WINTER EDITION 2018

BIG SAUK LAKE ASSOCIATION

INFORMERBOARD OF DIRECTORS

PresidentTim Weir (320)352-3318

Vice President Jeff Mayer (612)710-9866

(Lake Watch North Half)Secretary

Wayne Yokiel (763)560-8615Treasurer

Rick Jennissen (320)260-3229

Vern Beckerman(Lake Watch S. 1/2) (320)352-3732

Bob Bjork (320)351-2513

Mike Blenkush (320)290-2496(Membership)

Jerry Beuning (320)352-3921

Kevin Baartman (612)369-2725Mike Disher (320)232-0650Mitch Manoski (320)282-8312

At our 2017 Annual Meeting we heard from Lynn Nelsonof the Sauk River Watershed District (SRWD). Lynngave an excellent talk on the activities of the WatershedDistrict, reported on the water quality of the lake, andshowed some of the shore-land restoration projects thathave taken place. Also in 2017 the Board heard fromtwo Members of the association about restoration proj-ects along their shore. Because BSLA has funds avail-able for these projects, Members keep the board in-the-loop on their plans. By mid-summer the Board and theCity of Sauk Centre agreed on a budget for CLP controlin 2018 and submitted this to the SRWD for their fund-ing approval. Also in mid-summer the Board once againstaffed a booth at the Stearns County Fair. Hundreds offairgoers visited the booth and many lake related mat-ters were addressed. Throughout the summer two of theboard members were busy taking water clarity readingsand one board member took water samples for aquaticinvasive species (AIS) purposes. Results of these meas-urements were submitted to the MPCA to be used byother agencies, such as the DNR, when evaluation SaukLake’s water quality. Throughout the year, theAssociation provided education materials & funds,worked with Members on Lake matters and attendedAIS forums.

Looking forward into 2018, the Board will tackle some ofthe re-occurring projects such as CLP treatment andeducation activities. One major initiative to beaddressed this year is the development of a 3 to 5 yearLake Management Plan. The current plan has expiredand in order to have guidance in the future a new plan isnecessary. Lake Management Plans are not unlike aStrategic Plan developed by businesses and other insti-tutions that help direct their organization into thefuture. The Board has decided to get the membershipinvolved in the process. In June, the Lake Associationwill host a visioning session to get feedback from mem-bers. You will all receive an invitation and we hope youwill participate. Another item that the board is consid-ering is to try to transfer ownership of the sirens to thelocal township or simply retire them. The LakeAssociation owns and maintains 2 sirens on the east sideof the lake. With smart phone technology and othermethods of severe weather warning, the need for thesirens is debatable. The sirens are a major expense andunusual public service infrastructure to be owned by aLake Association.

Have a great Winter, enjoy Spring and come to theAnnual Meeting on Saturday May 26th.

President’s Letter:With the Winter cold settling in, it is a good time forsome reflection on last year and a look toward thisyear. Your Lake Association Board typically meetsonce a month to deal with any new or ongoing issues.Like all boards, one hundred percent participationdoesn’t happen, but I can tell you we have a dedicatedgroup of volunteers that tries their best to protect SaukLake.

In looking back to 2017, here are some of the pastaccomplishments. During the early part of the year the board spent a signifi-cant amount of time evaluating the need to apply treatment for Curly LeafPondweed (CLP). Application of a herbicide to control this invasive aquaticplant must occur during the cool springtime water temperatures. Before anytreatment occurs, there are some logistics that must take place. First, a definedarea has to be laid out based on the previous year’s aquatic vegetation survey.Next, a permit must be prepared and presented to the DNR. In preparation, theBoard must have a contract agreement with a certified applicator who has allthe site details available. The DNR cannot issue the permit until they conductan on-site evaluation of the proposed spray areas. Because CLP density canchange from one year to the next, the DNR can decide to deny the treatmentproposal or approve only a partial amount. The best case scenario is to have theDNR decide that CLP levels are too low to warrant any control measures. Thatwas the case in 2017. As a result, Sauk Lake did not receive any CLP treatmentin the two areas of the lake (Sauk River inlet area and NE of the “narrows”)included in the permit application.

������������ ������������������������ Below is a listing of BSLA Residential and Business members who have paid membership dues for calendar year 2017 as of December 31. A record number of Big Sauk Lake shoreline owners joined the BSLA in 2017! ������� !�for your support of Big Sauk Lake and the Sauk Centre community!

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Alice & Jim Abraham Frank & Nancy Ademite Beth & Ed Ampe Dennis M. Anderson David & Chasity Armstrong Kevin & Leisa Baartman Kevin & Mari Banz Rick & Jodi Bass Dan & David Beck Vern & Sue Beckermann Jerry & Renee Beddow Betty Lou Berg Ron & Ann Bergemann Jerry & Kaye Beuning Roger & Susan Beuning Marian Bielke John & Gail Bieniek John & Jan Bieringer Bob Bjork James Blackbird Jim & Bernice Blacksher Mike & Betty Blenkush Al & Joleen Blue Eric & Ian Blue Jim & Clare Boyer Mark & Brenda Breitbach Andrew & Teresa Burlet Les & Delores Butkowski Rick & Janet Byland Richard & Susan Cardinal Barbara Carlson Wendell & Clara Christensen Dennis & Kathy Christianson Joan Clark Nathan Cole Big Sauk Lake Coop Richard & Linda Cross Ervin & Raeanne Danielowski Chris & Katie Determan Robert & Colleen Diercks John & Lorna Dierks Mike & Debbie Disher Jon & Charlotte Dockter Michael J. Duffey Joel & Debra Duray John Ebner Steve & Stacey Edling Philip Ehresman Doug Evans Cyril & Deb Felling Tony & Irene Felling Mike & Judy Felling Jean & Pat Fiedler Tom & Edie Fischer Marty & Deb Fitzgerald Kitty Fobes Robert Friedl Randy & Jane From George S. Gallagher Jason & Marisa George Nicholas Gerten

Greg & Darla Gilb Vince Gonzales Dawn & Carl Gordon Bonnie & Roger Grapper Danny & Monica Grow David & Kathy Grussing Larry & Mary Gustafson Ed & Sara Hackenmueller Benedict & Claire Haeg Francis & Darleen Hagen Richard & Barbara Halvorson Heather & Tom Hamilton Kristine Hansen Harry & Alta Hanson Harrison & Rebecca Hanson Gary & Mary Hargreaves Susan A Hartigan Cindi & Jerry Hefferan Maggie Heinen Bob & Kandy Heinen Richard & Grace Henning Larry & Debbie Herke Eric & Janelle Hesse Bill & Deb Hildebrand Barb & Mark Hilgers Jim & Liz Himanga Alyce Hintzen Paul & Shawn Hintzen Paul & Sara Hoeschen Ken Hoeschen Bob & Sue Hoffman Kris & Chrissy Hokanson Randy & Denise Hommerding Stan & Dorothy Hortness Jared & Erin Howe Peter J. Hubbard Dan Hudalla Joyce Huntstiger Gary & Renae Illies Don & Dorothy Jacobs Tim & Mary Janish Dan Jaros Brenda & Patrick Jennissen James & Bernadette Jennissen Rick & Laurie Jennissen Elaine & Dean Jensen Mike & Lori Jost Craig & Terry Kasch Bill & Winnie Kellogg William Ketchler Gary & Jocelyne Klasen Greg & Jeanie Klasen Jim & Val Kluver Dennis Korte & Beverlee Baughman Kenneth Korte Ed & Marnie Korteum Chuck & Bev Kortuem Mark & Gwen Kranz Carol Kuffel Marge & Bob Lackmann Bill Lanik Tim Larson & Erin Ralph Robert & JoAnn Larson

Brent & Jody Lavoi Larry & JoAnn Lawinger Brock & Jessica Leagjeld Peter & Karen Leko Roy Lenander & Gail Kayfes John & Laura Lepowsky Duane & Bonnie Leukam Maxine Lobejko Mike & Chris Long James & Mary Maddox Skip & Lyn Manoski Dick & Barb Martin Lucas Martin & Sara Olmanson Jeff & Carol Mayer Peg and Lance Mead Steve & Fran Messerli Patricia Meyer John & Jo Ann Meyer J&J Miller Family Trust Calvin & Linda Miller Jerry Moffitt Marlene Mohr David Moulton Patricia Musenbrock Roland & Sherry Musolf Ken & Judy Nelson Hilding & Deanna Nelson Jack & Cindy Nelson Bob & Carrie Nelson Ken & Mary Nelson Gerry Newgaard Chereen Norstrud Laurie & Paul Overbeck Mike & Jolene Panitzke Herb & Alice Peters Bob & Deb Peterson Rod and Jeanne Pettit Ed & Sue Pfeifer Vern & Jeanette Pfeifer Nick & Jackie Pohlkamp Philip & Jacqueline Polipnick Dupper Polipnick & Deb Shapro Keith& Jacqueline Polipnick Dale & Nancy Primus James & Shana Rachey John & Mary Rasmussen Roger Reinardy Judy Reller Joe & LuAnn Reznicek Shirley Rice Al Rindfleisch Robischon Lake Property Stephen & Amy Rothstein Art & Lorraine Schaap Steve & Kathy Scheeler Tony & Allison Schelitzche Kathy & Denny Schiebold Missy & Dave Schirmers Jeff Scholl Mark & Shellie Schreier James & Jenny Scoates Doris Scott Ellie Scott

Tom & Joyce Sedgeman Tom & Jill Shaw Steve & Jeanne Shelton Paul Sieben Tom & Dorothy Sills Don & Jan Spehn Jason & Minnow Speidel Jeff & Lynn Spessard Dorothy Stadther Arnold & Joan Sticha Terry Stodola Warren Stone Kathy & Dale Struffert Bob & Linda Swanson Lawrence Terwey Rod & Maren Thornbloom Robert Tomsche John & Janet Tracy Lorrayne Traut Dwayne & Judy Trisko Don & Katie Unzen Joe & Katie Uphus Manley & Gayle Vinkemeier Denny & Dorothy VonBank Gene & Debra Walter Roy G. Walz Ken & Karen Wangler Bruce & Barb Wanquist Dwayne Weiner Brian Weinzierl Tim & Jo Weir Marcia Weisbrich Arlene Welle John & Jolynn Welle Cathie Wendell Ron & Rose Mary Williams Gary Winter Bill Wroge Joe & Sharon Wyffels Lyle & Lynn Yackley Johnathan Yarger Wayne & Mary Jo Yokiel George & Lori Youngvorst Victor & Trisha Zeiher Jim & Mary Zilka Kevin & Joan Zimmer Jean & Virgil Zwilling Patrick Zwilling

Benefits of being involved as a BSLA member?

• Receive the BSLA newsletters (INFORMER) with water quality, shoreline, social event information and more!

• Opportunity to join with other shoreline property owners to protect and improve the quality of Big Sauk Lake.

• Meet and enjoy the friendship of other lake shore property owners! • Opportunities to share your skills, interest and expertise with involvement in grants, education,

and state/local agencies that benefit the health and enjoyment of Big Sauk Lake! • Set an example of the importance of “involvement” with your family and friends—Big Sauk Lake is

a very important natural resource and a valuable asset in central Minnesota and to the Sauk Centre community!

Who Can and Should Be A BSLA Member?

• Lakeshore owners of Big Sauk Lake. • Family and friends that share our great lake’s experience with you. • Businesses you use for fishing, boat service, beverage, food, lawn and yard care, house and

cabin maintenance, supplies, and insurance, etc. • Visitors who frequently use Big Sauk Lake for recreational purposes. All of the above have an interest in the continued protection and enjoyment of Big Sauk Lake and the Sauk Centre community.

Our lives are “too busy.” However, remember that in contrast, the sunrise/sunset boat or pontoon cruises, roasting marshmallows, fishing, tubing, swimming and quiet times with our families and friends at BIG SAUK LAKE are priceless. See you on the lake!

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��($25 per Year: Jan. 1—Dec. 31, 2018)

Name:

Mailing Address:

Lake Address (if different):

Phone No:

E-mail Address:

Please cut out and include with your payment to:

BSLA, Box 282, Sauk Centre, MN 56378 !�"#�$%&�'���(�������������'�������������)�

The Big Sauk Lake Association is a Minnesota nonprofit corporation, and a tax-exempt, environmental organization under Article 501 (c) (3) of the U. S. Internal Revenue Code.

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Birchwood Resort Boomerang Marine & Powersports, Inc Central Minnesota Federal Credit Union Centre Graphics, Inc/Steve Klick Centre Power Sports City of Sauk Centre Country Cat, Inc Daniel B Borgmann, Ltd Felling Trailers, Inc First State Bank of Sauk Centre Godfather's Exterminating, Inc

Jitters Java Café

Main Street Press Minnesota National Bank

Mitch's Dyno Tuning Motor Vehicle Department

Sauk Centre Conservation Club Sauk Centre Public Utilities Comm.

Saukinac Campground Tree Top Nursery & Landscaping

Worms Ready Mix

Support businesses

that support BSLA !!!!!

The Waters Downill

FROM THE WINDSWEPT RIDGE" on his farmland insouthwestern Minnesota, Jack Weber can see LakeShaokatan in the distance . The shimmering lake headwa-ters of the Yellow Medicine River, has a direct connectionto how he farms. Weber knows that any water that fallsfrom the sky over his land either soaks into the soil orrunoff, and it all ends up as part of the Minnesota Riverwatershed's ground or surface waters."

And make no mistake, this farmer does all he can to keepwater from running off his land. 'One thing I really don'tlike to see is the horizontal movement of water. That's abig no-no for me," says Weber. That's why he uses farm-ing techniques that instead allow precipitation to perco-late downward into the earth, where it nourishes soil andplant life and recharges groundwater supplies. By usingno-till planting methods, rotating corn and soybean cropswith small grains, growing cover crops and grazing cattleon his land, he nurtures rich, absorbent soil that capturesvaluable rainwater. And that's a big deal. One of thebiggest ecological problems in the watershed is rapidfarmland runoff that speeds erosion and carries sedimentand farm chemicals into waterways."

Weber grew up on a cattle farm in the area but it was sev-eral tours of duty in Iraq with the Army National Guardthat made him realize the importance of water conserva-tion. "To the Iraqi people water is everything" . Here wejust take it for granted, and the majority of us abuse it."

Weber started out in 2011 with rented farm land. He andwife Sara farm 280 acres of cropland and run more than100 cattle on 140 acres of pasture. He credits his father-in-law, currently employed as a district conservationist forthe Natural resources Conservation Service, with intro-ducing him to new farming practices. He practices no-tillfarming rotating a mix of six small grains in rotation withcorn and soybeans. Croplands are covered year-round.This prevents runoff and nourishes rich, absorbent soil.He freely shares growing methods and results on his web-site (jwfinc.com) under the slogan "Responsible,Sustainable, Profitable Farming." His farm has been rec-ognized under the Agricultural Water QualityCertification Program, launched as part of the currentYear of Water Action declared by Gov. Dayton.

Earlier, Lake Shaokatan was mentioned. Currently, thelake supports northern pike, walleye, and yellow perch.Waterfowl also gravitate to the lake and surrounding wet-lands. Weber knows that anything he can do to preventrunoff is good for the shallow 995-acre lake downhillfrom the farm.

To experience the sights and sounds of natural bounty,Jack and Sara will drive out in the evening , Into a fieldon a four-wheeler and sit in the middle of the calves thatare grazing cover crops. Jack says "That's my favoritething to do- to go out and watch progress."

Note: There may be a significant number of our members who subscribe to the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer magazine. An article titled "the Waters downhill" written by

Keith Goetzman touched this reader in a special way. Portions are selected by permission granted some years ago by Kathleen Weflen, chief editor, now retired.

You Live in the Deep South ... where 1. You can rent a movie a buy bait in the same store.2. "y'all is singular and "all y'alll" is plural.3. "He needed killin" is a valid defense.4. Every one has 2 first names: Billy Bob, Jimmy Bob, MarySue, Betty Jean, Mary Beth, etc.

You can live in Colorado where .....1. You carry your $3,000 mountain bike atop your $500 car.2. A pass does not involve a football or dating.3. The top of your head is bald, but you still have a pony tail.

You can live in the Midwest where....1. Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor.2. You have had to switch from "heat" to A/C on the same day.3. You end sentences with a preposition: "Where's my coat at?"4. When asked how your trip was to any exotic place, you say,"It was different!"

"NEWS FLASHES"IDAHO'S worst air disaster occurred when a small two-seater Cessna 150 plane, piloted by Arkie & Edna, crashedinto a cemetery earlier today in OROFINO, IDAHO Searchand Rescue workers have recovered 300 bodies so far and expect the number to climb as digging continues into thespring. Fortunately Arkie & Edna survived and are helpingin the recovery efforts.

The young IDAHOAN came running into the hardwarestore and said to his buddy, "Alvin, somebody just stoleyour pickup truck from the parking lot!" Alvin replied,"Did you see who it was?" The young fellah answered, "I couldn't tell, but I got the license plate number."

Now For A Bit of Humor (ForSome Readers, This May Be Debatable!).Minnesotans have our share of Ole/Lena jokes. These speak to other U.S. residents.

Names are not indicative of any specific person. That is up to the reader.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), various Lake Associations & other advocates frequently encourage you to “clean, drain, dry” when you leave a lake, but its not often we are given good, sound advice on how to do it. Partnering with several organizations, your Big Sauk Lake Association has prepared a great tool for you to keep in your glove box or on your watercraft that should help you do just that. This 20-page booklet not only gives you gen-eral inspection and cleaning guidelines for your boat, mo-tor, trailer and equipment...but also specific tips for pon-toons, house boats, water ski boats, jet skis, kayaks, ca-noes, paddle boards, sailboats and even float planes and much, much more. In addition, we’ve included pictures for identification and other helpful information about the aquatic invasive spe-cies or AIS that we’re seeing and hearing so much about in the news these days. Contact a BSLA board member if you are interested in a copy of this publication, or look for them to be available soon from various local establish-ments. If you are one of these local establishments and would like to make sure you have these booklets avail-able for your patrons, you are also encouraged to contact a BSLA board member.

We all know that Aquatic Invasive Species threaten all of the waters that we all love to en-joy in various ways. You should be aware that both Stearns and Todd Counties annually pre-pare a plan to continue addressing these is-sues. The complete plan for Todd County should be available by the time of the publica-tion of this newsletter from the Todd County Soil & Water Conservation District. The following is the “ABSTRACT” that appears at the beginning of the plan that gives a 20,000 foot overview of what its about.

“The Todd County Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) plan was prepared with input from Lake Associations, County Commissioners, and Todd Soil and Water Conservation District staff. This plan was prepared to direct the expenditure of County Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Aid funds allocated by the State of Minnesota Legis-lature starting in 2014. Goals included in the this plan are to develop a program which is on-going and slows the spread of AIS within Todd County’s lakes and rivers. Strategies to make this a reality include outreach and education, boat inspections at DNR landing areas, and en-forcement of existing AIS regulations. Select lakes will be monitored for Zebra Mussel veligers. Projects to control AIS in Todd County Lakes will be cost shared with lake associa-tions.”

The five primary prevention strategies discussed in the plan include: 1. Manage AIS Program including conducting

assessment of AIS risk, maintain partner-ships, and evaluate and report progress.

2. Protect County Waters through public out-reach and informational activities and actions.

3. Protect County Waters through watercraft in-spection, decontamination, and enforcement of AIS laws and rules.

4. Protect County Waters through monitoring, early detection and rapid response to reports of AIS.

5. Minimize impacts on County Waters through AIS management and control projects.

- Reprinted with permission from the Todd County Soil & Water Conservation District.

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������������Saturday, May 26, 2018 8 am—Breakfast Served By Youth Group

8:30 am—Business Meeting

�������������First Lutheran Church, (304 Elm St. S. & Sinclair Lewis Ave.)

Please enter via southwest entrance to basement.

GUEST SPEAKER: TO BE DETERMINED

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Big Sauk Lake Association Box 282 Sauk Centre, MN 56378

PRSRT STD PERMIT NO. 15

U. S. POSTAGE PAID Sauk Centre, MN 56378

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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Sauk Centre Conservation Club

• Saturday June 9th 2018 on Big Sauk Lake.

• Two person teams. • $100 per boat with a 50 boat limit. • Cash payout 1

st through 6

th place and door prizes.

• A catch-photo-release tournament so no fish will be killed in order to preserve the lake for future generations.

• For more information and/or registration forms contact: Josh Rieland: 320-491-3199 email: joshr@centralgraininc.com Brent Miller: 320-241-2802 email: brentm@centralgraininc.com

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�������Saturday, May 26, 2018 8 am—Breakfast Served By Youth Group

8:30 am—Business Meeting

�������First Lutheran Church, (304 Elm St. S. & Sinclair Lewis Ave.)

Please enter via southwest entrance to basement.

GUEST SPEAKER: TO BE DETERMINED

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Big Sauk Lake Association Box 282 Sauk Centre, MN 56378

PRSRT STD PERMIT NO. 15

U. S. POSTAGE PAID Sauk Centre, MN 56378

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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Sauk Centre Conservation Club

• Saturday June 9th 2018 on Big Sauk Lake.

• Two person teams. • $100 per boat with a 50 boat limit. • Cash payout 1

st through 6

th place and door prizes.

• A catch-photo-release tournament so no fish will be killed in order to preserve the lake for future generations.

• For more information and/or registration forms contact: Josh Rieland: 320-491-3199 email: joshr@centralgraininc.com Brent Miller: 320-241-2802 email: brentm@centralgraininc.com