Lake Minnetonka Conservation District - To protect and preserve Lake Minnetonka http://lmcd.org To protect and preserve Lake Minnetonka Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:22:42 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Sheriff’s Office Advisory: Lake Access Closed 2/9/12 http://lmcd.org/2012/02/sheriffs-office-advisory-lake-access-closed-2912/ http://lmcd.org/2012/02/sheriffs-office-advisory-lake-access-closed-2912/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:51:25 +0000 EHerman http://lmcd.org/?p=2124 Due to the increasingly unpredictable ice conditions as a result of unseasonably warm weather, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is prohibiting the use of cars, trucks, and SUV’s on all frozen bodies of water in Hennepin County.  Lake access points will close effective immediately today, February 9.  This will remain in effect until further notice.

It is unsafe for vehicles to drive on the ice on lakes, rivers, or ponds in Hennepin County.  On Lake Minnetonka, there are areas of open water and channels are extremely dangerous and have moving water.

Again, the restriction applies to cars, trucks, and SUV’s.  Recreational vehicles such as snowmobiles and ATV’s will be allowed on county lakes.  People using recreational vehicles, those who are walking or ice fishing on lakes–are urged to use extreme caution due to thin ice and open water.  Ice thickness varies considerably due to the freezing and thawing that has taken place.  Below is a link to the Sheriff’s Office announcement:

 

]]> http://lmcd.org/2012/02/sheriffs-office-advisory-lake-access-closed-2912/feed/ 0 45th Anniversary Save the Lake Recognition Banquet http://lmcd.org/2012/01/45th-anniversary-save-the-lake-recognition-banquet/ http://lmcd.org/2012/01/45th-anniversary-save-the-lake-recognition-banquet/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:48:50 +0000 EHerman http://lmcd.org/?p=2101 The 45th Anniversary Save the Lake Recognition Banquet is scheduled for Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at the Lafayette Club; starting at 6:00 p.m. for social hour.  During this event, the LMCD is honored to recognize Hennepin County Sheriff’s Water Patrol Special Deputy Michael Keller; salute the LMCD’s retiring Board of Directors (including Herb Suerth who has represented the City of Woodland on the LMCD Board since 1994), as well as introducing our key note speaker Luke Skinner from the MN DNR.  Mr. Skinner’s presentation is entitled, “A Perspective of Aquatic Invasive Species in Minnesota”.  The banquet is $55 per person; providing for an RSVP by February 8th.  Reservations can be made by printing the following invitation and mailing your reservation(s) and check (payable to the LMCD Save the Lake) to the LMCD’s office:  Invitation (45th Anniversary Save the Lake Recognition Banquet).  Questions can be directed to the LMCD office at 952-745-0789.

]]> http://lmcd.org/2012/01/45th-anniversary-save-the-lake-recognition-banquet/feed/ 0 MN DNR Training/Permitting for Lake Service Providers http://lmcd.org/2012/01/mn-dnr-trainingpermitting-process-for-lake-service-providers/ http://lmcd.org/2012/01/mn-dnr-trainingpermitting-process-for-lake-service-providers/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:28:30 +0000 EHerman http://lmcd.org/?p=2069 In 2011 the State of Minnesota passed new aquatic invasive species (AIS) transportation laws to prevent the spread of AIS between bodies of water within Minnesota.  A variety of restrictions have been imposed on lake service providers (individuals who install or remove water-related equipment or structures from waters of the State for hire).  One restriction requires lake service providers to obtain a permit (via completion of a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) training course) to operate.   The MN DNR has completed the coordination of that training course and has now partnered with Minnesota Waters to implement this task.  The following information and links will provide you with all the information the LMCD has received from both the MN DNR and Minnesota Waters:

For scheduling and certification questions, please contact Minnesota Waters at www.minnesotawaters.org or 320-257-6630.

For technical questions regarding the State of Minnesota Transportation Laws (including whether an individual needs to be certified), please contact Jay Rendall at jay.rendall@state.mn.us or 651-259-5131.

]]> http://lmcd.org/2012/01/mn-dnr-trainingpermitting-process-for-lake-service-providers/feed/ 0 LMCD Partners with MN Bass Federation & Mtka. Yacht Club http://lmcd.org/2011/12/addressing-aquatic-invasive-species-at-special-events/ http://lmcd.org/2011/12/addressing-aquatic-invasive-species-at-special-events/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:34:14 +0000 EHerman http://lmcd.org/?p=1995 Although special events on Lake Minnetonka are permitted by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Water Patrol (by LMCD Ordinance), the LMCD actively maintains communication and establishes ongoing partnerships with all involved to address the management and prevention of aquatic invasive species (AIS).  In particular, the LMCD worked with two sponsoring organizations that each held a large special event on Lake Minnetonka.  First the Minnesota BASS Federation coordinated a youth tournament in June.  Twenty-eight watercraft were staged and launched at Tonka Bay Marina.  All watercraft were inspected for AIS upon arrival and high-pressure washed and re-inspected prior to leaving.  Second, the Minnetonka Yacht Club sponsored a national regatta from August 11-21, 2011.  Over 100 watercraft were high pressure washed and inspected at the Deephaven Elementary School prior to launching.  The LMCD commends the efforts of the event sponsors, as well as Tonka Bay Marina, Deephaven Elementary School, and all event coordinators in the fight against AIS.   For a full review of the 2011 BASS Youth “Tournament of Champions” event, please select the following link: MN BASS Federation “Tournament of Champions”.

]]> http://lmcd.org/2011/12/addressing-aquatic-invasive-species-at-special-events/feed/ 0 Ice Safety on Lake Minnetonka http://lmcd.org/2011/12/ice-safety-on-lake-minnetonka/ http://lmcd.org/2011/12/ice-safety-on-lake-minnetonka/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:25:42 +0000 EHerman http://lmcd.org/?p=1963 With a wide range of winter activities starting soon on Lake Minnetonka, the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) is encouraging the public’s assistance to ensure that the activities are performed safely.   Although the ice is never deemed 100% safe, there is no reason that ice-based activities cannot be safely enjoyed, as along as a few simple rules are followed.  For a review of the LMCD’s winter speed limits and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ ice safety tips, please read the following press release:

]]> http://lmcd.org/2011/12/ice-safety-on-lake-minnetonka/feed/ 0 LMCD Announces Availability of “Save the Lake” Funds http://lmcd.org/2011/10/lmcd-announces-availability-of-2012-save-the-lake-funds/ http://lmcd.org/2011/10/lmcd-announces-availability-of-2012-save-the-lake-funds/#comments Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:07:56 +0000 EHerman http://lmcd.org/?p=1869 Save the Lake Chair Bill Olson and the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) are pleased to announce the availability of up to $50,307 of Save the Lake Funds for 2012.  Save the Lake is a non-profit fund that invests in programs that benefit the environmental and recreational needs of Lake Minnetonka.  Grant applications (proposals) will be received for public safety, environmental, and public service/education projects.  For further information, please view the following Press Release and Program Outline:

 

]]> http://lmcd.org/2011/10/lmcd-announces-availability-of-2012-save-the-lake-funds/feed/ 0 Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Task Force Meeting (10/21/11) http://lmcd.org/2011/10/aquatic-invasive-species-ais-task-force-meeting-102111/ http://lmcd.org/2011/10/aquatic-invasive-species-ais-task-force-meeting-102111/#comments Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:42:02 +0000 EHerman http://lmcd.org/?p=1850 The Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) has scheduled an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Task Force Meeting for Friday, October 21, 2011, 8:30 a.m., at the LMCD office; 23505 Smithtown Road, Suite 120, Shorewood, MN  55331.  Please select the following link to view the meeting notice: AIS Task Force Meeting  Notice.

 

 

]]> http://lmcd.org/2011/10/aquatic-invasive-species-ais-task-force-meeting-102111/feed/ 0 LMCD Board Meeting http://lmcd.org/2011/10/october-12-2011-7pm/ http://lmcd.org/2011/10/october-12-2011-7pm/#comments Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:35:49 +0000 EHerman http://lmcd.org/?p=1822
  • meeting agenda (pdf)
    • ]]>     http://lmcd.org/2011/10/october-12-2011-7pm/feed/ 0     EWM Harvesting Program Update (8/15/11 – 8/19/11) http://lmcd.org/2011/08/ewm-harvesting-program-update-81511-81911/ http://lmcd.org/2011/08/ewm-harvesting-program-update-81511-81911/#comments Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:16:04 +0000 JHarper http://lmcd.org/?p=1692 The Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) 2011 Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) Harvesting Program had commenced on June 27th which was postponed due to the lack of EWM growth on Lake Minnetonka. The harvesting program was then suspended due to the State shutdown. The harvesting program restarted on July 25th after the MN DNR lifted the Aquatic Plant Management (APM) permit suspension.

    Typically, the harvesting season is planned from mid June through mid August.  The program operates 10-hour days; Monday through Thursday. The program will operate an additional week at the end of the season due to the loss of work days earlier in the season.

    Since the inception of the LMCD’s EWM Harvesting Program in 1989, the primary objective has been to address impediment to public navigation caused by EWM.  The LMCD does not: 1) harvest EWM within a property owners dock use area, and 2) harvest EWM outside a property owners dock use area that is not causing an impediment to navigation, but may not be aesthetically pleasing.

    Harvesting was conducted in the following bays during the week of August 8-12:

    • Lafayette Bay
    • Old Channel Bay
    • Spring Park Bay
    • East, South and West Upper Lake

    Harvesting is planned for the following bays during the week of August 15–19:

    • Cooks Bay
    • Priests Bay
    • Black, Emerald and Seton Lakes
    • North Arm, Crystal, and Maxwell Bays

    Please note that these weekly updates are the LMCD’s best estimate and that we may deviate our harvesting plans on short notice.  You are encouraged to monitor these weekly updates during the 2011 season.  Please feel free to contact the LMCD if you have questions or concerns.

    Harvesting Update (8/15/11 – 8/19/11)

    ]]>     http://lmcd.org/2011/08/ewm-harvesting-program-update-81511-81911/feed/ 0     Administrative Clerk (Part-Time) Open Position http://lmcd.org/2011/08/administrative-clerk-part-time-open-position/ http://lmcd.org/2011/08/administrative-clerk-part-time-open-position/#comments Mon, 15 Aug 2011 16:54:58 +0000 EHerman http://lmcd.org/?p=1681 The Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) is accepting applications for a part-time Administrative Clerk position.  This position performs non-supervisory receptionist, general clerical, and secretarial work.  Candidates must have a high school degree or GED, previous clerical working experience (preferably in the public sector), strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and QuickBooks Pro software, excellent customer service skills, and the ability to maintain a flexible working schedule for up to 24 hours per week.  Starting hourly rate is $11.00 to $14.00, depending on qualifications, with public pension (no other benefits).  Mail application, with resume and cover letter, to: Executive Director, LMCD, 23505 Smithtown Road, Suite 120, Shorewood, MN 55331.  Completed applications must be received by Friday, September 16, 2011. 

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