form and mail it with payment to:
Wisconsin Association of Lakes
4513 Vernon Blvd., Suite 101
Madison, WI 53705
Or call Wisconsin Association of Lakes to register: 608-661-4313 or 800-542-5253.
Sign up for the Smart Prevention Workshop
Please let us know if you’d like to attend the AIS Smart Prevention Training. There is no extra fee, but the trainers need to know attendance numbers to prepare materials.
Workshop Location
Waukesha County Technical College
Richard T. Anderson (RTA) Education Center
800 Main St.
Pewaukee, WI 53072
See driving directions and a campus map at: http://www.wctc.edu/general_info/maps/pewaukee.php
