Our mission statement: The purpose of the Walworth County Lake Association is to provide a resource for Walworth County Lakes to share lake-related information and concerns among one another and with governmental units.
Upcoming events and meetings (All meetings at 9:00am unless otherwise noted)
| June 19th - 9am | Stoneridge Terrace Conference Room (Whitewater/Rice LMD) | TBD |
| August 14th - 9am | Delavan Lake IA - TBD | TBD |
| October 9th - 9am | Wandawega Country Club (Lake Wandawega IA) | Annual Meeting, Board elections and Round Table |
For meeting directions and a county map, click on the "Directions To Meetings" link on the left.
When needed, meetings of the Board of Directors will take
place before the general meetings.
DNR Rule NR 40 - Illegal to Transport Aquatic Plants - supported by the governor signing SB 123 which allows enforcement.
The transportation of any vehicle, including boats and trailers, on a public highway with aquatic plants or aquatic animals attached, and
Require removal of aquatic plants and aquatic animals and draining of all water from any such vehicles or equipment immediately upon removal from the water and before leaving any boat launch or parking area, and
Prohibit the placing of any boat, vehicle or equipment into waters of the state (statewide) if they have any aquatic plants or aquatic animals attached.
This rule and enforcement will support our efforts to curtail the spread of aquatic invasives. We applaud the efforts of those who helped push this through.
Lake Lorraine is holding an ice fishing derby on Saturday, January 16th. Link HERE for the information.
Benedict and Tombeau is holding an ice derby on Saturday, Feb. 6th. Link HERE for the information.
The WAL SE Wisconsin Lakes Workshop originally scheduled for October 2009, has been rescheduled to Saturday, February 13, 2010, 8:30 am – 3:45 pm at the Waukesha County Technical College, Richard T. Anderson Education Center, 800 Main St, Pewaukee, WI. Workshop topics will explore science, policy, and case studies in aspects of lake management and lake living. WCLA will send out an email with details when available or visit: http://www.wisconsinlakes.org/events.html
This is a great opportunity to learn more about the issues facing our lakes today and to network with your peers.
From WAL - SB 12 - Slow no-wake zone passes
The Assembly passed a bill (SB 12) that would establish a statewide slow no
wake zone for motorboats within 100 feet of a lake’s shoreline. The Senate
passed the bill earlier this month. It will become law upon the Governor’s
signature.
A provision within the bill allows local boating ordinances to extend slow-no-wake zones farther away from the shore (for example, 200 feet as Dane County has done). Local boating ordinances may also specify slow-no-wake zones that are less than 100 feet from the shoreline. This provision recognizes that there are some locations where a more localized approach may be desirable to accommodate recreational use. An exemption is also included for water-skiers pick up and drop off zones.
This bill is a positive step forward to preserve water quality, prevent
shoreline deterioration, and improve public safety for citizens who are
fishing, swimming, and paddling on our shorelines.
Boating too close to shorelines can contribute to shoreline erosion problems,
reduce water clarity by stirring up lake bed sediments,
release phosphorus—the nutrient responsible for algae blooms—from lake bed
sediments, and harm fish habitat when propellers uproot shore land plants.
WAL - AB 3 - Phosphorus fertilizer ban passes
The state Senate unanimously passed the Clean
Lakes Bill (AB 3) which will prohibit the display, sale, and use of lawn
fertilizer containing phosphorus, with certain reasonable exceptions. This
bill is modeled after Dane County's existing and successful county ordinance.
When the Governor signs the bill, Wisconsin will have a statewide law
regulating phosphorus in lawn fertilizer!
Many Wisconsin Association of Lakes members have been working for years to
develop phosphorus free lawn fertilizer programs on a lake by lake basis,
asking retailers to stock phosphorus free fertilizer, and working with their
town, village, or city governments to pass local phosphorus ordinances. But
local efforts—while widespread across the state—have not been enough.
The contacts citizens have made with their legislators, testimony offered at
public hearings, and resolutions passed by counties, lake groups, and local
governments supporting a statewide ban on phosphorus in lawn fertilizer have
been critical to demonstrate support for this issue. Many small actions have
enabled Wisconsin lake groups, local governments, counties and citizens to
achieve a statewide victory that is a significant step forward in the efforts
to curb the avalanche of nutrients that pollute our public lakes.
Long Time WCLA member Rich Olenoski receives award.
Congrats to an original contributor and long time member of the WCLA for his continued efforts on behalf of everyone in Walworth County.
The Regional News –
According to a statement from Modern Woodmen member Frank Chesen, Olenoski will be recognized for his many acts of volunteerism.
As part of the Hometown Hero program, members of the Twin Lakes Modern Woodmen camp will present Olenoski with a certificate and a $100 grant, which he will present to a charitable organization of his choice.
Local Modern Woodmen members and guests are invited to attend the event. For reservations, call Chesen by Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 279-6196.
Founded
in 1883, as a fraternal benefit society, Modern Woodmen offers financial
services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout
the United States. The
In September, the WCLA bid goodbye to founding WCLA member Kevin MacKinnon as he moved to Texas in retirement. A going away party was organized by friends and a huge turnout came to honor Kevin. The Delavan Lake Sanitation District named their building after him, the Governor awarded him and the WCLA created an education fund named in his honor. His efforts on our behalf as well as lake people throughout the state were exemplary, and will be sorely missed. In addition, he was simply an outstanding person.
Kevin - Best wishes for your retirement!
October 2007 News and Notes
Audrey Green (Walworth County Lakes Specialist) and Mary Knipper (Lake Delavan) will be presenting at the WAL convention in April a breakout on holding Pontoon Classrooms for local schools.
Senate Bill 197 (Statewide ban on Phosporus) had a final hearing on 8/28 with no negative comments. It is expected that the bill will come up for vote after the state budget is passed.
AB 42/504 (Restore Independent Secretary of DNR) is being discussed. It is expected that the bill will pass, but will probably not take effect until after the next gubernatorial election.
NR 115 (Shoreland Zoning) After four years of contentious discussion, this bill will probably go back to committee for more revision.
The Next Invasive Battle
According to Audrey Greene, the next big invasive battle is Hydrilla, a plant that makes Milfoil look like a drop in the ocean. It is more hardy and noxious than any other invasive plant currently in Wisconsin. It is closest to us in Indiana and the state is beginning to look at proactive planning to combat this plant.
For more information check out this link at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/PROGRAMS/WQ/plants/weeds/hydrilla.html