Join us at the 29th annual Wisconsin Lakes Convention, April 26-28 at the Regency Suites and KI Convention Center in Green Bay.

The annual Wisconsin Lakes Convention brings more than 500 lake enthusiasts together to celebrate and learn about Wisconsin’s lakes. This year’s Convention theme, Agents of Change, will focus on ways we each can be a force for positive change in our lake communities. We’ll discover ways to effectively reach decision-makers and shape good public policies. We will also explore lake science, management, wildlife, water law, economics, land use, and other current lake topics.

With choices of 15 different hands-on Thursday workshops, 39 different concurrent sessions on Friday and Saturday, plus a field trip and distinguished keynote speakers— the convention is sure to offer something for every lake enthusiast! Invite along a lake neighbor who has not yet had the opportunity to attend.

Early-bird registration, with savings on the Convention registration fees, lasts until March 26. For easy on-line registration and event details please visit the UW- Extension Lakes Program website or call 715- 346-2116. Daily rates are available.

• Convention Keynote Speakers
• Convention highlights for lake groups
• Exhibit Booths and Convention Sponsorship
• Full Convention Agenda
• Online Registration

People you know are making positive contributions to our lakes in many ways. Here’s your chance to recognize their efforts!

Young people that enjoy our lakes today will be the lake stewards of tomorrow. Are there young lake leaders or youth groups showing local or regional leadership getting their peers excited about lakes, monitoring and studying lakes, and doing lake related projects?

Lake management can be a technical and often complex task; many businesses do a good job of assisting lake organizations with the development and implementation of sound lake management plans. Other businesses demonstrate their concern for local lakes by practicing good lake stewardship in their lake communities. What businesses have shown outstanding commitment to the ecological health of lakes?

Please show your appreciation by nominating a deserving lake leader for a Wisconsin Stewardship Award in the Youth or Business categories. Lake Stewardship Award categories include: Citizen, Organized Group, Educator, Youth, Public Official or Employee, and Business.

Nominations are due March 16th, 2007.

• More information about the Stewardship awards
• Nomination guidelines and online form

The Governor’s proposed budget provides a badly needed jump start to revitalize Wisconsin’s polluted runoff program. Funding our ongoing commitment and reducing polluted runoff is a sound investment in the future of our lakes and rivers, and a clear win for all farmers, anglers, and lake and river enthusiasts who share a commitment to clean water.

Polluted runoff negatively impacts an estimated 90% of Wisconsin's lakes. Runoff from farm fields, hard surfaces such as roads, construction sites, and urban sources washes nutrients and sediments into our lakes and rivers. These extra nutrients and sediments can cause excess plant growth, fish kills, and water quality decline.

Promises unfulfilled
In 2002, Wisconsin was the first state in the nation to pass a comprehensive policy and rules to reduce polluted runoff, with a significant focus on agricultural runoff. Unfortunately, the promise of these rules has gone unfulfilled. The Legislature failed to fund their commitment to reduce farm runoff when they did not provide sufficient funding to effectively implement the rules they passed.

Under current Wisconsin law, existing farms are not required to comply with these rules unless offered at least a 70% cost share to cover expenses associated with changing farm practices that keep soil, nutrients, or manure out of our lakes and rivers.

$12 million a good down payment
Governor Doyle's budget proposal is a good down payment towards implementing the spirit of the rules. The Governor's budget includes $12 million for farmers who want to implement common sense practices to reduce polluted runoff.

Solving our agricultural runoff problems requires a range of tools. In the past, the polluted runoff program has provided cost share monies (through bonding) for “brick and mortar” engineered solutions, such as barnyard improvements to reduce runoff, and building manure storage tanks. However money for effective on the ground land management practices (funded through general purpose revenue) has been sorely lacking.

On the ground practices—such as nutrient management, no till planting, installing buffers or contour strips, and managed grazing—are effective, low cost solutions that limit erosion and ensure soils are not saturated with unnecessary nutrients. The Governor’s proposal is the first time there has been enough dedicated funding for these common sense solutions to make a difference.

While $12 million provides less than 25% of the estimated need, the increase in polluted runoff funding is a necessary step to begin to address Wisconsin's number one water quality challenge. $12 million will help farmers afford to be the stewards they want to be.

Budget hearings scheduled across the state
The Governor’s proposal must be approved by the Joint Finance Committee and then the full legislature before the governor can sign it. The Wisconsin Association of Lakes encourages our members and the legislature to support the Governor’s proposal.

You can comment on the budget at the following hearings:

• March 20 (Milwaukee) 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• March 21 (DeForest) 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• March 27 (Chippewa Falls) 12:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m
• April 4 (Prairie du Chien) 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m
• April 11 (Rhinelander) 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• April 12 (Green Bay) 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The results of the Portage County Lakes Study have helped galvanize support from citizens, municipalities and county government on lake conservation issues. The three year study completed in 2005, compared data from a 1975 study of Portage County’s 29 lakes. Water quality, land use within the watershed, fish species, and the presence/absence of aquatic invasive plants were some of the topic areas studied.

The results of the study have made lake issues a discussion topic for county board members and citizens, and have led to changes in behavior. For example, county parks personnel no longer mow the grass to the edge of their nine lakefront grounds. A vegetative buffer prevents runoff of phosphorus, which can lead to excessive plant growth.

Since the study, citizen monitoring of lakes has expanded, and new lake groups have formed. Individual landowners have contacted the county on how they can improve or maintain the quality of the lake. Oftentimes, those who attended presentations on the study were people who used the lakes.

Because the study looked at both surface water and groundwater sheds, agricultural producers have an idea of the impact they have on the water that feeds into lakes.

Municipalities have also stepped up their efforts, and have referred to the study in their comprehensive planning. Development rules have been introduced to govern areas in lakes identified as important animal habitats or susceptible to high phosphorus content.

The countywide study enabled people to look at the data comprehensively and ask how their actions were contributing to lake water quality.

The Wisconsin Association of Lakes is the only statewide organization working exclusively to protect and enhance the quality of Wisconsin’s 15,000 lakes.

We represent citizens like you who care about Wisconsin’s lakes as a natural resource, and who also recognize the value healthy lakes bring to property values, tourist economies, and overall quality of life.

• Learn about our statewide voice for strong lake policy
• Learn about our lake education events
• Learn about our lake publications, The Lake Connection and E-lake Letter
• J oin Us in working for clean, safe, healthy lakes for everyone.