Star Lake Property Owners' Association

LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN
 STAR LAKE Dent, MN

2006-2007

I.  Introduction:

 

            Star Lake is a 4,721 acre moderately fertile lake located in north central Otter Tail County approximately four miles west of Dent, MN.  Star Lake is connected to Dead and Round Lakes via un-navigable streams.  The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots.  Extensive marsh areas are located in the south arm and the west arm of the lake.   Stands of hard-stem bulrush, wild rice, and common cattail are scattered along the shoreline of the entire lake; however, the largest stands are located in the south arm and the west arm.  The maximum depth is 96 feet; however, 59% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth.  Star lake is classified as a general development lake.  

II.  Planning Process

 Vision:  Star Lake is a remarkable gift of created beauty  and natural resource.  The Star Lake Property Owners Association and its board of Directors are dedicated to its protection and enhancement for all citizens who wish to enjoy its benefits in this generation and for generations to come.

Mission:  The Star Lake Property Owners Association and its board of directors are committed to preserving this natural resource to include but not be limited to:

                                    - its excellent water quality

                                    - its bountiful fishery

                                    - its natural wildlife haven

                                    - its orderly and proper development

            A.  SLPOA Board:   2005-2006 Officers

                                Glen Shaw- President

                                Peder Pederson, 1st Vice President

                                Don Herron, Director and Treasurer

                                Barb Eckert, Director and Secretary

                                Mary DuChaarme, Director

                                Noah Riley, Director

                                Gary Sheldon, Director

                                Mike Hagen, Director

                                Milt Lorenz, Director

            B.  Committees/Functions/Focus Areas for 2004-2005

                        Adopt a Highway:  (Barb Eckert,) spring and fall clean up of Co. #41 Right-Of-Way from St. Hwy 108 to 390th Street.
                        Coordination with County on Adopt-A-Highway program.

                        Annual Meeting and Picnic:  (Don Herron)Recommend annual meeting date, location, menu, and logistics.  Back up
                        location in case of rain.  Coordination with meal caterer.  General oversight of “Annual Meeting Checklist”.

Audit Committee: () Annually review the financial records of the Association and report results to the board of directors
         and membership (comprised of non-board members)

Communications: (Barb Eckert) Correspondence/newsletters/meeting notices to membership.  Solicitation letters to
         non-members.  Mailing list maintenance.  SLPOA web site administration.

Finance/Treasurer: (Don Herron) Development of annual budget recommendations.  Monitoring and reporting of
 revenue and expense trends.  Maintain record of current paid members (voting and associate) and coordinate with  secretary on membership mailing list.

Fisheries Management: (Milt Lorenz)Coordination with DNR on all issues relating to Star Lake fishery including stocking, public  access habitat, vegetation, regulatory enforcement, etc.  Similar coordination with other state agencies or county departments having authority over resources affecting fish and wildlife habitat. Coordinate with DNR on plans to improve public access.

Lake protection and Preservation: (Glen Shaw) Work with OTC to revise Shoreland Management Ordinance to implement Special Protection Districts and other related changes.  Establish communications and working relationships with public officials and policy makers.  Objective will be to work within the “process” to effect long term changes to protect and preserve the qualities of Star Lake. 

Membership Development: (Mike Hagen) Develop and implement strategies to attract new members (and retain existing members) to the SLPOA.

Nominating Committee: () Seek nominees  for board of director elections, place names in nomination and serve as election committee at the annual meeting. (comprised of non-board members)

Water Safety:(Peder Pederson) Marker buoy maintenance and placement under license from the OTC Sheriff’s Dept.  Primary contact with Sheriff’s department, DNR, and other authorities on other lake safety issues.

Water Quality/Testing/Lake Management Plan: (Gary Sheldon) Conduct testing, record keeping and report results as a participating lake in the Citizens Lake Monitoring program to the state PCA and in partnership with COLA water testing program.  Develop a Lake Management Plan in the MLA format.  Serve as SLPOA rep to COLA and MLA.

Lake Improvement District:  The board is studying the concept of petitioning the county for LID certification that would allow the Star Lake board to assess residents a certain mil levy that would be used for special projects that might be necessary to maintain water quality.