Lake Views Newsletter, Fall 2008, Lake Beulah Protective Association

8/9/2019 Lake Views Newsletter, Fall 2008, Lake Beulah Protective Association

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The Lake Beulah Protective and ImprovementAssociation was founded on August 25, 1894. Theobject of the new Association was the generalimprovement and protection of Lake Beulahand the streams and waters adjacent thereto.Now, one hundred and fourteen years later, ourmission remains the same. The lake issues havechanged over the years, but our commitmentremains intact.

We are a member of the Wisconsin Associationof Lakes, successor to the Federation ofWisconsin Lake Property Owners Association.The LBPIA was instrumental in founding thisorganization almost 55 years ago. Our Association

continues to work with other lakes in Wisconsinin anticipating, recognizing, and solvingcommon problems. The issue of deep waterwells adjacent to lakes is a common problem tomany Wisconsin bodies of water. We are in theforefront of addressing this issue through ourlitigation on Village Well #7. In cooperation withthe Lake Management District, we will continuean aggressive monitoring and testing program. Asalways, we will keep the membership informed asthe litigation proceeds.

Our membership is close to three hundredactive and concerned members. We now havein excess of $20,000 in the bank. Our excellent

financial condition was made possibledonations solicited in our annual merenewal letters. This will help pay for ongoing legal bills and also help fundmonitoring and testing programs. In it will fund the education programs fochildren on the Lake.

Dont forget to go to our website wwlakebeulah.org to get the latest informthe many issues affecting Lake Beulahyour calendars for our Fall Members scheduled at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, Se13th at the East Troy Town Hall.

Dick PattersonPresident

VOL 16 NO 2 A PUBLICATION OF THE LAKE BEULAH PROTECTIVE & IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

PROTECTIVE &

IMPROVEMENT

ASSOCIATION

Established 1894

Member, Wisconsin Association of Lakes

P.O. Box 153

East Troy, WI 53120

In This Issue

2008 Water Days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Paddle Prattle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Its All Connected: Land & Water Qualit y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PresortedFirst Class Mail

US PostagePAID

OSS Mail &Marketing

From the Presidents Desk

LBPIA Fall Members MeetingSaturday, September 13, 2008 beginning @ 9:00 AM

Town of East Troy Town Hall

N 9220 Stewart School Road, East Troy, WIThe usual coffee, donuts, and good fellowship will be available.


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Lake Views is published periodically by theLake Beulah Protective & Improvement Association. Every effort has been made to provide correctand accurate information. There is, however, no guarantee as to the total accuracy of information included. The opinions expressed are not nec-essarily those of theLBPIABoard of Directors. Individuals who wish to submit articles, artwork, poetry, calendar items or photography may sendcontributions toLake Views Editor, LBPIA, P.O. Box 153, East Troy, WI 53120. Articles inLake Views may be reprinted or reproduced for furtherdistribution, with acknowledgment to the Editor.

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Area Chair NetworkAugust 2008

Area Chairpersons are committed Lake Beulah residents who serve as theprimary contacts for the Association. Should you have an interest or concernabout anything regarding the Lake, please be sure to contact your area chair.

Lake Beulah Area Chairperson(s)

A Country Club Lane & Austin Rd. ...................Jane Tanis (262-642-9232)[email protected]

B Beulah Heights Road .........................Richard Stenglein (262-642-36 43)

C Oakwood Lane & Its A Little Road.......Jim Holtermann(262-642-3050)

D Lake Road & Windy Way ...........................Penny Cl ayton(262-642-3083)

E County J Road ..................................................Don Tacke(262-363-4327)E Marsh Road & Millsite Road .........................Don Tacke (262-363-4327)

F Island Drive & Golden Way ........................Jean Maiwald (262-363-0829)

G Brynes Lane & Romadka Park Road ............ Roy Gerloff (262-642-5213)

H Horseshoe Lane & East Shore Road(to Beulah Park) ......................................... Josie Midman(262-363-8892)

I Beulah Park Road ......................................Marge Harvey (262-642-5436)

J East Shore Road & Thistle Lane ... Richard & Toni Majka (414-642-2905)

K South Shore Drive (to Humphrey Lane) ............Arlene Gull(262-642-7272)

L South Shore Drive & Humphrey Lane ..... Kathleen Taugher(262-642-3835)[email protected]

M Kings Parkway & Kings Lane ....John & Bea Sonderegger(262-642-5716)[email protected]

N Pastime Lane & Grandview Drive ...Bill & Maya Murphy (262-642-9837)[email protected]

O Wilmers Grove Road, Wilmers Point Lane& Wilmers Landing .........................................Brian Fons(262-642-9613)

P Stringers Bridge Road, New Deal Ave. &West Bay Road ................................................Michol Ford(262-642-5189)

Q Beach Road & Deerpath Road............Kim & Steve Klaver(414-313-4191

2008 LBPBoard of Dir

Dick Patterson, President847-256-1028pattersonrichard@comcas

Dr. Scott Miller, Vice-PresChair: Fish & Wildlife Com608-757-2531 [email protected]

Ruth Rappold, [email protected]

Jane TanisChair: Membership & Area 262-642-9232

[email protected]

Judy BerenSecretary262-782-5088 262-642-3

Robert V. LewisChair: Information Educ262-642-4581 [email protected]

Ron AndersChair: Water [email protected]

Daniel [email protected]

Jody Allen Heimos262-642-7466 ext. 206

[email protected]

2008 Water Days by XXXXX

For over 5 years the Lake Beulah Protection andImprovement Association and the Lake BeulahManagement District has sponsored a communityevent in conjunction with Edwards YMCA Camp toeducate the children of East Troy and Mukwonagoabout water ecology and water conservation. Thegoal of the program is to enlighten the futuregenerations of the importance of our local bodiesof water and how they can directly impact ourresources through conservation, understanding of

the environment, and management practices.On May 28th and 29th, 2008, two hundred

and six 5th graders from Prairie View elementaryand Rolling Hills elementary schools ventured toCamp Edwards on Lake Beulah to participate ina day long education in a variety of water relatedcurriculums such as Pond Mucking, Fish Ecology,Wetland Wonders, Water Quality, and Reptiles andAmphibians. All of the children rotated throughoutthe day to experience lessons in these topics.

Travis Motl with WI DNR showed the childrenhow they do fish samplings in lakes by using dragnets in an effort to check population as well as thehealth of the fish. He also instructed the childrenhow to use fishing rods safely and properly.

Randy Hetzel brought all of his turtles, snakes,lizards and salamanders and allowed the children

hands-on learning about these magnificent creaturesand how their existence plays a significant role ina healthy ecosystem. All of these animals play avital role in keeping our lakes, streams and riversin balance and m yths and misunderstanding ofthese animals lead to the destruction of our delicateequilibrium.

The other classes were instructed by CampEdwards Staff on their property which is fortunate

enough to comprise five distinct ecosystems on 128acres. The children were able to get muddy and wetby examining the macro invertebrates and learningabout the aquatic food chain during Pond Study.The Water Quality lesson provided the childrenan understanding of how run-off, pesticides, andgeneral pollution affects the PH balance, Nitrate,and Phosphate levels of water that leads to othercomplications to the ecosystem. Finally, the WetlandWonders curriculum demonstrated the importanceof our wetland marshes and how they play asignificant role in a lake ecosystem as well as a standalone biome.

It is our desire to be able to educate the c hildrenof the importance of our water resources to ensure

the quality for future generations. Remember todo everything you can to help preserve Wisconsinwaterways and protect this delicate ecosystem. !

COMMITTEES & OFFICERS of theLAKE BEULAH PROTECTIVE & IMPROVEMENT ASS0CIATION

MEMBERSHIP - Chair Jane TanisMembership expansion Ron Anders, Ruth Rappold,Area Chair Ann Alger*Member Lists and/or Directory Judy Beren

INFORMATION & EDUCATION Chair Robert LewisLake Views (news letter) and Web Site Jody AllenHeimos and Robert LewisEducational Outreaches Ruth Rappold, Ann Alger*,

FISH & WILDLIFE Chair Dr. Scott MillerFish Stocking Ruth RappoldOther wildlife management issues

WATER QUALITY Chair Ron AndersMonitoring & Reporting - Dr. Scott Miller, LynnCarlson (Lake Mgmt. District)*, Glen Kreinbrink*(historical)Aquatic Plant Management -Judy Skotarzak*Shoreline Management Audrey Green* (Walworth Co.)

STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT LIAISONChair - Dan BachInteraction on Government & Property D

Issues - Daniel Bach, John S onderegger*, Legislative & regulatory liaison Tom HaBoardPublic Safety & Security vacant

LONG RANGE PLANNING - LBPIA Board oP.O. Box 153, East Troy, WI 53120

OFFICERS OF THE LBPIA

President Dick Patterson Vice President Dr. Scott Miller Treasurer Ruth Rappold Secretary Judy Beren

*Non-Board/Interested volunteer

For more information visit our website at www.lak


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Sometimes its not clear to us, but our naturalresources need each other. The health of onedepends on the other. Take wetlands , for example.Wetlands can collect their water from rain and theresulting runoff from surrounding uplands. Theycan also receive their water from groundwaterbecause they happen to be located near the watertable. The quality of the water from runoff andgroundwater depends on the quality of the uplandsurrounding the wetland. Our native upland

areas, including woodlands, savannas, and prairies,provide some of the best runoff areas for wetlandsand recharge areas for groundwater. These nativehabitats support vegetation that helps rainwatersoak into the ground which increases groundwaterrecharge and reduces the volume of water runoff,and the runoff that comes from these nativeuplands is clean. Protecting or restoring nativeupland habitat can protect and improve bothsurface and groundwater quality.

Protecting our remaining native habitatsprovides many benefitssome are obvious andsome are not. The Kettle Moraine Land Trustworks with landowners who are interested inpermanently protecting their landprotecting it

in perpetuity. One tool a landowner can use is todonate a conservation easement to a land trust.A conservation easement is a permanent deedrestriction that is held by a land trust or otherqualified organization. The landowner still ownsthe land but can decide what activities will andwill not be allowed on the property. Basicall y, thelandowner donates the development rights to the

land trust and the land trust ensures that all futureowners of the land abide by the restrictions in theconservation easement.

Donors of conservation easements can receivetax benefits for the value of their donation.Recently, Congress passed a law that extendsand improves the tax incentives for conservationeasement donations. The previous law expired onDecember 31, 2007. Landowners who donatedor donate a conservation easement between 2006

through 2009 may deduct up to 50 percent oftheir adjusted gross income for as long as 16 years,while farmers and ranchers may deduct up to 100percent of their adjusted gross income. For moreinformation about the Federal tax incentives forconservation easement donations visit the LandTrust Alliance website at www.landtrustalliance.org/policy/documents/tax-brochure.pdf.

The Kettle Moraine Land Trust was formerlythe Lauderdale Lakes Conservancy. Last yearwe expanded our mission and changed ourname. One of our goals is to protect the landand water resources in the Kettle Moraine lakesarea of Walworth County. For us, preservingand protecting environmental corridors and

our remaining natural resources is what its allabout. Without them, weve lost our connection!If you would like more information about landconservation options, please contact me: LoriArtiomow, General Manager, Kettle Moraine LandTrust, www.kmlandtrust.org, [email protected],262.949.7211.!

Its All Connected: Land & Water Quality

The goal of the program

is to enlighten

the future generations

of the importance of our

local bodies of water


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Additional Contact

For Lake ResidentsTown Chief of Police:

Jim SurgesPh# (262)642-3700,N9220 Stewart School Road,East Troy, WI 53120

Town Hall:

(262)642-5386,N9220 Stewart School Road,East Troy, WI 53120(Sandy receptionist)

Lake Management

District Attorney:Dean P. LaingONeil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong111 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 140Milwaukee, WI 53202Telephone: 414-276-5000Facsimile: 414-275-6581Email: [email protected]

Chairman, Lake Beulah ManagemeDave Skotarzak,Ph# (262)363-7603,Fax# (262)363-9303N9554 Millsite Road,Mukwonago, WI 53149E-mail: [email protected]

Chairman, Town Board:Robert Mueller,N9124 Humphrey La.,East Troy, WI 53120(262) 642-7172

County Supervisor,(Dist. 1 Town of East Troy), WalwRick Stacey (262) 642-9689

LBPIA Attorney:

Dennis L. Fisher,William StuartMeissner Tierney Fisher& Nichols S.C.,The Milwaukee Center,111 East Kilbourn Ave.,Milwaukee, WI 53202-6622Phone (414)-273-1300;Fax (414)-273-5840;

e-mail [email protected]

LBPIA Web Site:www.lakebeulah.org.

Effective as of August 1, 2008

Lake Beulah is a chain of lakes that were inter-connected when what is now the Highway J Dam

was constructed. The importance of this damin maintaining navigation between the separatebodies of water was so great that the dam height

was established by an 1897 State of Wisconsin Su-preme Court mandate. There is another lake thatis connected to Beulah that most people dontthink about since it lies about a mile to the west ofBeulah. As you can see from the overview map ofthe Beulah system, Pickerel Lake is connected toBeulah by a wetlands which has a stream of vari-able size running through it. I have tried severaltimes over the years to reach Pickerel Lake bykayak and canoe but have always been thwarted bylow water levels and reeds.

This years record rain falls have raised thewater levels to new heights and on Friday June13th (I could have picked a better day) I triedagain to make the trip to Pickerel Lake. Thefirst part of the trip starts at the culvert by FredsTap. The high water level made me wonder howsome of the larger boats could make their way to

the main lake through the culvert this year. Thefirst segment of the trip between the lakes is welldeveloped with houses on the north side of thestream and wetlands to the south. These wet-lands are a great place to look f or cranes in theearly morning and late afternoon. Once the last

of the houses is passed, the stream narrows upand the waterway runs mostly to t he west-south-

west. There are numerous oxbows and someare so tight that it would be hard to maneuver along canoe around them. On this day I took my

13 foot kayak and had no problems with thesetight turns. The most difficult part was the seg-ment just before Townline Road. This is whereIve been stopped in the past but this year the

water level was high enough to allow me to makeit within fifteen yards of the road before I had tofinally get out and help the kayak over the reeds.Be careful of walking among the reeds because

what seems like fairly solid land is actually not andyou can quickly find yourself in water that is hipdeep or deeper. Always carefully check the stabil-ity of any wetlands before you commit your weightto it and wear your PFD. Once I reached the roadI had to portage over to the Pickerel Lake side ofthe stream. I was impressed by the volume of wa-ter pouring under the road through the culvert.

Quite a few cubic feet were flowing through persecond and there was an appreciable current bythe roadway. I must admit that I got some prettyinteresting looks from the motorists on the road.I think that a kayak was the last thing they expect-ed to see out on this little stream!

Once I crossed the road the stream runs mostlyto the west-northwest with numerous oxbows alongthe way. The landing on the Pickerel Lake side of

Paddle Prattleby Scott Miller, M.D.

the road is quite nice and would make a nice put inspot if you just wanted to make the run from the roadto Pickerel Lake. This was all new territory for me soI was constantly looking over the waterway behind meso that it would look familiar to me on the way back.The stream looks very obvious from these aerial pho-tos but when you are sitting at water level amongst thereeds, it is sometimes hard to tell which stream is themain one and which are dead ends. The initial part ofthis segment was easy because the stream was wide butit narrowed down substantially in the middle portion.Since I had never been here before, I had no idea howfar I had to go to get to Pickerel Lake. There wereno areas where I had to exit the kayak to get throughthe reeds but there were areas where I scrubbed bot-tom. As I made my way the winds started to pickup out of the west and I assumed that it meant that I

was approaching the lake with its open space. OnceI started spotting houses I knew I was close and afterrounding one last bend to the right I saw my first viewof the lake. Pickerel is a round lake of about 30 acresper the DNR map. Its maximum depth is about 30feet and it is surprisingly non-developed. After pad-dling around the lake for a while, I made my way backto the stream for a return trip to Beulah. The return

was faster than the trip out, as they always seem to be.There was one area on the Pickerel Lake side whereI had to stop and stand up in the kayak to survey the

land to pick out the correct stream to follow.

This was a great paddling trip that I thoroughlyenjoyed and hope to make again! I hope that someof you will also try it and between us maybe we willopen the stream up a little and make the journeybetween these two connected bodies of water a little

easier to make.!

Documents

Lake Views Newsletter, Fall 2008, Lake Beulah Protective Association