Changing Lakes, Changing policy:
A workshop for lake communities
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This event has been cancelled.
Agenda*
*Agenda may change
8:30 – 9:00 am
Registration check-in
9:00 - 10:45
Welcome and opening remarks
Wisconsin Shoreland Zoning Policy Updates: a Panel Discussion
Bill O’Connor, Wheeler, Van Sickle & Anderson, S.C. and legal\legislative counselor for Wisconsin Association of Lakes;
Michelle Staff, President of the WI County Code Administrators and Jefferson County Zoning Technician; and
Gregg Breese, WDNR Shorelands Team Leader
We’ll explore how changes to the statewide shoreland zoning rules (NR 115) will affect counties, waterfront property owners, lake enthusiasts, and other stakeholders.
10:45 – 11:00
Refreshment break
11:00 -12:00
Choose 1 of 4 concurrent sessions
1 A. Succession Planning of Family Land
Bill O’Connor, Wheeler, Van Sickle & Anderson, S.C
There are several legal tools you can use to protect conservation values on your property. Attorney Bill O’Connor will review material and ideas relating to families working through land succession planning. Come learn about land protection fundamentals and the difference between easements, bequeaths, donations, and bargain sales. See how you can leave a land legacy for future generations to cherish!
1 B. Managing and Maintaining Healthy Fisheries in our Lakes
Susan Beyler, DNR Inland Fisheries Supervisor for the Southeast Region.
Susan will provide an overview of lake food webs, what makes a healthy fishery, how Wisconsin is addressing concerns over the VHS fish virus, plus the nuts and bolts of fish stocking and time for your questions too. We’ll also explore a few examples of successful fishery improvements from area lakes.
1 C. Lessons learned from Restoration Projects at Big Muskego Lake
Jim Jackley, DNR Lands Real Estate Specialist
Jim will share the history of comprehensive rehabilitation projects at Big Muskego Lake and offer lessons learned from these efforts. We’ll explore lake drawdowns (a management tool to improve water quality and manage aquatic plants), biomanipulation of lake food webs, other aquatic plant management efforts, and wildlife habitat improvements. Learn more about how this system is faring today and ongoing management needs.
1 D. AIS Smart Prevention Workshop
Märit Sällström, UW-Madison Center for Limnology
This workshop is from 11:00 – 3:45. Pre-registration required for planning and materials.
Smart Prevention is an aquatic invasive species (AIS) management approach developed by the Jake Vander Zanden lab at the UW-Madison Center for Limnology (CFL) to more effectively direct resources to lakes that are most vulnerable to invasion. CFL researchers will help you learn how to apply this regional approach to invasive species management in your community, and develop a better understanding of how management decisions about invasive species are made.
In this hands-on training session, we will use scenarios to create a template for an AIS management strategy based on the concepts of vulnerability and prevention. We’ll explore how to assess lake vulnerability to invasion, how to mobilize prevention and control resources to vulnerable locations, and engage citizens and resource managers in smart prevention activities. We will also discuss the merits of adopting a more regional approach to prevention and assess the barriers to implementing such an approach.
12:00 – 1:30
Lunch with topic tables
Topic tables are an opportunity to meet new people, engage in small group discussion, and network around lake-related topics of mutual interest.
1:30 – 2:30
Choose 1 of 4 concurrent sessions
2 A. Shoreland Landscaping Methods for Waterfront Property Owners
Lisa Reas, LJ Reas Environmental Consulting Corp.
This session will provide step-by-step guidance on how to enhance your shoreline, whether you’d like to control erosion, attract beneficial wildlife, deter nuisance wildlife, infiltrate stormwater runoff, or add beauty to your yard. Get advice and tips on site preparation, plant selection, planting techniques, and maintenance. Plus, see many examples of native trees, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers appropriate for various soil conditions in our region.
2 B. Balancing Recreational Use: Lessons Learned from Lake Ripley's Watercraft Census and Recreational Carrying Capacity Analysis
Paul Dearlove, Lake Ripley Management District Manager, and John Molinaro Lake Ripley Management District Chairman
Many of our lakes are experiencing increased boating pressures. Excessive crowding and competing uses can lead to conflicts, frustration, and safety concerns among people, as well as water quality problems and loss of habitat for fish and lake wildlife. Paul will discuss methods used by the Lake Ripley Management District to estimate the lake’s recreational carrying capacity. Steps involve: performing a watercraft census and tracking lake-use patterns; calculating useable lake-surface areas, identifying activity- and watercraft-based space requirements, determining the lake's social carrying capacity, and evaluating whether observed lake uses exceed estimated carrying capacity thresholds. Find out how these study findings were used to help balance recreational use and protect sensitive areas on Lake Ripley, plus explore ways your lake community may benefit from a similar approach.
2 C. Water Quality and the Local Economy: Lessons Learned from Delavan Lake
Mary Knipper, Delavan Lake Improvement Association, and Neil O’Reilly, Hey and Associates
Delavan Lake underwent a $7 million rehabilitation project years ago that resulted in a dramatic improvement in water quality at the time. But, continuing development pressures, increased use, and invasives are causing water quality to decline again. More action throughout the watershed is still needed to address current water quality problems. To aid community decision-making, an economic study was conducted to provide a cost-benefit analysis of the initial lake rehabilitation efforts. The study found that the value of Delavan Lake real estate rose faster than property on nearby lakes in Walworth County after $7 million in restoration work. The lake contributes an estimated $62 million to the area economy. The study also found that regional spending would decline by $5 to 6 million annually if lake quality eroded significantly. Mary and Neil will share their insights from Delavan Lake on how to maximize your “bang for the buck” when considering lake restoration and rehabilitation projects to address declining water quality.
2 D. AIS Smart Prevention Workshop, continued
Märit Sällström, UW-Madison Center for Limnology
This workshop is from 11:00 – 3:45. See description above. Pre-registration is required for planning and materials.
2:30 – 2:45
Break
2:45 – 3:45
Choose 1 of 3 concurrent sessions
3 A. Changing Lake Levels
Madeline Gotkowitz, Hydrogeologist at the WI Geological and Natural History Survey
Over the past few years, Wisconsin has been experiencing weather extremes. In southern Wisconsin, many communities are struggling with flooding and high lake levels. In the north, lakes are drying up. These extremes are related to levels of both surface water and groundwater. Understanding the connections between surface water, groundwater, weather patterns and climate variability is key to anticipating and responding effectively to lake level changes. Knowledge about the hydrologic system can inform decisions about lake level remediation.
3 B. Keys to Success in Implementing Pewaukee Lake’s Management Plan Goals
Charlie Shong, Pewaukee Lake Sanitary District
Pewaukee Lake has been following a comprehensive lake management plan to improve water quality, manage aquatic plants, improve fisheries and recreational lake values. Find out what this lake community has learned in various kinds of lake management attempts over the years. We’ll also explore the benefits of building community partnerships and involving youth to implement lake and watershed improvement projects.
3 C. Water Level Fluctuation as an Aquatic Plant Management Tool
Scott Provost, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Water level fluctuation to control Eurasian Water Milfoil has been employed throughout the United States and Europe. Presently, it is being evaluated as a tool for EWM management and holistic lake restoration in Wisconsin. Several water level manipulations have been conducted, or are in the process, throughout Wisconsin and the results are promising. Tools such as water level fluctuation have large-scale effects and it is necessary to plan ahead to avoid unintended circumstances. Moreover, socio-economic issues are equally important and must be given due process. We will explore case studies and the impacts to the aquatic plant community, along with the social issues that arise.
3 D AIS Smart Prevention Workshop, continued
Märit Sällström, UW-Madison Center for Limnology
This workshop is from 11:00 – 3:45. See description above. Pre-registration is required for planning and materials.
The cost to attend the workshop is $35\person. Registration fee includes program materials, lunch, and refreshments.
Registration is due by Sept. 25, 2009.
This event has been cancelled.
Waukesha County Technical College
Richard T. Anderson (RTA) Education Center
800 Main St.
Pewaukee, WI 53072
See driving directions and a campus map at: http://www.wctc.edu/general_info/maps/pewaukee.php
- Walworth County Lakes Association
- Delavan Lake Improvement Association
- Lake Ripley Management District
- Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
- University of Wisconsin-Extension Southeast Fox River Basin Initiative
- Walworth County Land Use & Resource Management Dept.
- Wisconsin Association of Lakes
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources