Manitowoc County Lakes Association

A July 19, 2018 presentation summary by Hanna Edelglass

Have We Made Progress Protecting the Environment as Agriculture Grows?

Jerry Halverson, from the Manitowoc Co. Soil and Water Conservation Department and Scott Gunderson, of the Manitowoc Co. UW Extension, presented how we can be ‘Working Together to Improve and Protect our Natural Resources to Enhance the Quality of Life for Present and Future Generations’, as part of the bimonthly Manitowoc County Lakes Association meetings at the Manitowoc County Office Complex on July 19, 2018. Read more

From left to right, Dick Jens Cedar lake, Cathie Erickson WLA President, Dave Pozorski MCLA Vice President, John Brotz Cedar lake, Tom ward MCLA President, Phil Knauf and Scott Otterson Cedar Lake.

The Manitowoc County Lakes Association (MCLA) was one of seven individuals and groups awarded a Wisconsin Lake Stewardship Award for 2018 at the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership Convention in Stevens Point. The awards are given annually by the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership in celebration of the extraordinary volunteer and professional efforts made to protect and improve lakes in Wisconsin.

MCLA’s award came in recognition of their efforts to, in the words of their mission, “protect and enhance the quality of area lakes and watersheds for the benefit of all.” Over two decades, MCLA has provided a voice for all the water resources large and small in the county, and provided an important conduit between property owners and lakes users. “MCLA deserved this award,” said Wisconsin Lakes Executive Director Michael Engleson, “because of their amazing work on shoreline restoration projects, fighting to prevent the spread of invasive species, and perhaps most importantly, working to educate the residents of Manitowoc County about the importance of sound lake stewardship.”

The Wisconsin Lake Stewardship Awards are presented each year in celebration of the extraordinary volunteer and professional efforts made to protect and improve lakes in Wisconsin, and represent the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership’s best collective effort to honor and celebrate all the incredible work that goes into ensuring the future of our state’s lakes and waters. “This year’s winners, like all the past years’ winners, are an inspiration to us all,” said Engleson. “Our lakes are that much better because of the hard work put in by the winners and nominees of this award.” The Wisconsin Lakes Partnership has brought science, education and citizens together to empower people to work together to care for our lakes since the early 1970’s.

A delegation of conference attendees presented with award was Tom Ward MCLA President, Dave Pozorski Vice President and Phil Knauf, Dick Jens, John Brotz and Scott Otterson from Cedar Lake. Tom Ward commented that The County Lakes Association celebrated its 20th anniversary this past year, and the successes would not have been possible without the outstanding Leadership of many past officers and support of the MCLA membership.

Have We Made Progress Protecting the Environment as Agriculture Grows?

A presentation by:
Scott Gunderson, Manitowoc County, UW Extension Agriculture Agent, and Jerry Halverson, Manitowoc County Soil & Water Conservation Dept. Director.

Thursday, 19th of July, 2018, at the Manitowoc County Office building, 4319 Expo Drive, Room 300, at 6:30pm. Public and Guests are welcome and encouraged to attend.

61% of Manitowoc County land base is used to produce agriculture products. Manitowoc County has many beautiful lakes used for recreation and for fish and wildlife habitat. What is being done to improve and protect our natural resources, including lakes, and what can be done in the future as agriculture continues to grow and prosper in the county?

Regular MCLA business meeting to follow.

photos ©2018 John Lyons

by Hanna Edelglass

On May 17, 2018, Steven Hogler – DNR Fisheries Biologist, Green Bay – presented Fish Survey results at our bi-monthly Manitowoc County  Lakes Association meeting for members and guests.  Read more

SITKIEWITZ

ZIEGELBAUER

Updated 3/26/2018:

The MCLA forum ‘Meet the Candidates’ took place on Thursday, the 22nd of March, 2018 with BOB ZIEGELBAUER and ERIC SITKIEWITZ.

The Manitowoc County Executive arguably has the highest ability to affect the conditions and quality of the area’s waters. On March 22, candidates for the position conducted a listening session, answered questions, and stated their respective qualifications. Each focused on proposals that would support the Manitowoc County Lakes Association mission, to protect and enhance the quality of area lakes and watersheds. This was a great opportunity to meet and to take your measure of the projected policies of these two individuals.

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The Herald Tribune Reporter published a summary article on the 23rd of March, 2018. Some main points are:

• Bob Ziegelbauer and Eric Sitkiewitz faced challenging questions about water quality and environmental concerns.
• Both agreed that economic growth and the health of ecosystems are connected
• Beaches have had to be closed due to high levels of E-Coli, affecting tourism negatively.
• Although both candidates stated that cities from outside the area were responsible for the degraded water quality, it was pointed out that the Manitowoc River is the highest source of the pollutant phosphorous.
• We need to bolster the County Soil and Water Conservation Department to address locally contributions to polluted waters.

Read the complete Herald Times article: Manitowoc County Lakes Association grills county executive candidates on environment.

Published Feb 26, 2018.

ERIC SITKIEWITZ, a Manitowoc alderman, challenges Manitowoc County Executive BOB ZIEGELBAUER for the county executive seat in the spring 2018 election.

The Manitowoc County Executive arguably has the highest ability to affect the conditions and quality of the area’s waters. On March 22, candidates for the Manitowoc County Executive position will conduct a listening session, answer questions, and state their respective qualifications for that position. Each will focus on proposals that would support the Manitowoc County Lakes Association mission, to protect and enhance the quality of area lakes and watersheds. This is a great opportunity to meet and to take your measure of the projected policies of these two individuals. Public invited and encouraged to attend. No registration.

March 22 6:30pm. Manitowoc County Office Building. 4319 Expo Dr., Rm 300.

Regular MCLA business to follow.

Ice Fishing Manitowoc County Lakes will be featured at the Manitowoc County Lakes Association’s January 25th meeting, Thursday, starting at 6:30 in the County Offices Complex located at 4319 Expo Drive, Manitowoc.

Clint Ward will discuss the latest trend in technology and ice fishing methods that has occurred in recent years. A life long resident of Manitowoc County and avid fisherman he will discuss ice fishing opportunities on area lakes.

The Public is more than welcome to attend this and future MCLA events working to protect and enhance the quality of area lakes and watersheds for the benefit of all and quality of life in our community.

Happy New Year! New year, new faces! The new officers for the Manitowoc County Lakes Association were announced at the final meeting of the year on December 7, 2017. We welcome them and look forward to another great year!

President Tom Ward

Vice President Dave Pozorski

Treasurer Marcia Salm

Secretary Hanna Edelglass

Tom Ward was the Department Director for the Manitowoc County Soil & Water Conservation Dept. for 32 years, retiring in 2008 to work as an Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator for MCLA thru the end of 2017. He has also worked in County Zoning Departments and graduated from UWSP with a degree in Natural Resource Management.

Tom has a long history with MCLA. Helping to find a solution in 1997 to turn the aerators on Carstens and Weyers lake, he organized the Manitowoc County Lakes Association with a small group of conservationists and sportsman in the community. For the past 20 years, he has served an advisor to the MCLA directors.

During his employment with Manitowoc County, Tom organized shoreland restoration demonstrations on numerous lakes. He also developed a County Lakes Classification System for the County that Classified Lakes in three separate Zoning Classes based on the Lakes degree of developed shoreline. As the Soil & Water Conservation Dept. Director he persuaded the County Board to hold a public referendum to pass the first Manure Spreading Ordinance in Wisconsin that prohibited winter application of animal waste within a 1000 ft. of a lake and 300 feet of a stream; and required animal waste expansions over 500 animal units to obtain a County permit.

Tom has facilitated the development of numerous Citizen Organizations in the County such as the Friends of the Branch River, the Manitowoc County Lakes Association, Watershed monitors, and Conservation Education Inc.

Dave Pozorski is a charter member of MCLA and has published the MCLA newsletter for 20 years.

In 2017, Dave received MCLA’s Lifetime Membership Award. Dave has held the positions of President, Vice-president, Secretary and has been a leader on numerous committees. Residing near Carstens Lake, Dave has a keen interest in protecting his beloved lakes. He was a charter member, helping to form MCLA in 1997. He continues to help with installing hoses and setting up the aerators on both lakes. He has also helped with monitoring test wells for the English Lake farm tile study. Dave jumped in to help Silver Lake and serve as a chair of a committee to plan, redesign, fundraise and build an educational Silver Lake County park, a park he coined a diamond in the rough. Using the creative restoration of Silver Lake Park as a natural shoreline and habitat for aquatic organisms of the lake, Dave became a strong advocate for restoring natural shorelines of our County lakes. Over a ten-year period he raised a total of $185,000 from our community, and carried out the park plan to completion. During his terms as President, Dave worked with Fish & Game units to survey Silver Lake bottom, to create walleye spawning reefs, and helped with fish plantings at Silver and Hartlaub lakes. After serving in multiple officer positions with MCLA, Dave attended numerous meetings, representing MCLA on the Wisconsin Association of Lakes Board from 2005 to 2011; served on advisory member of the DNR’s Citizen Lakes Basin group; and represented MCLA and the State Association in development of DNR’s Strategic Plan. Most recently Dave helped during the summer with conducting Boater education at the boat launches, teaching methods to prevent the spread of invasive species. Dave was also inspirational by encouraging MCLA to apply for an Aquatic Invasive Species Education Grant starting in 2008.

Marcia Salm has been a property owner on Carstens Lake since 2011. Carstens Lake residents are a close neighborly group who share a deep concern for the health of the lake. From these residents Marcia has learned the history of the lake and how the water quality has changed over the years. By kayaking, she has experienced how invasive species are a detriment to fully enjoying water activities. Under the guidance of Brian Robley, Director of Carstens Lake, she has learned the value of maintaining the boat cleaning station and the importance of keeping the boat landing area clean. She is looking forward to using Tom Ward’s training as an Aquatic Invasive Species monitor.

Hanna Edelglass has lived locally on Lake Michigan since 2014. In an effort to connect with others and help preserve our beautiful surroundings, she began attending MCLA meetings, sending announcements and summaries of our meetings to local papers and WPR. She has two sons and a daughter, all living in the watershed area of the Great Lakes.