Donations for July 4th Fireworks Needed

Posted on June 28, 2014 by stgunther

The fireworks display over Lake Minnewashta is solely funded by Lake Minnewashta area residents. DONATIONS ARE TAX- DEDUCTIBLE! Please send in your contribution ASAP!

Please make checks payable to: KABOOM (Keep America’s Birthday Observance On Minnewashta) and forward to Beth Ginther 3611 Ironwood Rd. Excelsior, MN 55331

**The cost of the show has increased with our new vendor, so we appreciate donations from all households (including those in associations) that are able to enjoy the fireworks display. NO DONATION IS TOO SMALL! Thank you for your support and happy 4th of July!

Please be sure to submit your donation today!  We are low on funds and want to ensure the continuation of this great Lake Minnewashta tradition!

 

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Lake Minnewashta Water Level at 0.47 Feet Above the Highest Level Ever Recorded – No Wake Restriction Continues

Posted on June 23, 2014 by stgunther

PER TERRY JEFFERY….”The “zero” elevation is 942.87 meaning the lake level right now is 946.13 feet.  To put this into perspective this is 1.63 feet above the Ordinary High Water mark (944.5), 1.33 feet above the 100 year flood elevation (944.80) and 0.47 foot above the highest known water elevation.  We will have an internal discussion but it is my feeling that the no-wake should remain in effect until we are below the 100 year elevation.  This is the elevation that triggers the Lake Susan and Lotus Lake wake restrictions.  I do not feel it necessary to wait until we are at the OHW. This is a snippet from the DNR expedited no-wake approvals. ”

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Here is the release:

The Commissioner of Natural Resources has approved an expedited and extended approval for Counties, Cities and Towns to enact slow no-wake zones.

Due to the high water issues across the state….local government units (LGU’s) are being allowed to enact water surface use ordinances as outlined in the attached document (up to 30 days).  LGU’s have primary responsibility to communicate and enforce the existence of slow-no wake (SNW) ordinances.  To minimize impacts to water related tourism and businesses, the LGU has the ability design the SNW to protect the shoreline while allowing for normal recreation further out in the lake/river.

Questions?  After reviewing this document, http://www.lmc.org/media/document/1/dnrhighwater.pdf contact Margaret Bergsrud of MN DNR Boat and Water Safety at 651-259-5400 boatandwater.dnr@state.mn.us.

Thanks again,

Terry Jeffery | Water Resources Coordinator

City of Chanhassen | Engineering Department

7700 Market Boulevard | Chanhassen, MN 55317

DESK 952.227.1168 | MAIN 952.227.1160

 

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Lake Minnewashta Declare a Slow-No Wake Area

Posted on June 19, 2014 by stgunther

City of Chanhassen officials have declared Lake Minnewashta a SLOW-NO WAKE zone due to the strong potential of shoreline damage. Please do not drive your watercraft at speeds fast enough to create a wake.

http://www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=189

 

 

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Lake Minnewashta Preservation Association Newsletter Spring 2014

Posted on June 16, 2014 by stgunther
 

Here are some important updates on things happening around Lake Minnewashta
NO WAKE! We are experiencing near record high water levels. While we have not been able to declare the lake a No Wake Zone, please be considerate and slow down to prevent erosion of your neighbor’s land. Many neighbors are experiencing waves washing over their land and eroding it away. In case you don’t know them, here are the rules:

Sec. 6-48. Operation near shoreline.

Operation of motorized watercraft within 100 feet of any shoreline shall be limited to emerging straight out from and straight towards the shoreline, or slow-no wake operation. Operation of personal watercraft within 150 feet of any shoreline shall be limited to emerging straight out from and straight towards the shoreline, or slow-no wake operation.

 

Zebra Mussel Infestations continue to spread in nearby Lake Minnetonka. Nearly every bay has seen evidence of zebra mussel infestations. With no known remedy, this invasive nuisance is expected to continue to spread rapidly. Once established, zebra mussels spread rapidly, litter beaches with their sharp shells, damage boats and equipment, and alter the food chain of local lakes, rivers and streams. If our lake is infested, your recreational use of the lake and your property values may be degraded.
To date, there have been no confirmed sightings of zebra mussels in Lake Minnewashta.Thanks to funds from Carver County, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, the DNR and the LMPA, we enjoyed 100% incoming watercraft inspections at the Lake Minnewashta Regional Park in 2013. These inspectors educated and trained hundreds of boaters on how to prevent the spread of invasive species. As a result of that inspection, two boats were turned away that had Zebra Mussels on them. Without these inspections the boats would have entered the lake and potentially infested it.

Use a Permitted Lake Service Provider: When choosing a firm to install or remove your docks and lifts, be sure to use a lake service provider that is lawfully permitted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR). The MN DNR’s mandatory training program was enacted by the State of Minnesota in 2011 to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). It applies to all hired providers that install or remove water-related equipment (boats, docks, boat lifts, or other structures) from Minnesota bodies of water. You can verify a provider’s certification status by contacting the MN DNR atwww.dnr.state.mn.us/lsp or 651-259-5100.

 
DON’T MOVE A MUSSEL…Don’t buy a lift, dock or watercraft or rent a boat trailer that has been in Lake Minnetonka or other known infested waters. You could be guilty of spreading Aquatic Invasive Species into Lake Minnewashta, spoiling our lake and being subject to a large fine.

Aquatic Invasive Species Watercraft Inspections are planned at Lake Minnewashta Regional Park. With matching financial support from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD), our Carver County Commissioners unanimously voted to again direct the hiring of full time watercraft inspectors at our regional park. All watercraft entering the lake are required to pass an inspection during normal park hours before being allowed to launch. Even lake shore residents and Association members who have direct, private access to the lake must have their watercraft inspected before they launch their watercraft. Please comply with this request so we can assure that we do not introduce this very toxic invasive species into our lake. Special thanks to Carver County Commissioner Tom Workman, Carver County Parks Director Marty Walsh and Eric Evenson of the MCWD for their very strong support.

Aquatic Weed Treatments are planned again this season using donations from you, our LMPA members. With your financial support in 2013 we again had excellent results. We have already received permits and grant commitments from the DNR for the 2014 season and once again hope to treat in late June. Because we received $7,000 in donations, we may have to scale back our plans unless we raise more money. Please donate what you can and we’ll spend what we receive.

 
Camp Tanadoona and Camp Fire is a finalist for a $500,000 grant through Twins All Star Fans Choose! The proceeds will 100% support the capital campaign at Tanadoona. It’s a voting competition, so we’re hoping you might please share the below link with your friends. People can vote once a day, per e-mail account, through July 10th. We need LOTS of people to vote – and often – to win!!! Follow the link below to cast your vote.

Board Members are needed to serve a 2 year term. Some of our current board members have completed their terms of service and have chosen not to return. We are looking for some energetic replacements willing to meet about six times per year. Contact Steve Gunther at stgunther@gmail.com if you are interested. And thank you to our former board members who volunteered time and energy to further the mission of the LMPA!

Keep in touch – Be sure to give us your email address so we can add you to our electronic newsletter distribution. Or check our website at www.lakeminnewashta.org. And join our Lake Minnewashta Preservation Association Facebook group! Or tweet with us @lakeminnewashta.
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Spring 2014 Membership and Donation Request

Posted on June 16, 2014 by stgunther
The LMPA Mission: 

To organize and focus the efforts of our residents to develop an ongoing, long-term community spirit, with planning and action to keep Lake Minnewashta beautiful and preserve its water quality.

 

Why join/renew my LMPA membership?

Being a member of the LMPA further demonstrates your commitment to helping keep Lake Minnewashta beautiful and its waters clean.  Importantly, your participation allows our organization to have a greater “voice” with key funding sources and decision makers such as the DNR, Carver County and other elected officials.  The LMPA is the ONLY association that represents all of Lake Minnewashta and its constituents!

 

How much does it cost to be a member?

We appreciate every resident is in a different situation, so we suggest the following annual membership dues/donations to support our efforts:

  • *$25 or more if you live off the lake and have no deeded access.
  • *$75 or more if you have access to the lake through an Association.
  • *$150 or more if you live on or have direct access to the lake.

 

What does my donation/membership fee go towards? 

The LMPA’s annual operating budget is $16,000, with nearly 95% of our expenses directed towards invasive weed treatment in the high, general common use areas (Individual homeowners can only treat the areas surrounding their dock/shoreline).  Importantly, only half of our weed treatment expense is covered through annual donations/membership dues, with the balance secured through grants – the latter becoming more and more difficult to receive with tight government budgets.

 

How large is the Association and how many people are donors?

 

We have about 425 homes residing in the boundaries of the LMPA. In 2013, we grew our donation base from 55 to 72 (+31%), but still only 17% of our potential targeted membership group make a donation. If we are going to develop an effective and sustainable membership organization, we need greater participation and support!

 

What benefits do I receive from being a member of the LMPA? 

Besides the personal satisfaction of knowing you are contributing to the only organization dedicated to keeping Lake Minnewashta one of the best bodies of water in the state, you will also receive:

  • Improved lake navigability when propeller clogging weeds are cleared in areas of the lake commonly used by residents.
  • The ability to provide your voice and your efforts to the Association toward what is important to you with regards to your life on and around the Lake!
  • Representation of your wants with our local government units.
  • An opportunity to extend your network of friends via the Annual Fall Picnic!
  • The continued ability to make tax-deductible contributions!
  • Free quarterly newsletters that highlight the LMPA efforts and other lake activities
  • Growing – Valuable discounts to local merchants (boat/lake equipment, etc.) and restaurants!

 

When and how do I join/renew my membership and make a donation?

With the water levels receding soon, we need to make a commitment to Lake Restoration, Inc. to treat our lake. We can treat up to 42 acres of the weed areas in the lake with $16,000. With your donations, we hope to have our treatment completed by the end of June.

 

Please send your tax deductible check along with the information below to: LMPA, PO Box 304, Excelsior, MN 55331, or contribute using Paypal at www.lakeminnewashta.org

 

Name_____________________________Signature_______________________________

 

Phone_____________________ Email address __________________________________

 

Address_________________________________________________________________________

 

Amount enclosed for LMPA Dues & weed treatment $150 ___   $75 ____ $25 ___ or other $_____

 

I would like to serve on a committee or the board_________

 
 

The LMPA wishes to extend a sincere thank you to the following individuals, families and associations for their generous contribution in 2013!  If we are missing your name or 2013 donation, we apologize and ask that you please contact us!

 

Aldritt , Allenburg, Lee Anderson, Anding, Bangasser, Barinsky, Barrett, Berland, Bhojwani, Bjork, Blue, Boraas, Borchart, Boyer Lake HOA, Briggs, Camp Gunther, Cook, Datillo, Emmings, Geisler, Jim Ginther, Gunther, Hempel, Hergott, Holzinger, Jandro, Jeske, Pam and Terry Johnnson, Kapsner, Knoll, Kvamme, Lacek, Landstrom, Dave Larson, Leiding, Melin, Midwest Motorcraft, Moe, Morgan, Mulheran, Murphy, Nelson, Oas, Paap, Peterjohn, Gary Peterson, Pleasant Acres HOA, Plucinak, Quarberg, Razoo, Red Cedar Cove Townhomes, Ross, Scimeca, Senst, Severson, Sorenson, Sternard, Strommen, Tamlyn, Thompson, Torbanson, Train, Truong, Ttee, Vergin/Christopher, Vigiaturo, Volling, Way, Weber, Wedes, Weinzetl, Wintheiser, Wright, Zweig

 

Thank you all!!

 

Sincerely, 
Steve Gunther
Lake Minnewashta Preservation Association
president
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Minnesota “State of Water” Conference Planned for May 1st at Cragun’s Resort

Posted on March 30, 2014 by stgunther

Minnesota Waters Conference Now the “State of Water Conference,” and it Returns This May

A coalition of non-profits and state agencies are resurrecting the Minnesota Waters Conference that has been a pillar of the Minnesota natural resources community since 2001. Now called the State of Water Conference, the program will bring together citizens’ groups, local and state government, non-profits, and community members to discuss the most pressing issues facing our state’s most important resource – water. The event will run May 1 – 2, 2014 at Cragun’s Resort.
The planning coalition includes organizations that have collaborated on the conference in the past, and have since been at the forefront of water protection and education in Minnesota: the Freshwater Society, Conservation Minnesota, U of M Extension, Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership, MPCA, and DNR. Author and limnologist Darby Nelson, MPCA Commissioner Stine, DNR Asst. Commissioner Naramore, and BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke will speak at the event.

 

Last fall, they sent a survey out to a group of Minnesotans asking which issues and what themes they would like to see at the upcoming conference. After reviewing all of the detailed responses, we identified five key areas to focus our attention.  These five areas include Aquatic Invasive Species, Restoration of Aquatic Habitat, Watersheds, Citizen Group Capacity-Building, and Groundwater & Nutrient Run-off.  The conference will include four workshops and thirty-five breakout sessions dedicated to our five themes.

 

Your attendance is the final piece in ensuring that all ideas are shared and implemented!  We hope you can join!
Register by April 18. Registration includes all meals, as well as the Exhibitor’s Reception on the evening of May 1.
To learn more and to register for the conference, visit http://www.conservationminnesota.org/state-of-water-conference/
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