SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER

Funding received for 1998 Self Help Programs Governor Signs MDEQ Budget

Governor Engler signed the 1997/1998 MDEQ budget which included funds to carry out the present Self Help program as well as additional new programs. Until now the Self Help programs for lakes have been supported by funds received by the state from the EPA Clean Lakes program. In the past, the State of Michigan has not made this Self Help program a budget item. In 1992 when the EPA funds started to dwindle, ML&SA was asked to manage the program under a Memorandum of Understanding. As of September 30, 1997, the EPA funding will be discontinued and in order for the current Self Help Programs (Secchi Disk and Spring Phosphorus Testings) to continue, a new source of funding needed to be found. Lake associations as well as individual members of ML&SA and members of the Michigan chapter of NALMS, working together, informed Michigan legislators of the importance of the work done by volunteers in the Self Help Programs. Secchi Disk (Transparency readings) and the Spring Phosphorus Data, taken by Volunteers in the ML&SA/MDEQ programs became state records. The data is not only important to riparians but to other commercial projects in the state. With the addition of these moneys to the MDEQ - Inland Lakes Division Budget, new testing projects can be developed for the Self Help program as well as to carry out the testing programs that began in 1974.

Many of the present members in the Self Help program have been taking testings for the past 23 years. These testings have provided valuable information for their lakes.

Lake associations will be receiving information and applications for the 1998 programs in the next few weeks. ML&SA Self Help Committee members will be working with the MDEQ Inland Lakes staff members within the next four weeks to complete the 1998 program details.

If you would like more information on the Self Help Program, please contact the ML&SAs Northern office, PO Box 303, Long Lake, MI 48743 or by phone (517)257-3583, fax (517) 257-2073 or Email: info@mlswa.org.

The joint efforts of lake association members, as well as individual members of Michigan Lake and Stream Associations and members of Michigan Chapter National Association of Lake Managers Society have demonstrated what can happen when people begin to work together, unselfishly, to carry out a project.

From ML&SA board members and Staff - "Thanks to all who contacted our state officials" in support of the ML&SA/MDEQ Self Help Programs - YOU made it happen!!

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Have you heard about M W A ?

An Update from ML&SA President R.Brown

I want to take a moment to update you on an exciting development that will have a positive impact on the future of our States' lakes and waterways. During the ML&SA Board meeting on Sunday April 27th, following our excellent annual conference, a presentation (concept) was made, for Board consideration, to develop or start a group, closely aligned with ML&SA, that could lobby for legislation that could impact our lakes and waterways. (ML&SA cannot lobby under the provisions of its' 501C3 status.)

It should be noted, that during this past year, while sharing the needs for continuing the DEQ water quality testing provisions with our State legislators, it became apparent that the benefits of communicating our positions regarding the formulation of our state water impact laws and rules could be extensive. The time spent by ML&SA and NALMS in the education of our legislators as to the importance of the DEQ water testing program continuance involved many long days coupled with repeated trips to Lansing to meet with the appropriate committee members.

In May & June of this year, the Executive committee met with the "concept" presenters (April Board Meeting) to jointly discuss the potential formation of such a separate corporation. The goals, objectives, funding and interaction with ML&SA were extensively reviewed. After some time to reflect upon the needs to positively impact the environment, at the July 12th ML&SA Board meeting, the Board voted to support the concept and proceed with the feasibility review for state wide support for the development of such a previously mentioned, separate but aligned, corporation.

The need to lobby was found to be necessary, thus the formation of the Michigan Waterfront Alliance. This corporation has the mission "to Protect, Preserve and Promote the Wise Use of Inland Waters of the State of Michigan."

Among the listed goals of this corporation is to define, actively participate and promote legislation and/or processes that set objective and measurable criteria for management of the inland waters of the State of Michigan. The Mission statement and the goals are approved, while the by-laws are being finalized. This process is being formulated by a steering committee made up of the ML&SA Executive committee and several interested riparian owners (mainly those that presented the concept at the April ML&SA Board meeting). This formation is proceeding, as there is a need to influence the laws that govern our inland waters. All the while, the steering committee of MWA does not deter anything from ML&SA but will have a Memorandum of Understanding to further enhance the purposes of ML&SA and provide a unified voice in the wise use of our States' inland water resources.

The progress of the formation of MWA will be shared with you. Your individual support to achieve these results by means of sending your concerned message to our legislators will be imperative.

(For more information, contact Richard Brown, 13355 Lakeshore Dr., Fenton, MI 48430 (phone 810-629-5964)

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ML&SA

MEMBERSHIP HITS AN ALL TIME HIGH !

The fact that we are in our 37th year, with state-wide membership in both the upper and lower peninsula, speaks highly of the organization. ML&SA is the only national state wide organization working with lakes, streams and rivers, that does not receive Federal or State funding to support their organization.

ML&SAs objectives are to benefit our membership. We welcome all lake associations to consider joining ML&SA, regardless of the size of the lake or the number of shoreline property owners. We have found over the years, that sooner or later, all lakes will face similar problems. At one time the Southern lakes faced development problems, while the Northern did not. That no longer holds true. The U.P. as will as the L.P. faces land use problems. Problems have a way of "flowing" in to other lakes and streams before much time passes. Thus the value of a volunteer association, like ML&SA, helping lake and stream associations --"People working together to solve their problems".

ML&SA has maintained a high quality of integrity though its life time. A growth in an organization such as ML&SA is not due to one or two people, but many, many people over many years. ML&SA has many Volunteers - Professionals, non-professionals, as well as employees of MDEQ, who work with ML&SA to protect Michigans most valuable resource - WATER. The growth can be credited to all of the above.

The 36th annual conference theme "ML&SA - The Power of People Working Together" became a reality.

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ARE YOU AWARE OF

PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE ?

Purple loosestrife is native to Europe and Asia. After being introduced to North America, it managed to escape the specialized insects and diseases that kept it in check in its native lands. Free from these natural controls, loosestrife gained a competitive edge over our native wetland plants. Its prolific seed production and large, hardy growth enabled it to invade our wetlands to the total exclusion of other plants in some places. Loosestrifes numbers and rate-of-spread have increased rapidly during the past 10 to 15 years. As a result, not only is the diversity of our vegetation being threatened, but also the wildlife dependent upon that vegetation for food and shelter. Once loosestrife invades, canopy closure occurs and virtual biological "desert" develops underneath.

Spread of Purple Loosestrife

Purple loosestrife spreads primarily by seed, but can also spread from broken stems that root themselves in moist soil. A single loosestrife plant can produce over 100,000 seeds a year. These tiny seeds can live in the soil for many years. Although most fall within a few yards of the parent plant, water, animals and humans can transport seeds long distances.

Any sunny wetland is susceptible to purple loosestrife invasion. But disturbance such as construction, water draw downs, damaged vegetation or exposed soil greatly accelerate the process by providing the substrate and sunlight exposure needed for germination.

Preventing Further Spread.

Prevention is the best way to stop the Purple Loosetrife invasion.

Hand Pulling/Digging