Editor
Gary Meyer
CAROL ALM, opponent to the Lake Mitchell launch closure, spoke to the council Wednesday. Listening was Bettina Potter, who offered arguments for the closure of the launch. (Photos by Gary W. Meyer)
KARNA LUND, president of the Big Lake Community Improvement Association, addressed the city council Wednesday during open forum, asking for closure of the Lake Mitchell launch and routing all lake traffic through Lakeside Park, which has more thorough inspection facilities and procedures.
The Lake Mitchell launch - close it or keep it open?
The issue, being studied by a taskforce of the Big Lake City Council, brought a dozen people to their Wednesday meeting, many speaking during open forum.
The Big Lake Community Improvement Association (BLCIA) has petitioned the council to close the launch to all traffic as it combats the spread of invasive plant and animal species. Most noteworthy in their concerns is the spread of Zebra mussels and Starry Stonewart, which has taken over Lake Koronis at Paynesville and has infiltrated 13 state lakes, one as close as Pleasant Lake near Annandale.
There are no known cures for these invasives. Prompt and thorough inspection of boats and trailers - and education of their operators - has been the best antidote thus far.
The BLCLA people are asking for closure of the Lake Mitchell launch so all boats would be required to enter and leave the lakes through the Lakeside Park launch, where more through detection equipment, and personal inspectors, are part of the program.
Karna Lundquist, BLCLA president, spoke during open forum, asking for closure of the Mitchell launch.
That refrain was echoed by Judy Syring, BLCLA boardmember, who reminded meeting-goers the closure would only be during open water season. (The Mitchell launch is open only Monday through Thursdays.) It would be open for winter recreation.
Two Lake Mitchell area residents spoke against the closure. Carol Alm, whose family has been in the community for 100 years, said closure of the launch would make it very inconvenient to boaters. She questioned response times from emergency providers if they had to attend to a call on Lake Mitchell and have to enter through Lakeside Park.
And on occasions of low water levels - how would emergency attenders to through the channel, which has been closed at times in the past.
Dallas Robinson, who reported he lives near the launch, said he questioned launch-closure proponants.
“We’re using fear to how we rule our lives,” he said.
“Blocking the lake off and not having access? Is that our choice?”
Then, a final comment from a proponant of the closure. Bettina Potter, west side lake home owner, spoke to the issue at a recent meeting and repeated her concern.
“This (the lakes) is an asset now,” she said, indicating if mussels and Starry Stonewart moved in, the lake would no longer be that.
And she expressed her fear over the tax bill if the community were resigned to fighting the invasives once they got into the lakes.
“I won’t pay my tax dollars to invasive species control. I urge the taskforce to make the decision,” she said.
She noted the effort to combat Starry Stonewart has already cost the Lake Koronis community a million dollars - and it’s been a losing battle.
The issue was not on the council’s agenda, so no action was taken. A taskforce including Councilmembers Rose Johnson and Paul Knier will be studying the issue.
Starry Stonewart is an invasive plant species that grows from the lake bottom to the water surface, choking out all other vegetation. Efforts to harvest it have failed.
The Zebra mussells consume water at large rates and suck out nutrients that fish feed on, so they are competing with the fish population.
The BLCLA, city and county have for 10 years been treating Eurasion water milfoil and curley leaf pondweed, with some success, but their effectiveness is dictated by the DNR and how much water surface can be treated.
Employees Recognized
Five city employees were recognized for their service at Wednesday’s council meeting.
Kevin Kreuger was recognized for five years with the fire department, as was Jamie Shores, with the police department. Sam Olson was recognized for 15 years with the police, and Keith Roelike was recognized for 15 years with the liquor store.
Kurt Goenner, 30-year member of the public works department, was also recognized.
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