WeedFest 2024
Our Second Annual WeedFest was held on July 20th and it was another successful event! It was a beautiful day with many people attending. Music by Mark Haen's band was truly enjoyable. Then played from 2 to 7pm. Thank you to Shimmy Shack for the burgers and brats. Beverages were provided by Tom Hayden's Handle Bar with proceeds after expenses donated to the association. Present was Erin Vruwink from the Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District to identify weeds brought by lake owners. Some were good weeds, some were not. Also present representing Moleaer were Global Director of Surface Water Chris Stephan and Surface Water Application Development Engineer Limnologist Dr. Denise Devotta. They provided handouts and explained how their Nanobubble unit has been installed in Tad Lake in Atwater, check out the lake and speak with the local residents whose kids are now fishing in Tad Lake!
We are still receiving donations, but at this time, net donations are approximately $1,450!
Thank you to the WeedFest sponsors: Handle Bar, West Central Sanitation and Full Throttle Landscapes.
Again thank you to everyone who attended and donated! Hope to see you next year!
Taxes, Taxes Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink
Your taxes to DLARA will increase approximately 60%.
Your taxes to MFCRWD will increase approximately 20%.
These numbers might be a little easier for people to understand.
The Watershed met on August 20 and added the cost of purchasing the bubbler onto their budget for 2025 ($164k). There are two additional successful steps needed for the deal to be successful. 1) They need to approve this budget at their September 10th meeting.
2) Their grand application to the state for approximately $1 million needs to be approved ad they need to accept the grant. It could be mid=December before we know one way or another. THeir budget would increase by 18% to include the bubbler. The DLARA new levy increases my tax from $224.10 to $373.50. My watershed tax goes from $108.30 to $127.80. Total increase is $168.90. This can be brought up at the information meeting this Saturday.
Note: We are hoping to qualify for this project. Not guaranteed. Editor
August 15, 2024
Minnesota Resiliency Grant Committee
Minnesota Department of Commerce
85 7th Place East, Suite 500
St Paul, MN 551014
Dear Members of the Minnesota Resiliency Grant Committee,
On behalf of the DLARA, I am writing to express our enthusiastic support for Kandiyohi Power Cooperative's (KPC) application for the MN resiliency grant which aims at moving overhead power lines underground. This critical initiative aligns with our association's commitment to enhancing the resilience and sustainability of our community, particularly in the context of sever weather events.
Our lake community, situation in central Minnesota, is prone to unpredictable and extreme weather conditions, and is facing numerous challenges due to the vulnerability of overhead power lines. Often, our members experience frequent and prolonged power outages, resulting in significant inconvenience and potential safety hazards. The transition to underground power lines would substantially mitigate these issues by reducing the risk of outages caused by wind, ice and falling debris.
Weatherization is a cornerstone of KPC's resilience strategy. Underground power lines offer enhanced durability and reliability compared to their overhead counterparts. By protecting our electrical infrastructure from environmental elements we can ensure a more stable power supply for our residents. This improvement is vital not only for daily living but also for the operation of critical services and emergency responses during adverse weather conditions.
Furthermore, moving power lines underground would contribute to the preservation of the natural beauty of our lakeside environment. Overhead lines can detract from the scenic value of our area, which is integral to both our local economy and the quality of life for our residents. By supporting the underground installation, we would be preserving the aesthetic and ecological integrity of our lakeside community.
The proposed project represents a forward-thinking investment in the safety, reliability, and visual appeal of our community. We firmly believe that the Federal grant will significantly enhance the quality of life for our members and strengthen our ability to withstand future weather-related challenges.
Thank you for considering our support for this important initiative. We are confident that the success of this project will yield substantial benefits for both our community and the broader region.
