Crystal Lake Improvement Association Informational Meeting October 19, 2011

An informational meeting of the Crystal Lake Improvement Association was held at the Burnsville City Hall, Burnsville, MN, on Wednesday, October 19, 2011, from approximately 7-9pm. There were 40 people present in total including 8 of our 9 CLIA Board Members: Dana Arnold, Ed Bock, Beth Breeden, Steve Hendrickson, Keith Kaestner, Glen Vinup, Mark Zitzewitz and Bruce Zweber. Also in attendance was guest speaker Daryl Jacobson. The purpose of this meeting was to inform the CLIA members at large what the CLIA Board Members have been working on since their election in May, 2011. Since we already had a great number of e-mail addresses in our CLIA database, it was decided to send notice of this informal informational meeting via e-mail only due to postage expense. Notice of the CLIA Annual Meeting in the Spring will still be sent out via the postal service as usual. If you were unable to attend this informal meeting and would like clarification on the below info that was shared, please feel free to contact President Ed Bock for any questions you may have in regard to the present CLIA Boards progress. Ed can be reached at 612-968-0613 or at contact@clia1962.org. The informal meeting began with an introduction of the CLIA Board Members, each explaining their position on the CLIA Board as well as their home location and years lived on Crystal Lake. The entire audience then also participated and introduced themselves as well. The intro slide was discussed and guesses were made as to the Then photo on the initial slide. The photo on the left of the slide was from 1937 with the right hand photo being a modern present day photo. Comments were made as to the very noticeable lack of water in the lake back then and how much better off we are today! CLIA President Ed Bock presented a very detailed slideshow and explained the CLIA Boards progress on a variety of subject matter. Daryl Jacobson then presented a slideshow. Ed Bock concluded the meeting with a few more slides on ways CLIA members can help Crystal Lake as well as the CLIA in the upcoming years. There were a lot of questions from the audience on a variety of subjects. Board Members helped to answer and clarify information as was needed. Additional pages are attached to this explaining each slide presented and discussed. Questions posed are also included. There was discussion about our CLIA web site as we would like it to have more informational links to inform CLIA homeowners how to go about hiring for harvesting and chemical treatments. We would also like to post a variety of information helpful to the members and the community in ways to help Crystal Lake. We also plan to post the two slideshows that were presented at this meeting. We asked for volunteers who know how to create web sites to help us out. Much discussion on the slides as well as a question and answer session followed at the end of the meeting. Many delicious pumpkin bars, cookies, brownies, coffee and water were provided by Nancy Bock. Thanks so much Nancy! There were committee signup sheets at the back of the room for those interested in signing up to help volunteer time to the CLIA in one area or another. Each sheet had at least one name on it by the end of the night for every committee which was great to see such strong support from the 40 people in attendance! Thanks to all the volunteers! Your help is very much appreciated. A CLIA Board Member will be contacting you soon in regards to ways you may help their committee. Thanks to all who were able to attend the info meeting! We look forward to the future of Crystal Lake and the CLIA! Respectfully submitted by Beth Breeden, CLIA Secretary

Crystal Lake Improvement Association Informational Meeting October 19, 2011 Slideshow presented by CLIA President Ed Bock
Slide 1 = Crystal Lake Then and Now photos with the left from 1937 and the right from the current aerial view. Slide 2 = Informational Meeting = October 19, 2011 = Thanks for coming and learning about the new CLIA! Slide 3 = Agenda for the Informational Meeting = An effort to inform you on what the Board has done since May. ~ Mission/Vision/Strategic Initiatives ~ CLIA Committees ~ Survey Results ~ Strategic Initiative = Improve Water Quality ~ BDWMO / City Pan / TMDL Update = Daryl Jacobson to present an informational slideshow as well. ~ Aeration ~ 2012 Preliminary Budget ~ How Can You Help? Slide 4 = 2011/12 Strategic Planning ~ CLIA Mission Statement: To improve the water quality, value and enjoyment of living on Crystal Lake by engaging the resources of our community and beyond in the pursuit of responsible solutions to our members stated concerns. Slide 5 = Vision of the CLIA ~ The CLIA will be a highly effective association that actively listens to the concerns of its members, and then applies research, analysis, and thoughtful consideration to identify, prioritize and communicate various solution strategies available. ~ The organization then marshals the necessary resources to execute the solution strategies and achieve real results. ~ Those results (good or bad) are conveyed back to the membership with honesty, frequency and transparency. Slide 6 = Strategic Themes ~ Improve Lake Water Quality (tangible results) ~ Engage Members (bi-directional) ~ Leverage External Resources ~ Expand CLIAs Knowledge & Capabilities Slide 7 = CLIA Committees = Committees were explained in general what their goals and objectives are for the CLIA ~ Lake Water Quality Committee (Chair: Dana Arnold; Members: Dave Linger, Keith Kaestner, Ed Bock) ~ Membership and Communications Committee (Chair: Beth Breeden; Member: Steve Hendrickson) ~ Membership Education and Recruitment Committee (Chair: Bruce Zweber; Member: Beth Breeden) ~ External Relations Committee (Chair: Ed Bock for Burnsville; Member: Glen Vinup for Lakeville) ~ Internal Knowledge and Capabilities Committee (Chair: Steve Hendrickson; Member: Ed Bock) ~ Finance and Governance Committee (Chair: Keith Kaestner; Member: Mark Zitzewitz) Slide 8 = Survey Says! The results of the e-mailed survey sent out by Steve Hendrickson was shared by Ed Bock. With 189 households on the lake we have managed to connect with 105 so far from our door to door campaign that was done this fall. 10 of those homes are currently for sale. We will strive to reach all homes by Spring. Slide 9 = Survey ?... Which best describes where you live on Crystal Lake? Survey was sent to 136 e-mail addresses. ~ 112 Responses were obtained from residents of bays (56.2%) and main lake (43.8%).

Slide 10 = Survey ?... For each of the possible reason below, please indicate their influence over why you live on Crystal Lake? (choices were Fishing, Recreation, The View, Home Values and Other) ~ Views and Recreation were top reasons to live on Crystal Lake. Property Values were a close third reason. Slide 11 = Survey ?... What is your perception of the water quality on Crystal Lake? ~ Water Quality: Fair/Good lead the ratings with over 50. There were no excellent ratings or non-opinions. Slide 12 = Survey ?... In your opinion, what is the greatest issue facing Crystal Lake? If you could improve one thing about Crystal Lake, what would it be? ~ Weed Control = 56 ~ Water Quality / Clarity = 30 ~ Muck / Sludge / Dredging = 16 ~ Algae Control = 16 ~ Storm Sewer Runoff / Pollutants = 10 ~ Boat Traffic / Noise / Safety =6 ~ Invasive Species / Zebra Mussels =2 ~ Fish Populations (Sunnys, Walleyes) = 2 ~ Lakefront Stewardship =1 ~ Social Communications / Events =1 Slide 13 = Select Excerpts from the Excerpts ~ Reduce/remove muck from bottom so shoreline is usable for many residents. Absence of muck would reduce weeds, algae and water lilies, improving overall quality of lake for many residents. ~ The greatest issue facing Crystal Lake is managing the weed growth. If we could improve one thing, we would remove a layer of sediment and decay through dredging. ~ Swimming and aesthetic enjoyment of the lake is nearly impossible because of the algae levels. Greatest improvement is reduce weed and algae levels. Slide 14 = Survey ?... Are you willing to get involved in the association? ~ CLIA Members seem willing to help with 80 answering yes and only 30 answering no. So please sign up for a committee or contact a CLIA Board Member for more information in an area you would like to help. Slide 15 = Survey ?... Does your lawn get fertilized? ~ Most fertilize using a service. If you fertilize your lawn yourself, please make sure your phosphorous number is zero on the fertilizer package. It is the middle number on the bag. Although it is still possible to buy phosphorous fertilizer, it is illegal to use it for your lawns since the run off goes directly into the lake via runoff from lawns and storm drains from around the area. Slide 16 = Survey ?... Do you chemically treat your shoreline? ~ Shoreline chemical treatments are not yet common with about 30 answering yes and over 80 answering no. Slide 17 = Survey ?... Do you have mechanical harvesting done on your shoreline? ~ There was a 50/50 split on private weed harvesting to shorelines. From the two questions proposed, it was determined that most of the bay homeowners harvest while the main lake homeowners treat chemically. Homeowners are responsible from the shoreline out to 150 feet and are able to harvest and use chemicals. Slide 18 = Survey ?... Have you installed on your property a rain garden or buffer zone (vegetation area) near the shore? ~ There is a lot of room for buffers and rain garden expansion with only a little over 45 answering yes. Slide 19 = Survey ?... I feel like I know what the association is all about and feel comfortable with what they are doing? ~ CLIAs Mission: Clear to many but not all. Please feel free to ask a Board Member any questions you have. Slide 20 = Survey ?... Would you like a Membership Directory printed and be willing to share your contact info? ~ 65% of you said yes and signed the contact info form giving us permission to share your information in a membership directory. We will work on that over the winter and have it available this Spring! Depending on member support, we may also e-mail the file for easier updating when people move. Slide 21 = Strategic Initiative ~ Improve Water Quality

Slide 22 = Strategic Initiative discussed = Algae Control = Initiatives, Key Performance Indicators & Targets explained. ~ Topics covered included: labeling street storm water drains, program to reduce lawn fertilizer use, promote landscape buffers and rain gardens, investigate barley bales, copper sulfate, iron augmentation, alum and etc. Slide 23 = Strategic Initiative discussed = Aquatic Plant Management = Initiatives, Key Performance Indicators & Targets explained. ~ Topics covered included: confirm adequate native plant diversity, continue city harvesting, educate members on weeds, harvesting, chemical treatments, create committee to review bays, prevent zebra mussels and etc. Slide 24 = Strategic Initiative discussed = Repairing Lake Bottom/Shore and Update Water Resource Management Plan = Initiatives, Key Performance Indicators & Targets explained. ~ Topics covered included: research mechanical sediment removal program, research aeration products, reduce run off from storm water drains, communicate with city personnel, BDWMO, educate members and etc. Slide 25 = A brief break was taken and Daryl Jacobson was introduced so he could present his slideshow to us. See Daryls slides at the end. He stayed and answered many questions the audience and Board Members had. Slide 26 = Ed Bock presented an Aeration slide after Daryl Jacobson left explaining a possible test on Maple Island Bay. ~ Aeration is a technique that adds oxygen to a lake and controls algae by reducing the amount of phosphorus released from bottom lake sediments. The basic concept of an aeration system is to maintain oxygen at the bottom of the lake so that iron which ties up phosphorus will remain a solid form. ~ Aeration has also been promoted as a way to reduce the volume of mucky sediment in lakes and ponds. ~ Less mucky, nutrient rich sediment, may mean less dense weed growth. Slide 27 = However Ed Bock then presented the pros and cons of aeration and the lack of good statistics to review. ~ Aeration is used mainly in small bodies of water such as ponds. Most effective in 12-18 feet of water. ~ There is little info on its use in larger bodies of water. The system would not run with ice on top of the lake. ~ The system may put off an odor initially due to the burping of the water from the machine. ~ Some lakes have tried aeration with little to no noticeable results. Little research is documented effectively. ~ Aeration does not appear to be an automatic home run, nor does possible success in Maple Island Bay automatically mean success in other areas of Crystal Lake. Each of our bays has its own unique problems. Slide 28 = Ed Bock then explained the Easy Pro Products and their three main concepts from the use of their products. ~ Aeration provides lakes with proper amount of oxygen. ~ Beneficial Bacteria adding natural, beneficial bacteria works with Mother Nature to safely and effectively reduce excess nutrient loads. ~ Weed and Algae Control mechanical and chemical controls can help restore ponds and manage plants. Slide 29 = Easy Pro Products = Photos of their products and how they look while they work in the water was shown. ~ The actual aeration machine that sets down in the lake; the electrical box on the shoreline; the hoses, tubing and diffusers; the sludge tablets that would be added; and the image of the water bubbling on the surface. Slide 30 = Easy Pro Products = The owner and a distributer came out to study our lake in July and met with a few CLIA Board Members. After touring the lake by boat, they presented us with a proposal for using their products. They offered us a significant discount in return for the results from the study proposed by Steve McComas. ~ Aeration = Year 1 estimated costs for the Maple Island Bay Test = $300-350/per each of 18 households. ~ Chart shown showed details of equipment, operation costs and monitoring approximate total estimated costs. ~ All 18 homeowners would have to agree to split aeration costs for the first year as well as all future years. ~ The study would be done by Steve McComas for one or two years depending on progress at a cost of $5000 per year for him to monitor and scientifically test the results of the aeration on Maple Island Bay. The CLIA Board has considered paying one half of the costs of the study with the City of Burnsville offering to pay the other half of the costs. The CLIA Board will formally vote on this October 30th. Slide 31 = CLIA 2012 Preliminary Budget = Ed Bock discussed the budget as a work in progress at this time. ~ Items listed on the slide included: printing and postage, Crystal Lake Clean-up, web site creation, possible copper sulfate treatments, possible aeration monitoring of Maple Island Bay and possible social events.

Slide 32 = How Can You Help? = Ed Bock suggested various ways members could help the CLIA and Crystal Lake. ~ Sign-up for a Committee = Sheets available at the end of the meeting or contact a Board Member anytime! ~ Run for the Board = There will be 3 positions open in the Spring of 2012. We would love your help! ~ Web site = We would really like to get our web site up and running full speed. Please help if you can! ~ Rake Leaves from the Storm Sewer Drains = Please help your neighbors as well to remove leaves and etc. ~ Warn Swimmers = It has become a problem and we all need to be proactive to help address this issue. Please help to warn the swimmers you might see and offer them rides back to the beach if they appear impaired. ~ Help Enforce Boating Rules = If you see someone going the wrong way on the lake, please inform them! ~ Connect with Us! = Stay in touch with the CLIA via the web site at www.clia1962.org or write to the Board anytime you have a question or concern at contact@clia1962.org.

Slideshow presented by Daryl Jacobson, Burnsvilles Water Resources Specialist

Slide 1 = Daryl Jacobson explained his position as Burnsvilles Water Resources Specialist and presented his slideshow. Slide 2 = Crystal Lake Watershed image of where the run off comes from that flows into Crystal Lake currently. Slide 3 = Water Resource Management Plan ~ First plan approved in 2002 = funds provided from the City of Burnsville utility bill fee added in 2002. ~ Plan outlined 27 million in spending over 15 years. ~ 1st plan update was done in 2008. ~ 2nd plan update is planned to begin in 2014. Slide 4 = Crystal / Keller Lake TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) and Implementation Plan ~ Black Dog WMO and MPCA have finished a TMDL and Implementation Plan for Crystal and Keller Lake. ~ The Plan is currently under EPA review. Goal is to get lakes off the impaired water quality list. Slide 5 = Crystal Lake Table = He explained the potential restorative measures, timeline, cost and comments on this slide. ~ Daryl explained that 20-30% of Crystal Lakes phosphorous load is coming from Keller Lake. ~ Whitney Pond project was designed to lower the load, is almost done and is filling up with water this week. Slide 6 = Keller Lake Table = He explained the potential restorative measures, timeline, cost and comments on this slide. Slide 7 = Crystal Lake Phosphorous Concentrations = He explained the total phosphorous data from 1983 through 2010. ~ He discusses a possible alum treatment in the future if we could get off the impaired water quality list. They take a 10 year average and we are currently still slightly above the required numbers. Slide 8 = Monitoring on Crystal Lake = Daryl explained the Burnsville Lake Clarity Report from 2008 through 2010 and the average over 3 years and their goal. The depth is measured in meters. The average is 1.9 but Burnsvilles goal is 2.1 meters. We are currently at 1.9 meters so we are not at our goal yet. We have only been really monitoring the lake over the past eight to ten years, so it is hard to turn around something that has been happening to our lake for 100 plus years. We may not see a difference for another 10 years from all the work that has been currently done so far. New water doesnt turn over for about ten years. We reminded ourselves of the lack of water in 1937 as a reminder to be thankful for what we do have with our present Crystal Lake. Slide 9 = Zebra Mussels = Daryl explained the potential problems with zebra mussels and ways to identify them. He said currently there is so particular sign to place at the boat launch but he will look into one for us for the Spring. He reminded us to look over our boats, docks and equipment for any signs of the zebra mussels and report anything that might appear to be them. So far there have been none reported for Crystal Lake. Even though water quality would improve if we were to get zebra mussels, they would be very bad for the fish and native plant growth. Slide 10 = Thank You for your Support! Daryl thanked us for inviting him to our meeting and answered many questions. He discussed alum treatments and how they are very expensive but last between seven and ten years. Since Crystal Lake is about 295 acres at the present cost of alum it would take about $500-700,000 to treat our lake.