Alpine Lake Informational Meeting — Minutes

1 June 7, 2025 8:30 am Marion Town Hall PRESENT: Chris Schroeder (Chairperson) Michael Baranowski (Commissioner) John Manion (Secretary) Eric Trater (Commissioner) Amy Miller (Interim Treasurer) VISITORS: 28 Residents • Meeting called to order at 8:38 am – Chris Schroeder • Pledge of Allegiance • Treasurer’s report o Amy reported that the checking balance is $5,896.69 and the Investment Pool balance is $132,216.15 so the total asset balance is $138,112.84. o We collected $25,200 for lake assessments, which is a little bit short of what we are due. There are still some assessments that are delinquent. We did collect some late assessments from 2024 and a few from 2023 totaling $1,043.50. o Investment pool interest is paying 4.36% and we’ve had about $1,900 in interest this year. o Various small expenses discussed but we still have another $29,400 of invoices coming in to be paid. o Other expenses include outlot maintenance of $2,800 and Lake Management fee of $325. Amy transferred $34,000 from checking to the Investment pool to generate higher interest. o Motion to approve treasure’s report made by Chris, Seconded by Michael. Approved Board Updates • Fish Update – Bill Elliott o Bill reported that the We Really Kare Fishing Club (WRK) fisheree profited $26,005. o Fish stocking in the spring: Lake Alpine received 1000 crappies, 1000 perch, and150# of flathead minnows. Cost of these stocked fish was $5,742.50. o The fish we received were 5-7” and that size makes them primarily bait for bass and Northern Pike. In the future Bill would like to return to stocking walleyes or else all minnows. This will result in bigger fish in the future. • Goose Egg Remediation – Michael Baranowski o Michael said that as of Thursday 8 families of geese reside on the lake, including 32 gooselings. He feels any remaining nests are likely on private property, not on the islands. o Michael thanks those who approved inspection of their property for nests. o There was a total of 50 eggs oiled so without this effort the population would have been much higher. o Without Clyde and Barb’s help the goose population would be out of hand. However, 2 someone reported to the DNR that Clyde was doing something illegal while handling the eggs. Michael noted how stressful it is to have law enforcement knock on your door and how unwarranted this was. Nothing illegal was being done and Clyde was not charged for anything. o If anyone has a problem with the process with egg reduction, please see Michael or any board member. o Clyde noted that the nests now are primarily on private property and we need help in getting approval to inspect properties that currently give approval. If we do not reduce the number of geese we still have the population will get out of hand in a few years. o Clyde said there is a service to remove live geese from the lake (minimum 40) but the cost is $3,500. o Nests are close to the water but if threatened they will be farther away. • Lake Management Plan-Jason Kudinger o DNR received the plan in April but has still not approved it. Plus, DNR has begun field work for the summer so Jason does not expect an approval anytime soon. o Maps for lake treatment and harvesting are in the plan and that is what we are using this year. Jason said we are using the unapproved plan as a basis for mitigating plants in the lake. o We will be using a different treatment in the south bay to target Eurasian Milfoil. o The first cutting was done last week and the next one is the week of July 7 th. We requested a cutting prior to the 4th but they were already booked. o Spraying will also be the week of July 7th and August 25th. Another cutting will be the week of August 25th also. Spraying only provides results for a few weeks. o There will be an aquatic plant survey in late August or September. Also, the dredged area depth will be checked and a recommendation will be made for 2026. o Question: How much can we treat into the water ourselves? A: 30’ wide along the shoreline. o Michael reported the recent harvesting removed 59,500# of weeds. o Q: How often do we pay for the Lake Management Plan? A: Every 5 years. • Muck Reduction Committee – Ginny Schroeder/Ken Forsell o Chris explained what this committee is trying to do and asked that while there will be differing opinions, everyone should remain respectful. They have done a lot of work and they are to be thanked for doing so. o Ginny explained they’ve done a lot of research and believe the muck on the lake is getting worse and that there are options to reduce the problem. That is what the committee is looking into. She believes water quality, fishing, and swimming are impacted by muck. While some muck is fine, too much is detrimental to everyone. o Left alone, much will eventually cause fish die off and the lake could become a swamp. o Ken Forsell spoke in depth on the condition and the increase in muck. He’s tracked the impact on fish. Bluegill are fine, crappie population is down, perch are okay as they remain in deep water by the dam, and largemouth bass are suffering. o Ken said there is a noticeable drop in bass nests where they reproduce. The biggest reason is the Northern Pike population is very large and they eat every kind of fish. Most of the pike are small because there isn’t enough food for them. Please discard or eat the small pike when you catch them. Do not release them back into the lake. No size limit. o Bass cannot reproduce over weeds. They need rock or sand. o One member disagreed with the low number of bass in the lake. o Ken measured the water depth on the lake and he found an old depth map and compared them. He determined (checking 79 data points) that the water depth was 2.5 feet less, on average. The deepest spot on the lake is still the same but the rest isn’t. o There is solid evidence of a growing problem. Ken has all his data and is willing to discuss it. o A long-time resident believes the problem isn’t as great as the newer residents think. 3 o Silt from Bruce Creek was discussed in depth. He explained how our lake is too small for the watershed we are in. o Ginny summed up the need to have a thorough, professional study of the lake to obtain expert advice. She believes there is funding available to help with the costs of a study. o Any solution to the muck problem will be segmented and long-term. o One possible way to help is to install a silt trap at the inlet to the lake from Bruce Creek. Ken discussed how it would work and what is involved. He handed out copies of studies done and summaries, then reviewed them. o Residents questioned what the DNR will allow us to do? o A cost estimate obtained for a survey is $17,000 and that data would be needed to obtain grants in the future. o We know that the DNR will not let anything obstruct the flow of Bruce Creek. o Jason K, said its best to work with certified contractors who are DNR approved. This should greatly increase the chance of approval of any project the experts recommend we do. o A suggestion was made to change the lake status to a fish farm. This would greatly help any permit process. Before we would do that, it would have to be looked into closely. • MOTION to Adjourn made by Chris, seconded by Michael at 10:28 am.