Saturday, June 24, 2006

Keepsake Shores

Call to order: ELPPA President Chuck Cubbage called the meeting to order at 9:25 AM.

Chuck asked Bill French, Kalamazoo County Drain Commissioner to proceed with a demonstration of ground water flow using the scale model display he had set up. Considerable interest was shown by all those in attendance as the model clearly showed the flow dispersion of different colors of water introduced to the model and how easily the colored water entered model features of lake, stream and aquifer. Because of the keen interest in the demonstration Chuck asked Bill to hold his demonstration until after the rest of the meeting was conducted.

Chuck then introduced Kyle Townsend from the Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program to discuss the program’s efforts to educate the public on the impact of various property owner practices on groundwater, similar to the demonstration model Bill French displayed. Home*A*Syst is a program that addresses various activities that can harm or help groundwater conservation. “Lake Assist” is a program that specifically addresses practices that can harm lakes and streams. Kyle had a variety of brochures and booklets available. Of special interest were the fact that Michigan soils do not need additional phosphorous and the best management of a septic system requires regular pumping; occasional use of a septic system is harder on the system than regular use because the anaerobic action is not maintained with only occasional use.

Sgt. Fred Seigal was introduced as representative of the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. Segal is the Marine Safety Officer responsible for the education of water craft users and patrolling of recreational waters in Van Buren County. Fred re-emphasized the requirement that Personal watercraft operators between the ages of 14 and 28 must have a Boater Safety Training Certificate to operate such craft (wave runner or jet ski) in the state of Michigan. Other rules apply to the operation of other types of watercraft and pamphlets and brochures showing those rules were available for the taking. Fred acknowledged his staff was short two officers this year and their may not be a level of patrol we have seen in past years; however, should we observe unsafe watercraft practices we should call their office at 657-3101 and report what was observed to the dispatcher; if a Marine Safety Officer is in the area they may be able to get on the lake and address the problem as it is happening. Various questions were received from the audience and answered by Fred with specific issues of noisy high-powered boats and late hour PWC operation.

Chuck thanked the Keepsake Shores property owners for again allowing us to use their access site for the Annual Meeting and thanked Pat and Mary Cummings for the use of their electrical service for preparing the coffee and to power the groundwater flow model. Association Board members were acknowledged for their service to ELPPA through the year.

Minutes of July 2, 2005 Annual Meeting: Approved as presented on motion by Skip Youngblood and second by Gary Sargent.

Treasurers Report: Pat Cubbage advised we had a bank balance of $1,802.33 with newsletter advertising revenue contributing $945.50 and membership dues $1475.10. There were two outright donations to the association, one of $100 from High’s Marine. The Treasurer’s report was approved as presented on motion by Ruth Wilkinson and second by Harold Finley.

Weevil Update: Chuck Cubbage provided an update on the Eurasian Milfoil battle and progress of the weevil treatment. EnviroScience had recently advised of a possible problem with the weevil population and was investigating if the unusual weather this past winter and spring may have affected the survival of the weevils. The lack of ice cover and warm spring may have created a situation where the weevils returned to the water too early and failed to survive the subsequent freezes. EnviroScience was also determining if a sampling error may be the source of the problem. The overall success of the weevil population growth in past years has made the sudden change of more concern. However, there is still evidence of milfoil damage and the growth in our lake has not been as dramatic as other lakes.

Sewer Study Proposal: The response of the Eagle Lake property owners to the newsletter question regarding interest in a sewer system study at a potential cost of $10,500 was about divided with a few more in favor than against. Chuck and Doug attended a special Paw Paw Township meeting on May 15^th at which Township Trustee Bill Johnson presented a proposal that the Township fund a special study to determine the feasibility and cost of a sewer system extension from Paw Paw to lakes Cora, Three Mile and Eagle; at the June 15th monthly Township meeting an expenditure of not to exceed $14,500 was approved for this purpose. Because of the Township interest the cost of this study would be shared by the entire Township and not just the Eagle Lake property owners.

Other Business And Concerns From Property Owners:

Lawn Fertilizer: Skip Youngblood, in keeping with remarks by Kyle Townsend, emphasized the fact phosphorous was not needed as a nutrient in the soil in our area and that the use of fertilizers, if they were necessary at all, that did not contain phosphate reduced one source of lake contaminate. Phosphate free fertilizers are available from many local outlets and at a cost comparable to other fertilizers. Chuck also noted the best fertilizer for your lawn was lake water which contains all the nutrients your lawn should need.

ELPPA Fund Raising: Doug Dorgan had secured a small supply of door mats bearing the map of Eagle Lake that were available for $30 with all profit going to the ELPPA. There were also free copies of Cabin Life Magazine available for those who were interested with certificates for a $5.00 subscription discount if someone was interested in ordering a subscription.

Chuck suggested participants note the various newspaper articles posted nearby regarding the sewer issue, golf carts and water safety.

Participant comments were received regarding the lowering lake level, the fact that a sewer system would ship water out of our watershed while the septic systems do not. Pat Cubbage noted two sections of wayward dock that washed up on their property. Someone mention hooking a Carp in the lake and was advised to NOT throw it back. In general it was noted fishing was decent

Adjournment: The 2006 annual meeting was adjourned at 10:29 AM.

Douglas G. Dorgan

Secretary