Blue-green algae danger grows

Toxins that can sicken or kill dogs, people found in some state lakes

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...Some of the heaviest loads of these scum-forming organisms were found this year at Lake Koshkonong in Rock and Jefferson counties; Redstone in Sauk County; Colladay and Stricker's ponds in Dane County; and an artificial pond at the Odana Hills Golf Course in Dane County, according to a preliminary report.

"The health risk is real," Mark Werner, a toxicologist with the state Department of Health and Family Services, said. "There can be enough toxin in the water to cause harm to humans."
People could be exposed to the poisons if they swallow water through the mouth or nose while swimming or boating, Werner said.

The state Health Department advises the public to call a doctor if someone ingests water with algae and then becomes ill with one or more of the following symptoms: stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headache, severe muscle or joint pain. A person showing signs of seizure or convulsions after swimming in water tainted with blue-green algae should be taken to an emergency room.

Contact with the water could cause allergic reactions and some of those symptoms include skin rash, hives and itchy eyes and throat.

Meat Raffle

Do you love watching sunsets on the lake?
How 'bout ice fishing in the Derby?
Or pulling a tube with your kids laughing out loud?

Those are the things that make Lake Koshkonong a very special place. And for those of us who want to see this treasure protected and improved, here's a small way you can help.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 11th, 10:00 am.

Connie and the great crew at Snuffy's (a local landmark many consider more significant than the Tallman House), are hosting a meat raffle to benefit the Lake District.

100% of the proceeds will be dedicated to The Cause -- protecting the future of Lake Koshkonong and improving both the recreation and ecology of this treasured resource.

Serving as emcee on December 11th, will be guest MJ (meat jockey) Wiggy.

And the Packers don't play until 7:30 pm, so hope to see you at Snuffy's.

DNR Pier Rules Back on the Drawing Board

The DNR pier regulation debate remains in uncharted waters after board action today.

The Natural Resources Board this morning unanimously agreed to pull back the package of proposed pier regulations approved in September. Members agreed to consider a revised package toting “more clarity” at the board's Dec. 7 meeting in Madison.

The board made its decision during a teleconference meeting when members heard from Mike Staggs, the Department of Natural Resources’ top fishing management and habitat protection expert.

Staggs detailed additional research regarding the status of Wisconsin piers and how the size and location may affect aquatic plant life and fishing habitats. Through the use of a revised statistical sample, Staggs also revised the preliminary estimate of the number of existing piers on Wisconsin’s lakes from 457,611 to about 187,000. Staggs said the largest pier he found was a 1,152-square foot platform on Lake Minocqua.

“As a matter of reference, that size of a footprint is of my own personal house. … The size of somebody’s house has been placed out there.”

The revisions to the rules, which have shoved the Department of Natural Resources into a public relations battle with the Wisconsin Realtors Association and others, may include changes to suggested fees for permits and the guidelines used to determine when an existing pier is large enough to require an individual permit that may lead to suggested pier modifications.

And in cases where an owner objects, it could lead to a hearing before an administrative law judge or in a circuit courtroom.

Todd Ambs, DNR’s water program administrator, said in an interview today the question of when a pier is large enough to require an individual permit is “one of the critical questions” for the revised rule coming in December.

The Realtors, along with some Republican lawmakers, stand firm in their opposition to crafting rules that will apply retroactively. Tom Larson of the Realtors told WisPolitics.com his group is not opposed to setting standards or imposing regulations, but it is the possibility some people may be found in violation of rules that didn’t exist when their piers were constructed is troublesome.

“It is a dangerous precedent,” Larson says, adding that the precedent could theoretically allow the agency to turn its focus to homes built along waterfront areas.

Yet Larson stressed the Realtors are not opposed to regulations aimed at getting at the bad players in the state, and he remained “cautiously optimistic” about the board's move to pull the rules back for more work.

More on DNR Pier Regs

Look for some possible changes in a package of pier regulations still pending with the Natural Resources Board.

The board is slated to meet tomorrow morning by teleconference to hear from one of their top fishing management and habitat protection experts, Mike Staggs.

Staggs will detail results from additional research regarding piers and how such structures affect habitat.

The proposed pier regulations are aimed at ensuring piers are not harmful to the environment and do not violate the public trust doctrine (which ensures public access to state waterways), DNR officials say.

However, the regulations have sparked a war of words between the agency and the Wisconsin Realtors Association, along with a few sympathetic lawmakers, who oppose the creation of rules that would apply retroactively to existing piers.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel jumped into the fray today with an editorial blasting the Realtors for using scare tactics, and backing up the DNR’s statement most of the piers will not be affected by the new proposals.

WI Supreme Court Hears Pier Issue

The Supreme Court also took testimony in a case involving the Department of Natural Resources and the agency’s order for a homeowners’ association on Green Lake to shrink a pier.

The pier was constructed adjacent to 77-feet of shoreline property in 1966, originally with six slips, and expanded until there were 22 slips in 1990, according to a case synopsis. Under DNR guidelines, a shoreline of 77 feet would be allowed just two or three boat slips, but the DNR did not seek removal until a complaint was filed.

An administrative law judge ordered the number of slips reduced to 11. A circuit court review ruled that decision “arbitrary and not based on sufficient evidence” and ordered that 17 slips remain, which was the number in 1993 when a local ordinance barring the proliferation of multi-slip piers was passed.

“This pier was constructed lawfully and if the law changed after construction it’s no different than if I build a house on a lot … and subsequently an ordinance is adopted that my house does not comply with,” argued Madison attorney John Kassner, who was representing the Wisconsin Builders Association and Wisconsin Realtors Association. The organizations filed friend of the court briefs on behalf of the defendant, Jim Hilton.

Kassner argued that whether or not the pier could be built today is irrelevant, that the focus needs to be whether it was constructed lawfully in the first place.

Assistant Attorney General Joanne Kloppenburg, representing the DNR, argued that the court must balance property rights with the need to maintain the lake as a natural resource that is available to the public. The Legislature, she said, has given the DNR the authority to make encroachments on property rights to defend the public interest.

About halfway through the hearing, Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson said she was beginning to experience “buyer’s remorse” for agreeing to hear the case.

“My concern is I’m not sure what important principle of law we’re going to be making in this case, which is what we’re supposed to do when we take these cases,” she said.

Hoeper said the court could advance the law by resolving whether and how the DNR may proceed in abatement cases.

Calling All Fishermen

I stay at lakeland camp ground and I gotta say this is one of the worst fishen seasons I've ever had in 17 seasons on this lake its pathetic how shallow this lake is just 4 duck hunting season, so all boaters and fishermen have to suffer. Maybe next year we will have to navigate around exposed sandbars in the middle of the lake. For the love of God, close the dam next year please. I like the taste of eyes and stripes.

tight lines

Dear Tight Lines;

Today's water level is 776.06, above the DNR winter water level max of 775.77 by about 3.5 inches -- or, over the DNR winter water level target of 775. 39 by about 8 inches.
Also, with flow increasing from the gauges in Fort, we are forced to open gates; 4 are open today. Ugh -- Further proof that the Indianford Dam can only control low water conditions, and not the spring flood/high water conditions that visit us in Spring.
(Print this)

Sure hope you are among those who attend the public portion of our contested case hearing to offer your testimony at the end of March. We need many more like you!

Snagged Again

Radio Ads Oppose New DNR Pier Rules

Click HERE to listen to a pier-related radio ad from the Wisconsin Homeowners Alliance.