Loading...
BMLCommM19910625BIG MUSKEGO LAKE/BASS BAY PROTECTION & REHABILITATION DISTRICT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MINUTES OF MEETING HELD JUNE 25, 1991 The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M. by Mayor Salentine. Also present were Commissioners Dumke, Hilt, Patterson, D. Sanders, H. Sanders, Simmons, and Taube, and City Clerk Marenda. Also present were Deputy Commissioners Flancher, Pilak, and Proeber. Simmons moved for approval of minutes of meeting held April 29, 1991, D. Sanders seconded. Carried. Deputy Commissioner Pilak reported on the status of the Wind Lake Management program. He stated that ten people had travelled to Lake Sinissippi and toured their 2,800 acre lake. Their lake has about twice the depth as Big Muskego Lake. They had a drawdown in 1971 and due to lack of rain, drawdown continued in 1972, with the purpose to eradicate carp. There was tremendous water quality for one year, then on almost 1,000 acres, cattails took over. There was nothing but problems for the next five years. After the cattail problem, acquatic weeds took over and the carp were back. They now feel they are back to square one. Water quality is worse than Big Muskego Lake in color and quality. There is no fishing on the lake. The Lake has in its favor the Rock River which flows through it to help to flush out the weed problem. Pilak reported that they travelled to Beaver Dam Lake, which had a tremendous carp problem. They brought in dogfish. Now only dogfish survive, since they have taken care of the game fish. He felt that Big Muskego Lake would never recover. Pilak stated the Beaver Dam water quality is excellent but the bays are closed in with cattails. Pilak reported there is a tremendous interest by the members of the district providing information, going along and helping with phone calls. Pilak stated in about a month they would like to have another general meeting and advise the DNR to come up with a different plan to eradicate carp to help Wind Lake with their problem. Commissioner Patterson asked if there have been effective drawdowns. Deputy Commissioner Proeber responded there have been no effective drawdowns on any lake less than ten feet deep. He added that most of the DNR representatives from the northern part of the state are against it due to the weed growth. Deputy Commissioner Pilak said the DNR recommended we view Lake Sinissippi and Beaver Dam. The DNR says these are successful projects. The people don't agree. Commissioner Taube stated that the Little Muskego Lake was drawn down in 1972 and it has an average depth of six feet. Weeds and cattails were prevalent. A weedcutter is required to fight back. Deputy Commissioner Proeber stated it would take three weedcutters to service Big Muskego Lake. You have to look at the difference in size of the lake and the limited population to Big Muskego Lake/Bass Bay Protection Page 2 & Rehabilitation District Board of Commissioners Meeting June 25, 1991 pay for such an effort. Commissioner Taube agreed it couldn't be supported by that population. Deputy Commissioner Pilak also noted the boat traffic helps with the problem and that traffic was not active on the Big Lake. Commissioner Taube asked if the DNR has softened their position on a short-term drawdown. Deputy Commissioner Proeber said their short-term is 18 months because you can't draw down faster due to flooding downstream. On the status of the transfer of the Big Muskego Lake dam to the City, Mayor reported that he met with the property owners and the DNR. He stated that Mr. Repischak is not willing to transfer the ownership until he is assured on what effects lake management would have on his business. His attorney has advised him it may not be necessary to transfer. Mayor reported the Heinrich's are interested in the transfer. The DNR has taken the position they will do nothing at this time and will not go through the condemnation process. Deputy Commissioner Proeber stated that Mr. Repischak will be in favor of the transfer only after he sees what the DNR demands on the Big Lake because if weeded over, he would be out of business. Mayor stated he believes that Mr. Repischak may have interpreted that the Muskego Lakes Country Club would be compensated for loss of business. That was not the intent of the DNR but the intent was for the loss of water, not for loss of business revenue. Therefore, the situation remains that the transfer of the dam remains the state's responsibility. Commissioner Taube moved to establish an annual meeting date of Monday, July 22, 1991 at 7:00 PM with individual mailing of notices. Commissioner D. Sanders seconded. Carried. Commissioner Taube stated he believed there is going to be a meeting on July 12 that will address the watershed grant. Commissioner Taube will obtain additional information about the July 12 meeting and will inform City Hall in order to advise all lake districts and associations involved. The Mayor reported there is an erosion problem through the channel leaving Little Muskego Lake going to Big Muskego Lake and a determination will have to be made as to whose problem it is. There will have to be some means developed to deal with the erosion from the dam. Commissioner Taube responded that the erosion problem and the whole Little Muskego Lake watershed was being studied by Fay Amerson and he believed that this area will be included in her report. On the status of lake access, Deputy Commissioner Pilak reported that Sam Klauser is on hold to see what is going on with the lake. '— Commissioner Simmons reported on the status of sewering the southeast part of the City. He stated that at this time it is before the Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee in regards to looking at the possibility of bringing in the interceptor to sewer that portion of the City. Deputy Commissioner Pilak stated that the deputy commissioners were Big Muskego Lake/Bass Bay Protection & Rehabilitation District Board of Commissioners Meeting June 25, 1991 Page 3 still in favor of sewering the area. Deputy Commissioner Proeber stated he felt it would be a big help to the Lake if sewer would be available for failing septic systems in the area. Deputy Commissioner Pilak reported that several people have contacted him about abandoned dump sites on the lake. He stated the DNR will look at them this summer. Commissioner Hilt moved to adjourn at 8:07 P.M. Commissioner Dumke seconded. Carried. Respectfully submitted, K, J n K. Marenda, CMC 'ty Clerk T=ITY/COUNCIL:BML.MIN 7/91cac