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March 4, 2002 MANISTEE LAKE ASSOCIATION NEWS

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL FRIENDS AND MEMBERS. THANK YOU FOR FOR YOUR CONTINUING SUPPPORT

1. DUES WILL CONTINUE TO BE $25.00 and are for the year 2002 (January 1 thru December 31) AND ARE PAYABLE NOW! At the membership meeting in September the attendees voted to keep dues at the current level.   2. YOUR HELP IS NEEDED TO SAVE THE MLA MONEY. Please note that on the enclosed dues invoice we are asking for your e-mail address and/or fax number (if you have them) so we can send newsletters, minutes of meetings, etc., by one of these methods. This is due to the increasing cost of postage and copying alone. Our mailing list contains over 400 names and addresses of property owners, interested individuals and supporters. If we can reduce the mailings by one-half the MLA would save about $800.00 per year. This money is needed to fund important initial projects related to the quality of our lake water mentioned later in this newsletter. We also publish all meeting minutes, newsletters and other member information on our website.   3. UPDATE ON THE WEEVIL PROJECT The good news is that the late summer report from EnviroScience showed that ten places where weevils had been planted did not have full grown or more concentrated milfoil plants. The recommendation of EnviroScience and the Water Quality Committee is that we do not need to implant any weevils into the main portion of lake in the summer of 2002. The lake will be observed for continued weevil activity (are they continuing to reproduce over the winter?) However, weeds were still prominent in two channels (to the right of Carefree Cove and the culvert under Shore Road) and they will be watched for weevil activity or increased milfoil growth.   4. THE LAKE MAINTENANCE FUND The MLA needs more members and funds to initiate two feasibility studies on lake water quality.   A. LAKE LEVELS Bob Stein is pursuing ways that lake levels can be maintained. The most effective method to control lake levels e.g., one larger culvert would be more effective than two smaller ones. Bob also has worked on a letter and petition to be circulated to property owners requesting their support for managing lake levels. The petition and letter will be circulated to all property owners in the spring of 2002. (They will be posted on the website) Approval of 2/3 of all property owners around the lake is needed for a successful petition. If this happens then the feasibility of regulating the lake would then be evaluated by qualified specialists (Certified Professional Civil Engineering Companies or consultants). The cost of this study would need to be borne by the MLA and the recommendations would form the basis of a tax assessment to pay for larger costs that may be necessary to achieve the goal of lake level management. (Lake maintenance tax assessment).   B. CONTAMINATION OF LAKE WATER BY SEPTIC TANKS An analysis of the 1999 and 2001 studies of Manistee lake water by the AuSable Institute has shown that an increasing amount of fecal contamination of lake water has occurred since 1999. (Report posted on website). We must take immediate steps to confirm these results with professional analysis and if confirmed take action to reduce the contamination before even the slightest contact with lake water will be considered a serious problem. The costs for confirming contamination of lake water also have to be borne by the MLA and if major expenditures are involved they could also be included in a “Lake maintenance tax assessment”.   5. THE ASSOCIATION NEEDS YOUR HELP. In the year 2001 we had 153 paid members. This reflects only half of the property owners around the lake. We need to increase our membership as well as contributions to continue the MLA’s basic goal of high quality lake water. We surely want to leave future generations a Manistee lake that has clean water for swimming, boating and other water sports.   DATES FOR GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS IN 2002   SATURDAY MAY 25, 2002   SATURDAY JULY 6, 2002   SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2002   ALL MEETINGS WILL BE HELD AT CETA HALL-6615 COUNTY ROAD 612 NE AND WILL BEGIN PROMPTLY AT 9:OO A.M.

Story submitted by:     Donald Thomas

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