New Page THE VOICE OF SQUASH LAKE · 2010. 12. 30. · FROGS and TOADS Frogs and toads are an...

Page

THE VOICE OF SQUASH LAKE

Volume 1, Issue 2 Apr, May, June, 2009

1

We hope you enjoyed the first issue We have gotten feedback from a few people and all the responses have been positive. We

would like your input. This is your newsletter. Please limit submissions to 400 words or less.

Information can be submitted for review by email or regular mail

to members of the Newsletter Committee or, to Janet Appling at 7324 Peninsula Rd, Rhinelander, WI 54501, or to:

[email protected] by the 15th of the first month of each quarter. (Apr, July, Oct, Jan)

UPDATE ON EAGLE COVE CAMP & CONFERENCE CENTER

Mr. Art Jaros has completed all the requirements for his CUP application. The Plan-

ning and Zoning committee has scheduled a public hearing for Wed April 29th at

5:30 pm in the Oneida County Board Room.

If you have any opinions or feelings about the Eagle Cove Camp and Confer-

ence Center, it is important that you attend this meeting and express them.

Whether you attend the meeting, or not, we recommend that you write a few letters

to the 5 Planning and Zoning members to express your feelings. Please submit

your letters to arrive no later than 4/22/09. These are the men that will decide on

the CUP application. The names of the 5 board members are:

Scott Holewinski Ted Cushing Franklin H. Grebs

7729 Channel Rd P O Box 121 284 Wesley Rd

Eagle River, WI 54521 Hazelhurst, WI 54531 Three Lakes, WI 54562

Larry Greschner Charles Wickman

9683 Wayne Dr. P O Box 183

Woodruff, WI 54568 Minocqua, WI 54548

H. E. L . P. This is a new group that has formed to oppose the construction of Eagle Cove Camp and Con-

ference Center. The acronym stands for: Homeowners for Environmental Lake Preservation.

For more information on this group contact Dale Smith 715 282 –7065 or Nancy Schroeder 715

-282-7181

“A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community.

It is wrong , when it tends otherwise.” …………………..Aldo Leopold

Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a

day; teach him to fish and you can get rid

of him the entire weekend.

———-Zenna Schaffer

LAKE RESIDENT’S COM-MENTS ON EAGLE COVE

Hello All, I have received several emails recently with ques-tions and responses about the proposed camp on Squash Lake. While I understand these questions and from speak-ing with some of you it does appear that this pro-posal has “grown” in scope and size from what we saw early on. However, when is enough, enough ??? This proposal was turned down as it did not fit the zoning requirements no matter what size it is. Then we were threatened to be sued under the Federal RLUPA law. Now they are proposing a similar pro-ject with a new name of Eagle Cove. It is clear to me that the never ending process is intended to “wear us down” until they get their way! A web site exists showing this massive project making it seem like a “done deal” with maybe a few details yet to go. Every is on pins and needles not wanting to do the wrong thing and seem like religious bigots if they speak out. This is NOT A RELIGIOUS ISSUE. I am a Christian and past president of our Church Council but this does not mean that I support this application for the proposed camp. This needs to be brought to an end. We all have spent many hours reading emails, attending meet-ings, writing letters and just hearing about this. It

appears that the support for this proposed camp is very

small and the folks against it is large. I have met the

Jaros Brothers at various meetings and they seem like

nice people but its time to quit this process.

IF this camp is approved I would worry that the

“genie” would be out of the bottle and it’s too late.

Thanks,

Myles Fenske

I COULD NOT AGREE WITH YOU MORE !!!!!!!!!!

Tom Kowalski

Hi Miles,

I agree with you 100%. It’s ridiculous what one family is

doing to all the families on Squash Lake and the town of

Woodboro. Our family has owned the property since

1954. We’ve lived through the changes on the lake and

have adjusted. We are originally from Milwaukee and

now my daughter Eve, who owns the property lives in the

La Crosse area. We drive 4 hours from the big city to get

away from the hustle and bustle and crowds. We love the

little island. It is such a beautiful, peaceful little spot and

a wonderful place to swim. Squash Lake is too small for

this camp. Fortunately we are on the other side of the

lake and won’t see the eye sore. Why should one fam-

ily’s wishes take precedence over all of the other fami-

lies? Why are they so dead set on creating this monster?

I too am a Christian but I really think the point is mute.

Cont on pg 3

ANNUAL MEETING & PICNIC Sunday, July 5, 2009, 10:30 am

Mark your calendar now , Roger Degris’ beach, formerly Peninsula View Resort Beach Agenda: Registration, SHORT business meeting to include elec-tion of officers, DELICIOUS POT LUCK LUNCH, Swimming, Games, Boat Rides aa n n d d MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS, NEW AND OLD!

NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE:

Janet Appling, [email protected], Stephanie Boismenue, [email protected],

Karen Isebrands Brown, [email protected] , Carole Mustacci, [email protected],

Craig Zarley, [email protected]

Eagle Cove Comments continued

It’s not a matter of being a Christian, it’s a matter

of preserving the lake and the surrounding area.

Honestly when I think about this I could cry. Our

family is against this no matter what the size or

plans are.

I am outraged at the name Eagle Cove”. I am sure

the only thing Eagle Cove will do is drive the ea-

gles off the lake! We do need to band together and

do whatever is necessary to stop this!

Kim Siverling

RIGHT ON!!!!! Tom Kowalski

Good Afternoon,

I would much rather see the land along the shore

developed into lots. If any of the residences would

be similar to ours they may only visit only 12

weekends a year. My wife and I built a log cabin 3

years ago for our three children 5,7 & 9 to experi-

ence nature that SE Wisconsin doesn’t offer, bald

eagles, bears and of course the loons. What is go-

ing to happen to the sound of the loons with all the

additional activity? Its getting to the point, why

drive 3.5 hours north for the same rat race as our

lake in SE Wisconsin.

Michael L Bertram

I am appalled at the size of the proposed “camp

and conference center”. At first It was just sup-

posed to be a Bible camp. This is far too large for

the size of Squash Lake, and the pressure will be

particularly hard on the west half of the lake. I

will definitely write to Steve Osterman.

Janice Stewart

NATURE ON SQUASH LAKE LISTEN for the SPRING SYM-PHONY of the SQUASH LAKE

FROGS and TOADS Frogs and toads are an indicator species that reflect the health of our ecosystems. We all anxiously await the first calls of the Spring Peepers in April. It sets our hearts to singing.

• Water at 50 degrees: Spring Peepers: 1.5”long, lifespan of 3 yrs, call

is a short, whistling, peep, peep, peep.

Chorus Frog: 1.5”long, call is a “Crrreeeek Crrrrreeeeek,” like the sound of a finger

running down a comb.

Wood Frog: 2”long, lifespan of 3 yrs, call is

a “duck-like quacking”. • Water at 60 degrees: Leopard Frog: 5”long, lifespan 3yrs, call is

“snoring croaks” like plucking an inflated

balloon

American Toad:4.5”long, life span 5-10 yrs,

Call is a sweet, high pitched trill, 30 sec, long • Water at 70 degrees:

Green Frog: 4”long, lifespan 5 yrs, calls

back of the throat sounding like a loose

banjo string, “gulp, gulp”. Bullfrog: 6-8”long, lifespan 5-6 yrs, calls

“Jug-O-Rum, Jug-O-Rum. If you are fortunate enough to be in the right

place at the right time, you will be mesmerized by the

rapture of the symphony of our Squash Lake amphibi-

ans. Pause quietly and their music will transcend your

soul.

Submitted

By

Karen

Isebrands

Brown

Name that frog

“I think the loss of silence in our lives is one of the great

tragedies of civilization, and to have known for a moment

the silence of the wilderness, is one of our most precious

memories”. ……….Sigurd F. Olson

Clean Boats/Clean Water Class pre-

sented by the WI DNR

Friday May 15, 2009 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Nicolet College/Lake Julia, North-

wood’s Center room 202 To register, call the DNR at 369-6148

No Charge and space is limited to 25 people

Educational Opportunities

The Squash Lake Association

We are strongly urging that as many people as possible attend this class. It is much easier and cheaper to prevent Invasive Spe-cies than to try to eradicate them. The lake needs everyone working together to keep our lake “pristine”.

Submitted by

Karen Isebrands Brown

A memorial service for

VIRGINIA AMERENA: Sunday May 24th at 11 AM

we will have a memorial ser-

vice for Virginia. Virginia is

the beloved godmother of the

Squash Lake Association

(SLA), because she was the

driving force that launched the

initiative to charter the SLA.

She died unexpectedly in her

sleep on October 17, 2008 at

the age of 74. Please join us

on the large island to pay our

respects to Virginia and share

our memories of her, Mark your calendar.

Memorial Service

NEWS FLASH The State Assembly passed bill SB 12 that would

establish a statewide slow no wake zone for motor-

boats within 100 ft of a lake’s shoreline. The Senate

passed the bill earlier this month. It will become

law upon the Governor’s signature.

A provision within the bill allows local boating ordi-

nances to extend slow-no-wake zones farther from

shore (for example, 200 feet as Dane County done)

This provision recognizes that there are some loca-

tions where a more localized approach may be desir-

able to accommodate recreational use. An exemp-

tion is also included for water-skiers pick up and

drop off zones.

Boating too close to shorelines can contribute to

shoreline erosion problems, reduce water clarity by

stirring up lake bed sediments, release phosphorus-

the nutrient responsible for algae blooms– from lake

bed sediments, and harm fish habitat when propel-

lers uproot shore plants.

CONSERVATION PRIORITIES IMPORTANT TO LAKES

One of this year’s WI Conservation Priorities issues is to

PRESERVE GROUNDWATER.

Declining water levels on many WI lakes across the

state have prompted increasing concern over groundwa-

ter management and high capacity well pumping. Whether these wells are located near or far away from the lake, they can dramatically influence the groundwater flow through the lake, effect the lake water levels, and impact water quality and the lake ecosystems.

Groundwater feed most of our lakes, rivers, and streams.

Groundwater plays a major role in seepage and ground-

water drainage lakes, supplying all or most of the lake’s

water. Other types of lakes may have other sources of

water besides groundwater—including rain and snow-

melt, runoff and streams and rivers (which may be

sourced by groundwater themselves)—but groundwater

effects all lakes.

Wisconsin’s current groundwater law fails to protect

99% of the state’s lakes, 97% of springs, 92% of rivers

and streams, and 100% of wetlands. Under current laws

only 97 lakes and 6 flowages are protected.

Information taken from Wisconsin Association of Lakes

winter 2008 news The Lake Connection.

SLA‘s Mission Statement To preserve and protect Squash Lake and its surroundings, to enhance the water quality, the fishery, boating safety, and the aesthetic values of Squash Lake as a public recreational facility

SLA OFFICERS & BOARD MEMBERS: Pat Dugan, President, [email protected] Craig Zarley, Vice President, [email protected] Jim Brown, Secretary, [email protected] Janet Appling, Treasurer, [email protected] Gary Cirilli, [email protected] Karen Isebrands Brown, [email protected] Nick Boismenue, [email protected] Greg Nevinski, [email protected]

SLA BLOG SITE http://

sla1blogdrive.com

PUBLIC HEARING The Oneida County Planning & Zoning Committee will hold a public hearing on the Eagle Cove Camp and Conference Center CUP application at 5:30 p.m. on April 29 at the Courthouse. As you know, the County has already turned down the Camp's request to re-zone their property from single family residential to recreational use. They are now applying for a conditional use permit (CUP ) under the existing zoning. If the County turns down the CUP application, the Camp has threatened to sue in federal court under the RLUIPA statute, which for-bids discrimination on religious grounds. You can view the camp's proposal at eaglecovecamp.org.

An advisory referendum of 70 Squash Lake Associa-tion members in October 2007 revealed that 87% were opposed to the camp. There was a 75% return rate, with only 4 people in favor of the camp. The SLA Board has expressed the following concerns:

• Construction of the camp would violate the Town of Woodboro's comprehensive land use plan.

• The capacity of the camp is approximately 350, whereas the number of property owners on Squash Lake is only about 150.

• There will be a large capacity well.

• The camp will create additional boat access and open the lake to increased boat traffic from a large geographic area extending into north-ern Illinois . This will significantly increase the risk of AIS infestation.

• The camp has apparently obtained the necessary DNR permits, but there has been no environ-mental impact statement (EIS) to date.

• Will the Camp have the legal and finan-cial capacity to wear down the County with legal expenses? How long can land use plans and zon-ing laws protecting the public trust hold up?

We invite you to attend the public hearing to express your views. You can also write letters to the follow-ing: Steve Osterman, Planning Manager, Oneida County Planning & Zoning Department, P.O. Box 400, Rhine-l a n d e r , W I 5 4 5 0 1 ( e m a i l : z o n [email protected]). This is the primary contact.

Clearer lakes have smaller Trophic State Index

Picture of lake 1950s

Squash Lake vs. Crescent Lake

Message from the President Some reflections from the 31st annual Wisconsin Lakes

Convention on March 19-20:

• It was huge. Hundreds of people attended from lake

associations around the state, and it was a great op-

portunity to compare notes with those who have

been advocating for lakes for many years,

• It was high energy. There are many others like us

who feel just as passionate, outspoken and commit-

ted about protecting lake ecosystems.

• Protecting lakes involves lots of science. There

were many presentations by university professors,

limnologists, DNR staff, and PHD candidates who

presented a seemingly endless amount of research

and data.

• It’s big business. The convention hall was filled

with water management consulting firms, non-profit

conservation organizations and venders selling an

army of “green technologies” including AIS mow-

ing equipment, AIS chemical applications, native

plants, and even insurance for non-profit organiza-

tions.

• AIS take-home message: It’s all about prevention!

Once AIS is established you’re SOL. I heard horror

story after horror story from lakes in southern and

central Wisconsin about waters being completely

choked off with invasive plants, making boating,

swimming and fishing all but impossible.

• The single most important action shoreline property

owners can do to maintain water quality is to pre-

serve or restore buffer zones of native vegetation

along the lakeshore.

• We need to focus on principles, not personalities.

An effective lake association involves continuing to

work together to preserve the integrity

of the lake, knowing that we will not

always agree on specific approaches

to get there.

Please call me (282-5700) or another Board

member to share your concerns or let us

know how you’d like to get involved.

See you on the lake.

Pat Dugan

Squash Lake Association

Annual Membership April 1, 2009 -June 30, 2010

Name:________________________________________________________________

Squash Lake address:_________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Mailing address:_____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Phone numbers where you can be reached:

Home_________________ Work_________________

Cell________________________ E-mail address: ________________________________________________________

(We respect your privacy. Your e-mail address will be used for Squash Lake Association news , Board Meeting

Minutes and notification only.)

Please indicate the SLA committees you are interested in, We can only accomplish our goals with volun-teers: ___Membership Committee ___Land Use Committee

___Watercraft/Safety Committee ___Habitat & Water Quality Committee

___Social Committee ___Aquatic Plant and Algae Committee

___Finance Committee ___Fishing Committee

Mail completed application with your $25 annual dues to cover the next 14 months ( April 2009 - June 2010 ):

to Janet Appling, 7324 Peninsula Rd., Rhinelander, WI 54501 Annual dues must be paid to be eligible to

vote for Officers.

Wed. 4/29.09 Planning & Zoning Open Forum - 5:30 pm , Oneida County Board Room

Wed, 5/06/09 Board Meeting - 6:30 pm - Pat Dugan’s house, 7306 Squash Lake Rd

( Board Meetings open to all ) Thur, 5/15/09 Clean Boats/Clean Water class ( see Education Box for details)

Sun, 5/24/09 Memorial service, Virginia Amerena - 11:00 am - Squash Lake big island

Sun, 7/05/09 Annual Meeting/Picnic - Pot Luck lunch, swimming, games,

If you are interested in being business sponsor for our newsletter, please con-tact:Janet Appling at: [email protected] for details.

SLA OFFICERS & BOARD MEMBERS: Pat Dugan, President, [email protected] Craig Zarley, Vice President, [email protected]

Jim Brown, Secretary, [email protected] Janet Appling, Treasurer, [email protected]

Gary Cirilli, [email protected] Karen Isebrands Brown, [email protected]

Mark Your Calendar

WORKING TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE LAKE

AND ITS SURROUNDINGS, TO ENHANCE THE WA-

TER QUALITY, THE FISHERY, BOATING SAFETY, AND

AESTHETIC VALUES OF THE LAKE FOR TODAY AND

FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

Squash Lake Association P O Box 115 Rhinelander, WI 54501

New Page THE VOICE OF SQUASH LAKE · 2010. 12. 30. · FROGS and TOADS Frogs and toads are an...

Documents

Transcript of New Page THE VOICE OF SQUASH LAKE · 2010. 12. 30. · FROGS and TOADS Frogs and toads are an...