Join us at the 29th annual Wisconsin Lakes Convention, April 26-28 at the Regency Suites and KI Convention Center in Green Bay.

Whether you are new to the lake or a committed lake leader, the Lakes Convention is a great opportunity for you and your lake organization to get useful information and resources you can use on your lake. Get the latest updates on emerging water policy issues, conservation success stories, and protection tools to use in your community.

The convention is also a great time to rejuvenate your lake spirit by meeting new lakes folks and catching up with old friends. Lake groups routinely send a band of delegates to split up among the array of sessions and share what they’ve learned with their lake community.

The convention offers lake enthusiasts the chance to share strategies and projects that have been successful on a particular lake, says Peter Murray, executive director of WAL. “The collective experience of lake groups and lake management professionals across the state is valuable,” he says. “We can learn from other’s successes, failures, and most importantly, that our concern for our lakes and work to preserve them is shared by many.”

Display your skills with a camera while showing your love of Wisconsin's lakes! Have you taken photos of People enjoying lakes (fishing, canoeing, skiing, swimming) or Natural features in and around lakes and under water (wildlife, vegetation, geology, insects, close-ups of aquatic life)? Enter your favorite lake photos in the 5th annual photo contest at the Wisconsin Lakes Convention this year.

Contest rules and entry forms are online or call Kim at 715-346-2116. Deadline for submitting photos is April 12. Need not be present to win.

On March 8th new manure management requirements (contained in the Manure Management Discharge Rules or NR 243) for the state’s biggest farms finally became law. The Wisconsin Association of Lakes has been a strong proponent of adopting these important and necessary rules. We appreciate the Senate and Assembly Agriculture Committees action allowing the rules to go into effect.

NR 243 affects how Wisconsin’s largest farms (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations or CAFOs) handle, spread, and store their manure. CAFOs make up less than 1% of Wisconsin's farms but produce 10% of the manure. Manure runoff has contaminated drinking water, killed fish, and contributes nutrients to our lakes which can lead to chronic algae blooms and declining water quality.

Last summer, these important rules that protect public health and lake water quality were waylaid when the Senate and Assembly Agricultural Committees sent the rules, which had taken four years to develop, back for unspecified modifications. The rules were modified by the Department of Natural Resources after extended discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

While Wisconsin’s 150 largest farms will not be required to meet the new requirements under NR 243 until 2010, we are pleased that these rules are now in place to protect public health and our lakes.

The 2007 Wisconsin Conservation Congress Spring Hearings and the DNR Fisheries and Wildlife Rule Hearings will take place Monday evening, April 16 in every county across the state. This year's Spring Hearings give everyone, regardless of residence, an opportunity to express their opinions on 84 proposals that could someday become the rules that regulate fishing, boating and many other outdoor activities. The Wisconsin Conservation Congress will also accept resolutions addressing conservation needs or concerns at the Spring Hearings.

The Wisconsin Conservation Commission (the predecessor of the Natural Resources Board) created the Wisconsin Conservation Congress in 1934. The purpose was to provide Wisconsin citizens with a local avenue for input and exchange concerning conservation issues.

The Wisconsin Conservation Congress is the only "advisory body" in the state where citizens elect delegates to represent their interests on natural resources issues on a local and statewide level to the Natural Resources Board and the Department of Natural Resources. Our delegates believe that it is important that the citizens of this state work together towards effectively managing our abundant natural resources for future generations to enjoy.

“Conservation Congress advisory questions originate from citizens with good ideas.” said Ed Harvey, Chairman of the WCC. “If resolutions presented at the county level meetings are supported, the resolution is advanced to one of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress study committees and the WCC Executive Council for consideration. It is a true grassroots process that empowers the citizens of Wisconsin to shape natural resources policy."

“Each county has 5 delegates to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress,” said Jim Brakken, former Wisconsin Association of Lakes President and Wisconsin Conservation Congress Delegate from Bayfield County. “These delegates represent their local area regarding natural resource issues and help steer the direction of future regulations affecting woods, water and wildlife in our state. This is a great opportunity for shoreland owners to help develop both local and statewide regulations,” he said. "Anyone who is a Wisconsin resident, 18 years of age or older can vote on resolutions, WCC and DNR questions.”

Although shooting lead shot over the water was banned some years ago, trumpeter swans, loons, and other aquatic birds are still finding lead to ingest in lakes and wetlands. Lead shot is still in use off water; the presence of lead shot in soils also exposes land based birds to lead poisoning. The April 16th Conservation Congress hearings will have two questions concerning lead from shot in the environment.

Lead toxicity is still commonly identified as a cause of death for wild birds. Lead poisoning from shot occurs when birds ingest pellets for their crop, then other grit material wears down the soft lead pellets, causing lead particles to be absorbed in the bloodstream. The full extent of lead shots’ effects on wild birds is difficult to estimate because lead poisoning usually does not cause large-scale die-offs that are easily noticed.

Even though lead shot is prohibited for waterfowl hunting, it is still legal in other hunting situations on Wisconsin’s state managed properties. Non-toxic shot is required for most bird hunting on federally owned waterfowl production areas and refuges. There are 26 states that have non-toxic shot requirements that are more restrictive than federal rules including all of Wisconsin’s neighboring states.

Studies conducted in Wisconsin have found elevated lead levels in woodcock wing bones. Lead is considered to be a major limiting factor in the re- establishment of trumpeter swans. Studies in Missouri have shown that when doves eat lead pellets it has toxic effects that decrease survival. Recently, new concerns have arisen over the heavy deposition of lead on public lands where dove hunting is the prevalent shooting activity. Additionally, dove hunting and waterfowl hunting often occur in the same areas and it is inconsistent that waterfowl hunters must use non-toxic shot but dove hunters may use ammunition that can be harmful to game and non-game species.

The state Natural Resources Board has two advisory questions on using non-toxic (non-lead) shot. One asks if non-toxic shot should be required for dove hunting on DNR managed lands. The other asks if non-toxic shot should be required for hunting of all birds other than turkey on department managed lands.

The Loon Citizen Science Network will hold workshops May 14th and May 19th for people interested in learning how to monitor common loons. The Loon Citizen Science Program is designed to provide the data necessary to update the Wisconsin Loon Population Model. Citizen Scientists will be trained to read and record common loon leg bands and loon productivity. Classroom and field training at nearby lakes will be provided.

2007 Common Loon Monitoring Workshops

Monday, May 14 at 9:00 am, at Trees for Tomorrow, Eagle RiverThis workshop is sponsored by the Natural Resources Foundation. Please register at their website (select Field Trip link).

Saturday, May 19 at 1:30 pm at The Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters in conjunction with the Midwest Birding Festival. More information onlin e.

Questions? Please contact Mike Meyer at 715-365-8858 or 715-360-4062 or Dougla s Killian at 920-660-0598.