Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners Inc.

Presidents Message

July 2007

Summer time…and the living is easy…or so Gershwin used to say. For some reason I do not feel as though I have had an opportunity to enjoy the summer. Graduation (our youngest daughter), open houses, extra meetings, house rehabbing…This is the week for me to slow down, recharge, and smell the roses.

The board of directors for Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners (LTPO) voted at the last board meeting to petition the Indiana Department of Resources (DNR) to consider creating ecozones on Tippy and James Lakes. To that end a letter has been sent asking for that consideration. A copy of the letter can be found in this newsletter (see page 2). I want to again thank everyone that took the time to express their opinions regarding the proposed ecozone, both pro and con. Differing thoughts on the same subject are what make our country so special and unique!

Also thanks to all who attended and supported the annual Fish and Tenderloin Fry. The line outside the dining hall at Camp Crosley (which deserves our appreciation) seemed to be constantly long. Kevin Robie and his volunteers did a wonderful job and should be thanked personally when you see them. The fund raiser is a critical component for LTPO’s financial viability. Also the Lake Tippecanoe Women’s Association needs to be recognized for providing another year’s selection of delicious pies. The strawberry/rhubarb and raspberry were my two favorites.

With summer heating up and boats flying around the lakes in all directions, a word or two or three about safety is in order. Please keep in mind the legal requirements for the use of watercraft. Users must be at least 16 years of age with a valid drivers license to operate any boat with a motor in excess of 10 horsepower. Exceptions are given to 15 year olds that have passed a safe boating class. The next scheduled one is slated for July 18 – 20. Even adults can benefit from this instructional course. The most recent example I observed of illegal activity involved a wake boarder using a dummy as a spotter. Actually I think the dummy was at the end of the rope!!

This is the last message from me as LTPO President. The past two years have been both exciting as well as challenging. I am confident our organization will continue to stay on the cutting edge with ideas and programs to enhance the water quality of our lakes both today and for future generations. Thanks to all members, particularly the Executive Board, for your ideas and encouragement. The committee chairs deserve recognition with special praise to Jim and Susan Hayes for all their hard work that often goes unnoticed.

I’ll be skiing you; please make your wakes small one!!

Mark Ennes, LTPO President

Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners Inc.

Presidents Message

June 2007

Waterways such as rivers, estuaries, and lakes are valuable natural resources, as they support municipal, navigational, industrial, and recreational uses. In response to historically increasing levels of use, proper management of waterways is vital. For were a body of water be allowed to degrade significantly, the very qualities that made it initially an attractive resource would vanish.

The balance between resource conservation and utilization, therefore, is a delicate one. Earlier today, Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners (LTPO) sponsored a public information meeting at the North Webster Community Center on the PROPOSED ecozone. Approximately 200 people took time out of their busy schedules on a beautiful summer day to learn and discuss how best to find the balance between lake utilization and preservation.

Williams Creek Consulting led by Principal Neil Myers and Senior Project manager Beth Neilson began with a PowerPoint presentation on the Ecozone Feasibility Study, which was funded with a Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Also participating were Lt. John Sullivan, District 1 Commander for Conservation Officers, and LARE biologist Gwen White. Following the presentations about 40 people took part in the question/ comment portion.

It was gratifying to listen to the passion and concern regarding our irreplaceable resource, Lake Tippecanoe. The highlight for me was listening to 95 year-old former teacher Mary Price use a metaphor in explaining the need to utilize our lake properly while playing on it. After analyzing all comments from today’s forum, LTPO will continue to move forward with a plan that can enhance the water quality of our lakes while allowing users the ability to enjoy them in a proper and prudent manner. Please continue to be informed and be involved and thanks to all who participated!!

Another topic that was broached was a concern over safe and proper boating. Following the meeting, I went for a quick ski on Little Tippy and had 2 near misses involving personal water craft (PWC). In both cases, the operators choose to ignore proper boating regulations. With only 2 conservation officers for the entire county’s 100+ lakes, the LTPO boat patrol is critical in helping enforce regulations. However, it is imperative that we as individuals conform to proper boat safety and make certain that our young people are aware of the regulations. In both cases today the PWC users were teenagers that did not understand or did not care about the safe usage of their crafts. Fortunately no one was hurt…this time.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer,

Mark Ennes, LTPO President

Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners Inc.

Presidents Message

May 2007

Our democracy in the United States allows all eligible people to exercise their franchise by voting in elections and thereby taking a stand on the issues presented. A common thought prevails that those that do not participate should not criticize the outcome. I would suggest a similar situation exists with Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners’ (LTPO) efforts to control noxious aquatic weeds on our lakes. A sizable number of residents have voiced concerns about the weeds, but only a small group has participated in the LTPO program.

There are approximately 1,400 lake households (all of whom should have received a flyer on the weed program) and of those, 743 are currently members of LTPO. Of the 1,400, about 200 have made financial contributions totaling approximately $13,000. The cost for treatment of Eurasian Water Milfoil and Curly-leaf pondweed will cost $45,650. LTPO received $20,000 from the Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program, which leaves our organization with a shortfall of $12,650 if the areas recommended by our consultants are to be treated. Keep in mind the areas to be treated do not include channels; those remain the responsibility of those individual landings. It is critical for more participation from our residents for this program to be successful. Past involvement by other lake residents on Webster Lake and the Barbee Chain has been a much higher percentage than what we have experienced to date. Please go to our website at www.ltpo.org for information as to how to make your contribution to the aquatic weed program.

While the use of herbicides to control noxious weeds is important, it does not cure the root problem. To that end, LTPO made a commitment that half of the funds raised by the program (another approximately $13,000) would be used for prevention and education regarding nutrient loading. Landowners need to accept their responsibility for the water quality in which they live and recreate. Our residents need to voluntarily agree not to use fertilizers containing phosphorus (One pound of phosphorus can create 10,000 pounds of weeds. 5 TONS!!). Additional projects such as “Rain Gardens”, that help eliminate sediment from entering the watershed may be implemented. Stay tuned for future projects.

The decisions and choices we make now will have a lasting impact on our lakes for future generations. The only way to have the most positive impact is for all of us to participate. Thank you to all that have made a financial commitment to date and please encourage your neighbors to participate in this meaningful program.

Ski you!

Mark Ennes, LTPO President

Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners Inc.

Presidents Message

April 2007

I am writing this on the day that is my oldest daughter Megan’s 23rd birthday. Mary and I just spent the past week on Big Pine Key, Florida where Megan is using her Marine Biology degree to work at Newfound Harbor Marine Institute (nhmi.org). One of my observations while visiting was that there was no mandatory recycling program for an area that is under severe duress for all its unique ecological features. Having foresight to protect natural features and habitats is one aspect that sets Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners (LTPO) apart from other organizations.

As reported last month in this space, sediment traps that were established through funding provided by the Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program needed to be cleaned out. 15 truck loads of sediment were removed from one trap, while another 7 were removed from the other. Imagine the negative impacts on our lakes had those traps not been established.

Speaking of LARE grants, LTPO will be receiving this year Aquatic Plant Management Awards in the amount of $5,400 for planning and another $20,000 for treatment. While those are significant amounts, additional dollars for treatment are still needed. The financial response from our lake residents for funding the LTPO aquatic plant management plan has been very strong, but can still use your assistance. See the LTPO website at ltpo.org for more information. Finally, Tippecanoe Lake and Watershed Foundation (TELWF) also received LARE grants totaling $10,800. The money will be used specifically at Ridinger Lake, which will ultimately benefit our lakes as that water comes into the Tippy basin.

Please mark your calendars for May 19th. The LTPO board meeting will be held at Patona Bay at 8:00 AM and then our annual lake clean up will commence immediately following. When completed, participants are welcome to gather for refreshments and to share stories about the most unique treasures found. Here is way to improve our lakes with just a small amount of your time. More details to follow.

A recent publication made available by the Aquatic Habitat Coordinator through the Division of Fish and Wildlife at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources is entitled “Protection of Significant Aquatic Communities (Ecozones) in Indiana Lakes and Rivers”. I highly recommend reading this and it will be included in the mailing to lake residents advertising the public meeting on June 2nd regarding the proposed ecozone. And for the record, any residents that returned comments for the survey, those comments are on file with both the consultant and the Department of Natural Resources.

Two weeks until the inaugural ski; so have your boats ready!

Mark Ennes, LTPO President

Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners Inc.

Presidents Message

March 2007

Punxsutawney Phil, the world’s most famous groundhog, has predicted an early spring, although the blizzard from last week may delay it somewhat. While the temperatures finally rose above freezing, another potential winter storm is waiting for the weekend.

NEWSFLASH!! The Ecozone Feasibility Study has been completed and can be found on the website for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Go to: http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/ lare_reports.html. When you arrive, scroll down to Tippecanoe and click on the report. As soon as possible we will include this link on the Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners (LTPO) website. This report was an outgrowth from LTPO applying for a Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) grant for aquatic weed management. The DNR mandated LTPO do an Ecozone Feasibility Study as part of the aquatic weed management program. As with all LTPO aquatic programs, the underlying factor is to be proactive in enhancing and preserving clean waters in our lakes. As a result from a motion passed by the LTPO board of directors during the January 2007 meeting, a well publicized public meeting will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2007 at 9:30 A.M. The meeting will take place at the North Webster Community Center and will have representatives from Williams Creek Consulting to discuss the contents of the Ecozone Feasibility Study. In addition, DNR staff members will be present to gather public comment and answer any and all questions. Please mark your calendars and be part of the process!!

Speaking of aquatic weed management, everyone should have received information on the new aquatic weed program that LTPO is sponsoring this year. Thus far the response from our residents has been most gratifying. Please consider participating monetarily as soon as possible so LTPO knows what funding we have available for both herbicide programs and educational and preventative programs. Checks or credit cards may be used and the funds directed to LTPO or Tippecanoe Environmental Lake and Watershed Foundation (TELWF). Money directed to TELWF is tax deductible and will be sent back to LTPO. Thanks for everyone’s support.

This past month LTPO has seen the positive results of a past lake enhancement program. Sediment traps that were constructed as part of the Hannah B. Walker project are nearly full. The sediment will be removed for disposal, which will allow these traps to continue to prevent top soil from entering our lakes. Only by being proactive and having volunteers with foresight can LTPO have a positive impact on our lakes’ water quality. This benefits both current lake users as well as future generations.

Please visit the LTPO website (www.ltpo.org). Jim Hayes deserves our thanks for improving the site. Look for future enhancements including agendas for upcoming LTPO board meetings.

8 more weeks till the skiing begins!

Mark Ennes, LTPO President

Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners Inc.

Presidents Message

January-Febuary 2007

Seasonal greetings to one and all! The mild weather certainly gives credence to the global warming theory, although it dramatically reduces our heating costs for those of us that did not go south for the winter.

Singer/song writer Neil Young had a 1979 album entitled “Rust Never Sleeps”. Our lakes never sleep either and the water quality continues to change regardless of the time of the year. Some problems, such as algae and noxious weeds, are more evident seasonally, but being proactive is important all 12 months of the year. Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners (LTPO) works diligently on programs that have specific deadlines when it comes to securing funding from governmental entities such as the Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) funds through Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Should LTPO choose only to address these issues during the summer months when more lake residents are available, our organization would have missed out from receiving thousands of dollars in funding.

LTPO is a decades old organization of VOLUNTEERS dedicated to water safety, land management, water quality, and lake enhancement. It should be evident to even the most casual observer our lakes are not the same as 50 years ago, 25 years ago or even a decade ago. Water quality has diminished due to increased sediment loading, increased boating traffic, and the negative effects of septic systems. Our lakes are a finite resource that can only absorb a limited amount of stress. In a proactive effort to reduce these negative impacts, which contribute to noxious weeds, algae, and reduced water clarity, LTPO utilizes state funded programs and expert consultants to identify problems and offer solutions.

This year LTPO is involved with two major efforts to enhance our lakes. First is the aquatic weed program that was highlighted in the October newsletter. By the time you read this month’s missive, all lake residents should have received a mailer describing the program and should have put a check in the mail to support this important initiative (VISA and MasterCard will work too!). This type of program is used on other lakes and reflects the reality that LARE money is becoming increasingly more difficult to obtain and that lake associations must assume more financial responsibility. Herbicide treatment is not a curative process, so half the money received will be earmarked for educational and preventative programs.

The second project involves a proposed ecozone to combat the algae problem that exists. LTPO has made a concerted effort to let ALL lake residents, whether LTPO members or not, to be informed as to the aspects of creating an ecozone on the Tippecanoe chain. Ultimately, the DNR will make the decision as to whether an ecozone will be established or to what extent. This topic has been the subject of several public meetings, LTPO board meetings, articles in local newspapers, and surveys sent to lake residents.

While impossible to contact everyone, LTPO is a transparent organization interested is everyone having an opportunity to express his or her opinion. The DNR will be holding a publicized public meeting so all who choose to attend will be able to voice their concerns. Rational debate on subjects such as the ecozone are a healthy part of a democratic society, so long as it does not become vindictive or mean spirited.

There are no easy solutions to significant problems such as enhancing the quality of lake water. I am confident that LTPO, with over 700 memberships, will provide the leadership and innovative thinking to preserve our lakes for now and for future generations.

Only 15 weeks till ski season!

Mark Ennes, LTPO President