Category: Current Topics

New rates for the tram which have not changed in over 6 years.

Daily is at 25.00 and seasonal is 125.00. There were 51 seasonal and 127 day passes sold last year.

Hopefully we can do the same or better for 2021!

Dear Members, 

I am delighted to report that Nile and Tweten have declined to pursue the development of Molly’s Golden Ridge and have officially withdrawn their application to appear at the Becker County Board of Adjusters meeting on 8 April 2021.  I have confirmed this with Rachel Bartee of the Becker County Planning and Zoning Office, and I have a copy of their withdrawal.    Suspense for filling was 8 March 2021.  I want to thank all of you who so generously contributed to this by either contributing to the Environmental Fund through which we pay our legal fees, or by responding negatively to Nile’s Survey.  Through your actions and the actions of the Association Board we have echoed our resolve to protect the quality of life around our two beautiful lakes.  I also want to thank Tami Norgard, our Attorney from the Vogel Law Firm for her outstanding efforts. We will continue to stay vigilant to any development proposals.  Now let us all focus on a return to normalcy and getting back to the lakes for family and fun. Hope to see you at the Shoreham Chapel for the Annual Meeting in June, fingers crossed. 

Warm Regards, 

Mike Becraft 

President, 

Lakes Melissa and Sallie Improvement Association 

There has been a report from a member on Melissa that he feels his mail is being tampered with at his mailbox.  This member has most of his mail sent to his Winter address but still gets some subscriptions sent to his lake residence and he says he is not getting them. He reports he has found scattered mail along the roadside and reported it to the Detroit Lake’s Postmaster and the Becker County Sheriff.  If you believe your mail is being tampered with or stolen I recommend you notify the Postmaster and the Becker County Sheriff’s Department.  Have a safe and healthy Winter and Spring.

Warm Regards,

Mike Becraft

President

Lakes Melissa and Sallie Improvement Association

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Becker County Coalition Of Lake Associations (BC COLA) is interested in establishing a new group of young people with renewed energy and focus for leadership roles within the organization.  If you are interested in supporting your Lake Association at a higher level, please contact Wanda Roden at wrnodak@outlook.com for answers to any questions/comments you may have regarding available positions. Thank you. 

Dear Members,

As many of you know the owner of Molly’s Golden Ridge, the property on Melissa across the road from McLaughlin’s, is seeking variances to build a 41 unit Cooperative building on top of the bluff. The former owner, Harry Salminen, had tried to get variances to build a multi unit some years ago which MELSAL successfully fought. The 3 story building, which is totally out of character with our lake community, would consist of 41 two bedroom unit, two bath apartments and 71 indoor and outdoor parking spots. The number of units and the building height are contrary to Becker County ordinances.

Nile Inc, the property owner’s developer, withdrew their proposal from consideration by the Becker County’s Board of Adjustments at its October 8th meeting.  Nile asked to meet with us which we did on September 30th. It was primarily a listening meeting on our part.

Many of you have contacted us voicing your opposition to this project, and the Board has therefore decided to fight Nile’s variance requests. We have hired the Vogel Law Firm to help us. Nile and the owner know our position, which Vogel will detail in a letter to them next week.  You will receive a copy of that letter.

Because there will be no Board of Adjustments meeting in December through March, it is possible the matter will come up at the November 12th meeting if Nile decides to present their request at that time.  We need your support as we move forward.  That support includes letters to the Board of Adjustments and attendance at the November 12th meeting (in person or virtual) if Nile decides to present their request at that meeting.

WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW- you can contribute to the Lakes Melissa and Sallie Environmental Fund which will be used to pay the expenses of opposing this project. Send your support to MELSAL, PO Box 1003, Detroit Lakes, MN 56502.

That is it for now. Thank you for your support, and please know that your leadership will continue to work hard to preserve the character of our lake community.  If you have any questions email or phone me or Jim Bond, Susan Roberts or Mary Ann Bond.  We will win this!

Warm Regards,

Mike Becraft

President

LAKES MELISSA AND SALLIE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

Sunday, August 23, 2020

Dear Members,

          Well I think you would all agree this has been a Summer unlike any other we have experienced.  To be frank I think we as Americans have mostly adjusted but will require some additional adjustment as we go forward.  And that is what I want to talk to you about today as it affects the Association.  The following decisions have been made by the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee which consists of the Board, the Activity Chairs, and the Head Beach Captains.

1.  Due to the ongoing pandemic we had talked in June of the possibility of having the Annual Meeting in August but we will postpone it until June 2021.

2.  Last year we donated $2,000 to the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) at the University of Minnesota.  This is the only Research Center of its kind in the United States.  We will donate $2,000 again this year to this worthy organization.

3.  We have decided to donate again this year $1,000 to the Capital Campaign to build the new Becker County Museum, a most worthy effort that enhances our community and provides challenging and educational programs for our children and grand children over the Summer months.

4.  Instead of collecting food for the Becker County Food Pantry this coming Labor Day we are now going to solicit checks from the membership to be sent to the:

          MelSal Association

          P.O. Box 1003

          Detroit Lakes, MN. 56502

Please mark the MEMO line on your check with “Food Pantry.”   We will collect the checks, write a check for the total, and add an additional $500 and provide that check to the Food Pantry manager.  Please mail your check prior to Labor Day Weekend.  We now know that $1 will buy $8 worth of food for the Pantry, a great return on investment.  Hopefully next year we can return to the food collection effort.

5.  All Officers, Beach Captains, and Committee Chairs have agreed to serve for another year.

6.  As many of you know we distributed our New 2020-2022 Directory on the 3rd Saturday of June at the Office and the Shoreham Chapel.  We still have about 50 members who have paid their dues but not picked up their new Directory.  If you still want your Directory you should contact Susan Roberts, Vice President, at 703-725-9250, or Jim Bond, Treasurer, at 703-622-1885.  I think this is the best Directory we have ever put out thanks to Susan Roberts and Bob Hatlestad.  It is full of great photos that you will truly enjoy.

Thank you all for bearing with us during this truly unusual period.  These decisions were taken in the face of exigent circumstances as we try to meet the needs of the Association and our community.  I hope you enjoy the rest of the Summer and are looking forward to a beautiful Fall, and wherever you Winter I hope you have a safe and healthy time until we see each other next Summer.

Warm Regards,

Mike Becraft

President,

Lakes Melissa and Sallie Improvement Association

571-213-0420

7/17/2020

I’ve had introductory electronic meetings with three Minnesota organizations that have a focus on Aquatic Invasive Species (“AIS”).  I am the new Melissa Sallie Lake Association AIS  Coordinator;  I wanted to know how these organizations identify and mitigate the AIS threat to our lakes.   

I spoke with the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center at the U of M (“MAISRC”).  They are backed by funding from the MN Legislature until 2023. We have contributed $2,000 to this organization.   My impression is that our local response to AIS depends on significant amounts of statewide funding for science based solutions.  Future funding is stalled for next appropriations ending in 2025. 

Becker County Soil and Water Conservation District (“ SWCD”).  Their mission is to satisfy conservation of soils and water in the district. A 2014 tax bill authorizes annual funding (roughly $375k) to administer AIS activities. This is the organization that we see doing inspections and decontamination at our launch sites. Among other activities, they promote a law requiring docks, lifts and other equipment to wait 21 days out of the water before transfer to another lake.

Pelican River Watershed District (“PRWD”) through taxing (and grants) and regulatory authority manages the district’s water quality.  PRWD monitors our lake conditions and publishes Lake Reports that we distribute to our membership. Over the years PRWD has conducted mechanical and chemical treatments for Curley Leaf Pondweed and Flowering Rush (Lake Sallie was chemically treated on July 7/Lake Melissa treatment not necessary this year).  The old mechanical harvester method has all been curtailed in favor of successful periodic chemical treatments.  PRWD has recently published an AIS Readiness Response Plan for three AIS threats; Starry Stonewort, Hybrid Watermilfoil and Hydrilla and have received MN DNR support for mitigation efforts outlined in the plan,  if these threats find their way into the district.

Our conversations were free-wheeling with no stated agenda. I will bullet point the notable discussion items.

.  I sent MAISRC  the Melissa and Sallie Lake Reports.  Their impression from our reports was that we seemed to be in reasonably good shape.

.  Zebra Mussels (“ZM’) were discussed at some length.  We are probably in the” Lag Phase” of development and we should not count on this phase as static. It’s likely that our situation will change.  Interestingly, water clarity might improve in the Lag Phase, however, longer term, this clarity invites better sunlight and therefore more plant growth.

.  Ballast tanks and engine water from modern boats are a concern for ZM.  Hot water at 140 degrees works on exterior surfaces.  Also chlorine and other products work.  I asked if they could offer solutions for ballast tank and engine water transmission.  MAISRC  will look into it. 

.  Copper Sulfate is under a ZM research study on Lake Minnetonka.  The last application was done in 2019 on a bay and results measured.  Another bay acts as a placebo.  So far, they have found promising results with 0 to 5% ZM survival.  Importantly, other lake life doesn’t seem to be disturbed. It is not clear to me, however, how widespread use will be on our lakes… costs and other issues might complicate things.

.  A potential “Silver Bullet” for ZM is genome research with targeted solutions for containing the ZM. They have advanced ZM genome mapping but my impression is that there is more to go.  

.  Starry Stonewart is a plant that causes major infestations and is a significant threat.  The first MN discovery was in Lake Koronis, located south of St. Cloud, MN.  A few other lakes have had it but with early detection; a mechanical process such as pulling the plants out of the water (divers and boats) works.

.  We have a local activity, called Starry Trek, that enlists and trains local volunteers to identify the plant, hopefully in early stage. It is scheduled this year for August. We need volunteers.

.  Carp  is another threat.  We all have seen videos of carp flying out of the water.  They are on our radar but no sign of them yet.  Bucks Mill serves as somewhat of a safety net for downstream activity and very little upstream activity, to date.  One comment:  we have generally shallow waters and that carp eggs are easily eaten by other species.

.  Algae Bloom seems to be more than normal…  Green, blue/green and sometimes pasty.  More than normal snail development too.

Gordy Knudsvig

AIS Coordinator