Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Minnesota

Co-Chair Phil Monson called the meeting to order and introduced the guest speaker Mike Gardner.

The Crossroads of Lake Superior
Mike shared his unique perspectives on the complexity of the natural and human communities of western Lakes Superior. Mike has worked for many years with non-profit organizations incorporating citizen-based information into the decision making process for this international, multi-state, significant natural resource. When the Lake Superior Alliance needed to grow to be able to assist communities around the lake, they held crossroad meetings in several areas to try to determine what worked and what didn't. They applied to the Waterkeeper Alliance to be a member organization. Waterkeeper Alliance is a grassroots organization that empowers local members to provide a voice for protecting their waterways. They encountered several problems, with fundraising being the major issue. The sheer size of Lake Superior becomes an issue. The diversity of their Board didn't lend itself to asking for money. Grants are drying up. Major donors are hard to find. They hired consultants with not as good success as they had hoped. A 16-month plan was developed, but recently their one paid staff, Bob Olsgard has had to take other employment. The Inland Seas group has one major fundraiser annually, which tends to use so much volunteer effort that they are burned out for the rest of the year. They recently got a grant to do some monitoring of coastal wetlands. Promoted program by contacting the local landowners that live on the coast. This has generated the best success for increased membership. Target the people most affected and try to get them proactive vs. reactive. Mike extended an invitation to the SLRCAC to sit down and brainstorm fundraising ideas with the financial subgroup as we are all in the same boat. He feels most people want to make a difference; we just need to find out how to tap into that ideal.

Business Meeting:
Minutes of the Jan 26, 2005 meeting were approved as distributed.

Financial Report: Ted Smith explained the Federal 990 Form that needs Board approval. It outlines revenue, expenses, assets, etc. The form was approved as presented. The financial subgroup is actively trying to address the financial situation of the organization. They are going forward with capacity building grants. One may be a challenge grant that would match the money we raise. Several members have volunteered to beat the bushes to try to raise funds.

Habitat Workgroup: They are focusing on Strategy 1: Protect Critical Remaining Natural Areas and Strategy 2: Maintain a List of Priority Restoration Projects and Sites. They are picking projects, such as the Wild Rice Reintroduction and the Wing Dam Modification for better spawning habitat for sturgeons. Many partners; Minnesota, Wisconsin, Tribes, MN Power; are working together with the SLRCAC acting as facilitator.

Stewardship Workgroup: The annual cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, May 21. It will be from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Volunteers should meet at 40th Avenue West near Erie Pier below Highway 2. Wear old clothes and boots or heavy shoes and bring gloves. Refreshments will be provided. A meeting is scheduled for next week.

Director's Report:
Our ten-year anniversary: Will be coming up on 3/19/06. We will be planning an evening event and still need ideas. Some things under consideration are:
• Silent auction
• Invitation to local dignitaries
• Developing a timeline with accomplishments
• Highlighting accomplishments
• 64 Board members over the years
• Donation jug - Lynelle had a jug which will be at all meetings from now until then for donations

Capacity Building Grants: We need to make our organizations stability a priority. We will be addressing long term stability, developing an organizational assessment and resource development plan, increasing staff capacity, and assessing public/private collaborations.

Habitat plan presentations: Four more are lined up. Dwight Morrison did all of the legwork in setting up the presentations. Grant is ending in June.

Radio Spots: Lynelle played the audio of the radio campaign, which will be aired on KDAL and KQDS. Tim and Diane Soden-Groves were instrumental in its development.

Contaminated Sediments: The habitat committee requested we try to resurrect the contaminated sediments group. Strategy 3 of the Habitat Plan refers to the remediation of contaminated sediments. Hopefully the states will be able gearing up with more contaminated sediment work also.

Collaborative Cleanups- Revitalizing Americas Cities: A national conference that's being held on June 20-24 in Keystone, Colorado. They will provide one travel scholarship and Lynelle is unable to go. Contact her if you are interested.

WI Coastal Grant: We heard the grant for Judy Crane to continue the GIS work will most likely be approved, but not official yet.

Hog Island Cleanup: The WDNR has applied for Great Lakes Legacy money to clean up the inlet. Paperwork is not yet signed but it looks favorable. The City will determine the economic impact the cleanup has on the City. The engineering firm has committed to using local firms whenever possible.

Great Lakes Regional Collaboration: The task force will be meeting in Traverse City, Michigan in April to circulate draft documents. A July meeting is planned for the western Lake Superior area. There is strong Lake Superior representation on the issues teams, which is good since we need to emphasize protection as well as restoration.

Next meeting: May 25th will be our next meeting. We will be showing "A String of Pearls II" a 45-minute video highlighting estuaries from Chequamegon Bay to the St. Louis. Lynelle is an on-screen personality in the video. We are hoping to get a room at UW-Superior for the showing. Everyone is encouraged to bring friends.

Mercury TMDL: MPCA will be coming to Duluth on April 25. Public is invited from 2-4 and 6-8 for comments. Everyone is encouraged to attend and voice any concerns they may have. The TMDL Partnership was trying for a Lake Superior watershed TMDL and MPCA is planning a northern MN TMDL and tried to take over. The TMDL partnership will have a presence at the meeting and they don't plan to go away.

Diane Thompson, secretary

Watershed Festival
Mindy Granley of the South St. Louis Soil and Water Conservation District talked about the Watershed Festival being planned for June 4th by members of the Regional Stormwater Protection Team. It will be held in the K-Mart parking lot, have watershed friendly vendors, workshops, etc. Suggestions and assistance is welcomed. For information contact Mindy at 723-4867, mgranley@southstlouisswcd.org, Betsy Larson, Western Lake Superior Sanitary District, at 740-4786, Betsy.Larson@WLSSD.Duluth.MN.US or Lynelle.