MelSalAdmin

Blow out sale!!

We will be having a blow out sale at the Association headquarters this Saturday and Sunday. Sweatshirts are $10 and T shirts are $5. Come stock up on your gear for the fall!

Pickleball informational meeting

Pickle . . . Pickle . . . Pickle
Tom Hanson and Rick Lynch, founders of the Pizza Master Park, are considering transforming the Pizza Master tennis court into four Pickle Ball courts. What’s that?? Check Pickle Ball out on Google. It’s a hybrid of tennis, racquet ball, and some other sports enjoyed by millions. Even the city of Detroit Lakes now has Pickle Ball courts open to the public.

Please come join us for an informational meeting on “KICK STARTING’ our Pickle ball project here in Shoreham. We will meet on Saturday, August 15, at 9:00 am sharp at the Shoreham Hotel. The site for the four new Pickle ball Courts is Pizza Master Park.

Many of the logistics are already in place and funding is 50% secured. We will organize, draft a core group of interested people, and brainstorm how to acquire the additional funding thru pledges and membership. We anticipate being a fun group, always willing to help newcomers learn this addicting game!

Please pass the word to your neighbors and join us. If you have an interest in Pickle ball but are unable to make the meeting, you can call Doug Laudon at 651-238-6378.

This will happen with your interest and support!!

From Hans Tronnes
tronnes@consultant.com
612-327-5255

Flowering Rush Treatment Postponed

Flowering Rush treatment has been postponed to Monday, August 10th due to winds today.

July Newsletter

ANOTHER SPRAYING FOR FLOWERING RUSH

Sometime next week (Aug 3-7) there will be another spraying for Flowering Rush on selected areas of our Lakes. Probably Monday, but the exact day still unknown, partly because spraying requires limited wind conditions. If questions, check with Brenda Moses, Pelican River Watershed District, 218-846-0436 – Brenda.moses@arvig.net.

That is all we know at this point. You might want to turn off your automatic sprinkling system this week. Watch for posted signs on beaches being sprayed.

LAKE SALLIE TRAM – Cty Commissioner’s Mtg

Peter Meade, head of the Becker County Soil and Water Conservation District where the AIS Coordinator is located presented a paper that was apparently prepared last year that laid out a series of options for opening the Tram and mitigating the effects of possible AIS contamination. The Commissioners decided that it was too late this season to realistically do anything, and directed Mr. Mead to work with the two Associations, the appropriate County personnel, and the DNR to see if there is a possible working solution that would satisfy people’s concerns and could be presented next Spring to the Commissioners.

I stated formally at the meeting that the Lakes Melissa and Sallie Association would be very willing to participate with the group on searching for a solution. In light of that I am in the process of putting together a small committee to work this issue. If anyone has any suggestions or comments don’t hesitate to contact me. Finally, like the meeting on the 7th, our concerned Lake Sallie Members who attended did an outstanding job of presenting their positions.

– Mike Becraft, President

SPINY WATERFLEA

Many residents think that Zebra Mussels are the only invasive species to be concerned about. Now that Lake Melissa has them, they disregard other, more insidious species. Spiny waterflea has now been confirmed in Lake Vermilion in northern Minnesota.

Anglers reported suspected spiny waterfleas to Department of Natural Resources staff and supplied a specimen to the DNR fisheries office in Tower, where it was positively identified. DNR aquatic biologists surveyed portions of the lake with plankton nets and weighted lines to confirm the presence of spiny waterflea in the lake. Live specimens were located near J B and Ely islands in the east basin.

Lake Vermilion and the Vermilion River will be designated as infested waters, and signs will be posted at public water access points to alert boaters and other recreationists. Crane Lake, a downstream water, is already designated for spiny waterflea.

“DNR staff are coordinating with the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa and U.S. Forest Service to alert boaters and other recreationists of the risk of spread,” said Rich Rezanka, DNR aquatic biologist.

Spiny waterflea is a small crustacean that disrupts the food web and competes with small fish as it forages on animal plankton such as daphnia. Because of its long tail spike, the spiny waterflea is not eaten by small fish.

The species reproduces by a process called parthenogenesis. Most of the year, the species population is entirely female, which allows for rapid population growth. Microscopic spiny waterflea eggs are hardy and capable of overwintering in lakes, and their small size makes them an easy candidate for overland transfer in water or mud.

When populations are high, anglers can experience frustration with masses of spiny waterfleas clogging fishing and downrigging lines, and other water equipment.

Recreationists on these lakes should look for infested waters signs at public accesses. The signs remind people using the lakes to be aware of the finding and take additional precautions to prevent the spread to other lakes. Bait harvest for any purpose is prohibited in lakes infested with spiny waterflea.

Anglers, boaters and other recreationists are reminded to clean all aquatic plants, zebra mussels, and other prohibited invasive species from watercraft and trailers, drain water from all water equipment and drain bilges and livewells by removing the drain plug before leaving the boat landing, and dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.

More information about spiny waterfleas, how to inspect boats and other water-related equipment, and a current list of designated infested waters is available on the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov/ais.

WEED SPRAYING UPDATE – Dakotah Beach

There have been complaints about the Flowering Rush along Dakotah Beach. I talked to the Pelican River Watershed District who administers the treatment program. They have to get permits from the DNR to spray specific areas on the lake. Dakotah Beach was not scheduled for spraying this year. After talking to Brent at their office he sent two interns out to inspect the area. He said that it is too late to get permission from the DNR for this year. When he saw how bad it was he has scheduled two spray applications for next year. This treatment has helped significantly in the past. Hopefully next year’s treatment plan will help those areas.

– Ken Olson, AIS Chair

BOAT PARADE PHOTOS

If you were in the Melissa boat parade, your photo is on this web site. Check it out!

http://kenyetter.smugmug.com/Events/2015-Lake-Melissa-July-4th/. One can download any photo, print it, share it. Thanks to Ken Yetter for these great photos.

LOST SURFBOARD – Lake Sallie

This is Gail Jordan from Woodland Beach. Our Ronix surfboard blew out of our boat and we haven’t been able to find it. Would you be able to send out a mass email to the association to see if anyone has found it, or give me the email addresses so that I might try? My # is 218-849-0268.

MelSal Note: We typically don’t do special mailings for things like this. It is simply a lot of work on top of all the other work we volunteers do. But, because we are already sending out this newsletter, we were able to add this notice.

Lakes Melissa Sallie Improvement Association

Mike Becraft, President

Offices

Mailing address for MelSal: PO Box 1003, Detroit Lakes MN 56502

– – – – send email address and other contact info changes directly to: tronnes@consultant.com

Summer Hours: Saturdays and Sundays: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Important Meetings: Annual – 3^rd Saturday in June

Beach Captains’ – 2^nd Saturday in June

COLA – 2^nd Thursday monthly

Lake View Township – 2^nd Mondaymonthly

Web Site: www.melissasallie.com

Facebook — Tons of information and photos. Log on and “like” us:

Lakes-Melissa-Sallie-Improvement-Association

From Hans Tronnes

tronnes@consultant.com

612-327-5255

Flowering Rush Treatment-Monday, August 3rd

Our 2^nd flowering rush treatment will be on Monday, August 3.

Brenda Moses

Pelican River Watershed District

218-846-0436

Brenda.moses@arvig.net

Invasive species article from DL Online

http://www.dl-online.com/news/3799429-theres-more-fight-mussels

Message from our President regarding Tram

Fellow Members,

On Tuesday, 21 July, during the Becker County Commissioner’s Meeting the issue of the reopening of the Lake Sallie – Muskrat Lake Tram was again addressed. During the Open Forum several Lake Sallie residents spoke in support of opening the Tram. Once again as on 7 July at the previous meeting there was a very large turnout of Sallie supporters. There was a smaller contingent from Detroit Lakes with two individuals who spoke in opposition. There were also two letters read in opposition, one from the VP of the Lake Detroiters and one from the President of the Bad Medicine Lake Association. A letter stating concern was read by the VP of the Becker County Coalition of Lakes Association. Peter Meade, head of the Becker County Soil and Water Conservation District where the AIS Coordinator is located presented a paper that was apparently prepared last year that laid out a series of options for opening the Tram and mitigating the effects of possible AIS contamination. The Commissioners decided that it was too late this season to realistically do anything, and directed Mr. Mead to work with the two Associations, the appropriate County personnel, and the DNR to see if there is a possible working solution that would satisfy people’s concerns and could be presented next Spring to the Commissioners. I stated formally at the meeting that the Lakes Melissa and Sallie Association would be very willing to participate with the group on searching for a solution. In light of that I am in the process of putting together a small committee to work this issue. If anyone has any suggestions or comments don’t hesitate to contact me. Finally, like the meeting on the 7th, our concerned Lake Sallie Members who attended did an outstanding job of presenting their positions.

Warm Regards,
Mike Becraft
President
Lakes Melissa and Sallie Association

Link to Pelican River Watershed District

Information on spraying and other water treatments can be checked directly on the PRWD website. Look under Planned Water Management.

www.prwd.org

Information Regarding DL Water Treatment Plant/Airport

http://www.dl-online.com/news/3770207-eken-fights-mpca-says-costs-could-break-greater-mn-cities
Eken fights MPCA, says costs could break Greater MN cities

By Nathan Bowe June 21, 2015 at 5:30 a.m.

In Detroit Lakes, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has set the most stringent phosphorus emission standard in the state, essentially forcing the city to spend some $30 million on a new wastewater treatment plant.
Most of the cost will be paid through higher wastewater utility bills – the average DL resident will eventually pay about $35 a month more for decades.
In Moorhead, the MPCA is essentially forcing the city to spend up to $10 million to reduce its phosphorus emissions to the Red River from 4 mg to 1 mg per liter – even though Fargo’s standards are 12 mg per liter.
The Moorhead plant contributes less than half of 1 percent of the phosphorus flowing into Lake Winnipeg.
Whacking Minnesota cities and companies without addressing the overall problem in the Red River basin, including emissions from North Dakota, is like building half a dam, said Minnesota Sen. Kent Eken.
“They (the MPCA) didn’t take into consideration the cost and whether the incremental benefit they have is worth the cost,” he said. “If it’s not worth the cost, we can use those dollars more wisely.”
Other cities across the state are also being required to spend millions to upgrade their wastewater treatment plants due to more-stringent MPCA permitting requirements.
“We’re kind of reaching a breaking point here with some of the regulations coming down the pike, and there’s going to be more,” Eken said. “Regulations on top of regulations could ultimately break the backs of our greater Minnesota communities and businesses.”
Eken is the chief sponsor of a Senate bill that would have required MPCA regulations to undergo cost-benefit analysis, undergo scientific peer review of water-quality standards at high cost levels ($50 million statewide or $5 million per community or business), and require Legislative approval of high-cost rules.
That last one was a no-starter with fellow DFLer Gov. Mark Dayton, but Eken won a partial victory this legislative session on the first two reforms.
A cost-benefit analysis will now have to be done, and the MPCA will now have to explain itself when it decides not to use the independent peer review process.
“I did have language in there also dealing with the phosphorus issue, feeling the MPCA doesn’t adequately take into consideration the costs that are being proposed. They can be extremely high, and if there are little if any benefits (the state risks sparking a backlash) if they’re not applied in a common-sense way,” he said.
Eken says he has been accused of being anti-environment, which he says is not true. But he believes it’s the Legislature’s job to look at the big picture when it comes to the impact of expensive MPCA mandates across the state.
“I don’t want to write the rules, but the Legislature needs to have some oversight of the process. Agencies don’t pay the costs … They do think about the costs, but not enough. The state agencies would be a lot more sensitive to that if (the state) had to pick up the costs.”
At this point, said Bradley Peterson, senior lobbyist for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, “it’s going to be a city by city issue. They may need to be very aggressive in challenging the MPCA on the standards MPCA wants to impose on them.”
Dan Dorman, executive director of the Greater Minnesota Partnership and a former state representative, said the MPCA is “on notice they can’t just do what they want – people are paying attention … We need to hold MPCA’s feet to the fire on their promises to work with communities. We need to force them to live up to their commitments.”

Melissa/Sallie Office Schedule: 10 AM – 1 PM

*Office will be open when volunteers are available to staff

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