History
A CHRONICLE OF CEDAR LAKE CONSERVANCY
1993
A self-appointed steering committee, consisting of Don Blount, Don Hicks, Mike Hill, Jim Larson, Don Matteson, Pat Ritter and Jim Spaeth, decided to form a lake association to collectively address issues such as property regulation, fish stocking, hazard marking, Eurasian milfoil and any other concerns Cedar Lake property owners had.
The first annual meeting of the Cedar Lake Owners’ Association was held on August 21, at the Aitkin VFW Club. Officers and directors were: Jim Larson, President, Marlette Pittmann, Vice President, Jim Spaeth, Treasurer, Don Blount, Janis Broughton, Steve Haasl, Dan Hruza and Mike Menth. According to the meeting minutes, topics of discussion included treasurer’s report (dues were $20), bylaw language, home/cabin security, lake rules and information on the use of outboard motors and jet skis. The treasurer’s report showed 185 paid memberships. Lake level information was presented by an area DNR hydrologist; discussion of the BN railroad bridge and beaver dams ensued. Suggestions on the direction of the organization were solicited.
1994
A newsletter sent to the dues-paying membership (no information available on how many this included), stated “The lake association is your chance to find out more about our lake, the factors that impact it and get to know other Cedar Lake owners. Your association needs your talent and ideas for our growth and the preservation of Cedar Lake. If you can’t volunteer your time, at least join our association. A large membership base will provide us with a loud voice pertaining to matters involving our mutual benefits of lakeshore ownership. To help fill our immediate needs please contact one of the board members or note your area of interest on the enclosed membership form.”
The mission in 1994 is still the same today.
1995
At the annual meeting on June 10, the Cedar Lake Owners’ Association By-Laws were adopted. Later that year ideas and designs for an association logo were requested from the membership. Elinor Eberhardt maintained the property owners’ database. Postage on the newsletters was 32 cents at the time.
1996
Elinor Eberhardt and Sandy Larson took on the newsletters.
1997
Jim Larson, Membership Chair, reported there were 159 paid members.
1998
The new logo debuted (created by Larry McKenzie), which is still used today but with the updated name.
1999
Andria Klucas replaced Elinor Eberhardt as editor of the newsletter. There were 30 lake stewards searching for Eurasian milfoil and purple loosestrife.
2000
Gerry Delaney, President, reported in a newsletter that the main areas of activity for the Board related to the water clarity, environmentally friendly shore land management and the efforts to obtain tax-exempt status (501c[3]). Under the IRS rules at the time, the “owners’ association” part of the organization’s name implied that a primary purpose of the organization was to protect or enhance the investments of Cedar Lake property owners. IRS regulations do not consider that a legitimate basis for tax-exempt status. Conservational and educational objectives are more consistent with tax-exempt status. The Board of Directors selected the name Cedar Lake Conservancy and worked on drafting new bylaws to reflect the change of focus.
Also, during this year a special edition of the newsletter was sent to members. There were significant concerns about the water quality. Tom Eberhardt, Water Quality Chair, reported a 2’ – 3’ loss in water clarity over the last five years. He stated reduced water clarity is typically caused by an increase in algae, which is caused by increased fertility of the water usually meaning more phosphorous in the water. The Board approved an initial water sampling and phosphorous testing plan that cost about $1,000.
2001
The hunt was on for women directors. The organization’s name was officially changed to Cedar Lake Conservancy. Water clarity continued to slip. President, Gerry Delaney, stressed the need to communicate with all property owners in the Cedar Lake Watershed so they would know how their activities may affect Cedar Lake. Jim Spaeth, Sunset Bay Resort owner, started the first lakeshore restoration project. The purpose of the project was to reduce the erosion going into the lake from a hill to the east of the resort cabins.
2002
John Menge was welcomed as President, a Cedar Lake Conservancy website was developed and Kari Dragovich joined the Board. Les Martin took over as Water Quality Chair. Water clarity was still a concerning issue. During this year there were 158 paid members.
2003
The Board of Directors received the most comprehensive report ever done on Cedar’s water quality, lake levels and fisheries complied by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The study confirmed Little Cedar showed more signs of stress than the rest of the lake. Causes of the problematical status of Little Cedar were quite clear. The two major streams coming into Cedar Lake both enter Little Cedar first. Both these streams carried at least triple the nutrient levels of the lake itself. The exit stream for Cedar is at the north end of the lake. All the water leaving Little Cedar passed through the main body of the lake thereby making potential problems in Little Cedar every property owner’s problem. There were 182 paid members, the highest to date since inception.
2004
President, John Menge, and Water Quality Chair, Les Martin continued to reiterate the poor water clarity and asked property owners to do their part in updating septic systems and shoreline erosion. Curlyleaf pondweed was discovered in the lake by the DNR. Membership declined to 136. Postage for mailings was 37 cents.
2005
At the June annual meeting the membership voted to develop a lake management plan spear headed by President, Les Martin. The plan would determine property owners’ priorities now and in the future. Steady rains in June led to continued poor water clarity.
2006
Managing your shoreline was the focus this year. Property owners had the opportunity to learn about buffer zones, preventing shoreline erosion and revegetating with wetland plants at the annual meeting. In addition, results of the lake management plan were discussed. Lake level was not one of the top issues based on survey results. The Conservancy was given a section of County Road 28 (Pioneer Avenue) for liter pickup in the spring and fall. A sign on the road displays the clean up dates. Postage for mailings was 39 cents.
2007
Water quality checks were to start in Cedar Brook and Casey Brook, as it was suspected they were culprits in the degradation in Little Cedar. Due to an extremely dry year, this was put on hold. How to implement a water garden to enhance property beauty and reduce shoreline erosion and improve water quality was the highlight of the annual meeting. The Aitkin Area Fisheries survey showed a better than average size and population of walleye and northern. Pan fish were average, tulibee/perch below average and muskies were doing well. There were 134 paid members.
2008
Rick Bruesewitz from Aitkin Area Fisheries was the featured speaker at the annual meeting. There were 67 paid members.
2009
There were 137 paid members. No other information available.
2010
Water clarity numbers were some of the best according to Water Quality Chair, Les Martin. Discussed at great length at the annual meeting were zebra mussels, which started to invade Mille Lacs Lake. Efforts were being taken to voluntarily monitor the public access for incoming boats that may have these “hitchhikers” in bilges, live wells and bait buckets. There were 98 paid members. Postage for mailings was 44 cents.
2011
Zebra mussels, Eurasian milfoil and other invasive species were the hot topic at the annual meeting. The DNR netted 19 muskies during a ten-day period, one more than any previous year. The Conservancy lost three valued members: Tom and Elinor Eberhardt and Phil Rzeszutek. Tom and Phil were past presidents of the Board. Paid membership for the year was 97.
2012
Paid membership declined to 26. No other information available.
2013
Cedar’s clarity climbed according to Les Martin, Water Quality Chair. Phosphate levels ran about half what they were six years ago. Shoreline buffers and water gardens immensely helped. No Eurasian milfoil or zebra mussels had been discovered. Channel catfish were found in the Mississippi and the DNR alerted property owners that they could find their way into Cedar. After reorganization of the Board, the resurrection of the newsletter (now called The Cedar Log) and the creation of a FaceBook page by Board Director, Dar Heino, the paid membership was on the upswing at 112.
2014
The Conservancy was successful in obtaining its first watercraft inspection grant for the season. Trained inspectors were at the public landing doing scrutinizing all boats for any invasive, aquatic species. Water quality was not the best due to runoff from the rains. The Conservancy hosted its first annual food drive for the Aitkin Food Shelf. There were 137 paid members.
2015
Annual dues increased to $25. This was the first increase since the inception of the organization in 1993. The Conservancy started accepting donations to specifically help fund public access inspections. In addition, efforts continued to be made for social activities. At the annual meeting, the Board requested feedback on muskies in the lake. Many property owners noted some intense algae blooms. If seen again in 2016, samples will be taken to see if nutrient levels have changed according to Water Quality Chair, Les Martin. A safety deposit box was opened at Bremer Bank in Aitkin to house the organization’s official papers. Steve Haasl and Debbie Campbell have keys. The Board decided to restore the website. Michael Klinepier, son of Board Director, Kelly Klinepier, volunteered to build the site hosted by Minnesotawaters.org. The site would go live by the 2016 annual meeting. There were 142 paid members. Postage for mailings was 49 cents.
2016
Don Blount, a founding member and past President, passed away. Postage for mailings dropped to 47 cents. Merchandise with the CLC’s logo was available through an online store at Shirt Plus of Aitkin. The store was open for two weeks in June and November. Torrential rains plummeted the area in July and brought floodwaters to the lake. The lake level was up for some time and No Wake restrictions were implemented by the Aitkin County Board of Commissioners. The year ended with 120 paid members.
2017
With various aquatic invasive species hitting the surrounding area lakes, the Board stepped up its campaign for AIS donations and passed a resolution on July 8 that any donation designated for aquatic invasive species will be accounted for separately in the financial statements and used only for eradication. Aquatic invasive species education/prevention expenses will come out of the CLC’s general fund. Preventing AIS was the focus of the organization, as nearby lakes surrounding Cedar became infested. The year ended with 180 paid members.
2018
Founding Board member, Jim Spaeth, passed away. Once again the focus was on AIS. An anonymous donor offered to match AIS donations from other members for the year up to $10,000. The membership rose to the occasion and raised $10,000 which was in fact matched. The year ended with 186 members.
2019
Cedar Lake stewards continue to be diligent about checking for various AIS, and the lake remains AIS free. Again, an anonymous donor offered to match AIS donations from other members for the year up to $10,000. The membership raised $7,045, which was matched for a total of $14,090. Lake levels were good. The year ended with 192 members.
2020
After a process that began in 2017, Northern Waters Land Trust (NWLT) closed December 30, 2020 on the purchase of the 46-acre Tuthill Trust parcel north of Cedar’s public landing. NWLT then transferred this parcel to the Minnesota DNR. Over 1600’ of shoreline was preserved forever in its current undeveloped state as an aquatic management unit. The 46 acres of land in back of the shoreline became part of the Cedar Lake Wildlife Management Area that was 54 acres from the public landing to the south. It now totals 100 acres. The two-year long effort to make this happen was led by Kathy DonCarlos from NWLT and CLC Board member, Bob Karls. This prime parcel was a perfect fit for the CLC’smission to protect and preserve its shorelines and watersheds in sensitive areas that impact Cedar Lake and selected lakes in its area.
Cedar Lake stewards remained vigilant in their search for various AIS, and the lake remains AIS free. Lake levels were about normal. The year ended with 201 paid members.
2021
An eventful year started with the creation of a new website that included the ability to pay dues and make donations online. In July a zebra mussel was discovered on the sandbar on the north end of the lake between the peninsula and small island. Consequent searches done by the DNR, Blue Water Science and CLC volunteers yielded the discovery of more zebra mussels with varying age ranges indicating they had been present and reproducing for at least two years. The discovery of zebra mussels stretching across multiple locations in the lake meant that eradication was not possible. Due to Covid-19 in 2020 the CLC did not host its annual June meeting. Protocols loosened and the meeting was held in September of this year. Founding Board members, Mike Hill and Jim Larson (also past President) passed away. The year ended with 234 paid members.
2022
The CLC enrolled in the MN DNR’s Loon Friendly Lake Registry, created a Loon Management Plan and urged all property owners to protect and maintain our habitat to support our loons. In the same vein the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s program, Get the Lead Out, was introduced and promoted by the CLC. CLC asked everyone to trade in their lead tackle for lead-free and hosted an exchange at its June annual meeting and August annual picnic (both events were well attended). Aitkin Area Fisheries confirmed small mouth bass are present in the lake and reproducing. The Conservation Committee continued to monitor the presence of zebra mussels through veliger testing, sampler plates hung under docks around the lake and property owners checking their waterfront equipment/shoreline. It was determined reproduction is very slow. Lake levels were good in the spring/early summer but receded as the season progressed; water clarity was average. The year ended with 229 paid memberships.
2023
The CLC celebrated its 30th anniversary as an organization. Snapshots of its history were printed in the year’s newsletters.
While zebra mussels continued to be found, reproduction still appears to be slow. Curly-leaf pondweed was discovered in the summer with treatment planned for spring, 2024. The June annual meeting and August annual picnic were well attended. Smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed the skies on many occasions. A summer of drought brought some of the best water quality readings ever. The drought continued into the fall and early winter and temps remained mild with no snow at year’s end. The year ended with 219 paid memberships.