More Fundraising Comments

Brian:
My take would be as follows...

I hope the annual dinner would continue and perhaps the funds can be rotated every other year between the Lake District and the DNR if the Hatchery has already been funded.

The Board can then direct the funds at their discretion, and maybe this means going to DNR or RRKA/LKRA on consecutive years depending on the respective needs.

Hope this helps.
Steve Proud

Fundraising Comments

Excellent...Maybe the RKLD should take over the dinner if the associations discontinue it?

It is an extremely tough job to put on but if we can get enough volunteers to facillitate the donations needed to maintain the integrity of the dinner it could turn out to be a bonus, money wise.

The downside would be for RKLD to fund the hatchery but that is what it is all about and the DNR only needs the money about every two years.

It would also show the public and media that we try to work with the DNR and it is the DNR who doesn't work with the RKLD.
Jim Folk

Bark River/LKRA Fundraising Dinner

On Wed, Jan 31st at 6:30pm at the Culver's in Newville - the planning committee is meeting to discuss the future of the annual dinner.

I would like to ask the Lake District Board, as well as all lake district electors that can be reached on short notice to attend this meeting

There is some concern that the dinner will not be held. I would very much hope that this annual tradition continue, but with a new cause.

Rather than the proceeds donated to the DNR as has been the tradition, which then the DNR earmarks for the Hatchery, perhaps for just this year, proceeds be donated to the Lake District so we can help the RRKA and the LKRA pay for their attorney fees during the past Contested Case Hearing.

Our appeal is being done pro-bono by the lawyers, so this will enable the RKLD to continue to Rock County Circuit Court with no added expense to our taxpayers AND we anticipate REDUCING the special tax charge this summer.

However, if the Hatchery is already funded from last year's dinner, then RKLD would appreciate a one-year helping hand on behalf of legal fees incurred by RRKA and LKRA in support of healthier operating orders for improved Lake levels.

Feel free to reply your thoughts on this concept.
Brian Christianson

Nesting pole could attract pair of ospreys

From the Janesville Gazette

On Sunday morning, a crew of volunteers from Alliant Energy installed a 68-foot osprey pole on Tallgrass Restorations' land near Newville.

Tallgrass, a company specializing in prairie and other ecological restorations, owns the 220 acres of land that used to be the Kidder game farm. The company transformed the farm fields back to their natural states, with prairies, wetlands and small woodland areas.

...The 3-foot square platform, donated by the Lake Koshkonong Wetland Association, was covered with twigs held in place with twine.

...Jim Nicholson, Alliant construction manager, said the crew put in an osprey pole at a different location last weekend, on the other side of Lake Koshkonong.

Edgerton Reporter: Bounty Hunt Cancelled

Bounty Hunt Page 2

RKLD is Not RRKA

The Rock-Koshkonong Lake District is a local unit of government (RKLD).

The Rock-River Koshkonong Assocation is a club (RRKA).

The RKLD has no involvement with the Bounty Hunt.

The RRKA sponsors the Bounty Hunt as a fundraiser.

The RRKA sells calenders and conducts raffles as a fundraiser.

Contact Frank Micale (920-723-7889) for information on the Bounty Hunt or the raffle winners.

Rock River Basin Land Use Stats

Basin land use

Agricultural: 73 percent

Residential: 12 percent

Wetlands: 7 percent

Commercial/Industrial: 5.5 percent

Woodlands: 1.6 percent

A DNR study of the Rock River Basin could mean a $20 million bill for Janesville

From the Janesville Gazette

...The Rock River basin covers nearly 3,800 square miles of southcentral Wisconsin and includes 150 lakes and more than 2,000 miles of stream. The majority of the river is included on the impaired waters list, as is Lake Koshkonong, the Yahara River and a section of Turtle Creek in Walworth County.

...Phosphorous encourages the growth of algae and deep-rooted plants, Congdon explained. The plants slow the river's current, adding even more rich sediment to the riverbed. Algae growth depletes oxygen in the water, limiting the growth and health of native fish.

...Bringing the levels down to those the DNR wants could mean investing in micro filtration equipment, which could risk the city's position as having the second-lowest water bills among similar-sized Wisconsin cities, Lynch said.

...The goal of the yet-unnamed municipal group is not to get in the way of the DNR's study, said Madison attorney Paul Kent, who will provide legal services for the group. Rather, the organization's purpose is to ensure that whatever number the DNR determines as the maximum pollution load is actually achievable by municipal point sources of pollution.

..."Even if the costs are fairly allocated (between point and non-point sources), you don't want to spend millions if it's not going to get you any results."

Response to the Porter Letter to the Editor

Brian,
I read the letter from the Porter family in the Edgerton Reporter over the weekend and was not going to respond until I saw it in the blog.

I was quite surprised by the entire letter. The homeowners, vacationers and some environmentalists have organized to form and effective group to improve Lake Koshkonong. The Lake District.

I do not recall any meeting of the District that the Board promoted” ever more development” as better for our lake. The Board has worked with the DNR to preserve our Lake and the water quality. I would speculate that the approximately $80,000.00 in grants the Lake District received for the protection of wetlands was one of the largest improvements ever done to improve the lake.

I would also mention the Lake District has also worked with professional engineers to study and evaluate the entire lake and river system to a greater degree than has ever been done by anyone.

The talk of “self serving anti-environmental lawsuit” is greatly disturbing. Have these homeowners ever attended a annual meeting? The support by members of the district has been overwhelming in support of the Board of Directors action.

I would like to suggest anyone who is a member of the district that has concerns come to a Board meeting or the Annual Meeting and voice their opinions. I am proud of the Lake District and its efforts to work with everyone to improve Lake Koshkonong and the Rock River.
Ed Sandner

Porter Letter to the Editor (1.17.07)

Porter LTE PAGE 2

DNR Bush Earns DNR Award

LKRA Deserves Credit for Bark River Fish Hatchery

Not knocking Don Bush personally he is an excellent fish biologist but what a crock of BS, if it weren't for Lake Koshkonong Recreation Assoc. there would be no Bark River Hatchery for stocking and if wasn't for the LKWA/WDNR/Bush and their low water efforts we would have abundant natural spawning and reproduction within the system that would include all the natural fish species to Lake Koshkonong, not just Walleyes and Northerns.
Regards
An old time fisherman

Bounty Hunt Postponed Again

I just talked to Frank, and he decided to call it off for Jan 27.

It will be in the papers next week.

I suggested a late Feb date, which isn't out of the question.

Otherwise it will be in April on open water, still having the home base at Norm's.
Ray Lunder

Catching-up: DNR Don Bush

Page 2 ; DNR Don Bush

Page 3; DNR Bush

NAH No Longer Under Contract With RKLD

As of December 15th, the expiration date of our annual contract renewal with North American Hydro, has been excercised by NAH.

RKLD has retained the subcontractors to NAH to continue with water level reporting and maintanence of the Indianford Dam.

Many thanks to Kim Bothom for continuing with RKLD and most recently, repairing the outside safety lights and the powerhouse windows that vandals have been throwing rocks through...

Hydro firm interested in dam

From the Janesville Gazette

PORTER TOWNSHIP-A hydroelectric company is trying to gain the rights to run the Stebbinsville Dam, offering a potential solution to years of struggle between the dam's owner and the state.

...If the company builds the plant, it would repair and run the dam located in Porter Township on the Yahara River, said Senior Vice President William Pickrell.

...North American Hydro also operates the Centerway Dam in Janesville and the Indianford Dam near Edgerton.

Bounty Hunt Question

IS THE BOUNTY HUNT STILL ON FOR THE 26 TH OF JAN.
THIS YEAR 2007

BLACK HAWK ISLAND GERRY

I talked with Mike Micale on Fri night and he said it was doubtful. I don't know for sure, only Frank will make the call. Whether he has done it or not, and what he is basing his decision on, is anyone's guess.
Ray Lunder

Board Member Resigns

As of December 31, 2006, Commissioner Marty Walsh will no longer serve on the RKLD Board. He cited time as a factor in his decision to leave before his term has expired.

According to state statute, the chairman appoints a commissioner to serve the balance of the remaining term. The board ratifies the appointment at the next monthly board meeting.

Also according to state statute, the RKLD must meet at a minimum, quarterly. Unless the circuit court moves with greater speed than we anticipate, the RKLD will plan on meeting again in March.

Commissioner Jeff Folk is serving as temporary Secretary until a formal vote is taken to fill the vacancy and fill the secretary''s position at our next RKLD Board meeting.

Group wants grant for Whitewater lakes preservation

From the Janesville Gazette

Whitewater's two lakes have offered the community recreation, beauty and a sense of peace for more than a century.

Generations of families have grown up swimming, fishing and boating in Cravath and Tripp lakes that together cover 181 acres in the heart of the city.

The lakes are as much of the city's history as the brick buildings downtown and the train depot.

But a local grassroots group believes the lakes need help.

...Tom Barnes, the city's parks and recreation director, said both lakes are shallow impoundments that would become creeks if the dams are removed. Most impoundments are designed to eventually fill in, he said.

...The group is interested in forming a lake management district or association, Sable said.

Barnes said the city spends about $5,000 annually on lake management, including spraying for weeds.

But time has taken a toll on the lakes.

Years ago, when Tripp Lake was 12 to 14 feet deep, families flocked to the lake to swim and lie on the sandy beach, Barnes said. People remember jumping off the high dive and not touching bottom.

Today, Tripp Lake is 6 to 8 feet deep because of an accumulation of silt, Sable said. Cravath Lake, according to a past DNR report, may be less than 3 feet deep in many spots, Sable said.

It is Property Tax Season Again...

And concerns are being raised again regarding the special charge of $100 for the Lake District.

Check HERE for answers to your questions (FAQs) or HERE (WI State Statute Chapter 33)

* The special charge applies to the parcel (s) not the people. Thus, the special charge has nothing to do with whether the parcel owners "use" the lake/river.

* The Lake District did not determine the boundaries of the lake district. The boundaries were formed by the Rock County Board of Supervisors - after a public hearing - in 1999. Since there was no precise method to determine the "perfect" boundary for the lake district, the sanitation district boundary was the generally agreed upon boundary.

* The sanitation district boundary includes homes that are NOT connected to sewer.

* State Statutes does provide for a "Petition for Detachment." Please read Chapter 33 before proceeding.

* State law requires that the Lake District collect ONLY the amount of tax dollars that it intends to spend the following calendar year. Cash Reserves are not permitted. Thus, the Lake District is a zero-sum taxing authority.

* With exceptions, the Lake District is a local unit of government - like the Edgerton City Council.

* The $100 per parcel special charge was passed unanimously by the electors at the Annual Meeting held this past July, at the Fort Atkinson High School Auditorium.

* Every parcel owner within the Lake District boundary receives an Annual Newsletter -- EVERY year -- explaining the budget (and the new special charge amount) for the following calendar year.

* EVERY parcel owner has the right to vote on the special charge amount, EVERY year.

* Roughly 4,000 parcels are within the Lake District boundary. At $100 per parcel, roughly $400,000 will be collected from property owners in 2007.

* The special charge amount will not remain at $100 per parcel next year - NOR will that amount increase. State Law requires that the Lake District justify AND spend their revenues to zero balance. The Lake District cannot justify spending $400,000 in 2008.

* $400,000 is being spent on the preparation and process of the Contested Case Hearing. Dollars are allocated for PhDs from UW-Madison, attorneys that are experts in administrative law proceedings and water level disputes, on research on navigable waters created by impoundments (Dams), and many expert witnesses.

* The cost of proceeding with the Contested Case Hearing was voted and supported by an overwhelming majority of electors from the past several annual meetings.

Ten principles guide Gazette's editorial views

From the Janesville Gazette

4. The Gazette favors protecting our environment and hunting and fishing rights. We endorse efforts to save and restore Wisconsin's waterways, forests and other natural resources so future generations can enjoy hunting, fishing and other outdoor pursuits. The state must strike a balance-protecting natural resources without placing undue burdens on businesses and industry.

The RKLD endorses that principle wholeheartedly.