JLPOA Launches Guardian Plan Education, Fundraising Campaign


About 40 people braved the heat wave to attend the informational meeting and social at the public boat landing on Johnson Lake last weekend. The event included some sailing fun (without ever leaving shore) and some important discussions about the future of Johnson Lake.

Mark Lacek, who serves on the Johnson Lake Guardian Committee, presented a plan to the group that includes improved signage, education, a future boat washing area and remove surveillance camera system to encourage boat owners and operators to remove all weeds from their boats before launching in Johnson Lake. It's critical that even tiny pieces of Eurasian Milfoil be removed from boats, trailers, motors, live wells, etc. These weeds can survive for several days out of water. A single piece could start an infestation. Members of the Association are encouraged to contribute $75 per year, per property, to pay for the equipment and monitoring services. The annual cost would be roughly $2,000 to $2,500.



The Guardian Program promotes thorough inspection for invasive weeds.


The main purpose of the gathering was to hear about plans to keep the lake free from Eurasion Milfoil and other aquatics. It was also a time to meet new neighbors and visit with friends.  A new twist was added this year by Sharon and Norm Okerstrom, The Johnson Lake Gutter Regatta, which consisted of teams of two blowing their plastic sailboats down the water-filled gutters to the other end, handing off their life jacket to their partner (always think boating safety!) and the other member blowing their sailboat to the other end and the finish line!  It was a tough competion but the team made up of Bob Polkinghorn and Sandy Wick, were able to hold off some very tough competion and took the innaugeral Gutter Regatta Cup! 




Photos by Norm Okerstrom

Regatta organizers filled one gutter with clear water. The other was filled with lake water, weeds and other yucky stuff... to make the point about what we don't want to happen to Johnson Lake.




Click here to download the contribution form in Adobe pdf format .

Posted: Tue - August 1, 2006 at 10:36 PM      

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Content Copyright 2004-2006, Johnson Lake Property Owners Association, Inc.