Wisconsin Lakes Partnership 2012 Convention Archive

Thursday

Concurrent Sessions 5

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AIS Outreach: Successes from the Past and Plans for the Future

Thursday 9:00-9:50 am

Partners throughout Wisconsin are working to slow the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) by targeting a variety of water users with the AIS prevention message.  Come learn about new statewide outreach efforts that are underway including an initiative to engage local bait dealers and plans to conduct regional AIS Group Checks with the help of the DNR wardens.  Diane Schauer, Calumet County AIS Coordinator, will also be sharing information on how our partners in the northeast are working with a local college to educate the waterfowl hunting community on AIS prevention.

 

 

Shawano Lake Waterbird Die-off

Thursday 9:00-9:50 am

Since 1996, over 35,000 waterbirds have died on Shawano Lake due to 3 trematodes that use the faucet snail (Bithynia tentaculata) as a host for part or all of their life cycle. The majority of the birds have been American coot (Fulica americana). The trematode, Leyogonimus polyoon, is specific to coot and does not affect other waterfowl. The other 2 trematodes, Cyathocotyle bushiensis and Sphaeridiotrema globulus, affect both American coot and waterfowl, causing mortality. The faucet snail is native to Europe, but was introduced into the Great Lakes in the early 1870s. The Wolf River system also has the faucet snail, as does the Mississippi River where it was discovered in Pool 7 during a waterbird die-off in 2002. In 2007, Leyogonimus polyoon was identified on Lake Onalaska.

 

 Presentation:  Shawano Lake Waterbird Die-off

Development of Tools to Control Filter-feeding Aquatic Invasive Species

Thursday 9:00-9:50 am

Aquatic invasive organisms like silver Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and bighead carp H. nobilis (a.k.a. Asian carp) and dreissenid mussels (quagga mussel Dreissena rostriformis bugensis and zebra mussel D. polymorpha) pose a serious threat to U.S. waterways and threatening economies valued in the billions of dollars in addition to the ecological damage they cause. Natural resource managers consistently list the lack of tools to control aquatic invasive species as a top concern. Present application methods for chemical controls, which rely on dissolution of a piscicide in the water column, limit management applications to small aquatic habitats of limited volume. Developing targeted delivery systems that deliver bioactive agents to specific invasive aquatic animals or identifying new biocides whose mode of action selectively targets invaders could drastically improve management of these invasive animals in threatened ecosystems and facilitate the development of integrated pest management programs for Asian carps and dreissenid mussels.

 

 

Can You Risk It? Insurance Matters for Lake Associations

Thursday 9:00-9:50 am

Lake organizations are facing more difficult and complex issues and management decisions—including matters of risk management and insurance coverage. Whether your lake organization focuses on social activities and community events, or operates weed harvesters and dams, insurance likely has a place in your business plan. This session will explore some of the basic principals of insurance, help you understand what to be concerned about, and help you decide if your organization needs insurance. Rob Krohlow, an insurance agent familiar with the activities of Wisconsin’s lake organizations will walk us through an assessment of risks and liability exposures lake groups may face, the types of insurance protections available, and how to pick the proper insurance coverage for your group.

 

 

The Pyramid that Partners Built - Rusk County

Thursday 9:00-9:50 am

The key to producing a sustainable and diverse fish population in a lake is to provide healthy habitat rather than using "put and take" management approaches that can be more costly. Come, listen and learn how a local sportman's organization and Rusk County Land Conservation partnered up to build a thriving and diverse fishery population - over five years in the making. They did this by creating fish habitat. Fishery biologist surveys have shown actual improvements in diversity of species and the age classes.

 

 

An Introduction to Dam Ownership

Thursday 9:00-9:50 am

Lake Associations are frequently dam owners as well as lake managers.  They are often unaware of or confused about the regulations and responsibilities of dam ownership.  The WDNR Dam Safety presentation will focus on owner responsibilities related to Emergency Action Plans, Inspection, Operation and Maintenance Plans, transferring ownership of a dam and the new inspection requirements for dams.  A brief description of possible grant opportunities will also be included.

 

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