The Deer Lake Association has become a Benefactor of the

Itasca Water Legacy Partnership

R to L: Former President Tom Brown, Lew Johnston, IWLP President David Lick, Tom Nelson, 

Barbara DeCoster, Treasurer Doug Widen, Limnologist Jack Jones

Photo by Janna Nemeth

We invite all our members to join this important initiative. 

 

Membership Application

 

 IWLP Annual Report

  

Itasca Water Legacy Partnership (IWLP)

(website)  

Deer-Pokegema Diagnostic Study (2010-13)

 

Clean water and outstanding fish and wildlife habitat, hallmarks of Itasca County's world class lakes, are essential fuel for the economic engine in this lake rich area. Water testing and discovery of new introductions of aquatic invasive species in several lakes in Itasca County indicate that, without improved care and management of precious water resources, impairment of water quality, reduced water clarity, lowered oxygen concentrations and loss of suitable habitat for game fish can be expected. Local water advocates came together in late 2006 to identify and implement a set of activities that would ensure clean water and quality habitat in the major watersheds in Itasca County. In the past 4 years, the Itasca Water Legacy Partnership (IWLP) formalized and assured its operations as a broadly-based community coalition by inviting volunteer members from all walks of life to serve. A logo and theme "Team Up for Clean Waters" were chosen. A board and an executive committee guide partnership activities and have formed a nonprofit, 501 (c) 3 corporation. Representation on the board includes local business and tourism interests, citizens at large, Itasca County, Itasca Community College, lake associations and state agencies. IWLP's mission is to work collaboratively on water issues and mobilize on-the-ground actions that encourage diverse sustainable use, protection, recovery and enjoyment of Itasca County's water and shoreland resources that are critical to a strong economy.

IWLP Website

For more details about IWLP see this website:

INCOMMONS: Itasca Water Legacy Partnership

(be sure to open the "read more" sections on "Our Story," "Partnership," "Innovation," etc.)

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IWLP PROJECT: Lake Assessement 

There are nearly 1,000 natural lakes in Itasca County. The water quality on only about 150 of these lakes has been assessed. The Itasca County region has been identified by lakeshore developers as the area for the next major phase of lakeshore development in Minnesota, so the landscape and, therefore, water quality will be under increasing pressure over the next few decades. 179 of Itasca County's lakes have been designated as "recreational development" lakes but only 31 of these have been assessed adequately enough to meet MPCA's standards. A broad citizens' working group, the Itasca Water Legacy Partnership has identified the increased assessment of Itasca County's lakes as one of the most essential activities needed to ensure the sustained vitality of this resource that is a fundamental economic engine for rural Minnesota.  Look for your lake on the Data Website (click link).

Lake Data Website

 

IWLP Project Report:

IWLP is made up of 20 people representing industry, education, scientific community, business, development and government.  Our mission Statement is to support the development and implementation of educational programs, projects and policies that ensure the quality, protection and improvement of all Itasca County Waters. The mission is guided by the following values and principles: To work collaboratively to promote a strong and sustainable economy. 

• Secured $320,000 to obtain baseline chemical data on 147 lakes in Itasca County through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

• Dr. John Downing, Iowa State University and Dr. Jack Jones University of  Missouri, Columbia both limnologists in cooperation with Itasca Community College are developing curriculum and have secured a certified water lab in which to test the water from the lakes.  The lab will be testing waters for individual lake associations beginning in 2010.  A dozen students are provided summer work through the program. Phosphorus, nitrogen, chlorophyll, dissolved oxygen, and PH are all tested for and reported to MPCA.  Each lake will be tested 8 to 10 times over the 2 yr period.

• Itasca County Soil and Water Conservation District was awarded a grant and has asked ICC to test the water from 40+ lakes. This will provide some income to help us keep the lab going 2009-2010.

• Dr. Mary Blickenderfer, University of Minnesota Extension and IWLP boardmember is conducting grant funded shoreland buffer research on 4 Itasca County lakes, Turtle, Johnson, Mike, and Horseshoe. ICC students and Itasca County citizens will assist in this multi dimensional research involving a survey, marketing, buffer denionstration sites, buffer research and citizen lake assessment. The results of the study will be used to determine what we can do to encourage shoreland best management practices on all county lakes.

• Recently IWLP submitted a grant proposal to provide water science education in the elementary schools countywide. Dr. Harold Dziuk will be the manager of the grant if it is awarded. This request is for approximately $500,000. IWLP requested and received $100,000 form Itasca County through the Environmental Trust Fund to supply ICC with the equipment for the certified lab.

• IWLP assisted Itasca County in setting up a revolving loan fund of $100,000 for non-compliant septic systems.

• IWLP is requesting citizens and organizations to provide sponsorships. We need funds for postage and day-to-day activities. The volunteers in the organization accomplish all tasks. The goal is to raise $25,000.