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Shore Land Buffer Zone Expo
Saturday, August 9, 2008, 8:30am to 4:30pm, at Deep Portage
by Jack Fitzgerald, Izaak Walton League
Do you want to help preserve the quality of your shore land and adjacent waters, protect your property values, and enhance your joy of lakeside living? If you do, plan to attend this day-long meeting, co-sponsored by Deep Portage and the Cass Co. Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America. Topics of workshops and exhibits will include
· Installation of buffer zones
· Experiences of persons who have installed buffer zones
· Maintaining and monitoring septic systems
· Controlling pollution-causing water run-off
· Info on native plants, where to find them, how to plant them.
· Recognition of invasive riparian plants
All workshops will emphasize practical, hands-on, how-to-do-it information. Fees will be $15 per person or $25 per couple, and include lunch. Pre-registration is required by Aug. 1st: Call Cathy at Deep Portage, 218-682-2325. Access to exhibits is free. Please note: a door prize with a value of $360 in services and materials will be available to one lucky Expo participant.
For more information, contact Jack Fitzgerald, Secretary of the Isaak Walton League, at 218-682-2941, or at jjfitz@tds.net.
An Invitation from the Ten Mile Lake Yacht Club
To All Ten Mile Lake Residents!
by Byron Hoffman
The Ten Mile Lake Yacht Club would like to extend an invitation to all sail boat owners to participate in a one-day racing event for ALL CLASSES OF SAIL BOATS, including sunfish, catamarans, and any others.
The event will be held in late July or early August on a date to be determined. Interested sailors are requested to call Byron Hoffman, 218-675-6372 before July 4.
Help!!!
TMLA Needs Help!
by Al Griggs, TMLA President
Two important issues have arisen that need attention from all TMLA members:
1. MEN’S COFFEE
This year, the Men’s Coffees are in dire need of hosts, with less than half of the slots filled. Sign up on the TMLA Web Site if you can host a coffee!
2. TMLA OFFICERS
The Association urgently needs persons willing to serve as officers to replace those who will retire this August. We need candidates for President, Vice President, and Treasurer.
Many people are very busy doing important tasks that keep our Association successful and effective. But it is time for some new leadership at the top. Please contact our nominating committee (Don Harris, Chair, 675-6285) to suggest persons you think might be effective officers for this Association.
From the President's Desk
by Al Griggs, TMLA President
Welcome back to all our snowbirds! This winter was more like winters of old! After an early snow we had almost none until April. Then the roof caved in. April brought us four feet of wet heavy snow (equal to about five inches of water). This delayed ice-out on Ten Mile until the night of May 11-12, one of the latest dates that I can remember. So much for the walleye opener! One blessing is that the lake level is up; about 2-1/2 inches higher than last spring and about 7-1/2 inches from its lowest point last summer.
This season promises to be quite an active one for our Association. Here are some of our concerns and activities.
· New Fiscal Year: Our TMLA fiscal year has changed from August 1-July 31 to May 1-April 30. This will coincide more appropriately with our activity year. Our Annual Meeting date and dues will not be affected. The new fiscal year will eliminate much of the year-to-year budget carryover and enable us to compartmentalize each activity year’s expenses much more accurately.
· Conservation Easement: Over the winter, the CE subcommittee of our Conservation Committee concluded our contract with the Minnesota Land Trust which places all seven of our TMLA-owned tracts into a single conservation easement to be enforced by MLT in perpetuity. A separate article by Jim Miller and John Hartzell outlines the terms of the CE. The contract is available to serve as a template for anyone who may be interested in pursuing a CE on their own property. A huge vote of thanks for the efforts of Jim and John, and especially Barrett Colombo who reworded and negotiated the contract with MLT.
· Investment and Treasurer’s Policies: Over the winter, Ken Regner and Dave Losby of our Policies and Procedures Committee have developed or revised both our Investment and Treasurer’s Policies for TMLA. The new Investment Policy was approved at our first Board meeting and we expect to finalize and approve the Treasurer’s Policy at our next meeting. The generosity of our members has enabled TMLA to establish some endowment and semi-endowment funds and these policies provide needed guidelines for managing our investments and utilizing the proceeds appropriately and wisely.
· Septic Compliance Inspections: One third of the approximately 500 addresses on Ten Mile will be inspected this year. This service is paid for by TMLA, but cooperation is voluntary. The com-pliance certificate is good for three years, and is required by Cass County before any property owner can sell or obtain building permits and variances. Cost to a property owner for a septic compliance certificate would normally be $150-300.
· Intralake Zoning for Ten Mile: DNR has completed an evaluation of the environmental sensitivity of Ten Mile shorelands and has prepared a map which shows Long’s Bay, Flowerpot, Lundstrom’s bay, the shallows of Robinson’s bay, Angel Island and Causeway, and Kenfield bay to be highly sensitive areas which would qualify as Resource Protection Districts. TMLA has voted to pursue establishment of these areas as Resource Protection Districts with Cass County. Said districts would have more rigid new development standards than the rest of Ten Mile which is classed as a General Development lake.
· Section 1116 of the Cass County Land Use Ordinance is in the final phase of revision, with a final hearing scheduled on June 3 at the Cass County courthouse before presentation to the Board of Commissioners in July or August. Section 1116 covers new Conservation Developments (formerly PUDs) and lot and block developments. TMLA supports this revision, and John Alden and I have participated on the subcommittee charged with rewriting it over the past two years. Some highlights: Riparian Conservation Developments would require two tiers, riparian and non-riparian. The riparian tier must have a minimum of 400 feet of frontage and is the first 200 feet from the high water mark. Permanent boat slips are limited to one per each first tier dwelling unit and would be located at a common lake access site which has a minimum width of 50’. Both tiers would have access to the lake at the access site. The site may or may not have a boat ramp. A technical review panel, including one township appointee, would oversee the development to insure good conservation practices and adherence to county ordinances. Open spaces would be protected by permanent conservation easements.
· Docks: DNR has eliminated the square footage requirement for platforms and now requires only the 8’ minimum width. Wider platforms would require special permits.
To all, a happy summer!
Report of the Environment & Ecology Committee
by Bruce Carlson, Chair
The E & E Committee is anticipating a busy year in 2008. In addition to the usual monitoring of the lake water (Secchi disk readings, water chemistry and temperatures), several new projects are underway:
¨ Participation in the SLICE Project. This is a project jointly run by the Minnesota DNR and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, in which 22 sentinal lakes, one of which is Ten Mile, have been identified for intensive study over several years to determine various environmental factors that affect lake dynamics and the overall health of lakes. Local volunteers will be working with these agencies to collect a wide variety of data.
¨ Plankton Analysis: One important new study will be an analysis of the plankton within the lake. This is very important because the health of young fish and the many small fish in the lake (ciscoes and minnows) depends upon healthy plankton populations.
¨ Culverts for the Causeway: Another new E & E project is an investigation into the possibility of restoring water current flow through the causeway leading to Angel Island.
¨ Septic System Inspections: The program of septic system inspections, which have played such an important role in improving the water quality in Ten Mile, will continue this year, with approximately one third of the systems around the lake being inspected this year.
Well Water Testing: Lastly, don't forget the well water sampling date of July 12.
Watershed Coordinator's Report
by John Alden, Watershed Coordinator
Three years ago DNR and Cass County joined together on an enterprise that would potentially preserve the most environmentally sensitive areas on Minnesota’s lakes. Ten Mile Lake and Woman Lake were chosen as the pilot project lakes for this new endeavor.
Since that time, a technical evaluation committee, including lake association representatives, was established to provide input to the County and DNR for the criteria pertaining to this project. The Ten Mile Lake Association (TMLA) has been the foremost lake association in this process.
There have been three phases in this project to identify the environmentally sensitive areas on Ten Mile and five other northern lakes:
1. As an environmental planner, I helped evaluate and identify areas on TML that I thought should be considered for a Resourse Protection District (RPD).
2. Cass County identified areas on TML that have eight physical characteristics that qualify for an RPD such as soil types, slope, hydrology, proximity to wetlands, and other considerations.
3. DNR has conducted extensive studies (17 parameters) on TML over the past two years that have proved that TML is a premiere lake in Minnesota for water quality and diversity of aquatic vegetation, fisheries, amphibians, and birds.
4. As a point of interest, all three evaluations had very similar conclusions as to the environmentally sensitive areas of shoreline and near shore habitats for TML.
As a premiere lake in Minnesota, TML has been afforded the opportunity, along with Woman Lake, to create Intra-lake Resource Protection Districts. These RPDs would apply only to the most environmentally sensitive undeveloped properties on the lake. Property owners with structures already present on their land would not be affected by the RPD classification other than that they would be requested to the best that they can to preserve the natural shoreline of their property.
From the Notebook
by Jim Schwartz
SLICE. WHAT IS IT? If you are a golfer, you probably are more familiar with the term than you’d like to admit. But in this case, SLICE is the acronym for Sustainable Lakes in a Changing Environment, a new study project being mounted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with the Pollution Control Agency. TML has been selected as one of 24 sentinel lakes around the state whose waters will be monitored over time for biological and chemical changes.
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PURPOSE OF THE STUDY is to gather information for use in developing management approaches that can mitigate or minimize negative impacts caused by conventional shoreland development, aquatic plant removal, invasive species and climate change. The project is born out of the conviction that Minnesota’s environment is changing, and that the state’s lakes will be affected. The process, however, is slow, to the point where by the time we recognize change, the opportunity to intercede positively in all likelihood will have passed. As the DNR puts it: “The lake that once was never will be again.”
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FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, Ten Mile is uniquely positioned to become a valuable partner in this statewide ef- fort. Since the mid-1970s we have been studying the waters of the lake in a variety of ways: clarity, chemistry, biology, lake levels, temperature and oxygen profiles, zooplankton, and so on. All of that information is on file and available. The data will provide a rich backdrop for the intensive investigations that lie ahead. I’m pleased that we are going to be a part of this important project.
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FOR A NUMBER of years we have noted what we consider to be a steep decline in the flock size and variety of migrating birds. Some recent research offers at least a suggestion as to what may be the cause: a change in the makeup of our forests. An Iowa State University scientist found “a shift in the entire ecosystem.” None of the areas in the Upper Midwest have the same tree species combinations they did 200 years ago. Conifers, such as pines and other evergreens, have dwindled while deciduous trees such as aspens, birches and maples have replaced them. Not only that, but the region’s overall forest size has shrunk. Among the many populations affected by this change are warblers. “These birds don’t have much habitat at present,” the researcher said, noting that the outlook for the species is not good.
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CAT LOVERS AREN’T going to like this item, but the evidence is mounting that feral felines are responsible for killing millions of songbirds every year. These are animals that belong to no one. They prowl the countryside, whether farm fields, seashore expanses or boreal forests, exacting an enormous songbird toll. How huge is it? Reliable numbers are hard to come by, but a Wisconsin researcher estimates the state’s feral cats kill between 8 million and 219 million birds every year. No one really knows how many birds cats kill, but there is general agreement that the carnage is heavy and widespread.
The greater problem is what to do about it. Some advocate shooting the cats, others favor trapping and neutering them, still others prefer leaving things as they are. If you are interested in an exhaustive article on the issue, look up the Dec. 2, 2007, issue of The New York Times and read the piece by Bruce Barcott.
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ARGUABLY, the most important “appliance” on your property is the septic system. Yeah, I know, you’re tired of hearing about it, but tender, loving care is the least ex- pensive, most effective way to prolong the useful life of your system. Here are some management tips from the University of Minnesota Extension Service:
· Avoid using “every flush” toilet bowl cleaners.
· Reduce the use of drain cleaners by minimizing the amount of hair, grease and food particles that go down the drain.
· Avoid overuse of antibacterial products.
· Use less cleanser by doing more scrubbing.
· Dispose of solvents, paints, antifreeze and chemicals through local recycling and hazardous waste channels.
· Do not flush unwanted prescriptions or over-the-counter medications down the drain.
· Keep cigarette butts, paper towels, disposable diapers, coffee grounds, feminine hygiene products, plastics and other solid products out of the system.
· And, finally, wherever possible reduce the amount of water going through the system.
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TODAY’S HISTORY LESSON: The Association Newsletter was launched, as nearly as I can discover, in 1975 as an annual publication. Its founder and sole author at that time was the late Warren Goss. Articles reported on walleye stocking, the supposed (but never verified) National Geographic piece on Ten Mile, the lake’s dwarf tullibees, septic system problems and clarity readings. By 1980 the Newsletter was being published three times a year, a schedule that continues to this day.
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AFTER ALMOST 20 YEARS of producing a column for the Newsletter, I have decided to make this my last. It is not for lack of material. On the contrary, the fund of information is vast and growing. But, as is true in all matters, time takes its toll. I simply no longer have the energy or the zeal for this self-appointed task. So, with a total of somewhere around 60 columns in my wake, so to speak, plus scores of other contributions to these pages, I’m bidding a fond farewell to those who have taken the time to read and, oftentimes, to respond to what I have written. Thank you for your suggestions; I appreciated them all. It has been a rewarding journey.
Ten Mile Lake Names in the News
Brad Putney, a Ten Mile Lake Association Resident Director, has won third place in the “Nature” category in a photography contest sponsored by the Lake Country Journal, January-February issue, 2008.
His photograph of intriguing rock assemblies in Northern Minnesota appears on Page 57 of the Journal.
Letter to the Editor
Concerns Arise Over Developmental Pressures in Long's Bay
Over the winter, many conversations focused around development pressures within environmentally sensitive areas of Ten Mile Lake. Ecologically speaking, areas of a lake, such as bays, have a much lower threshold for damaging effects from developmental and boat traffic pressures than the main body of water.
As a case in point, consider Long's Bay on Ten Mile Lake. Not only is Long's Bay nearly a separate body of water due to the narrow entrance from the main lake, it is also the nesting site of both Loons and Bald Eagles. Native aquatic vegetation in Long’s Bay is extensive and is critical habitat for fish spawning. Many areas of the bay are quite shallow and undergo damaging impact from boat traffic. Erosion of the shoreline in areas of Long's Bay is significantly increased from the wave action of boats traveling at high speeds.
Studies made on behalf of the Lake Association, indicated that should exotic species such as Eurasian Milfoil be introduced, Long's Bay would offer a suitable habitat for the exotics. With the mouth of the Boy River at the South East end of Long's Bay, any introduced exotics could easily make their way through the river and into downstream lakes. The greatest likelihood of exotic species being introduced to Ten Mile comes from contaminated boats.
Because of the environmentally sensitive nature of Long’s Bay, the Ten Mile Lake Association has vigilantly pursued the protection and preservation of the bay's water quality, fish habitat, native aquatic vegetation, and shoreline buffer zones. In fact, in recent years, the association strongly opposed development in Long's Bay, such as: the proposed DNR Public Access, a Planned Unit Development at the old Hi Jo Tipi property, a harbor type excavation near the mouth of the Boy River, and a development project at the Thon property.
The major concern over these development projects was the negative impact upon Long's Bay due to increased boat traffic pressures. Thanks to the efforts of the Ten Mile Lake Association, all of these development projects were halted and the Thon property actually was designated as a DNR Aquatic Management Area, which will remain undeveloped and pristine.
You may recall in the 2007 spring newsletter, Al Griggs wrote of Ten Mile’s taking part in Cass County's Intralake Reclassification pilot program, which will base zoning classifications of a lake and/or areas of a lake upon its environmental sensitivity. Additionally Al explained an outgrowth of this pilot program involved the DNR’s developing a means to identify and quantify environmentally sensitive areas of lakeshore within various Minnesota lakes.
As a result of these DNR endeavors, we now have a map which indicates the "Sensitivity Index" for Ten Mile Lake. The DNR assessment of Ten Mile shows that all of our bays scored high on environmental sensitivity. And to many, it came as no surprise that the area of Ten Mile Lake which ranked the highest on the
"Sensitivity Index" is Long's Bay.With this in mind, one can understand why concerns have arisen over development projects in Long's Bay. Often, the question is not what impacts the actual physical development will have upon a bay, but that of the negative impacts from the additional boat traffic which is the result of the development. Wouldn't it be nice if we could allow for desired development on Ten Mile Lake, but halt the added boat traffic pressures which would accompany the development? I encourage all Ten Milers to consider the consequences of future dock developments and added boat traffic pressures on our environmentally sensitive bays, and let your voice be heard.
From Gail Becher
The Loon Journal
Part I. A Loony Story
Saturday, I received a call from Mary (Brandt) Layton and later from Molly (Brandt) Bliska concerning the loon platforms. Mary informed me that the Brandt family had retrieved a platform that had drifted into the weeds without an anchor.
Sunday afternoon, my daughter and three grandkids drove over to the island and found the delinquent platform. After some minor repairs we placed the platform in the small bay on the north side of the causeway. We topped it with some reeds and walked it out about 50 feet to its new site. The other platform that was repaired by Bob Moe last summer was also found and placed with some topping on the south side of the causeway. As this platform was being placed two adult loons swam to within 15 feet of me as if to say, “It’s about time you got this out here!”
We hope that the small amount of ice that was still on the lake didn’t cause any damage to the second platform.
This is our “loony” story for 2008.
Sincerely, Bob Horn and family.
Part II. Ask the Loons: How Was Your Winter?
by Kim Moe, Loon Committee
Loons winter primarily in coastal marine areas. They hunt for fish and other prey in the shallow, clear water, near the shore. Unlike many wild birds, loons can live in fresh or salty water.
A second eyelid protects their eyes from the harsh salt water. Each fall the red color of the loon eye even changes along with the loss of the black and white checkered feathers. The attractive red eye becomes a dull reddish brown.
A special salt gland, which is located between the eyes, filters extra salt from the blood. Being on a diet of all saltwater prey, they can safely gulp down this winter diet without getting sick. This salt gland shrinks when loons return to fresh water in the spring and swells up the moment they taste salt in autumn.
Common loons are “flightless” for a few weeks in mid-winter. The larger wing feathers all molt so the loons remain on the water of the coastal areas until new flight feathers grow in.
Loons spend time in groups during the winter months. Hormonal levels are not high enough to bring about a lot of calling out, defending territory and there is no interest in mating. The “wail” and “yodel” are seldom heard. The “hoot” is their way of communicating quietly to one another.
As you can see the loon has adapted, evolved and migrated so as to enjoy the best of all seasons. They enjoyed their quiet southern experience and are looking forward to joining us all on Ten Mile for a busy exciting summer.
Fishing Chatter
by Bob Horn, Co-Chair, Fisheries Committee
With Ice On The Lake, snow in the air, and water temperatures in the 30.to 40 degree range, the 2008 Ten Mile Lake fishing opener was a bust. Ten Mile still had some ice on opening day May 10th and the ice did not leave totally until May 12th. The bays had been ice-free days earlier and there were some crappies being caught. The walleye opener was very slow, and Rick Grewe, owner of Quietwoods Resort in Lundstrom Bay, said it was the “worst” in the last 10 years or more. There were some larger walleyes released, but not many under 20 inches.
Don’t give up! Fishing will get better with some warmer weather!
One bizarre happening took place on opening day, when some fishermen tried to return to the public access only to find that the wind had switched and moved some ice to block their entry back to land. Luckily, the ice was the consistency of “a glass of ice cubes” and they were actually able to move through it without any problem.
Walleye Reminder: only ONE walleye over 20” can be kept each day. The walleye daily limit remains at 6.
New Northern Pike Regulation For Ten Mile Lake. Starting May 10, 2008, all Northern Pike from 24 to 36” must be immediately released. Only ONE over 36” is allowed in possession. The state limit for Northern Pike is THREE per day. (The old regulation for Ten Mile was “all Northern Pike over 20 inches must be released immediately.”)
Daily And Possession Limits For Other Species are:
· largemouth and smallmouth bass, 6;
· crappie, 10;
· sunfish, 20;
· rock bass, 30;
· perch, 20 (40 possession), and
· whitefish, no limit.
Harlan Fierstine, the regional fisheries manager for the DNR, reported that Ten Mile Lake received 2705 lbs. of walleye fingerlings last fall averaging 2.5 fish per pound. Our next stocking of walleye fingerlings will be the fall of 2009. You can view pictures of the stocking last fall on the TMLA web site.
Have fun fishing, and if you see someone who is abusing the regulations, TMLA strongly urges you to report it to Gary Sommers, DNR enforcement officer for this area. His number is 547-4501.
Catching a Whitefish in Ten Mile this Spring & Summer
by Bruce Carlson & Bob Horn, Fisheries Committee
One of the lesser-known
denizens of the deep water in Ten Mile is the whitefish. Other than a few that
are accidentally caught by walleye anglers in the early spring, whitefish are
rarely seen or caught other than by increasingly small number of folks who
target them.
Whitefish are actually very easy to catch if you can find them. The key to remember is that their preferred water temperature is in the mid-50s. This means that in the summertime they will be found in water deeper than 40 feet. In the springtime, however, one can frequently see small groups of whitefish swimming in 5-6 feet of water or feeding on the surface in the middle of the lake. (To find the depths at which the lake water is about 55 degrees, check the charts on the E & E pages of the TMLA website.)
If you are tired and frustrated trying to catch a walleye during a nice summer day, we have an idea for you. Get a few crappie minnows and a pole, and head out on the lake for an afternoon of whitefish fishing. Anchor your boat in about 50 feet of water near a drop-off. Drop your line with a small minnow and a large sinker to the bottom of the lake. Then all you have to do is slowly raise and lower your minnow off the bottom about a foot or so. When you feel a light tap on your line, you set the hook gently and hang on for an amazing struggle. If there is a little wave action, you don’t even have to jig your line. Remember, whitefish bite like a perch so don’t set the hook too aggressively. When whitefish are biting, Bob likes to switch his pole to a flyrod to really enjoy the battle. If you find a good spot for catching whitefish, make sure you mark it using land markings, or if you are more modern you can mark it with a GPS. We have used the same 2-3 areas on the lake every year to catch whitefish.
Once you bring the fish to the boat, keep it in the water and gently release it. Or, you can keep it in an ice cooler and enjoy a wonderful whitefish meal. We generally smoke ours, but you can pan fry the whitefish with breading or bake it with melted butter.
In the summertime, whitefish tend to move in small schools, so if you fish in an area known to be inhabited by whitefish, you might just wait for a school to swim by. Or, you can look for them by very slowly moving the boat while jigging for them. A good fish finder can be very helpful, but isn’t necessary for finding fish. However, you will need one to find water of the proper depth. If you are just starting out trying to fish for whitefish, it may take a bit of trial and error to locate them, but once you find a good area, it is likely to be productive year after year. Typically, whitefish are found in 30-35 feet of water in late June, but by August they are found in 50-55 feet not far from the same areas. Bruce has seen whitefish on cameras as deep as 110 feet.
In recent years, Bruce devised some new approaches using artificial baits. These consist of small, but heavy-bodied jigging spoons (1/4 oz.) or metal vibrating baits. Simply let out your line until it hits the bottom and then rapidly pick the bait up about 2-3 feet and then let it slowly fall toward the bottom. You may feel a gentle tap on the bait. If so, raise your rod tip and your are likely to feel a heavy weight on the other end. This is followed by a vigorous slashing fight – stronger than that of most other Ten Mile fish. For more details on fishing for whitefish, consult the chapter on whitefish in Bruce’s book, Beneath the Surface.
T
he whitefish in Ten Mile represent an almost untouched population of fish. In fact a recent study of them showed that about 30% are older than 30 years, and some are even older than 50 years. Yet, in our lake they rarely get heavier than four pounds. About the only Minnesota fish that lives longer is the Lake Sturgeon. Unless you plan to use them for food, we recommend that you fish for them carefully and pay particular attention to a gentle unhooking and release.TMLA Conservation Easement Finalized
by Jim Miller and John Hartzell
All seven properties owned by TMLA (the Protected Property) are now covered by one Conservation Easement (CE) signed by Al Griggs, TMLA President, and Jane Prohaska, Minnesota Land Trust President, effective February 27, 2008. The CE protects 43 acres of wetlands, forest, and grassland, and more than 3,100 feet of shoreline on Ten Mile Lake.
A summary of major provisions in place to protect the TMLA Protected Property is as follows:
Conservation Purpose
The conservation purpose is to preserve and protect in perpetuity the Conservation Values of the Protected Property by confining the development, management, and use of the Protected Property to activities that are consistent with the preservation of these Conservation Values by prohibiting activities that significantly impair or interfere with these Conservation Values.
The terms of this Easement are specifically intended to provide a significant public benefit by:
¨ Protecting natural habitat for wildlife and plants, both terrestrial and aquatic.
¨ Protecting the water quality of Ten Mile Lake by eliminating development near the Protected Property’s wetlands and shoreline.
¨ Preserving the open and natural character of these Protected Properties for the scenic enjoyment of TML residents and the general public as they travel through our lake community.
Land Use Restrictions
Any activity on or use of the Protected Property that is inconsistent with the conservation purposes of this CE is prohibited as follows:
¨ Industrial and Commercial activity: No industrial or commercial use of the Protected Property is allowed.
¨ Agricultural Use: No agricultural use of the Protected Property is allowed.
¨ Right of Way: No right of way shall be granted across the Protected Property in conjunction with and industrial, commercial, or residential use or development of other land.
¨ Structures and Improvements: No temporary or permanent buildings, structures, utilities, roads, or other improvements af any kind may be placed or constructed on the Protected Property except as specifically described below:
· Signs: No billboards or other signs may be placed or erected on the Protected Property except for small, unlighted signs for informational or interpretive purposes.
· Roads: No roads or driveways may be established or constructed on the Protected Property without the prior approval of the Land Trust.
· Trails: Unpaved paths or foot trails may be established and maintained for non-motorized recreational uses.
· Dumping: No trash, non-compostable garbage, debris, junk, or hazardous or toxic substances may be dumped or accumulated on the Protected Property.
· Topography and Surface Alteration: No alteration or change in the topography or the surface of the Protected Property is allowed.
· Water: No activities on or uses of the Protected Property that cause significant erosion or are seriously detrimental to water quality or purity are allowed.
· Vehicles: Limited off-road use of motorized vehicles is allowed only in conjunction with trail construction or maintenance and with habitat management operations or habitat restoration or enhancement.
TMLA Rights and Permitted Uses
TMLA, as Owner, retains all rights associated with ownership and use of the Protected Property that are not expressly restricted or prohibited by this Easement. The Owner may not, however, exercise these rights in a manner that would adversely impact the Conservation Values of the Protected Property. Additionally, the Owner must give notice to the Land Trust before exercising any reserved right that might have an adverse impact on the Conservation Values of the Protected Property.
¨ Habitat Management: The Protected Property may be used to create, maintain, restore, or enhance habitat for wildlife and native biological communities in accordance with a management plan approved by the Owner and the Land Trust. The Owner may remove timber and other wood products and otherwise manage the vegetation on the Protected Property in accordance with this approved management plan.
¨ Recreational and Educational Uses: The Protected Property may be used for hiking, cross-country skiing, hunting, nature observation or study, and other non-intensive recreational and educational programs or activities that have no more than minimal impact on the Conservation Values of the Protected Property.
The Protected Property may not be used for more than minimal commercial recreational purposes.
Minor rustic structures such as trail barriers, benches, and information kiosks may be placed on the Protected Property in conjunction with these activities. No permanent hunting structures are permitted.
The Conservation Easement Subcommittee of TMLA’s Conservation Committee believes our Conservation Easement is a great way to help protect Ten Mile’s water quality, wildlife habitat, fish habitat, and its natural and scenic qualities. Most important, TMLA continues to own the property and not be subject to potential adverse action by any governmental agency.
As co-chairs of the Conservation Committee, we want to thank Barrett Colombo, Committee member and Attorney, who donated his services in finalizing the CE with Minnesota Land Trust.
We urge Ten Milers to consider Conservation Easements to protect their land. We ask TMLA members who have any questions to contact us. We would love to be of service and help expand the protection for Ten Mile Lake and its beautiful surroundings.
Jon Q. Wright & Artists Sale
Jon Q. Wright, a commercial artist who has a home on Portage Lake and is a member of the Association, is having a sale of new product samples at his home. The sale will take place on two Saturdays, July 5 and July 26, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Jon specializes in supplying licensed wildlife/outdoor art to national manufacturers.
To reach Jon’s house, go west from Highway 371 on County Road 50 (Upper Ten Mile Lake Road) one and one-fourth miles; take a right on Bearberry Trail NW. Follow signs to Jon’s house. Jon recommends carpooling, as parking is limited.
Water Level Report
by Tom Cox, Chair, Water Level Committee
We welcome Jay Cline to the Water Level Committee. Jay takes over responsibilities from Walt Kane who has moved to Sartell and is no longer available to take regular readings.
At the May Board meeting, Jay reported that, unofficially, on May 17th the level was 2.4” higher than a year ago; 2.5” higher than on May 1st, and 7.9” higher than on last November 1st. Generally, this spring our water level is the highest it’s been since August, 2005.
Official readings will be available once the DNR has done its annual recalibration of the Long's Bay water level gauge.
Ten Mile Lake History Trivia Quiz
by Kim Moe, History Committee
1. Name the town that was once near Ten Mile Lake.
2. Who owned and operated the multi-colored stone bait shop in Hackensack?
3. What is the maximum lake depth that Ten Milers boast about?
4. Name the two families that started the Hackensack Lumber and Hardware (now Ace Hardware).
5. Who built the original statue of Lucette on the shores of Birch Lake?
6. Name the two “stores” that once existed on Ten Mile Lake.
7. Where was the first St. Paul’s Lutheran Church located in the 1950s?
8. What were the first names of the Robeys? (They were Ten Mile residents and restaurant owners in Hackensack.)
9. What is the historic name for Brandt’s island?
10. Bromley’s Ten Mile Lake Inn was famous for what?
11. What business was once found where Frizzell’s Furniture Gallery is now located?
12.
How many miles is it around Ten Mile Lake’s shoreline?
[Click here for the answers]
Flowers are Wild
by Jim Brandt
Down By The Dock and during walks along the back roads around the lake, my parents would point out to me and name sundry plants, berries, and wild flowers. After the edible berries, poison ivy, and the fun of disobeying a “Touch-Me Not,” my interest waned. Oddly enough it was the vernacular names of the flowers that would awaken the latent interest instilled over the years by my parents. When I listened to my mother’s considerable knowledge of the local flora, her plant identifications seemed to echo from other realms: “Goat’s Beard,” “Butter-and-Eggs,” “Bladderwort.” Aren’t those names wild? That last one may make a Ten Mile Laker want to get back to sailing, waterskiing, or tennis.
A Wild Flower Book from my mother, and another priced too high at the Hackensack flea market, finally evoked an effort which bloomed into personal discoveries that may capture the attention of the reader with even the most casual interest in flowers. Because my mind was such a botanical tabula rasa, what I thought I knew about Minnesota wild flowers turned out to be misconceptions, albeit common misconceptions. Perhaps you will find it fun and a little bit wild, as I did.
I Don’t Know How Many Times I have peered at a Yellow Lady’s Slipper in the woods and said to myself, “There’s the Minnesota State Flower.” Wrong! Actually there are four different colors of Lady’s Slipper: Pink, White, Yellow, and Pink-and-White. Only the last one, the Pink-and-White, which is called the “Showy Lady’s Slipper,” is the Minne-sota State Flower. Be careful, however! Some people get an itchy rash from touching the glandular hairs on the leaves and stems. Isn’t it wild that something is so beautifully elegant and harmless to look at yet has this cautionary caveat?
All Lady’s Slippers are of the delicate orchid family, and must be grown delicately. They need a fungus growing on their roots to survive, and their seeds likewise need a specific fungal activity that can take as long as fifteen years of nature’s soil preparation before the plant can develop roots or shoots. This is why transplanting Lady’s Slippers almost always leads to failure and is frowned upon. It is advisable to enjoy them where they are growing naturally. Recently my mother took me to see some Pink Lady’s Slippers. As we were driving away, a man was coming down the road hot on our trail to make sure we did not have any ill-advised ideas involving shovels.
Indian Paintbrush is a favorite wild flower because of the vivid scarlet stems. That’s right ― what we are seeing are the tips of stems and not flower petals. I always thought it was the flower petals that were painting the landscape spectacularly with such a vibrant hue. The flower itself is greenish-yellow and grows inconspicuously, usually below the colorful tops of the stems. Now, isn’t that wild? ― a stem is more glorious that the flower it bears? There have been some fabulous displays along Hiram Township Road 1, but to our loss they were obliterated by the good intentions of a highway maintenance mowing crew. Apparently mowing also caused the demise of the Bottle Gentians along Cass County Road 71.
One Day My Aunt was proudly showing me her back yard full of Queen Anne’s Lace. However . . . there are lots of white wildflowers. Several of them look similar to Queen Anne’s Lace, with short radial stems at the top of a main stem, culminating in a white floral cluster, so it is easy to mistake other plants for Queen Anne’s Lace. One of the look-alikes is Common Yarrow, which is mentioned here only because it is so plenteous around the lake and is often mistaken for a type of fern because of its feathery, fern-like leaves. Another is Water Hemlock, which is fatally poisonous (unlike Queen Anne’s Lace, which is related to the carrot.). Ingesting even a small amount of the Water Hemlock taproot can quickly lead to convulsions and death, a la Socrates. That’s wildness! It was not the rosy part of her day when my beloved aunt was told that her Queen Anne’s Lace was really Water Hemlock. Last summer I spotted another sprig of this noxious weed frowing on the roadside behind the island. To identify the real Queen Anne’s Lace, look for the birds-nest shape or cup shape of the floral cluster and the purple floret in the center. To identify the dangerous Water Hemlock, notice that the veins in the toothed leaves end at the notches instead of the tips of each tooth. A note of interest about this type of plant with the flat-topped flower cluster: they make good landing pads for insects, facilitating pollination. Each one is a convenient host to a myriad creeping crawling critters, so you may actually see one of those bug parties Gary Larson used to depict in his “Far Side” comics.
“What A Pretty Flower,” we say to ourselves, and then move close to experience some wonderful fragrance. It seems that an alluring flower and a quick sniff go hand in hand, but if you try this with some of the local flora, you will soon realize they are not candidates for perfume. Cow Parsnip is particularly rancorous (as well as potentially rash-causing). It resembles Common Yarrow but is much bigger and taller. I have seen some up the hill from the Shingobe River Bridge. Common Tansy is also very odoriferous. The bright yellow composite flower is composed of disk flowers that look like little flat buttons. This is a tempting combination for a nice bouquet. My mother tells of making such a bouquet to liven up the cabin, then leaving for awhile. She returned to find a pungent odor; it was coming from the Common Tansy leaves, which are known to have a bitter or medicinal smell. Look for these in the fence rows along Hubbard County Road 12 on your way to Akeley. That a flower is pretty and also stinks is wild!
Another Note Is That many of the wild flowers we see around the lake are not indigenous to Minnesota. They were brought over from Europe for erosion control of roadsides. One such plant is White Campion. Obviously to serve the purpose of erosion control plants should be sun-loving, but this one works the night shift. White Campion is evening-blooming, but can also be seen in the late afternoon along shadier roads. Since it is white, it is visible at night and attracts night-flying insects such as moths. This plant really does have a bladder, into which the flower can retract when the sun is out. Wild! How different that is from the Sunflower that turns on its stem throughout the day to face directly into the sun. That’s wild too! It is also known of White Campion that the male and female flowers are on separate plants. Guys and gals apart? Sleeps during the day? Can’t touch me? Smelly flowers, itchy plants? Dude! What’s up with all this. So much for thinking that the world of flowers is only one of dainty pretties, diminutive charm, and fragile beauty! Wild flowers are just wild!
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Don't be a Pain in the Boat
By the Lake Safety Committee
The Ten Mile Lake Safety Committee offers reminders to make the summer of 2008 safe for all lake users.
Watercraft Operators Training is scheduled for Thursday, July 3, 2008, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM at the Hackensack Community Center and the City Dock on Birch Lake. Minnesota laws requires kids from 12 to 17 to have a Watercraft Operators Permit to operate a boat with a motor larger than 25 horsepower. For Personal Watercraft, kids of 13 must have a Watercraft Operators Permit and be in the visual supervision of someone 21 years or older; ages 14-17 must have Watercraft Operators Permit to operate alone, or have someone 21 years or older on board.
Since the TMLA Safety Committee and the Hackensack Lions Club started this program in 2000, 259 kids (50% from Ten Mile), representing not only Minnesota, but also 15 other states, have completed the course. The course includes classroom training in the morning, lunch provided by the Lions Club, testing and then hands on training on tiller steer, stern drive and personal watercraft.
Here Are Some Questions your children/grandchildren will be asked after this training. See if you can find the answers in the 2008 Minnesota Boating Guide, available at a variety of locations.
1. A _____ (color) running light is found on the port or left side of the boat,
2. A _____ (color) light is found on the starboard or right side of the boat
3. A white light is mounted to the rear so it can be seen from _____ (what direction?).
4. A whistle or horn of some type must be carried on all motorboats ____ feet or over in length.
5. When you see a black and white striped buoy with a quick flashing light, you should not pass between ____ and ____.
6. A white buoy with orange horizontal stripes and an orange diamond warns boaters of ____.
7. All fire extinguishers must be U.S. Coast Guard approved, fully charged and readily accessible. Most extinguishers will read “Marine Type USCG Type BC-Size 1”. The letter “B” means it can be used on ____ ____ fires and the letter “C” means it can be used on electrical fires.
Call Don Harris, 675-6285 or Jerry Mills, 547-1164 to register your kids or grandkids for the course.
Happiness Resort Reports that they will not be pumping gasoline for your boat this summer. Filling boats from our docks with portable gas tanks is going to require precautions be taken to avoid safety and environmental issues. Sparks can be generated between metal cans and filling tubes. Ground the metal can before inserting it into the filling tube, or use plastic gas cans. Watch inside the tank as you are filling to avoid overfilling. When fueling from the dock, put an oil absorbent cloth under the fill area to absorb any drops or spills. Wipe the side of the boat and the gas can with the absorbent cloth after filling. Don’t top the tank off. Hot weather will cause the gas to expand and spill out of the vent. Preventing spills will help the environment as petroleum products pollute both the water and the air. It is against the law to use detergent or other chemicals on a spill to disperse the oil or sheen. These products cause the petroleum to sink to the lake floor, where they cause harm to marine habitat. If you have spilled fuel, immediately stop the source of the spill and use oil absorbent cloth pads to clean the spill area.
