END OF THE DOCK

Ken Klehr, President

It is great to see the word SPRING even if it is only happening in this newsletter heading. What happened to "global warming"? I will leave global warming for another time.

The most pressing item is to let you know our Annual Meeting is on Saturday May 4th at the Dassel Rod & Gun Club. Social Hour begins at 5PM. In addition we are fortunate in having Nick Brown, DNR Invasive Species Specialist, give a report on the whole lake vegetation assessment they conducted in May and again August of 2012 on Lake Washington. For more details see the Social Committee section of this newsletter. A special thanks to John Fink for doing such a great job organizing the pork chop dinner. Hope to see you there.

The Board members have been very active this last year. Here is a list of some of the major areas that board members were involved with:

- Water quality testing

- Attended Aquatic Invasive Species Conferences

- Updated membership email address

- Published 3 Newsletters

- Member of MCAL

- Continue Cormorant effort DNR

- Membership Survey Committee

- 2012 Membership @ 217

- Lake Washington on Facebook

- Implementing a lake cleanup day

- Reduced chemical treatment costs

- Membership get together Annual Meeting May and Pot Luck August

- Grant Dollars Received:
   - Meeker County Association of Lakes (MCAL)  $3500
   - State DNR $10,500

- Developed monitoring and reporting system to determine effectiveness EWM treatments

- Grant partnership with Crow River Organization of Waters (CROW)

- Treated 70 acres for Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) with 45 acres needing to be retreated in 2013

Keep in mind that board members donate their time. So next time you see a board member take the opportunity to thank them for their efforts to preserve and protect this precious resource for our and future generations.

Tips for safe and enjoyable boating involves the way you handle your watercraft, the equipment you carry, the consideration you show for others, and most importantly, your attitude toward operating a boat. The following tips, although not all inclusive, are meant to provide you with information to make your boating experience in the area fun and without incident. Your boat should be equipped with at least the minimum suggested safety devices, including the following:

- A fire-extinguisher in good working order.
- Lifejackets in serviceable condition and available to all on board. One type IV throw able, life saving device.
- Sound producing devices. Whether in the form of a whistle, horn or siren, the equipment should be capable of a 4 second sound blast audible for a half mile.
- Navigation lights.

Stay within the manufacturer's recommended passenger capacity. Don't overload. Be certain passengers know the location of safety equipment and how to use it. Adhere to the International Nautical "Rules of the Road". From "2013 Guide"

The Board would like to thank all members who support us with their generous donations. If not a member, please join.