YOU WERE SPARED HAVING TO WATCH CAMPAIGN COMMERCIALS

Election day, November 2, is not the only show in town.  On August 28 the Rock Lake Improvement Association held its annual election. Newly elected Margaret Krueger will join Johanna Chworowsky, Pete Ebbott, Stanley Smoniewski, Milt Strauss, and Russell Wagner on the board.  New officers are Karl Vonderohe, Jim Colegrove, Larry Everson, and Katie Travers as president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer, respectively. 

The two most significant accomplishments the past year were the acquisition of 501(c)3 status and a Lake Planning Grant of almost $10,000.  RLIA has always been a tax-free, non-profit corporation, but contributions to it are now tax deductible for the donor.  The Lake Planning Grant will build on the information gathered in a similar grant in 1995, and in addition will address current issues, such as zebra mussels and Eurasion water-milfoil, both “exotic” species, meaning they come from another ecosystem and wreak havoc when they visit and then stay in another system.  Please watch the newspapers to see how you can get involved in the spending of this large chunk of DNR money.  (No, you can’t use it to visit another ecosystem and wreak havoc.)

Dave Marshall of the DNR, who is researching the effect of shoreline habitat on fish species, reported that the diversity of small fish is declining in the state, even in some lakes where the water quality is considered good and not a limiting factor to fishes’ survival.  Why should anyone care about blackchin shiners, least darters, or banded killifish?  Marshall says, “The loss of these small nongame species is disturbing because fish diversity is a sign of a healthy lake.  The are part of the state’s natural heritage, and they are forage fish for game fish.”

Bob Delaney and Scott Erwin reported on their attempts to educate boaters, and if that doesn’t work, ticket them, on Rock Lake.  They are law enforcement officers for Lake Mills Township, which has the responsibility of regulating lake activities.  Dave Walz, the DNR enforcement officer relayed the problems associated with removing the vehicle that went through the ice this past winter.  Possible ways to avoid a reoccurrence were discussed.  Fortunately, through the efforts of Jefferson County Sheriffs, Toepel’s Towing, the DNR, and contributions from RLIA and individuals, the SUV was removed before leakage of pollutants began.

Through the efforts of Andrew Stiles and Alex Mulligan, sailing is increasing on the lake.  Alex reported on the free lessons and organized sails that have been offered for two years.  While this is not a RLIA sponsored activity, RLIA heartily endorses all boating that leaves no fuel residue in the water.

Hard copies of the Lake Monitoring and the Electrofishing 2003 reports were available at the meeting and are also available on the RLIA website:  www.rocklake.org.

MAKING WAVES, Sep.7, 2004

Johanna Chworowsky, RLIA