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Rice Lake Area Association Annual Meeting

Rice Lake Area Association Annual Meeting. May 7, 2019. Annual Meeting Agenda. Call to Order RLAA Mission Statement Financ ials General Lake Update Guest Speakers Fish Lake update – Dave Spatafore (FLARA) Eric Swenson – Dock and Marine resource (10000 Docks)

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Rice Lake Area Association Annual Meeting

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  1. Rice Lake Area AssociationAnnual Meeting May 7, 2019

  2. Annual Meeting Agenda • Call to Order • RLAA Mission Statement • Financials • General Lake Update • Guest Speakers • Fish Lake update – Dave Spatafore (FLARA) • Eric Swenson – Dock and Marine resource (10000 Docks) • Mary Newman – Carp Project (WSB & Associates) • Open Forum • Committees • Board Member Election • Rice Lake Trivia Contest • Drawings • Adjourn www.ricelakemn.com

  3. Board Members • Officers • George Schneider Secretary (Term expires in 2019) • Mike Thiede Treasurer (Term2021) • Other Board Members: • Scott Roeglin (Term 2021) • Mark Ellingson (Term 2020) • Luke Johnson (Term 2020) • Rick Stulac(Term 2021) • Jeremy Coenen (Term 2021) • Curt Putland (Term 2020) • By-laws allow up to 15 board members – We Need Your Help! • Give Back to The Community • Have a Voice in Helping Decide Rice Lake’s Future • Board Members are Volunteers Elected by The RLAA Board www.ricelakemn.com

  4. Rice Lake Area Association Mission Statement As stated in the bylaws: The Rice Lake Area Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to: • preserving, beautifying and maintaining Rice Lake, and • educating the general public in improving and preserving lake quality through their actions. www.ricelakemn.com

  5. How RLAA Operates • Board meetings are held as needed at the Maple Grove Library from 7:00 – 9:00 PM • Agendas and minutes are posted each month on our website • RLAA members as well as any interested party may attend board meetings • Board members receive no payment for serving www.ricelakemn.com

  6. 2019 Financial Objectives • Increase participation by homeowners to pay dues • For the past year (2018) • 2018 revenue was steadyvs. 2017 ($5,365 vs $5,390) • 2018 had one less paying member vs. prior year (45 to 46) • Five year running average of $5,288 per year collected • Increase city funding for Rice Lake Projects • Proceed with projects under the Lake Improvement Project (LIP) program from the City of Maple Grove • 2019 Dues Discount when signing up a new member • New in 2019, if an existing member brings in a new member, the existing member will receive a $25 discount on their dues www.ricelakemn.com

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  9. Treasurer’s Report • Fiscal year ending: May 1 2018 • For the fiscal year 5/1/2018 – 5/1/2019 the Rice Lake Area Association collected $5,365 in member dues. • Contribution rates of $125.00 for members with water access and $60.00 for members with views. Our member dues were about the same as last year. • This past year we collected approximately $1,350 more in dues than we had expenses. • Starting the year for 2019 we have roughly $24,000.00 in the bank. • Contact Database • Our database has about 250 street addresses! • We also have over 100 e-mail addresses in our database! • Members • Last year we had 45 paying members; this is one less than the year before. • 2019 Goals • Our goals include increasing our membership in 2019 to help cover some large project costs • Our projected expenses include the following for 2019 • Annual meeting $550.00 • Carp Assessment $2,394.50 • New Aerator $7,100.00 • Channel Dredging? $16,500.00 www.ricelakemn.com

  10. General Lake Update • 2018-2019 Update • Rice Lake surface water regulations • http://www.maplegrovemn.gov/about/lakes-and-water-quality/rice-lake/ • 2018 Year in Review • Lake Water Quality Impacts • 2019 Potential Project Plans • Water Quality Reminders • How Carp impacts our water quality www.ricelakemn.com

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  12. No Wake in any part of Elm Creek or the backwater connection to Fish Lake! • West of I-94 to the bridge (A on map) • Connection to Fish Lake (B on map) • Elm Creek north of lake (C on map) C A B www.ricelakemn.com

  13. 2018 Year in Review • Timeline: • No drawdown was conducted in the past 4 years (last was in 2014-2015) • Winter Aeration was done the past 2 winters (to help sustain previous 2 fish stockings) • Longer ice and snow cover reduced dissolved oxygen levels, which impacts fish • Water levels were above normal for most of the 2018 open water season, due to more frequent rainfalls which helped “flush” out the lake • Curlyleaf Pondweed (CLP) was observed more frequently again in 2018, although it was not enough of a nuisance to be considered treatable (yet). We need to monitor this closely in 2019 to see if treatment is warranted next winter. • Water quality during the outdoor boating season was observed to be better than recent years without any major algae blooms • Summer/Fall 2018 – Fishing seemed to be on an upswing as more game fish were caught (and released) compared to the last several years. Visiting fishermen numbers were again down significantly. • Cormorants were again present most of the open water season. Do they have an impact on our fish population? • Winter 2018-2019 was a little more severe than the previous year with slightly higher precipitation than in recent years • Spring 2019 water level has been slightly above average • Ski Slalom Course was located in SE corner of the lake for the 1st time; feedback?? www.ricelakemn.com

  14. Lake Water Quality Impacts Aquatic Plant Update • BAD WEEDS • Curlyleaf Pondweed • Currently under control, but need to keep an eye on annual growth, particularly along the shoreline. • Aquatic Plant Survey done in 2014 (pre-drawdown) showed a slight increase in growth, but not enough of a nuisance to require treatment for CLP only. There were very few visual sightings in 2015 & 2016, although in 2017 & 2018 there were more sightings of growth. • We need residents to report any CLP sightings to stay ahead of the game. • Eurasian Water Milfoil • Not considered to be a nuisance for treatment at this time, although these plants have been increasing in number and locations. • GOOD WEEDS • Coontail • Increasing recently, but still lagging behind. West side of lake much more growth than remainder of the lake. This can be controlled by cutting, which was in 2016 with volunteer help (no cutting done in 2017 or 2018). • Other Native Plants • Limited due to poor water clarity and Carp effects have been found to inhibit sprouting of new plants. • Carp Enclosure project in 2010 demonstrated that many native plants can survive in our lake. www.ricelakemn.com

  15. Lake Water Quality Impacts - Continued • Fish Population update: • Fish population was still out of balance through 2018, but we are hoping the restocking done in 2015 & 2017 will help reverse that trend. Also the joint Carp Removal Project with Fish Lake may help swing this balance by 2020. • More predator fish is desirable • Predator fish will eat the eggs and young of carp and bullhead • Largemouth Bass, Crappies, Bluegills and some Perch were stocked • Undesirable fish population continues to be very high in recent years • Bullheads • Carp • Conclusion: • Hopeful that 2019 begins to see an improvement in water quality with less algae (low Curlyleaf Pondweed levels) and more native plants, plus better quality fish. • Will watershed TMDL improvements begin to show in Rice Lake water quality? • Question to ask ourselves: • Do you prefer a lake which is dominated by algae or by native plants? • Many shallow lakes like Rice Lake will have to deal with one of these conditions. www.ricelakemn.com

  16. Completed Projects – 2018 Carp Assessment Project with Fish Lake • Objective: To determine if the biomass of carp is dense enough to require removal efforts. Both Fish and Rice Lake have evidence of carp. • Action Taken: • With help of City of Maple Grove, FLARA and RLAA, funding was obtained to hire WSB & Associates to measure the carp biomass by both electrofishing and trap netting. • Results: • Over 2.5 times the biomass threshold was found in both lakes. • Next Steps • Phase II – Track and remove carp in 2019-2020. www.ricelakemn.com

  17. Postponed Projects – 2018 Channel Dredging Project • Objective: To deepen the channel entering the Boat Ramp Bay, which has never been dredged out before. Boaters sometimes hit bottom in this shallow bay entry. • How the project would be completed: • Approval of 100% of adjacent homeowners for the DNR permit. • RLAA would need to secure a dredging contractor. • Work could be done in either Summer or Winter: • Winter: when ice is the thickest and can support the heavy equipment. • Summer: conducted from a barge. • Reason why the project was not completed: • Unable to find a contractor willing to do dredging for an affordable price • Next Steps • Renew 100% homeowner approval to conduct dredging effort. • Secure affordable contractor (<$15,000) to do work. • Boaters Access Fund to help fund shoreline stabilization directly adjacent to the planned dredging area. (Open for discussion on how to achieve this) • 54 motorized boats on the lake • Need to fund $3,700 to help cover $5,700 total shoreline stabilization effort www.ricelakemn.com

  18. 2019 Project Plans • Continue to update the RLAA website • Dredge Channel by Boat Launch (Summer 2019 or Winter 2019-20) • Not able to get any funding assistance; will need to self fund this project • Encourage shoreline restoration projects subsidized by grants • Hennepin County “Good Steward” Grant program • Continue working with Elm Creek Watershed on TMDL Project • Continue to increase our membership • 2nd Saturday’s on the lake (May through September)? • Winter Aerator replacement ($7,000) • Planned joint effort with Fish Lake to track/remove carp (2019-20) • See WSB & Associates presentation later during this meeting www.ricelakemn.com

  19. Maple Grove Lake Improvement Project program History Prior to 2019, the City of Maple Grove, through the Lake Quality Commission, had been offering city residents up to $750 reimbursement for valid water quality projects they undertake on their property. This program was underutilized and dropped in 2019. Replacement Program in 2019 • Hennepin County offers a “Good Steward” program to residents to improve their properties with various water quality projects. Grants can be obtained directly from the county via a link on the RLAA website. Examples of such projects include: • Native Shoreline Restoration • Bioengineered Shoreline (not riprap) • Bioengineered Slopes • Rain Gardens • Native Buffer www.ricelakemn.com

  20. Maple Grove Lake Improvement Project program Contact the program manager, Jim Kujawa, directly for information on either the individual “Good Steward” or group “Opportunity” grants. • These grants are independent of the Maple Grove Lake Improvement programs. • URL for this information is available at: https://www.hennepin.us/residents/environment/natural-resources-funding www.ricelakemn.com

  21. Water Quality Requirements • How do Carp impact the water? • Carp are bottom feeders that eat vegetation? • Intake sediment as they search for food • Export nutrients by filtering through their gills • Dig up rooted plants • As vegetation is eliminated, water clarity is reduced by a surplus of nutrients without any absorption. • Nutrients have nowhere to go and become algae The next slide illustrates how carp impact the water…. www.ricelakemn.com

  22. Carp effect on water quality P, N P, N P, N www.ricelakemn.com

  23. Water Quality – What can you do to help? We all know what the issues are with the lake and creek, but what can we do today to help? • Managing our shoreline • Buffer Strip to strengthen bank/filter natural nutrient flow into the water • Reduce nutrient use, especially near the water • Keep the street drains free of debris • Storm water run-off contributes a significant amount of nutrients • Pick up litter along the shoreline/in the water • Don’t use phosphorous in lawn treatment • Some commercial applicators still use phosphorous in their treatments. Make sure you ask them before you commit! • Consider aerating your lawn on a regular basis www.ricelakemn.com

  24. Update from Fish Lake • Dave Spatafore will provide us with an update on Fish Lake • Background on Fish Lake • Projects • Recent completed projects • Current projects • Future projects www.ricelakemn.com

  25. Rice Lake Resource • Presented by Eric Swenson (10000 Docks) • Available services include: • Dock work (installations, removals, maintenance) • Watercraft maintenance • Sponsor lake events (i.e.: ice fishing) • 10000 Docks is local (based in Maple Grove) and has worked with several other local area lakes/residents in the past • Contact them at 10000docks.com or 763-227-5320 www.ricelakemn.com

  26. Joint Carp Removal Project • Presented by Mary Newman (WSB & Associates) • Objective: Measure and determine if Carp are in fact a nuisance on both Fish and Rice Lakes. • Phase 1 – Measure carp (completed in 2018) • Phase 2 – Track & Remove carp (scheduled for 2019-2020) • Request support and financial assistance from these entities: • Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission (ECWMC) • City of Maple Grove • Three Rivers Parks District • Rice Lake Area Association (RLAA) • Fish Lake Area Residents Association (FLARA) www.ricelakemn.com

  27. Open Forum • Feel free to bring up any items not already covered tonight • If we do not have an answer for you tonight, we will get back to you after this meeting www.ricelakemn.com

  28. Join the Team Board Or Committee Membership • Lake Management Committee • Membership/Fundraising/Media Committee • Facebook page administration Go to RLAA website (http://ricelakemn.com) to learn more about the various projects the lake association has done in the past and what is planned for the future. You can also find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RiceLakeMG/ If you would like to be a part of these teams, please feel free to signup today at our meeting (Sign-up sheets are in the back of this meeting room – please sign up) or contact us by email at ricelakeassoc@comcast.net. www.ricelakemn.com

  29. RLAA Website Visit our website (http://ricelakemn.com) to learn more about the lake and association, as well as projects the lake association has done in the past and what is planned for the future. www.ricelakemn.com

  30. Rice Lake is on Facebook! You can also find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RiceLakeMG/ www.ricelakemn.com

  31. RLAA Membership • We need more members • To fund and manage projects • To liaise with other organizations (other lake associations, DNR, MG Park & Rec, etc.) • To enhance communication (i.e.: Facebook, website) • To become better known in the MG community Overall: To improve the natural beauty and quality of Rice Lake to make it a greater asset to the community. www.ricelakemn.com

  32. How do we increase membership and funding? • Talk to your neighbors and drum up interest in Rice Lake/Elm Creek! • Educate yourself about the lake. • Fundraising ideas: • Table at Maple Grove Days • Information box on the trail • Occasional table giving out info on a Sunday afternoon • Grants? • Other ideas? www.ricelakemn.com

  33. Board Member Elections • 2019 Term Expiring • George Schneider • Has volunteered to serve another 3-year term ending in 2022 • Accepting nominations for new board members • 3-year term • Open to any RLAA member www.ricelakemn.com

  34. Rice Lake Trivia Contest • Trivia Contest for all RLAA members: • Complete the questionnaire handed out earlier • Winner will receive a Gift Certificate • Random Drawing for: • Gift Certificate #1 • Gift Certificate #2 • Gift Certificate #3 • Gift Certificate #4 www.ricelakemn.com

  35. THANK YOUComments?Questions?Volunteer! www.ricelakemn.com

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