ROCK LAKE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION,
President’s Report, 2008

                                                            ROCK LAKE IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
                                                                  ANNUAL MEETING, AUGUST 16, 2008
                                                                                     PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Historical Review
Articles of Incorporation signed and registered, October 7, 1971. Designated a 501(c)3 corporation, May 24, 2004. We operate with our efforts tuned to the RLIA Mission Statement: "The Mission of RLIA is to promote and generate positive action on issues concerning the preservation, protection and improvement of Rock Lake"
We are a lake advocate group and are highly sensitive to issues that effect Rock Lake and its watershed; and if you observe lake traffic on a weekend or water quality and clarity after heavy rains, you can appreciate that the lake does, indeed, need an advocate.
Major Emphasis
To that end, RLIA applied for and received a DNR grant that helped finance the Management Plan for Rock Lake (published in 2006), and spent several board meetings this past year determining priority issues that we could reasonably implement, or advocate for implementation, in the immediate future. That has been the major thrust of our deliberations and you will hear further details from Tom Pezzi, RLIA vice president, later in the program. Of the 47 priority lake and watershed issues identified in the management plan, the board of directors has selected 22 for immediate consideration and action.
Organization Memberships
Wisconsin Association of Lakes: Board members attend the annual convention of WAL each spring where lake and water issues are presented and discussed as well as problems that confront lake organizations such as ours are debated and solutions recommended. It's a valuable exposure to expert opinion and organizational skills. Two of us were privileged to attend the event this past April.
Rock River Coalition: RLIA is a member of the RRC, a multi-county, water-oriented organization of the Rock River basin. We are a contributor to a coalition project called G-FLOW which measures ground water flow volume and direction which impacts lakes, streams and wells throughout the basin.
Legislation
We maintain an interest in statewide and county water-related issues. The board supported a statewide law to ban phosphorus in lawn fertilizers (except for new lawns). Recent local soil sampling in the Town and City of Lake Mills indicates adequate natural phosphorus levels. One pound of phosphorus contained in runoff that enters a water body can produce 500 pounds of algae. And algae blooms and property values have been demonstrated to be directly related. Prime examples are the Delavan Lake restoration and the Madison and Dane County chain of lakes which prompted a county-wide ban on lawn fertilizer containing phosphorus. The state phosphorus bill passed the Senate but died in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee but no doubt will be reintroduced in the upcoming session. The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors voted down a county-wide ban. RLIA board is supporting the Town and County in their plan to reconfigure the north end parking lot. Members of the board appeared before the Jefferson County Finance Committee last month to support a request for additional funding to complete the project. You will hear further details from Patricia Cicero later in the program.
The board is following the state pier law and the Town's proposed pier ordinance that would regulate size and number of piers and flotation devices per lakeshore lot--particularly in the sensitive areas. Board members have appeared during this past year at both Town and City Plan Commission hearings as well as the Town Board and City Council meetings regarding lake and shoreline issues.
Adopt-A-Lake
RLIA, through its Adopt-A-Lake program, organizes an annual millpond and lake clean-up day. The event this year was held on May 17 and involved 32 students and several adults. The event concluded with a Garlic Mustard Pull at Korth Park.
Goose Count
Last but not least, RLIA conducts an annual goose count during the molting season to track population of resident geese around the lake. Now in its 7th year the count at 9:00 a.m. on June 25 totaled 306 adult and juvenile geese. The number of resident geese is a concern regarding water quality of the lake and their presence at the lakeshore parks, fish hatchery and golf course, among other locations, becomes an issue. Tom Pezzi will have other details regarding the geese and some unexpected assistance from the City parks department.
What Next?
Our challenge for the coming year will be implementation of the Management Plan priority items that the board has already selected plus review of the remainder for further action. In this expanded effort we encourage volunteers from the RLIA membership to assist in various projects. Of special interest would be a feature story writer and/or columnist to assist the current publicity/public relations committee. If you have an interest in volunteering for any phase of RLIA programs we urge you to contact one of the board members or send an email to Johanna Chworowsky at chworowsky@charter.net or regular mail to RLIA, P.O. Box 255, Lake Mills, WI, 53551
Special thanks to members who have already expressed an interest in volunteering.