FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monticello, Indiana, June 20, 2008
CONTACT:
Lee Kreul, Publicity Chair
Shafer and Freeman Lakes Environmental Conservation Corporation (SFLECC)
7714 N. Sandy Beach, Monticello, IN 47960
SFLECC and Tippecanoe River Watershed Environmental Organizations Agree To Stage Fall Joint Conference on Watershed Problems
Twelve representatives from five regional water and soil conservation environmental groups met in Monticello on June 17th to discuss joint concerns related to the present and future state of the Tippecanoe River watershed and explore areas for cooperation. The meeting was organized and hosted by the Shafer and Freeman Lakes Environmental Conservation Corporation (SFLECC) and facilitated by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). In attendance were representative from the Nature Conservancy, Arrowhead RC&D, Kosciusko County Lakes and Streams, IDEM and SFLECC.
According to SFLECC President, John Shellcrosslee, “We have several environmental organizations in the ten county area that comprises the Tippecanoe River Watershed. Essentially they are all trying to do the same thing: protect and preserve our wonderful Tippecanoe River and its tributaries, Lakes Shafer and Freeman, and smaller lakes in the area. We engage in such activities as soil conservation to reduce runoff to the watershed, protection of the land from erosion, conservation of our forests and wildlife, removal of silt, and other programs to maintain our water quality. We at SFLECC felt it was high time that we at least find out who our counterparts in these organizations are, meet with them, and look at possibilities for cooperation, networking opportunities, future partnerships, data sharing and funding sources for innovative projects.”
Chad Watts of the Nature Conservancy remarked that the Tippecanoe River is the 8th most important system in the U.S. for its great diversity of aquatic species. The unique range of species of the mussel population in the river serves as an important barometer of water quality and should be protected. According to Watts “Certain species of mussels react differently to changing levels of water quality. Mussels need clean water to grow.”
The meeting in Monticello was essentially an exploratory meeting to find out if furthering contact among the many regional organizations and other environmental organizations was warranted and of interest to those organizations present. After hearing presentations on the missions, goals, and present programs of the five organizations, the group discussed the many problems facing the ten county watershed.
Among the problems and needs cited were: flood plain protection along ditches feeding into the main watershed; forest cover to hold soil along the rivers; the need for more filter strips on farmland to reduce runoff; reducing the entrance of e-coli from poorly maintained septic systems, aquatic birds, and confined animal feeding operations; storm sewer overflows from large cities along the river; siltation of river and lake channels; trash and chemical pollution; and the need for more conservation education for young people.
The consensus of the meeting was that a survey to determine the missions, programs, networks, and concerns of those organizations present and other interested regional and state organizations should be completed and an initial, day long, conference to explore cooperation among the entities should take place. IDEM’s NW Indiana Watershed Specialist, Linda Schmidt, agreed to develop and send out the survey. SFLECC volunteered to host a day long conference on Wed. September 17th in Monticello.
Pertinent Facts
The Tippecanoe River Watershed encompasses fifteen contiguous counties. They include: Starke, Marshall, Kosciusko, Noble, Jasper, White, Cass, Miami, Carroll, Pulaski, Benton, Miami, Fulton, Whitley, and Tippecanoe. It includes several tributary rivers, Lakes Shafer and Freeman, and many smaller lakes.
The meeting was held at White County REMC, Monticello on June 17, 2008.
Five organizations sent representatives. The Nature Conservancy, Arrowhead RC&D, Kosciusko County Lakes and Streams, IDEM and SFLECC.
The purpose of the meeting was to serve as a preliminary exploration of problems and concerns encompassing the Tippecanoe River Watershed; to discuss possibilities for cooperation among the organizations and other regional and state government entities not present; and to plan a larger conference in the fall.
Representatives present from SFLECC included: John Shellcrosslee, President, Executive Director, Daryl Johns, and Board members, Chuck Czerwinski, Mike Triplett, Norm Mills, and Lee Kreul.
A survey will be developed and sent to the five organizations and several other regional soil, water, and environmental conservation groups. The survey will serve to determine agenda items for discussion at a one-day conference to be held in Monticello on September 17, 2008. The venue has not been fully determined.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
John Shellcrosslee, SFLECC (574) 965-2504
Linda Schmidt, IDEM, (317) 233-1432, (800) 451-6027
Chad Watts, Nature Conservancy 574 946-7491
Daryl Johns, SFLECC (574) 583-9784
ABOUT SFLECC – The Shafer & Freeman Lakes Environmental Conservation Corporation was formed in 1992. It is a non-profit corporation whose mission is “to promote the welfare and enhancement of the Shafer and Freeman Lakes; the propagation of consistent and prosperous shore front management; and the reduction of siltation entering the lakes and accumulated siltation.” The SFLECC Board of Directors meets at 7:00 PM on the third Thursday of each month at the White County REMC except in January and February. Meetings are open to the public.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monticello, Indiana, May 20, 2008
CONTACT:
Lee Kreul, Publicity Chair
Shafer and Freeman Lakes Environmental Conservation Corporation (SFLECC)
7714 N. Sandy Beach, Monticello, IN 47960
State Budget Authorities Assure SFLECC 2008 Dredging Appropriation Will Not Be Reduced
At a regional state budget meeting in Valparaiso on May 16th, the State Budget Committee heard a presentation by Shafer and Freeman Lakes Environmental Conservation Corporation (SFLECC) Pres. John Shellcrosslee, Executive Director, Daryl Johns, and Treasurer, Joe Crivello regarding the 2007 dredging appropriation. SFLECC had received a letter from the State Budget Director in early April requesting that SFLECC examine ways to reduce or cut all or part of its drawdown of the $850,000 state appropriation granted in 2007. The funding is run through the Department of Natural Resources annual budget. Also present at the meeting, chaired by Indiana State Representative Jeffrey K. Espich (R) Dist. 82, were Indian State Senator Brandt Hershman (R) Dist. 7, DNR Administration and Management Director Robert Carter, Jr., and DNR Deputy Directors John Davis, and Ann Walker.
According to SFLECC President Shellcrosslee “the meeting went very well. The outcome was that SFLECC will continue to be able to draw on the $850,000 appropriated in 2007.” The Budget Committee recognized the outstanding contribution ($11 million in state tax revenue) that the two lakes contribute from its tourism, and the importance of SFLECC being able to continue it’s dredging activities. According to Shellcrosslee “the consequences of a reduced or eliminated appropriation would have caused us to alter our dredging activities that were started ten years ago. We would then have had to immediately begin searching for federal funding sources and/or consider in house revenue. Senator Hershman supported us and facilitated this meeting and an earlier meeting in April with the State Budget authorities.”
SFLECC manages over 100 miles of shoreline on lakes Freeman and Shafer. SFLECC started dredging in 1997 on Lake Shafer and in 2007 on Lake Freeman. At the time it was estimated that the total cost to complete dredging would be $10 million. In the ten year period 9 silt traps have been built to catch sediment in the lakes. Eight miles of Lake Shafer have been dredged. Five retention ponds have been built to hold dredged material taken from Lake Shafer. Six hundred and fifty thousand yards of silt have been removed from Lake Shafer ( the equivalent of 60,000 tri-axle dump truck loads). As a result of the January/February 2008 floods SFLECC has undertaken a new bathymetric survey to determine lake depths.
Through SFLECC efficiencies over the years the estimated $10 million final cost of initial dredging has been reduced to $8 million. The additional water depth from dredging has greatly increased water clarity on both lakes as reported by fishermen, marina operators and residents.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
John Shellcrosslee, SFLECC 574 965-2504
Daryl Johns, SFLECC 574 583-9784
Robert E. Carter, Jr, DNR 317 232-4020
Senator Brandt Hershman, 317 232-9400
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monticello, Indiana, May 22, 2008 -
CONTACT:
Lee Kreul, Publicity Chair
Shafer and Freeman Lakes Environmental Conservation Corporation (SFLECC)
7714 N. Sandy Beach, Monticello, IN 47960
SFLECC and Shafer Homeowners Group To Restock Fish In The Twin Lakes
In an effort to improve fishing on the twin lakes the Shafer and Freeman Lakes Environmental Conservation Corporation (SFLECC) Board of Directors have approved a joint endeavor with the Lake Shafer Welfare Assoc. (LSWA) to purchase and release 5,000 advanced walleyed pike fingerlings in the twin lakes. Advanced fingerlings are 4”- 6” long. SFLECC will contribute $5,000, LSWA $3,000 to the project. Permits from Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) have been received and the fish will be purchased from a hatchery in Wisconsin. They will be released in the Big Monon and other areas of the lakes in late September or early October. The fall planting will give the fingerlings a better chance to survive to maturity.
The DNR completed there annual fish survey on the Lakes last September using gill nets and shocking. According to Bob Robertson, District 1 Fisheries Biologist “... hybrid and striped bass in both Shafer and Freeman are doing well. However, walleye populations could be better.”
At the suggestion of the DNR the majority of the fish will be planted at the north end of Lake Shafer and the remainder in Lake Freeman. It is expected that, as the fish mature, many will migrate down Lake Shafer, and through the Norway dam into Lake Freeman. The advanced fingerlings will reach legal size in one to two years. Ruth Bortscheller, Secretary/Treasurer of the LSWA is coordinating the purchase for SFLECC and LSWA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Merle Peterson, SFLECC 574 583-6555
Daryl Johns, SFLECC 574 583-9784
Ruth Bortscheller, LSWA 574 583-7058
Bob Robertson, DNR 574 896-3673
