Several bills have been introduced in the Wisconsin State Legislature that could negatively affect lakes if they make their way through the legislature. The Wisconsin Association of Lakes is following the progress of these bills (outlined below).

AB-71: Determination of the ordinary high water mark (OHWM)

AB-734: limiting rules regarding the placement of rip-rap

Natural shorelines provide important habitat for fish and wildlife, help control erosion, and filter out pollutants before they enter our lakes. Artificial erosion control methods, such as rip-rap, may help control erosion, but they can also destroy important fish and wildlife habitat and do not filter pollutants.

Rip-rap may be an appropriate erosion control method in some situations. The current shoreland erosion control rules (NR-328) approved by the legislature this past Spring, allow exemptions and general or individual permits for a wide range of shore erosion control structures, including rip-rap.

The proposed bill (AB 734) would set a new standard for decisions on placement of rip-rap in public waters that might cause tremendous losses of fish and wildlife habitat. The proposed standard allows conversion of natural shoreline to rock based simply on verification that erosion exists. Erosion can be found to exist on any shoreline, even on the most undeveloped waterways.

The bill does not improve the ability of waterfront property owners to prevent loss of property to erosion. The Wisconsin Association of Lakes board of directors unanimously voted to oppose this bill for the following reasons:

• the Bill subverts the legislative and rulemaking processes that created reasonable rules, standards, and a process by which riparian owners can pursue efforts to protect against shoreline erosion.
• the current statute and adminstrative rules are flexible; they allow a variety of erosion control methods, including rip-rap, and DNR experts work with property owners to find the best methods to prevent erosion and protect our lakes.

The Wisconsin Association of Lakes Board of Directors unanimously voted to oppose this bill.

AB 299: Weakening of Shoreland Protections

A conservation warden issued the state's first citation for weeds found on a boat trailer to a Pelican Lake property owner after he refused to remove weeds pointed out by a volunteer boat landing inspector prior to launching his boat. Mandatory weed removal prior to launching a boat is designed to protect state lakes from aquatic invasive species (AIS), such as Eurasian water milfoil and curlyleaf pondweed.

Until this first citation, DNR had an education- only policy. However, after three years of public awareness, Barb Krause, who heads up the launch- monitoring program for the lake association said, “If people don't want to be educated and knowingly violate the law, then it's time to write them tickets. We've got to keep the exotic species out or it will have far-reaching effects on water quality, taxes, recreation and property values.”

DNR is still focused on education, and may not cite people who clearly aren't aware of the law. Citations are more likely if there is evidence that the boat and trailer owner has knowledge of the law, but violated it anyway.

In 2005, volunteer watercraft inspectors inspected over 9,000 boats, and contacted almost 20,000 people in the process. Upon close inspection volunteers often uncovered hidden plants on boat trailors and other recreational equipment. Data from this year's inspections revealed the following:

• 6% of all inspected boats had vegetation attached when they approached the landing.
• 23% of all inspected boats had vegetation attached as the boat pulled away from the landing.
• 16% of boaters were not informed of Wisconsin's illegal to launch law (Section 30.715 Stat. 2001 WI Act 16), which prohibits launching a trailer if aquatic plants or zebra mussels are attached.
• 75% of boaters understand the role they play in moving aquatic plants and animals from one water body to another.

The 23% of boats pulling away from landings with vegetation attached amounts to over 143,000 boats that could potentially transport and infect another water body with Eurasian water milfoil, zebra mussels, or other invasive species!

Volunteers reporting this information are in support of amending the current law to also make it illegal to transport attached vegetation. The data collected at the boat landings supports this change. If you too support this change, contact your legislative representatives and encourage them to amend Wisconsin's current law to make it illegal to both launch and transport.

Aquatic Invasive Species: A Handbook for Education Efforts is a compilation of information on statewide programs, resources, contacts, case studies, and action strategies, including some suggested approaches for designing successful local education efforts. A resource CD filled with articles, fact sheets, presentations, and more accompanies the handbook.

Leaves and grass clippings that make their way into lakes and decompose can significantly increase nutrient levels, which can lead to nuisance algea and related water quality problems. To help keep leaves out of your lake:

• Compost leaves for a nutrient-rich fertilizer for your gardens, or till them directly into the garden.
• Chop leaves into small particles with a lawnmower so they decompose directly into the lawn.
• Rake leaves into piles at the edge of the street but not into the street or ditch. Sweep or rake leaves out of the street, gutter or ditch so they don't wash down into the storm drain.

Madison area groups are conducting a campaign to encourage homeowners to keep leaves out of the Madison lakes. Lake groups may find this approach applicable to their lake.

This new publication from the Wisconsin Wetlands Association helps landowners evaluate eligibility for property tax breaks on wetlands and other conservation lands.

The guidebook is designed to help landowners anticipate the property tax consequences of wetland restoration decisions and to ensure that the wetlands they currently own are properly assessed and taxed.

The guide will also help natural resource professionals answer landowner questions about the tax implications of wetland restoration and other stewardship decisions, questions land managers cite as "on the top of the list" when consulting with landowners about new projects.

We hope you have found our e-lake letter interesting and helpful. If you are not currently a member of WAL, please consider joining us in working for clean, safe, healthy lakes for everyone. Your membership support helps WAL co-sponsor multiple lake education workshops and conferences across the state that reach thousands of Wisconsin lake users each year, work with the legislature to ensure our lakes are protected for generations to come, and keep lake enthusiasts informed through publications such as out monthly e-lake letter and quarterly newsletter, The Lake Connection.