WHITE BEAR LAKE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN
MAY 1999
Summary of State Regulations on Controlling Aquatic Plants
ACTIVITIES NOT ALLOWED
- Laying a plastic mat on the lake bottom.
- Removing vegetation within a posted fish-spawning area.
- Removing aquatic plants from an undeveloped shoreline.
- Removing plants where they do not interfere with swimming, boating, or recreation.
ACTIVITIES NOT REQUIRING A PERMIT
Cutting or pulling submerged vegetation by individuals can occur without a permit, provided that:
- The cleared area does not exceed 2,500 square feet and does not exceed more than 50 feet or one half the length of and individual’s shoreline, whichever is less.
- The cutting or pulling cannot alter the course, current or cross-section of the lake bottom.
- Plants must be disposed far enough from the shoreline so they do not wash back into the lake.
ACTIVITIES REQUIRING A PERMIT
- Destruction of emergent plants.
- Mechanical removal of areas greater than 2,500 square feet.
- Applying herbicides or algicides.
- Moving or removing a floating bog.
- Transplanting aquatic plants into protected waters.
- Using beach-cleaning or sand-sifting machines below the ordinary high water mark.
* * * As a matter of practice, the MN DNR will permit chemical treatments for no more that 100 feet or 50% of shoreline property (whichever is less) and extending 100-150 feet into the lake.
Comparison of 1998 Budgets of the White Bear Lake and Lake Minnetonka Conservation Districts
| INCOME | WBLCD | LMCD |
| Administration | ||
|
Cities |
$ 33,000 | $ 110,000 |
|
Court Fines |
-- | 40,000 |
|
Licences |
10,000 | 100,000 |
|
Other |
8,000 | 10,000 |
| Exotic Species Management | ||
|
Community Levy |
-- | 64,000 |
|
DNR |
** | 24,000 |
|
Private Solicitations |
-- | 1,000 |
|
Reserve |
-- | 5,000 |
|
Interest |
-- 12,000 | 12,000 |
|
TOTAL |
$ 51,000 | $ 366,000 |
| EXPENSES | ||
|
Personnel |
$ 8,000 | $ 112,000 |
|
Office Rent |
1,000 | 18,000 |
|
Office & Administration |
5,000 | 33,000 |
|
Professional Services |
7,000 | 10,000 |
|
Water Patrol |
16,000 | -- |
|
Legal |
2,000 | 60,000 |
|
Other |
2,000 | 20,000 |
|
Contingency |
-- | 6,000 |
|
Exotics Management |
10,000 | 107,000 |
|
TOTAL |
$ 51,000 | $ 366,000 |
* All amounts are rounded to the nearest thousand dollars.
** The WBLCD will be reimbursed for 1998 milfoil control activities in 1999. This is accounted for in the ‘Other’ category of income.
Advisory Committee Resolution
Date: January 19, 1999
To: White Bear Lake Conservation District and its member cities
From: Advisory Committee - White Bear Lake Management Plan
The Advisory Committee was formed to assist the White Bear Lake Conservation District in developing and implementing a lake management plan. As we near the end of the plan development phase and look forward to recommending the plan’s adoption and implementation by the White Bear Lake Conservation District, we have two primary concerns:
- The Board Members of the White Bear Lake Conservation District may need training in negotiation skills, conflict resolution, and certain scientific areas to implement this lake management plan effectively.
- The member cities and township from which the Board Members are appointed/elected do not appear to be giving clear or uniform guidance to the District. Furthermore, it is not clear that the District has the necessary support from the cities and township to implement a lake management plan.
To facilitate implementation of a lake management plan, the Advisory Committee urges the White Bear Lake Conservation District to do the following:
- Foster an open and inviting forum for ongoing public input.
- Actively advocate for investments in protecting and managing White Bear Lake.
- Seek and implement technical and management training for its Board Members.
In addition, the Advisory Committee encourages the member cities and township to provide the necessary support to implement this management plan by doing the following:
- Establishing an ongoing communication with the Board Members.
- Providing the necessary financial support to the WBLCD to protect and manage White Bear Lake for our community.
- Adopt clear and well-publicized procedures for appointing/electing Board Members to the White Bear Lake Conservation District.
Finally, the Advisory Committee recommends that the White Bear Lake Conservation District use the skills and experience of the current and future members of the Advisory Committee as appropriate in implementing the Lake Management Plan.
