SPRING 2014
THE SCUTTLEBUT
Center Lakes Association
SPRING 2014
ING 2013 NEWSLETTER
Aquatic Invasive Species
Invasive Eurasian Water Milfoil
(Myriophyllum spectrum)
By Nancy Moe-Mergens
Eurasian Milfoil was accidentally introduced to
North America from Europe and the aquarium industry. It
spread westward into inland lakes primarily by boats. It
reached Midwestern states between the 1950’s and
1980’s.
It forms thick underwater stands of tangled
stems and cast masts of vegetation at the water’s
surface. In shallow areas the plant interferes with water
recreation such as boating, fishing, and swimming. The
plant’s floating canopy crowds out important native water
plants. Eurasian milfoil has the ability to reproduce
through stem fragmentation and runners. A single
segment of stem and leaves take root and form new
colonies.
Milfoil fragments cling to boats and trailers
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ANNUAL
SPRING
SATURDAY, June 7, 2014
SWEDISH VILLAGE FAMILY RESTAURANT
CENTER CITY, MN
which can spread from lake to lake. Lakeshore owners
ROLLS AND COFFEE
who remove native vegetation create perfect habitat for
(While they last)
invading Eurasian water milfoil. The costly hazard of
9:30AM - 11: 30AM
milfoil stems become entangled in boat propellers thus
Education Presentation
costing major repair to boat engines, they attach to keels
Minnesota DNR Fisheries
and rudders of all aquatic water craft and boat trailers.
In 2008, Eurasian milfoil was identified in North
Center Lake. It most likely spread to South Center Lakes
through the connecting channel between North and
Mr. Roger A. Hugill
Business Meeting
Officer and
Committee Elections
South Center. During the 2009 season of low lake water
levels Milfoil spread significantly in the southern half of
North Center Lake. Unfortunately milfoil cannot be
eradicated from our waters. This invader is here to stay.
At this writing the only way it can be managed is by
chemical treatments monitored and authorized by the
MNDNR.
Please join us and learn about the solutions to
help protect and clean up our valuable lakes.
FALL 2013
VOL. ONE ISSUE #1
The Water Quality Issues that
Due to the increasing cost of printing and
postage the spring newsletter will be sent
electronicly via e-mail.
Members who do not have a computer or
e-mail. Please inform CLA how you want to
recieve the newsletter.
Mail your request to;
CLA
PO Box 568
Lindstrom, MN 55045.
Only CLA members will receive the
Scuttlebut Newsletter.
.
New Membership Referral Program
 Refer a New Member
 Referral name will be put in
drawing
 Winner name drawn at the fall
meeting –must be present to win
 Win a prize
 More new member applications,
more chances to win.
 All renewal members
opportunity to win in separate
drawing
Go to www.centerlakesassocation.org for
more information & updates.
Website
www.centerlakesassociation.org
E-Mail
[email protected]
Mailing address
Center Lakes Association
P.O. Box 568
Lindstrom MN, 55045
Face North and South Center Lakes
By, Nancy Moe-Mergens
According to the 2013 Chisago Lakes, Lakes
Improvement District Annual Report, North and South Center
Lakes are classified as Eutrophic, and impaired, North/South
Center lake quality is graded “C”.
A eutrophic lake is defined as a lake without oxygen
the majority of the year. There may be problems with the
macrophye (aquatic plants) plant population. Blue green alga
bloom occurs. The water supply has episodes of severe taste and
order. Only warm fisheries are present, Nuisance aquatic plants,
algae blooms, and very low transparency discourages swimming
and boating. The main impairment of North and South Center
lakes are contributions of urban runoff, rural runoff and septic
systems all of which are the responsibilities of lakeshore owners,
users, agricultural, residents and surrounding cities and towns of
North and South Center Lake.
The lake quality classification rating is set by the
Minnesota Environment and Pollution Control. The lake water
quality grades measures the percentages of total phosphorus,
chlorophyll and secchi transparency. The grades are based from
May-September average. The classification is rated A-F. North
and South Center rates are in the 30 to 70 percentile of the
classification. Once Center Lakes goes above the 70% on the
rating scale our valuable lakes will be classified as a
Hypereutrophic. That classification rating will be a D-F. North
and South Center Lakes are getting closer to the hypereutrophic
rating.
Hypereutrophic is a lake that is dense in algae and
macrophtyse present. Rough fish such as common carp dominate
the fish population. The possibilities of summer fish kills exist.
Chisago Lake-South is rated as hypereretrophic. This rating is a
real threat of very low property resale values. The result of a
hypereutrophic lake is that of nuisance invasive species. In short
it is a death of a lake.
Currently North and South Center Lakes have an
overabundance of curly leaf pond weed (CLP), Eurasian water
milfoil (EWM) and common carp. Unfortunately, these invaders
are here to stay. It is impossible to get rid of them. However,
CLP and EWM can be managed with chemical treatments
authorized by MNDNR. It is a very expensive and never ending
endeavor. CLA must be diligent and organized to control the
invasive species which plaque our lakes.
Center Lakes Association is the voice for our lakes and
lakeshore property values. CLA needs more lakeshore residents
to be active members within the association. CLA’s main
objective is to protect our lakes water quality, water recreation and our
property resale values. It is very difficult to pursue solutions
without active members. Please become an active member.
Help save our lakes. Let’s have fun and work together!
“When it comes to the future there are three
types of people; those who make it happen, those who
watch it happen, and those who wonder what
happened.” Carol Christensen
Spring 2014
VOL. # one ISSUE #2
Center Lakes Association
Annual Membership
Application
o New Member
o Renewal Member
o Associate Member
Annual Dues $25.00
Please print legibly
Name___________________________________
Membership Options
New member is-any lakeshore owner who has
never joined CLA or missed one consecutive
year of paid dues. Members are entitled to
one vote per parcel of land.
Renewal Member is any lakeshore owner
who has consecutively been a member within
the previous year. Members are entitled to
one vote per parcel of land.
Associate member is a non-lakeshore
property owner or renter. No voting rights
Address_________________________________
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Center Lakes Association Objectives
City_________________State______Zip________

Maintain and improve the water
quality of South and North Center
Lakes

Promote and educate lakeshore
owners and users responsible use of
the lakes

Bring about a spirit of cooperation
among the lakeshore owners and
surronding commmunitites
Telephone_________________________________
Cell______________________________________
E-MAIL___________________________________
I PREFER TO RECEIVE THE CLA NEWSLETTER BY;
please circle one
US MAIL (non-computer user only). E-MAIL
Remove
from list
MY LAKE SHORE PROERTY IS ON
o SOUTH CENTER LAKE
o NORTH CENTER LAKE
Please check one
o I am a full-time resident
o Seasonal
o Snowbird
*ASSOCIATE MEMBER IS A NON-LAKESHORE PROPERTY
OWNER/RENTER NO VOTING RIGHTS.
*Free will donations of any denomination are accepted for the Aquatic
Invasive Species Fund. Donations are not in place of membership.
o
Please contact me I am interested in volunteer
opportunities.
Mail to: CLA, PO Box 568 Lindstrom, MN 55045
Referral Name_________________________
Cell or land line#_________________________
This page authorized to be reprinted or photocopied for membership
referral contest.
Nkm2014
Center Lakes Association expects
members to volunteer.
Benefits of Membership

Invasive aquatic weed management and
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education

Boat and aquatic recreation safety

Shoreline Education-protect your
home resale values

Get to know the lakeshore community
“Are YOU just a member?”
Membership Report
By Nancy Moe-Mergens- Membership Chair
Currently there are 600 lakeshore owners and 89 members. CLA has four executive
positions and six standing committees. Over the 30 years of CLA existence the Executive
board and the committee volunteers of the standing committee overlap on the committees
because no one has come forward to actively help on these committees. This is unsustainable
especially in a busy world of which we all live. Many of our board members and committee
members have demanding jobs and family. It is unreasonable for the Lakeshore
community to sit idly and expect these folks to year after year be active in more than one
committee (many of us are on three to four committees) plus volunteer with CLA activities
in order to keep CLA in operation. We are getting tired!
All of the officers and committee member’s terms will expire as of the spring 2014
meeting. A few of these volunteers have served far beyond the required term and are not
interested in serving another two year term or overlapping on more than one committee..
CLA needs to fill the current vacant executive and volunteer positions in order to continue
the operations of the association and CLA’s objectives. See chart next page.
Accomplishments
Since 2008 to the present CLA has upgraded and accomplished many of its
operational objectives, increased/maintained membership, partnered with other lake
associations private /governmental entities, secured grants to help with the invasive species
which plaque our waters. CLA also upgraded its meetings by offering speakers who were
able to communicate complicated scientific data into layman’s terms. CLA hosted a local
author Darby Nelson, “For Love of Lakes”, worked with the MNDNR and Chisago Soil
and Water Conservation District to put together interactive demonstrations to help further
learning and understanding of the lake quality issues. I am personally proud of these
accomplishments .Thank you all who volunteered and have been part of CLA success so far.
Continued
Executive Officer and Committee Elections
Interested members submit your nominations for offices and committee
chairperson at [email protected] or at the membership desk (before) the
Spring Annual Membership Meeting. It is ok to nominate yourself, think about working as
a team with your spouse or a neighbor.
What interests and skills do you have that you can bring to the CLA table?
Available Officer and Standing Committee positions :
President- Shall be the principal officer of the association and presides at all meetings of the association
and be of the board of directors. Be an ex-officio member if all committees, except the Nominating
Committee. Be responsible for carrying out orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors. Appoint
Standing Committee Chairpersons in the event volunteers cannot be found. Execute all documents,
contracts and agreements passed by the Board of Directors as required for conducting business of the
association. Perform duties incidental to the office as prescribed.
Vice President –Performs duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President, shall act in
an advisory capacity, serve in such capacity in case of death or resignation of the President, for the
unexpired term.
Secretary – Keep accurate minutes and records of proceedings of all meetings of the associatation, and of
the Board of Directors, Preserve (in a permanent file) all records and letters of value to the association and
its officers, to be transferred to the successor at the close of the term of office. Conduct the written
correspondence of the association. Be responsible for notifying the Board of Directors of Board Meetings
Prepare and release to the association’s membership notice of the annual meetings; that letter to be mailed
to each member (15) days prior to the annual meeting. Perform duties as may be prescribed by the
President.
Treasurer- Be custodian and keep accurate receipt of all monies of the Corporation received or disbursed,
A Board of Directors shall designate. Collect all dues, assessments or monies from members and any
monies coming into the association from outside sources, and give proper receipt thereof Be an ex-officio
member of the Finance Committee if such committee is in existence. Shall render to officers, or any
member, an account of the financial condition of the association. Deliver to the successor, within 15 days
after expiration of term office, all books, records, and papers, and take a listed receipt thereof.
Standing CommitteesMedia Committee- Updates website maintains CLA electronic data. Works with Newsletter committee
and Secretary
Membership/Education committee- a co-chairperson committee, with one representative from each of
The two lakes shall: Promote, expand, stabilize, and orient the membership. Accept all applications for
membership. Send welcome letters to new members. Set up educational speaker for Spring and Fall
meetings. Need co-chairperson and 2 members from each lake
Invasive Weed committee- A co-person committee with two other members from each lake. A map area
to be treated on lakes Appoint documentation person for committee. Members prepare permit applications
and submit to MNDNR, LID and Lakes Management, Inc. Members are required to attend LID meetings
and ask for grant monies. Follow up on grant money. Need 2 members from South Center.
Newsletter committee- Help writes, edits, E-mails/U.S. mail the newsletter. Works with Secretary and
webmaster. Need 3 or more volunteers
By Law committee- Maintain an accurate record of the Bylaws of the association.
All offices and committee terms are 2 years. Continued
More details of Officer and Committee duties are located on
www.centerlakesassociation.org under bylaws.
CREDITS
 Please note; should CLA members fail to elect a full bench of officers and committee
volunteers, the partnership with the LID and the MNDNR 2015 Eurasian water milfoil
grant ends.
 Information and description of Officers were obtained from the CLA by-laws
 Information for both articles in this newsletter was found on the MNDNR website, Citizen
AIS Monitoring Manual- 2014 edition.
“
YOU have to become involved to make an impact. No one is impressed with the
won/loss record of the referee”. John Holcomb
What’s been happening?
January 31, 2014 CLA (Nancy Moe-Mergens) applied for invasive species grant from MN DNR- areas once
again will be navigational areas. CLA Applied for curly leaf pondweed and invasive milfoil.
February- CLA partnered with the LID, Chisago, N/S Lindstrom and Green Lake Associations at the
Chisago, Home, Garden and Business Expo. CLA Hosts in attendance were Mike and Nancy Mergens,
Mike and Lorene Gray, Jill Behnke
March- CLA is approved for Curly leaf pondweed grant.
LID News- Mike Mergens voted as Vice Chair for the LID. Joyce Anastasi from CLLA is Chair. Al Singer
is stepping down as South Center Director. He has served on the LID board for may years. . South
Center is in need of a director. Interested parties should contact Jerry Spetzman. Mike Mergens is the
Director for North Center. The LID meets the first Monday of the Month @ 6:30pm at the Government
Center.
Lake Clean-up- Members from North and South Center Lakes. Mike and Nancy Mergens, Jill Behnke,
Mike and Lorene Gray showed up on an extremely cold day to help clean up the lakes. Thanks to Mike
and Lorene for their hospitality after the cleanup.
April- Grants are accepted and ready for ice to come off of the lakes in order to get permit
authorization.
April- Some board members met with the Chisago/Lindstrom and Green lakes Associations to discuss
forming a Lakes Area Coalition.
April- Mike Mergens, Nancy Mergens and Gregg Carlson attend an Aquatic Invasive Species Training
session- sponsored by Minnesota Conservation (formerly Minnesota Waters).
May- Newsletter committee meets to address new membership application to go to non-members
which will invite non-members to join and attend our annual meeting. Moving forward all nonmembers will be mailed an application to join CLA. Newsletter is an exclusive benefit of membership.
More members- less postage. Less addressing.
Thanks to all who helped.
May- Christine Jurek inspects N/S Center lakes for Aquatic invasive CPL and EWM authorize permits.
Membership contest. Kick off at spring meeting
See membership page on Newsletter for details. Ask your neighbors to become members.
Winner of the” Guess Ice out date” contest from the February home show is: Rick Ekstrand of Chisago
City, MN
June- Membership meeting- Elections and Guest Speaker: Roger Hugill
July- Karl Oskar Booth- needs hosts.
July 30th – CLA will partner with CLLA, GLA, LID MNDNR and the Boy scout troop# 159 “Harmony In
The Park” for “Water Works” an interactive demonstration of Strom Water Runoff.
August TBA
September TBA
October Tentative all lake association meeting-, Speaker: Christine Jurek from MNDNR Invasive species
Dept.