SUMMER LAKE AND RIVER PROJECTS

FCLARA HOME PAGE FCLARA BOARD OFFICERS SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS FOR 2008 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE LAKE ASSOCIATION MEMBERS FLORENCE COUNTY WIS. WEB SITE

Every year for the past several years FCLARA has administered a grant or has cooperated with Florence County Land Conservation Department to furnish the In-Kind labor commitment required by grants obtained by the county for lake and river rehabilitation.

Dedicated local volunteers and area lake association members have been joining forces with the Florence County Land Conservation Department staff to come up with solutions to address a number of local lake and river projects this summer. Building on the water monitoring efforts that started over the last couple of years at the county level, and raising public awareness about aquatic invasive species, department administrator Margie Yadro has requested financial support this year through the Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Education, Planning and Prevention grant program. These funds would be used to help provide additional staff that could assist with water sampling, laboratory testing and documenting results, along with organizing and supporting the Clean Boats/Clean Waters Program. Through the generous volunteer commitments from members of the Florence County Lakes and Rivers Association (FCLARA), the in-kind match allows for the grant proposal highlights to include water monitoring carried out at 50 county sites, and summer watercraft inspection activity coordination.  "Are a landowners have been awesome in volunteering their time, boats and especially their experienced shoreline knowledge while accompanying a staff member to research environmental changes and areas of concern on individual lakes and rivers. Many people got involved last year and we believe this is making a difference, such as finding pioneer outbreaks of purple loosestrife. The follow-up plan at those sites this year is focused on eradication, and that just makes it all worthwhile," states Yadro.  

Along with the AIS program manager position in this grant proposal is a request for a summer watercraft inspection activities coordinator. This additional staff person will be primarily at area boat landings, meeting the public and raising awareness of the hazards of aquatic invasive species infestations, explaining how we can all make a difference in slowing the spread. A few lakes and river areas in the county are currently suffering from aggressively growing plants such as Eurasian Water Milfoil, and undergoing expensive control treatments. This summer coordinator will work exclusively with the Clean Boats/Clean Waters state program and help unite and support local volunteer efforts. 

Another tool to help preserve Florence County quality water and forest resources includes constructing new and repairing existing signage at the boat landings and campgrounds. Though an Urban Forestry grant will supply soma of the financial support to educate residents and visitors about terrestrial specie infestations, such as emerald ash borer, Yadro plans to request local input from shoreland owners, volunteers and public officials to use available resources toward the most comprehensive signage possible. The goal is to provide the nature recreationist with increased awareness and guidance to take the necessary precautions for maintaining water quality and forest health against invasive species that ultimately would affect those favorite fishing and swimming holes and scenic campsites. 

The Land Conservation Department has already received approval for participation in the Conservation On the Land Internship Program (COLlP), similar to last year. This allows for a fulltime college student to be involved in all department operations and activities. The status of the DNR grant is in preliminary approval and awaiting contract agreement. "I am excited to see so many opportunities to share resources this summer participating in many worthwhile projects. I will be glad to share with folks the final results of grant funds awarded to these projects at the summer kickoff event on June 14th at the Water Protection Workshop at the Natural Resource Center," Yadro continued. "The Land Conservation Department would again like to express the staff and committee members' appreciation of our great volunteers and recognize that it is through their efforts that make this all possible. Thank you."