2010
NEWS
I'm looking forward to seeing all of you and working with you
throughout the year and into the future. Please
continue to send your newsletters and keep me posted on what you are doing. Region 3 people are great about attending meetings and keeping in touch. If
you are reading this and you are not an MLSA member but are interested in
protecting our inland lakes and streams or live on one of them, please join
us at any of our scheduled meetings.
CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS/LAKE
REPRESENTATIVE MEETINGS
Saturday, April 24th - REGION 3 MEMBERS HOLD SPRING MEETING: The spring meeting of the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association, Region 3,
took place in Decatur. Sue Vomish, the MLSA president and region 3
representative, lead a group of 22 people, representing 15 southwest
Michigan lake associations, in a round table discussion. The attendees
represented Klinger Lake, Indian Lake, Lake Wahbememe, Finch Lake, Three
Mile Lake, Gravel Lake, Gourdneck Lake, Lake of the Woods, Sherman Lake,
Diamond Lake, Crooked Lake, Silver Lake, Dewey Lake, and Twin Lakes.
The meeting began with a question about association sponsored activities.
“What exposure to liability does an association have if they sponsor a Boat
Parade?” This question became a discussion about General Liability
Insurance and the reasons why lake associations purchase this protection.
The discussion continued with many ideas about lake management. An invasive
plant species called "Cabomba Caroliniana (Fanwort)" has made its
appearance in some inland lakes, while others are seeing blue green algae
(associated with a large zebra mussel infestation), Duck Weed, and shoreline
moss. Eurasian Milfoil continues to be at the top of the invasive
species list with most of the lakes using some type of treatment or
preparing to start treatment. Large numbers of Mute Swans and geese
continue to plague area lakes and controlling the population raises legal
and emotional issues. Several lakes shared their experiences using
dams and augmentation wells and a discussion ensued about the difference in
these lake leveling devices depending on the unique characteristics of a
lake and its watershed.
One lake reported that a few of their residents had been notified by their
mortgage company requesting them to purchase flood insurance. This request
was generated from the recent revision, by FEMA, of the flood insurance
maps. Other topics of discussion were how to attract new leadership
and new members to lake associations and how recent court decisions will
affect riparian owners.
Everyone attending agreed how helpful it is to meet with other associations
and they are looking forward to attending the next Region 3 meeting that
will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2010, at 9:30 a.m., at the Webster
Memorial Library, 200 N. Phelps, Decatur, Michigan.
Saturday, May 8, 2010 - SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN
PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP
LAWN CARE/LANDSCAPING FOR IMPROVED WATER
QUALITY
The workshop will be held from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Riverview Park,
Woodbine Lodge, Niles Avenue, St. Joseph, Michigan. The cost is $10.00
per person (includes materials and light refreshments). This workshop
will be helpful whether you own a small city lot or a maintain a large
commercial lawn area and everything in between!
At this workshop learn:
- How to incorporate native plants into your lawn, gardens and landscaping;
- Which native plants are best suited for your lawn and gardens;
- How to plan, design and maintain a natural landscape of any size;
- Why you should use phosphorus free (0-in-the-middle) fertilizer; and
- Other lawn care tips to keep your lawn green and our water blue!
The keynote speaker will be native plant and garden expert Mark O’Brien from
the JFNew Native Plant Nursery, one of the largest native plant nurseries in
the Midwest. Mark will discuss which native plants are best suited for any
lawn and garden, and show how to plan, design and maintain a natural
landscape of any size. Workshop attendees will also learn why it is
important to use phosphorus free (0-in-the-middle) fertilizer, and how
over-fertilizing impacts the water quality of our wetlands, streams, rivers
and lakes.
***Register online and be entered to win a
native plant give-away, a value of over $75.00!***
For more information and to register online for this exciting event visit
http://www.swmpc.org/lawn_workshop.asp
Invite a friend! Please share this announcement
with your friends, neighbors and colleagues with an interest in landscaping
and lawn care!
Saturday September 25th - FALL LAKE REPRESENTATIVE MEETING: The Region 3 Fall Lake Representative meeting will be held from
9:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Webster Memorial Library, 200 N. Phelps, Decatur,
Michigan. There is no charge to attend. A light breakfast will be
served. Remember, you are the speakers. Come prepared to tell us
how your projects and your summer activities.
Wednesday, October 20th - Our FALL SEMINAR: Our Fall seminar, with three speakers and dinner, will be held on in Lawrence at the Van Buren Intermediate School
District building from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm. There is a charge of $20.00 to
attend this seminar.
VOLUNTEERS - REGION 3 NEEDS YOUR HELP
Many of you have come forward to my plea for help by working with me at
the meetings and giving of your time and talents as speakers. Thanks to
all of you!!!!!!!!!! Now, as you can see, Region 3 is in need of a
second vice-president and three trustees. I have trustees for Cass
and St Joseph Counties. We should have one in each county. 2nd VPs help me with
the lake rep meetings and fall seminar as well as what I might be
working on for MLSA. Trustees help me with keeping in touch with
member associations and contacting non-member associations within their
county. I am in my second year as also being President of MLSA and
I can use all the help I can get within our Region. If you feel you can
be of assistance in some way, please contact me. MLSA cannot
survive without volunteers.
A big thanks to all of you who are currently helping me in some way.
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