In this issue:

It's Here: The 7th Annual Mai Tai

The Need for Shoreland Standards

2010 Annual Monitoring Program

Shodeen: Jackson Creek Update

Volunteer "Wish List"

Rain Garden Watch

Get your Family out on the trail!

In Honor

Sneak Peek/Tickets

Get 'em while they're hot! The tickets for the seventh annual Mai Tai No Tai are selling fast! Call 262-275-5700 today to "tai" one on with the Conservancy in style at the Lake Geneva Country Club on July 17, 2010.

Mai Tai guests will be able to bid on some spectacular offerings. Win four tickets to the Music by the Lake Peter Frampton concert, take 99 friends to your own personal pig roast,

Many Thanks

Many Thanks: Corporate Sponsors

or become the proud owner of original artwork commissioned by the Geneva Lake Art Association and the Geneva Lake Conservancy.

Keep an eye out for the Mai Tai Sneak Peek for a complete listing.

But, remember, you can't experience the thrill unless you're at the Mai Tai! For tickets and more information, e-mail or call Katie at 262-275-5700

Calling All Volunteers!

If you'll do anything for coffee and donuts, an opportunity awaits you. We need volunteers to set up for the Mai Tai. A complete listing of time slots and activities available is on the Conservancy Web site. Set-up begins at 7:30 a.m., Saturday, July 17. We'll be transforming the Lake Geneva Country Club into a tropical getaway for the seventh annual affair! If you'd like to help, meet some fantastic people, and donate your time for a wonderful cause, let us know! Call either Katie at the Conservancy at 262-275-5700 or Mai Tai chairwoman Margaret Reuland at 262-275-5148. Thank you!

What do Mai Tai and summer storms have in common? Rain barrels!

What would you have given to have had a rain barrel in your yard this month?! Well, the GLC will start offering rain barrels at the Mai Tai and continue selling them at the Mill House after the party has ended! During the July 17 event we will be auctioning off a rain barrel uniquely decorated by Conservancy artist-in-residence Lynn Ketterhagen. Selling rain barrels makes good "cents" for the Conservancy, and buying rain barrels makes good sense for all of us!

What doesn't surprise me is that when a new house goes in, often as close as possible to the lake, many of the trees in front of it come down and lawns are put in place all the way to the water's edge.

And, if allowed, boathouses, additional piers, and boat slips go in as well. Not every homeowner does this, but it happens often enough, sometimes even when an existing home changes hands. For those who want our lakes to stay pristine and healthy forever, this is a cause for concern.

A shoreland buffer zone of 1,000 feet or more is very important to the health of a lake. The zone operates as a natural filter, keeping fertilizers and other pollutants from spoiling lakes. A vegetation buffer of at least 35 feet helps reduce fertilizer runoff from lawns. Trees diffuse rainfall and, with leaves or mulch under the trees, can absorb much more water than a lawn.

Both trees and vegetation enhance the beauty of the property and help block some of the summer heat. For me, the trees, gardens, and natural areas are what make this a special place for both homeowners and everyone who uses our lakes.

A way to protect our lakes for the future is common and enforced shoreland regulations for all lands that touch Geneva Lake, Delavan Lake, and Lake Como. This is easier said than done because municipalities (cities, towns, and villages) have unique ordinances and political pressures. Some municipalities have strong, updated ordinances, and some do not. Some enforce strictly, and some approve most of the variances requested.

Townships and unincorporated areas, on the other hand, normally follow DNR guidelines but have minimal ordinances related to shoreland protection and little or no enforcement capability.

A lake district controlled by the lake homeowners might work better but requires strong political will and time to put in place. We need to at least develop common shoreland standards we all can live with to help protect our lakes and enhance the natural beauty of the area.

Then we need the help of voting citizens to pressure their elected officials to adopt these standards as ordinances for the citizens' cities, towns, and villages and stand up and argue when the laws are not enforced.

For townships and unincorporated areas that don't have the structure to manage shoreland ordinances, we should promote the use of the common standards to the Walworth County level for adoption and enforcement.

Charles L. Colman
Advocacy Chair, Geneva Lake Conservancy

Geneva Lake Conservancy holds 21 properties under conservation easement totaling 906.76 acres. To ensure the conservation values of each of these properties are being protected, the Conservancy monitors each property on an annual basis. As Land Protection Specialist, this is one of my duties at the Conservancy.

During these visits I tour the property, seeing as much of it as possible. I note any changes that have been made since the last visit.

While it is not necessary, I try to schedule my visits at times when the landowners can meet with me. Not only are the owners good tour guides of their properties, it is a nice way to maintain landowner relationships and to talk with the owners to see if changes have been made to the property since my previous visit. Landowners can also talk to me about future plans they have for their properties to ensure the changes will be permitted per terms of the grant of conservation easement.

As I walk the property I like to pay attention to areas where there is most potential for violation or encroachments, such as the property lines and past problem areas. I take notes and photographs of new changes to the property (buildings/structures, natural features).

There are times when I also take photos even if there no major changes to the property. These photos are just to update our files to see a progression in the property throughout the years. The location of the photograph and a compass reading are noted on maps of the properties.

I also take notes on information given to me by the landowner and make note of questions he or she has about the easement or property.

After the site visit is conducted, the monitoring report must be completed. The report includes three items. First is a written report on the status of the property. Besides basic property information, I note changes to the property, violations that have occurred, or other observations I made during the visit. I also take note of who joined me on the inspection and how much time I spent on the property.

The photos taken during the visit - either to document the progression of the property's natural features or to evidence a violation - also are included in what is called a photographic documentation report. These help to show the property owner if action needs to be taken to correct wrongdoings.

Lastly, I make a map of the property showing the locations of the photographs taken on the property.

The Geneva Lake Conservancy looks at each one of our 21 conservation easements as partnerships with the landowners. They took the step to ensure their property is preserved in perpetuity, and we not only appreciate these efforts, we look forward to working with the owners each year as well as acquiring new partnerships with new landowners.

Lynn Ketterhagen
Land Protection Specialist

Shodeen: Jackson Creek Update

On Tuesday, June 01, 2010, the Town of Delavan Plan Commission again tabled consideration on the newly proposed "Shores of Delavan Lake," in order to clarify several pending questions, including from where and just how water would be provided to the development.

Plan Commissioners expressed objection to the concept of multiple private wells and encouraged Shodeen representative, David Patzelt, to continue investigating public water options. Mr. Patzelt noted he was planning to meet with representatives of the City of Delavan's water utility during the coming month, in order to determine the willingness of the utility to provide water outside the boundaries of the city.

Whether a public water utility is provided by the Town or the City, the Conservancy is in complete agreement with the Town's Plan Commissioners that the concept of multiple private wells, and the potential impact on the ground-watershed of Delavan Lake, should not be considered lightly.

A week later, on Tuesday, June 08, 2010, the "Shores of Delavan Lake" proposal was tabled by the City of Delavan Common Council with recognition that the proposed development would require an amendment to the Comprehensive Master Plan recently adopted by the City. The City's plan designates the land under consideration as Agricultural or Open Space.

As always, the Conservancy's primary objective is to ensure that both the ecological and hydrological health of Lake Delavan is protected.

Volunteer "Wish List"

• A plumber - Our bathroom faucet is in hot water, or, rather, the faucet needs the hot-water tap fixed.
  
• Helper with filing finesse! We need someone to label, sort, and file our donor and land files.
  
• Lake Walk Committee members - The 2010 Geneva Lake Walk Committee needs fun people to help plan and execute the event.

Think you can help? Email, call the Conservancy at 262-275-5700, or stop by anytime during the week.

Rain Garden Watch

Whether it's the Geneva Lake path, the White River Trail, or the Ice Age Trail, the Conservancy has your gear. Any Conservancy member is welcome to stop by the Mill House (398 Mill Street, Fontana) during regular business hours to grab up to four backpacks loaded with great stuff to teach and entertain as you meander the beautiful natural areas and paths of our Geneva lakes area.

Included in the backpacks are:

o Walk, Talk & Gawk
o Trees of Wisconsin Field Guide
o Birds of Wisconsin Field Guide
o Fontana Fen brochure

The GLC Backpacks

Whether it be services, promotions, benefits or outright donations, these area businesses have been vital to the conservancy's fundraising efforts. Please visit our Corporate Sponsors page for more on our corporate sponsors, and what they do for the Conservancy