Watershed officials on ‘high alert’

By Forrest Adams

Last summer zebra mussels were discovered in Prior Lake and this summer in Lake Minnetonka, sandwiching the communities of Chanhassen, Eden Prairie, Victoria, Chaska and Shakopee.

Could the non-native aquatic species be coming soon to a lake near you? The answer depends a lot on how much vigilance is practiced by boaters and anglers who transport boats, bait and water between lakes and other bodies of water.

A press release from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR):

WHO: DNR Fish & Wildlife Division staff

WHAT: Outdoor fish pond and indoor fish tanks at the DNR's State Fair exhibit will be stocked. Approximately 45 different species of fish ranging from minnows to paddlefish will be added to the exhibits.

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 25. The best photo and video opportunities will be from 10 a.m. to noon.

WHERE: South side of DNR building on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds,
1740 Carnes Ave.

The Hennepin County Board is seeking applicants for two vacancies on the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District Board, due to expiration of terms of members Geoffrey Nash and Steve Kloiber. Both are seeking reappointment.

A press release from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA):

The MPCA has announced the 2009-10 winners of the Governor's Awards for Pollution Prevention.

The 19-year-old award program honors superior environmental achievement by Minnesota businesses, nonprofits, government and institutions.

Two independent panels of judges reviewed 26 applications and selected the six winners. The judges evaluated organizations based on innovative pollution and waste prevention, resource efficiency and sustainable practices.

The 2009-10 winners include:

Here's Question of the Week from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), from last week:

Q: With slot limits on nearly every Minnesota lake it is important for anglers to know the fish they keep are of legal size. What is the proper way to measure a fish?

A: An accurate measurement of an angler's catch may be difficult for a number of reasons. The boat may be pitching and rolling on the lake. Fish are slippery creatures that do not like to lay still. Also, there are many obstacles in the boat like hooks, tackle boxes and other anglers.

Writers Rising Up is sponsoring “Hiking Near Home: Learn about the Arboretum with Metro trail expert Kate Havelin,” from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 17.

Cost is $20 for members, $25 for non-members. Visit www.arboretum.umn.edu or call 952-443-1400 for information. A free book signing is from 10-11 a.m. at the Arboretum Store.

The Lioness Club Garden Tour will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 18. A $10 ticket offers access to six of Eden Prairie’s finest gardens. Tickets can be purchased at Kowalski’s on Highway 5 and Eden Prairie Road.

Hundreds of volunteers will take to the water this summer to measure the health of rivers and lakes. These volunteers collect valuable information that is the first step in protecting or improving water quality throughout Minnesota.

These volunteers are part of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Citizen Stream and Citizen Lake Monitoring Programs. The MPCA is seeking additional volunteers to help monitor Minnesota’s 105,000 miles of rivers and more than 12,000 lakes.

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners is seeking applicants for a vacancy on the Riley-Purgatory-Bluff Creek Watershed District Board, due to the expiration of term of office July 31 of board member Michael Casanova, who is seeking reappointment.

The Friends of Birch Island Woods Plant Sale is set to continue through Tuesday, according to volunteers on site today.

For more information on the sale, which is being extended for two days, click here: http://www.fbiw.org/PlantSale/index.htm.