times & tides A Q UARTERLY P UBLICATION OF THE G REEN L AKE A SSOCIATION 3rd Quarter 2007 Vol.35 ~ No. 3 ~ planning~preservation~participation One component of GLA’s mission is to promote planned and orderly development of lakeshore and other property in the Green Lake area-consistent with its essentially single-family residential, recrea- tional and farm character. Since word of a proposed gated subdivision by Lindenwood Development LLC in the Green Lake Conference Center became known, the Green Lake Association and the Joint Advisory Committee on Land Use Matters (JACLUM) have closely followed the events which surround this new project. To more fully understand the Lawsonia Estates devel- opment plan, Steve Wood of JACLUM and I have attended many public hearings and government meet- ings, listened to the concerns of those living in the conference center and to the developer’s presenta- tions, and informed the GLA Board of Directors of the facts. The facts, however, have not been easily discerned – as the representatives of government, the public, JACLUM, and I have come to realize. Lindenwood Development LLC, the developer for Lawsonia Estates, presented two consecutive prelimi- nary plats to the governing bodies who decide a ye or nay. When the first failed to garner approval by the Town of Brooklyn and Green Lake County’s Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee, Lindenwood submitted a second preliminary plat. Both plats failed to meet the legal requirements of the Town of Brooklyn’s Ordinances for Subdivisions and the it’s Comprehensive Plan. Consequently, both were denied approval. Why were these preliminary plats denied? The Town of Brooklyn’s engineering company, Strand Asso- ciates, outlined to Lindenwood’s engineering firm fifty-five concerns related to the development, each of which the developer’s engineer was to respond to in writing. Lindenwood’s engineering firm addressed most of the issues, including those about road design and connectivity, but they did not address all points and responses to some points were incomplete. These responses were submitted as numerous versions of the preliminary plats, and then given to the decision-makers. These submissions created confusion among committee and board members as to which version was under review. Lindenwood’s request for multiple zoning changes was also denied. One request to change a parcel from R-1 Single Family Residence District to C-2 Extensive Commercial District could have allowed Lindenwood to use the Seven-Gables House as their sales office. However, other uses under C-2 in- clude, but are not limited to, a restaurant, a tavern, a liquor store, a hotel, a motel, an auto service es- tablishment, a furniture store, an undertaking establishment, a variety store, mini-warehousing, auto sales, or a dance hall. These other possibilities caused considerable consternation to all concerned. The other request to change from RC Recreational District to R-1 Single Family Residence District, to ac- commodate the housing portion of the development was also denied as premature until a preliminary plat is approved. The Green Lake Association's mission is to ensure that Green Lake remains one of the premier lakes in the Midwest by actively promoting the conservation of the area's natural scenic beauty and intrinsic character. Inside This Issue • Thanks to Our Members • Dates To Remember • Sign up for GLA’s email list-serve 2 • A Subdivision In Your Backyard 3 • Carp Barrier A Success • Fish Rearing Facility Receives Facelift 4 • Bridge Closing on County K • Boat Patrol Status Report 5 • RSVP Tour • Bad Boys of Green Lake • 2008 GLA Lake Protection Grant 6 • ABC’s of VHS 7 • Making An Impact 8 LAWSONIA ESTATES….IN LIMBO OR ONTRACK? NANCY HILL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR “Plans for the project are still ongoing—don’t expect any dramatic changes from the initial plan.” Doug Crusan President, Lindenwood Development, LLC September 14, 2007 Continued on page 3
Transcript
times & tides A Q U AR TE R LY P U B LI C A TI ON OF T HE G R EE N L A K E A S S O C I A T I O N
3rd Quarter 2007 Vol.35 ~ No. 3 ~
planning~preservation~participation
One component of GLA’s mission is to promote planned and orderly development of lakeshore and other property in the Green Lake area-consistent with its essentially single-family residential, recrea-tional and farm character. Since word of a proposed gated subdivision by Lindenwood Development LLC in the Green Lake Conference Center became known, the Green Lake Association and the Joint Advisory Committee on Land Use Matters (JACLUM) have closely followed the events which surround this new project.
To more fully understand the Lawsonia Estates devel-opment plan, Steve Wood of JACLUM and I have attended many public hearings and government meet-ings, listened to the concerns of those living in the conference center and to the developer’s presenta-tions, and informed the GLA Board of Directors of the facts. The facts, however, have not been easily discerned – as the representatives of government, the public, JACLUM, and I have come to realize.
Lindenwood Development LLC, the developer for Lawsonia Estates, presented two consecutive prelimi-nary plats to the governing bodies who decide a ye or nay. When the first failed to garner approval by the Town of Brooklyn and Green Lake County’s Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee, Lindenwood submitted a second preliminary plat. Both plats failed to meet the legal requirements of the Town of Brooklyn’s Ordinances for Subdivisions and the it’s Comprehensive Plan. Consequently, both were denied approval. Why were these preliminary plats denied? The Town of Brooklyn’s engineering company, Strand Asso-ciates, outlined to Lindenwood’s engineering firm fifty-five concerns related to the development, each of which the developer’s engineer was to respond to in writing. Lindenwood’s engineering firm addressed most of the issues, including those about road design and connectivity, but they did not address all points and responses to some points were incomplete.
These responses were submitted as numerous versions of the preliminary plats, and then given to the decision-makers. These submissions created confusion among committee and board members as to which version was under review.
Lindenwood’s request for multiple zoning changes was also denied. One request to change a parcel from R-1 Single Family Residence District to C-2 Extensive Commercial District could have allowed Lindenwood to use the Seven-Gables House as their sales office. However, other uses under C-2 in-clude, but are not limited to, a restaurant, a tavern, a liquor store, a hotel, a motel, an auto service es-tablishment, a furniture store, an undertaking establishment, a variety store, mini-warehousing, auto sales, or a dance hall. These other possibilities caused considerable consternation to all concerned. The other request to change from RC Recreational District to R-1 Single Family Residence District, to ac-commodate the housing portion of the development was also denied as premature until a preliminary plat is approved.
The Green Lake Association's mission is to ensure that Green Lake remains one of the premier lakes in the Midwest by actively promoting the conservation of the area's natural scenic beauty and intrinsic character.
Inside This Issue
• Thanks to Our Members
• Dates To Remember
• Sign up for GLA’s email list-serve
2
• A Subdivision In Your Backyard 3
• Carp Barrier A Success
• Fish Rearing Facility Receives Facelift
4
• Bridge Closing on County K
• Boat Patrol Status Report
5
• RSVP Tour • Bad Boys of Green
Lake • 2008 GLA Lake
Protection Grant
6
• ABC’s of VHS 7
• Making An Impact 8
LAWSONIA ESTATES….IN LIMBO OR ONTRACK? NANCY HILL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
“Plans for the project are still ongoing—don’t
expect any dramatic changes from the
initial plan.”
Doug Crusan President,
Lindenwood Development, LLC September 14, 2007
Continued on page 3
2
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Sara Mueller, President
Richard Mueller, Vice President
Katie Baird, Treasurer John Waggoner, Secretary
Jane Chamberlain Kent DeLucenay
Leo Duwe Keith Harrington
Kristin Hill
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Nancy Hill
OFFICE MANAGER
Jen Linse
EVENTS & PUBLICITY COORDINATOR
Vicki Duhr
COMMITTEES AQWEED
Budget/Finance Conservation/Education
Fishing Funding
JACLUM Lake Use/Safety
Legal Master Planning
Membership Nominating Personnel
Public Relations Sanitation/Pollution
times & tides
Published quarterly by The Green Lake Association
P O Box 364 506 Mill Street
Green Lake, WI 54941 Editors, Nancy Hill & Jen Linse Picture Credits: Nancy Hill &
GLA OFFICE HOURS 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday
—or— Call Exec. Director Nancy Hill
(Cell) 920-229-2679 9 a.m.~5 p.m.
Monday through Friday
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT…... NEW GLA MEMBERS ◊ BURKART-HEISDORF INSURANCE ◊ GLEN & RENEE CYGAN ◊ JIM & JEANNETTE KRESTON ◊ ANTHONY & EDDA SCERBA THANKS FOR YOUR TIME…... ◊ Byron Hill for making our new and beautiful GLA outdoor signage ◊ Mary & Dave Ball for helping with our directory mailing
NEED A GLA SIGN? ◊ If you haven’t received your GLA membership sign, please stop in and pick
one up during our office hours, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30am-3:30pm. If these times conflict with your schedule, please give us a call for alternative arrangements. Signs are also available at Knowledge Emporium.
*Please note that Culligan’s phone number in the GLA 2007 Directory Alphabetic Listing should be 294-2940 (Green Lake) and 295-6333 (Princeton).
DATES TO REMEMBER
∗ October 11th, Thursday—Lurking by the Lake: Carnivorous Plants! Caestecker Library 6:30pm. Tom Eddy’s recent research: From pitfall to suction traps, witness video footage of these amazing flesh-eaters in action!
∗ December 28th, Junior Ice Fishing Clinic, Dartford Bay-10:00am -12 noon. Fishing gear, bait, and lunch included. (Safe ice conditions permitting) Please contact us to register. Space is limited.
The GLA Board usually meets the third Saturday of each month, October through April, at 9:00 am at the Caestecker Public Library; meeting time May through September
is 8:00 a.m.. Please check with the GLA office to confirm time and place and location.
Over the summer, the GLA staff has made some organizational upgrades, including a new membership database. This data-
base will enhance membership communications. Even more exciting, our new database will give the GLA board a more complex understanding of our membership. We hope to use this knowledge to develop a strategic membership plan to expand our membership and cre-ate new programs to benefit the lake. One area of immediate change has been communication. Have you noticed the newsletter’s new layout? This is just the beginning. In a few months you will see a new website with many new features currently unavailable to our members. Additionally, to those members who so wish, we will send e-reminders of upcoming events, invitations, and other appropriate infor-mation. If you have provided GLA with an email address, later this year we will begin sending e-reminders and e-invitations in place of postcards. Please begin to check your junk box and add us to your friendly list so our emails will be deliv-ered successfully. If you do not want to be contacted via e-mail, just let us know. Not sure if we have your email address….please contact us at [email protected] and we will add you to our list-serve.
GOT EMAIL?
3
Wood described the Weiss Farm development by Gohlke Realty as a great example of what can happen when developers, neighbors, and other interested parties work together. “What we have here is a plan that benefits all partners parties and the community as a whole, “ Wood stated.
Wood was followed by Steven Sorenson’s presentation, The Law of Subdivisions in Wisconsin. How does it happen and Why?
Sorenson, a thirty-year resident and Ripon at-torney who primarily works for lake area real estate developers stated, “My number one goal is to preserve this community and what makes it strong: the lake and the surrounding area.” According to Sorenson, most developers want to work in harmony with the community and its resources. His recommendation for win-win results between developers and other con-cerned parties is to listen to each other. “Don¹t shut down. Cooperation is the way to go!”
Charlie Marks, GLSD Administrator, ended the evening with an overview of the advisory role the GLA and GLSD played in the development of a 55-acre parcel between Spaulding Hill Road and County A near Silver Creek. “Silver Creek, is the river that runs into Green Lake and this area is an important part of Big Green¹s water-shed,” Marks said. These two agencies became
involved in the spring of 2004. “We weren¹t there to take a pro- or anti- development stand but to share our inside knowledge of this area. Establishing a dialog between neighbors, developers, and the property¹s owners led to a reduction in lot numbers, preservation of a strip of woods along the river, and shifting the construction area to an open farm field away from Silver Creek frontage, all of which protects Silver Creek and the lake,” Marks said. “In the end, it¹s all about helping owners and developers do a better job of lake stewardship,” stated Nancy Hill, GLA Executive Director.
The GLA hosted two well-attended lectures at Thrasher Opera House this summer. If you weren¹t able to attend, here is a sum-mary of one that you may have missed.
A Subdivision in Your Backyard: Making the Best of It, was the first lecture presented on July 19th. Steve Wood. Chair of the Joint Advi-sory Committee on Land Use Matters gave an historic overview of the Weiss Farm development on Tuleta Hill Road. In the summer of 2005, Secluded Land Company (SLC) announced its intention to create a sixty to seventy lot subdivision. In response to resident and member con-cerns, Nancy Hill, Charlie Marks, and Steve Wood met with SLC to discuss proposed cul de sacs, lot number and sizes, number and locations of driveways, and other is-sues. Ultimately, SLC did not purchase the Weiss property, but Richard and Larry Gohlke Realty from Neshkoro did and worked with the three-member team.
Last summer, that same trio and other concerned parties, met with Gohlke Realty to discuss the developer¹s plans which included lot sizes approximately five acres in size. Additionally, the Green Lake Con-servancy Foundation* would have the right of first refusal to purchase two buffer zones, one of special concern along Tuleta Hill Road. The remaining lots would be subject to deed restrictions prohibiting further subdivision, and other guidelines determining minimum residence size, lighting, loca-tion of improvements, and similar elements.
*[Footnote: A number of neighbors along Tuleta Hill Road donated a significant amount of money to the Green Lake Conservancy Foundation, which, along with some Conservancy and Green Lake Sanitary District dollars, enabled the Conservancy to purchase almost seven acres in early September this year. This will become a green space, alive with native plants and open to the public.]
A Subdivision in Your Backyard: Making the Best of It , Vicki Duhr
LAWSONIA ESTATES….CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 According to GLA President Sara Mueller those already living on the Conference Center Grounds seem to have been ignored by the plats proposed so far. The plats have also underestimated the importance of some ecological concerns, including the stand of American Chestnut trees, which may be the last of its kind in the nation, and the eagles’ nesting area, which birders have watched intently for more than twenty years. She says that while the Conference Center IS private property, the nature of the business of the Green Lake Conference Center has impacted a great many people statewide and even nationally. Emotions run high when a treasure of this kind comes under consideration for change. The GLA must be mindful of all these concerns before supporting a project of this sort. The GLA believes that Lindenwood must reorganize their approach to the development, getting ALL their ducks in a row BEFORE presenting another preliminary plat to governing officials. When Lindenwood can clearly answer the questions and address the fears generated by the first two plats to the satisfaction of the decision-makers and those they represent, then approval will be much easier to obtain.
The GLA and JACLUM have offered to participate in further plans. Whether or not our offer is accepted remains to be seen. The Associa-tion and I will continue to monitor the ongoing events, and, when all the facts are in, determine appropriate actions. It is our hope that all the issues are resolved and all the fears allayed. We recognize that communication between all parties is essential for a resolution that meets the needs and wants for all.
“In the end, it¹s all about helping owners and
developers do a better job of lake stewardship.”
-Nancy Hill, GLA Executive Director
4
If you were lucky enough to cross Big Green Lake’s east end early this spring, you may have seen the new carp barrier installed and running just west of the bridge on County Road A (Inlet Road). The new barrier, built during the winter of 2006 and spring of 2007, was officially turned on Monday, June 18, 2007. In the future, the carp barrier will run during carp spawning (generally mid May to mid July) each year.
The new carp barrier is dramatically different from the old barrier which was removed in July 2006. The old barrier was a 12 foot wide metal mesh door on the bridge’s east side. The door went up and down to allow boats to pass from Silver Creek to Big Green Lake. The new carp barrier is a 20 foot wide wall of air bubbles and is just west of the County A bridge. With the exception of a couple hours, the new carp barrier wall of air ran nonstop for six weeks.
In addition to curtailing carp movement and spawning, the goal for the operation of the new carp barrier is to improve the safety, reliability and efficiency in comparison to the old carp barrier. “We believe the new carp barrier has success-fully met all of the goals identified,” stat Charlie Marks, Green Lake Sanitary District (GLSD) Administrator said.
The final test for the new carp barrier will be met with the passage of time. In two or three or three years, the DNR with help from the Green Lake Sanitary District, will resurvey the Silver Creek Estuary to determine if the new carp barrier has successfully prevented the carp from re-entering the shallow water body and spawning.
Thus far, the new barrier seems to have created a significant re-emergence of native aquatic plants. The GLSD will increase aquatic plant harvesting in this area to maintain navigation channels and improve access and aesthetics in the estuary.
Charlie Marks
Since acquiring the fish rearing facility in December 2006, the Green Lake Sanitary District (GLSD) and its partners have been busy making improvements and upgrades to keep the facility in top working order for many years to come. GLSD partners supporting the facility include the Green Lake Association, Green Lake County, Walleyes for Tomorrow, local fishing guides and the City of Green Lake.
The entire structure protecting the eight trout raceways was demolished and a new structure constructed in July 2007. The new structure should have a useful life of 25 to 50 years. The Wisconsin DNR donated labor and materials, using recycled materials when possible. For example, the roof trusses came from tim-bers pulled from the Radley Creek and milled at State-owned saw mills. Other improvements to the fish rearing facility include: complete new electrical wiring throughout the facility, new and improved drainage system for the raceways and ponds, general safety upgrades through-out the property, as well as improvements to the grounds and storage structures. In addition to raising trout and walleyes for many years to come, the fish rearing facility partners are also looking at ways to make the facility more accessible to the public and to educate it about Big Green Lake’s fisheries.
Charlie Marks
CARP BARRIER A SUCCESS
5
Greetings from the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Our boat patrol deputies have been busy making contacts with local residents throughout the prime of summer’s recreational season, Patrol contacts due to violations have been polite and helpful; stern when needed.
Tragically, on July 8th, a life was lost during a swimming related incident on Spring Lake in the Township of Kingston. Other boat crashes within the county have caused minor injury and moderate damage. Those crashes have been alcohol related. The Sheriff’s Office takes alcohol boating incidents very seriously and enforces those laws diligently.
As a reminder, please remember:
∗ Wisconsin boating safety certification or out of state equivalent certification is required for operators born on or after January 1, 1989 and who are at least 16 years of age.
∗ Operators 12 to 15 years of age must either have a boating safety certificate or have an adult on board while operating. ∗ Anyone 10 years of age or older is eligible to take the class and receive a safety education completion certificate. The certificate
does not become valid until the child reaches 12 years of age. You may view boating regulations and other boating information on the DNR website at http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/es/enforcement/safety/boatsaf.htm or ask our boat patrol for a copy of the regulations.
Lastly, we have received sporadic complaints on the placement of marker buoys for the submerged roadbed north of Dodge Memorial Park on County Highway, Big Green Lake. Those buoys have been dislocated on occasion by wind and waves, and possibly the public. Next summer, if you suspect that the buoys have moved please call the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office (920-294-4000) and advise us.
In closing, all deputies of the Sheriff’s Office take great pride in helping protect life and property within the county. We appreciate your support on and off the water.
Mark P. Putzke, Chief Deputy Sheriff
The County K bridge at the west end of the lake will be under construction from September 17 until late November, 2007.
The bridge repairs include a one mile closure of County K. There will be
well-marked detour signs posted. The detour route will steer individuals from
County K to County N, to County B, and then back to 73. The bridge itself will not
be raised significantly.
The GLA donates personal flotation devices for all students who successfully complete the local DNR Boating Safety Course. The course is offered to anyone age 12 and UP.
6
Another Green Lake summer has come and gone. A sign that summer is at its end is the annual RSVP tour each August. This year a group of nearly 30 interested landown-ers turned out for the 3 ½ hour tour. Lead by Nancy Hill and Lisa Reas, the tour began at Hattie Sherwood and stopped at 4 private restorations in various stages of growth. The tour is planned in August each year to catch the plantings in their most colorful phase.
Each of the tour sites has unique attributes. Some consisted of taller grasses and flow-ers; some had shrubs and trees incorporated into the restoration area; and some were maintained meticulously. Care and maintenance of shoreline restorations varies from landowner to landowner. With any native planting, there is a commitment to water frequently the first year. In addition, landowners should be on the look out for invasive weeds such as reed canary grass, purple loosestrife, grape vine, Queen Anne’s lace, buckthorn, and honeysuckle. In successive years, landowners should re-mulch outer areas of the planting to keep it looking fresh and well maintained. These basic mainte-nance steps allow the true beauty of our lakeshores to shine through.
WHY PLANT A NATIVE SHORELINE BUFFER?
While most people restore their shorelines to bring natural beauty back to their property, there are other important reasons for shoreline restoration. Native shoreline vegetation is generally deep rooted, which helps hold soil in place and out of the lake. This vegetation also provides critical habitat to songbirds, reptiles, and other sensitive animals. Restorations are also referred to as buffers since they buffer the stormwater that runs off lawn areas before it enters the lake. Finally, shoreline plantings can offer screening and privacy to shoreline landowners. Trees, shrubs, and many species of grasses and flowers planted along lot lines can grow tall and dense enough to provide a buffer from neighbors; planted on the shore they also buffer the sounds of noisy boats and jet skis on the water. Shoreline restoration and native plantings are becoming very commonplace. The local RSVP certified nurseries and landscape companies have been doing this work for many years now. You may be surprised to know that these types of projects are now very cost effective. There are many reasons why shoreline restoration is important. What’s holding you back from restoring your shoreline?
THE REVITALIZATION OF SHORELAND VEGETATION TOUR, LISA REAS
Carp. Zebra mussels. Eurasian water milfoil. Purple loosestrife. And, perhaps, viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS). Who do they think they are? Coming to our lake, settling in, taking over. No invi-tation. No good. And, unfortunately, no date of departure. Ever. These exotics, which are non-native species which displace, disrupt, and/or destroy native species, are here to stay.
What to do? Brian Hamming, who was awarded the 2007 GLA Lake Protection Grant, spent his second summer working on just that question. Working with Charlie Marks, GLSD Administrator, Jerry Specht, GLSD Commissioner, and Rowland Randall, Sunnyside resident, Hamming set his sights on that question. During this fall’s second GLA Lecture, Hamming reported what is happening, what has been and what will be done to hold these Bad Boys in check. Eliminating them is not an option, but controlling them may be.
Hamming worked early in the spring with Randall to install the new carp air barrier (see article, page 4), the Bio-Acoustic Fish Fence. Years of carp infestation of Silver Creek estuary left it muddy and devoid of vegetation...an inhospitable place for fish to spawn or grow. By reducing the carp popula-tion, native vegetation has finally re-grown, providing fish with nurseries and cover from predation. Note. This re-growth has been phenomenal, so much so that increased aquatic plant harvesting is necessary to maintain navigation lanes. Carp reduction may be only one factor, but it is a known one.
The zebra mussel population is growing in Green Lake, but slowly. Solution? None known, but keep your boat motor out of the water when on the lift and keep a pair of water shoes ready if the razor-sharp shells begin to accumulate on your shore—but we’re not there yet.
Eurasian water milfoil is only controlled by harvesting at this point.. But, as with other aquatic inva-sive plants, animals, and viruses (see pages 7 and 8), be sure not to spread it to an un-infested lake via YOUR boat.
Controlling purple loosestrife may be on the upswing. May is the key word. The beetle stock raised at the GLSD by Specht and released into infested areas seems to be effective at slowing loosestrife’s spread. However, the efforts to grow and release beetles must continue: as plants weaken, the bee-tles lose their food source and their numbers decrease. As their numbers decrease, the plants re-turn, but the beetles may not return in sufficient numbers. Hence, re-introduction of more beetles.
Hamming’s overview suggests that education of the public is one of the most powerful tools in keep-ing exotics at bay, native species intact, and our lake a special place in an ecosystem under duress.
The Bad Boys of Green Lake, #2 2008 GLA Lake Protection Grant
The Green Lake Association
encourages partnerships with anyone or any group which
shares a concern for the environment and Green Lake.
Therefore, the Association awards an annual grant of $2000 to promote lake and watershed protection and enhancement initiatives.
Be creative! Apply your skill or talent to something that
may keep Green Lake a great place to live
and play.
Applications available at www.greenlakeassociation.com Or contact the GLA office.
Application
Deadline December 31, 2007
www.greenlakeassociation.com
7
over time and the fish may start shedding the virus again, creating a cycle of fish kills that occurs on a regular basis. Nonetheless, experi-ences from other states indicate that fisheries can and have bounced back.
What are the chances we can stop this disease? We stand a good chance of slowing the spread of VHS, and we must focus efforts on those pathways that present the greatest risk be-cause they involve the virus at high enough concentrations to infect fish. While a little water left in a bilge, on fishing equipment or car-ried by a bird all carry a very low risk of transmission, moving in-fected fish or large amounts of water that contain the virus to new locations are high risk activities. That's why DNR's emergency rules require draining all water from boats and do not allow live fish to leave boat landings. In the Great Lakes, efforts need to be directed
to the movement of large amounts of ballast wa-ter by cargo ships, especially in cases where bal-last water is taken on board when active VHS outbreaks are occurring. Can VHS be spread by birds? VHS cannot be transmitted through the feces of birds that eat infected fish. The virus is inactivated in the birds' gastrointestinal track and does not survive the birds' high internal body temperature. The European strain of VHS can survive on the feathers or feet of birds feeding on a pile of in-fected fish or sitting in water containing the virus, so theoretically, a bird could move the virus to nearby waters but practically, it would take re-peated trips of birds from an infected lake to another waterbody to transfer enough virus to create the concentrations of the virus needed in the water to infect fish. What can provoke a VHS outbreak and will fishing restrictions be greater during these times?
There are two important factors that can influence the severity of a VHS outbreak: water temperature and stress. The European strain of the virus grows best in fish when water temperatures are 37-54°F and most infected fish will die when water temperatures are be-tween 37- 41°F. We do not yet know the temperature ranges for the Great Lakes strain of VHS. Freshwater drum and walleye have died when water temperature ranged from 66-70 F. Any stressors, including poor water quality or lack of food, release the stress hormone, cortisol, which suppresses the fish immune system. Additionally, other hormones related to spawning can also suppress the immune system. This may be why so many of the fish kills in the Great Lakes have occurred just before, during, or right after the spawning period. If VHS is detected in a particular water-body and a fish population appears to be in jeopardy, fisheries man-agement actions may be taken as appropriate to protect the fish populations. This information was borrowed from the WI Department of Natural Resources. For more information, please visit: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/
Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia, known as VHS, is an infectious dis-ease of fish that was diagnosed for the first time ever in 2005 in fish in the Great Lakes. VHS was detected for the first time this spring in fish from Wisconsin waters of the Lake Winnebago System and Lake Michigan. Fish biologists believe the virus may soon be in fish from Lake Superior and the Mississippi River and their tributaries if it's not already there. Historically, VHS was known as a very serious disease of farm raised rainbow trout in Europe. The Great Lakes strain of VHS is geneti-cally different than the strains from Europe and the Pacific North-west, in that the Great Lakes strain seems to affect a wider range of freshwater species over a broader range of water temperatures.
How did VHS get into our lakes? VHS virus is considered an invasive species (not native to the Great Lakes), but scientists are not sure how the virus arrived. The virus may have come in with migrating fish from the Atlantic Coast. It may have hitch-hiked in ballast water from ships or it may have been brought in with frozen Pacific herring imported for use as bait. Fish may also have carried the virus to Lake Superior and ballast discharged from ships may have moved the virus to port cities there.
How does VHS spread to fish and to new lakes? Infected fish shed the virus into a lake or river through their urine and repro-ductive fluids. The VHS virus is ab-sorbed into the gills of healthy fish and can remain infective up to 14 days in water. Healthy fish can also be infected when they eat an infected fish. Infected fish and water can easily spread the virus if they are released into a new water body. That’s why emergency rules prohibit anglers, boat-ers and other water users from moving live fish and water from one waterbody to another.
Why do fish biologists consider VHS a serious threat to Wisconsin fish? Fish biologists consider the virus a serious threat to Wisconsin fish for several reasons: it can spread easily between fish of all ages, it affects a broad range of our native game fish, panfish and bait fish as well as "rough" fish, and it often kills fish. The strain that has shown up in the Great Lakes is new and fish here have had no exposure to the virus, meaning their immune systems have no defense and are "highly susceptible". This is the first time a virus has affected so many different fish species from so many fish families in the Great Lakes. What is the long-term outlook for VHS? Fish that survive the infection will develop antibodies to the virus which will protect the fish against new VHS virus infections for some time. However, the concentration of antibodies in the fish will drop
THE ABC’S OF VHS……..MANAGING THE VIRUS IN GREEN LAKE
Continue to enjoy Wisconsin's great fishing and boating, but everyone can do their part to help stop the spread of VHS. Please remember to: ∗ Drain all water from your boat and trailer, containers, and fishing equipment including bait buckets and coolers. ∗ Do not move live fish, including unused minnows, from these waters. All fish must be dead before leaving the landing or shoreline. Ice
your catch and discard your minnows. ∗ Do not use minnows unless they were purchased from a licensed Wisconsin bait
dealer or you caught them from the water you are fishing. ∗ Remove all visible plants, animals, and mud from your boat and trailer. Caught or Saw Diseased Fish - What Should I Do? If you catch a diseased fish or observe a fish kill take the following steps: ∗ Note the waterbody, date, fish species, and approximate number of dead/dying fish. ∗ If you caught a suspicious looking fish, place the fish in a plastic bag and then in a cooler on ice. ∗ Contact your local fisheries biologist, Dave Bartz, 608-259-7508, or call the DNR TIP line - 1-800-TIP-WDNR - (800) 847-9367. ∗ DO NOT BRING POTENTIALLY DISEASED FISH TO DNR SERVICE STATIONS OR HATCHERIES. ∗ DO NOT COLLECT FISH SAMPLES FROM A FISH KILL. ∗ The local fisheries biologist will contact you as soon as they are available and will make the determination about whether the fish should
be examined or not. ∗ The DNR is encouraging anglers to retain suspicious looking fish as part of their daily bag limit for examination by the local fisheries
biologist. ∗ The DNR is limited by staff time, financial resources, and laboratory capacity for VHS testing. Therefore, they must prioritize which fish/
fish kills they examine in order to ensure that the most likely cases are examined and tested before the less likely ones.
Simple Ways to Help Protect Green Lake
The GLA has tax exempt status under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service
