WATERSH
EA E
Preserving Land to Protect Water
WHAT MAKES MINNESOTAS UP NORTH UNIQUE AND SPECIAL?
For many people, up north in Minnesota means
special vacations with family and friends and last-
ing memories of time at the cabin fishing, swim-
ming, exploring, and hiking. Clean and abun-
dant water in lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands
defines Minnesotas northern regions and is the
backdrop for our memories, heritage, and vision
for our beloved up north.
A defining feature of northern Minnesota
is the Mississippi River which emerges from
Lake Itasca at Itasca State Park. The Mississippi
River headwaters then course through eight
counties in northern Minnesota as it winds its
way through the Twin Cities and then on to the
Gulf of Mexico. The Leech Lake Area Water-
shed Foundation focuses it water protection
efforts in four of those counties.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
(MPCA) studied pollutant levels and aquatic
life of the upper Mississippi River from its ori-
gin at Lake Itasca to St. Anthony Falls in Min-
neapolis and published its report in early 2017.
MPCA found that the upper Mississippi
is in excellent condition due mostly to the
current landscape of the region that drains
water toward the Mississippi. These north-
ern watersheds include lakes, wetlands, and
forested areas in the surrounding lands. North
of St. Cloud, water quality is great in the upper
Mississippi almost pristine near the head-
waters and the aquatic life is healthy. The
status changes farther south where the land
Hackensack, MN 56452
PO Box 455,
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starts to change to crops and cities. Tributaries like
the Crow River, flowing through heavily farmed
areas, bring pollutants like sediment, nutrients and
bacteria into the Mississippi. By the time this
iconic river reaches the Twin Cities, the water no
longer meets river life and recreation standards
the cumulative impact of pollutants having taken
their toll.
However, taking the high quality waters of the
Mississippi headwaters for granted may result
in the degradation of these headwaters with
significant consequence. If the headwaters are not
protected, this exceptional resource faces threats
from increasing nutrient and sediment levels.
Minnesotans need to remain vigilant and contin-
ue to protect wetlands and lakes that store water
and act as filters before water enters the Missis-
sippi River. We also need to proceed with caution
on the development of forested land. Much of
the forested land is in private hands. If a signifi-
cant portion of this land is cleared and developed
for agriculture, the Mississippi could suffer an
increase in flow levels and pollution.
Protecting the Mississippi headwaters bene-
fits not only local communities but also those
who live beyond the source waters. 1.2 million
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Summer 2017 Newsletter
Minnesotans rely on this river for their drinking
water. Minnesotans and out-of-state visitors fish,
boat, hunt, camp, bike, and hike in and around
the river as it follows its 510 mile path from the
headwaters in Itasca State Park to downtown
Minneapolis. Local economies benefit from
and have developed with these wide-ranging
recreational activities.
Minnesotas northern communities have
a long heritage of pristine and healthy
waters and woods which weaves into their
identities and values. The headwaters of the
Mississippi River, Americas river, are at the
top of the watershed and we are all responsi-
ble for keeping it healthy.
We cannot take for granted the current
health of the headwaters - the existing
water quality and quantity can change.
Between 2008 and 2013, more than 260,000
acres of forest, wetland and grassland were
converted to agriculture in the Mississippi
River Headwaters area, according to the Na-
ture Conservancy. The conversion of land does
affect water quality, quantity and hydrology.
A changing climate, local land use decisions,
and the long-term effects of benign neglect
lead to expensive and irreversible conse-
quences.
What can you do to protect up north and
the Mississippi River headwaters?
Learn more about these unique waters in
the Mississippi River headwaters with
your family, friends, and neighbors.
Express your desire to protect these
resources to your local and state elected
officials.
Become a steward of where you live and
your favorite places - think long-term.
When considering your individual, family,
and community behaviors and choices,
what is the best decision for future
generations?
Find out more about the Mississippi River report at:
https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/
wq-iw8-08ab.pdf
Learn more about the status and threats to
Minnesotas major river (Star Tribune special
report, Josephine Marcotty, October 2, 2016):
http://w w w.star tr ibune.com/might y-mis-
sissippi-river-faces-mounting-environmen-
tal-threats/393294611/
Find your state legislator at: http://www.gis.leg.
mn/iMaps/districts/
UNDERSTANDING NORTHERN LAKES LOCAL RESIDENT,
TEACHER, AND SCIENTIST SHARES A LOVE OF LAKES
The following are several excerpts from Beneath
the Surface; A Natural History of a Fishermans
Lake by Bruce M. Carlson (Minnesota Historical
Society, 2007). This book is explains the inner
workings of northern lake and how the physical
characteristics of a lake affects life within the lake.
Let us know if you are interested in being part of
a discussion group this summer that would meet
in the new Walker office to discuss this excellent
book (call 218-547-4510). Excerpts are from pages
3, 9, and 229 230.
Time spent on a north country lake is something
special. Hearing the haunting call of a loon, catch-
ing a big fish, or just watching a thunderstorm de-
velop across the distant horizon leaves an impres-
sion like few other experiences. The experience
can vary greatly, however, from person to person,
and to a large extent what you take away from
a lake depends on your understanding of how it
functions..
Like a living being, a lake is born, matures, and
eventually dies. And like most animals and
plants, a lake hosts a wide variety of life-forms.
A lake can also get sick from pollution or other
causes, and it can often recover, even from serious
insults. Just as a knowledge of anatomy, physiolo-
gy, and pathology gives us a good understanding
of the human body, real knowledge of a lake re-
quires knowing something about its structure, its
physical and biological rhythms, and its reactions
to disturbing influences.
.Many of us have witnessed firsthand how the
quality of the water, the fishing, and the surround-
ing shoreline of some popular lakes has deterio-
rated within our lifetime. Yet other similar lakes
have more successfully maintained their quality.
PROJECT STOVE SWAP
Excerpted from a Pilot Independent article by Gail DeBoer
in Spring Home Improvement 4/12/17
If your woodburning stove was manufactured be-
fore 1992, now is a great time to upgrade to a new-
er, less-polluting, energy-efficient unit through
Project Stove Swap. Project Stove Swap is a vol-
untary program of the Environmental Initiative,
in partnership with Minnesota Power. It provides
financial incentives to eligible participants, based
on income, to replace older heating appliances
with new ones.
In recent years, technological advances have made
new woodburning appliances much more effi-
cient, producing the same amount of heat or even
more, while burning up to 50 percent less wood
and producing up to 70 percent less smoke. That
not only saves homeowners and businesses time
and money, but it helps everyone breathe better.
Environmental Initiatives Project Stove Swap op-
erates in 17 northeastern Minnesota counties, in-
cluding Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Beltrami and
Itasca. In Cass County, Wilkening Fireplace, 9608
Hwy. 371, Walker, is a Project Stove Swap vendor.
Owner Gary Wilkening says that Project Stove
2 Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation
Although
some of these differences
are due to locally uncontrollable factors, the ac-
tions or negligence of immediate users of the lakes
are also significant. Ignorance or disregard of lake
dynamics is one of the surest recipes for hastening
deterioration, whereas an enlightened approach
based upon knowledge has proven to be the basis
for not only maintaining but also improving the
quality of a lake and slowing the inevitable cycle
of eutrophication (i.e., a stage in the evolution of
a lake where the lake bottom fills with silt and or-
ganic debris).
Swap has been greeted very positively. He has al-
ready replaced half a dozen old stoves with new
energy-efficient units. People are finding out
about the program; its a pleasant surprise!
Project Stove Swap is working with Minnesota
heating vendors and installers like Wilkening, pro-
viding financial incentives that range from $325
to as much as $10,000 (for an outdoor boiler), de-
pending on the applicants current heating unit
and income level. The incentives will be available
at least through the end of 2017, or as long as
funding lasts.
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency, 75% of air pollution in the state today
comes from smaller local sources such as small
businesses, poorly-running cars, garbage burn-
ing and residential wood burning stoves. Replac-
ing one stove can reduce pollution equivalent to
taking 700 cars off the road a year. Thats really a
big dent that one person or one household or one
business can make! declares Mike Harley, execu-
tive director of Environmental Initiative.
The critical element for the future of lakes is peo-
ple. And it starts with the individual. Each of
us who appreciates what lakes have to offer our
collective well-being must translate this appre-
ciation into action. The actions can be purely
personal, like checking your boat for Eurasian
milfoil before putting it into a new lake or ensur-
ing that your septic system is up-to-date and is
functioning properly. And they can be collective.
There is no better way to begin than to form or
become active in a local lake association. A good
association can be an important force in main-
taining community standards and in initiating
community action on matters that directly affect
your own lake. One of the most effective ways of
maintaining lake quality is for lake associations to
work together with local units of government to
ensure that the best lake management practices
are applied and adhered to in both the lake and
its watershed.
Then there are issues beyond the capacity of sin-
gle lake associations to handle. Associations of
lake associations are now forming in a number
of states. These can be wonderful forums for ed-
ucation that attract top speakers for general ed-
ucation and for sharing experiences. For those
issues that can be dealt with only at the political
level, cabin owners and lake associations can also
become one of the many competing special inter-
est groups able to express its particular viewpoint
about a given issue. These large groups can exert
powerful political pressure when their political in-
fluence is used effectively. Never to be forgotten is
the power of a single individual, however, to raise
consciousness and effect change. With these ele-
ments in place, our north country lakes will be left
in good hands so that they can work their magic
upon future generations.
To see if you qualify for Project Stove Swap, stop
by Wilkening Fireplace north of Walker on Hwy.
371. For more information on Project Stove Swap,
go to http://environmental-initiative.org click
on our work and then under the heading Clean
Air, click on Project Stove Swap.
Minnesotas Lakefront
Equipment Headquarters
ShoreStation Hoist & Dock
Complete Barge Service
218.675.5175
Hwy 371, Hackensack
FUTURE PROTECTION APPROACH
FRESHWATER CONSERVATION AREAS
Peter Sorensen, PhD, University of Minnesota
Future Protection Approach
Freshwater Conservation Areas (abridged)
Peter Sorensen, PhD, University of Minnesota
A lake is a beautiful and valuable thing. But how
can we both live around and recreate on lakes
in a way that preserves them and keeps them as
healthy and resilient for future generations?
Peter Sorensen is a Professor at the University of
Minnesota in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife
and Conservation Biology and founded the Min-
nesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center
in 2012 after working in the Great Lakes where he
developed new ways to control sea lamprey. He
now leads work on Asian carp where the essential
value of prevention and conservation has become
increasingly obvious to him. Peter is planning to
spend a sabbatical year to learn more about how
we can conserve lakes and rivers, and
their fishes from becoming unsta-
ble and less healthy. He addressed
a group of local lake enthusiasts in
Hackensack in March about his plans
and some key thoughts on what he
sees as the way forward. They are
summarized in this report.
So what are the threats challeng-
ing freshwater lakes and rivers?
Are there alternative options for
conserving these dynamic and
amazing but threatened resources
in northern Minnesota?
One way to think of lakes is to imag-
ine them stages and the life in
them as plays, and improvisational ones at that
with many actors and no predetermined script.
All lakes include complex and dynamic networks
of relationships between many actors which
include microbes, invertebrate decomposers,
plants, fish, wildlife consumers as well as humans.
The stage includes both the lake and its water-
shed, the area that drains into the lake. The in-
ter-connected relationships and balance between
these actors depends on at least half-a-dozen
physical and biological factors. If any one of these
critical factors is out of balance (and often many
are), the relationships change and the system can
shift to an alternative state, from which it is very
difficult to return. The problem is both facilitated
and exasperated by invasive species. It is typically
extremely difficult (if not impossible) and costly to
nudge a system back to its original state from a
leechlakewatershed.org
new alternative balance point. Success is rare and
never guaranteed. It is far better to value and pro-
tect what we have.
With the many threats for healthy lakes, what
are the approaches for helping a lake remain
healthy and resilient?
The conventional approach has been to apply
technologies and specific policies and regulations
that target specific factors (e.g., adding alum to re-
move phosphorous; washing boats to remove AIS;
habitat restoration), focusing on one or the oth-
er, but rarely groups of them and never the en-
tirety or the entire script. Progress has generally
been extremely slow, frustrating, and expensive
because each of these individual approaches re-
quires new challenging science and fail to address
the root cause.
Another approach has been actively pursued
since the early 1960s in oceanic waters and to en-
tirely protect parts of systems to save the whole.
Marine protected areas (MPA) are any area of ter-
rain, together with its overlying water.which
has been protected in some way to benefit part
or all of the enclosed environment (paraphrased
from the International Union for Conservation of
Nature, 1962). Most MPAs are small but protect
key portions of ecosystems to benefit the whole.
More than 13,000 MPAs now protect over 2% of
the worlds oceans with many of these considered
partially-to-highly successful. The ultimate goal
of many countries and United Nations is to offer
some level of protection to 20% of all oceans.
What are the benefits of Marine Protected
Areas?
MPAs protect entire ecosystems helping them to
be more resilient and fish populations to reach
their true growth and reproductive potential. Of-
ten only small ones need to be conserved to pro-
tect entire ecosystems and their fisheries but this
is location-specific and much has to be learned.
Most MPAs are run by consortia representing di-
verse natural resource, fisheries, social, economic,
and environmental interests and are now seen by
most as the best hope to save the worlds oceans.
How would aquatic conservation areas work in
Minnesota?
Dr. Sorensen suggests that one approach in Min-
nesota might include two types of FCAs - freshwa-
ter preserves and freshwater stewardship areas.
Freshwater preserves would protect those few
special ecosystems as well as their species that we
simply cannot afford to lose. There likely would
be very few of these (maybe a dozen). Preserves
could target entire lakes and surrounding lands in
the watershed.
Freshwater stewardship areas would
have the goal of sustainably produc-
ing harvestable fish while also con-
serving other key species, habitats
and parts of larger ecosystems for
future generations. A goal might be
to target a specific key portions (ex.
20% of lake) of a few lakes (ex. 2.5%).
The State of Florida and Canada have
several protected areas which seem
to be working well.
A great place to start in Minnesota
may be to consider aquatic features
in the 160 Scientific and Natural Ar-
eas, heritage lakes (e.g., Annie Battle
Lake), and lakes in national park and
state parks. The tullibee refuge system in Leech
Lake watershed would also be an excellent place
to consider.
How do we prepare for a robust discussion on
the concept of aquatic protection areas in Min-
nesota?
If there is support for establishing FCAs in Minne-
sota, we will ultimately need to learn much more
about optimal sizes, the types of habitats and spe-
cies that may respond best, which combinations
of lake factors are most important, and the types
of fishing that are compatible with a different
types of protected areas. A full roll-out might take
a few years but there is no reason to wait new
tools are needed to save our heritage, the stakes
are high, and we must learn by doing.
Looking forward.
No single large institution or science or govern-
ment regulation can solve this problem; however,
diverse consortia and local collaborations have
been successful in protecting marine areas. Min-
nesotans can do this together on local levels.
3
PROTECTING CLEAN WATER BY THE NUMBERS
By Lindsey Ketchel, LLAWF Executive Director
The Clean Water Critical Habitat Program was launched in 2014 with fund-
ing provided by the Outdoor Heritage Fund. The Foundation is also working
on a Reinvest in Minnesota Easement Program with the Minnesota Board of
Soil and Water Resources and the Cass and Crow Wing Soil and Water Con-
servation Districts with funding from the Legislative Citizens Commission
on Natural Resources. Both of these programs assist conservation-minded
landowners to place conservation easements on lakeshore and forested
parcels in the watersheds of selected high priority lakes that are considered
some of the best in the region.
A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement landowners place on
their land that limits future development in perpetuity. Landowners still
own the land and use it as they desire within the parameters of the ease-
ment. The conservation easement runs with the land meaning that even if
the land is inherited or sold, development restrictions remain in place. This
ensures that future owners will also keep the property in the natural state
that you appreciate and enjoy and leaves a legacy for everyone.
The chart represents land protection projects associated with our Clean
Water Critical Habitat program. Working with landowners to place a con-
servation easement on their property can take 18 months we are delight-
ed to see these results. In 2017, we anticipate protecting 1,321 acres and
31,695 feet of shoreline on some of the most important recreational lakes
in North Central Minnesota.
RAY GILDOW OUTDOOR NEWS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Excerpted from Outdoor News, 3/24/17
On Friday, March 10, at the Outdoors News Classic, Editor Tim Spielman pre-
sented the publications Person of the Year award to Ray Gildow (LLAWF Board
Member). Ray has contributed to Minnesotas outdoor scene on many fronts
as fishing guide, conservationist, educator, communicator, and volunteer.
A native of Pine Rver, Minn., Ray kid-fished on the banks of the Pine Rover and
also on Leech Lake. From 1995 to 2004, he was a vice-president who helped
oversee the merger of the old Brainerd Community College and the Brain-
erd Staples Technical College into the present Central Lakes College system.
Ray Gildows book, Legends and Legacies: A History of the Nisswa Guides
League is a significant contribution to preserving Minnesotas fishing history.
Steve Pennaz, outdoor writer, angling pro, and national Freshwater Fishing
Hall of Fame observes, Ray Gildow has outstanding credentials as an author,
guide, teacher, pro angler, and television host. His decades-long outdoors
career includes volunteering for worthy causes, like the leech Lake Area Wa-
tershed Foundation and, several years ago, the lets Go Fishing program in
the Brainerd area.He highly values protecting our waters and wild areas so
future generations can enjoy the outdoors like we do today.
Ray has been on the Leech Lake Area watershed Board since 2014. One of our
big efforts is to work with DNR, other agencies, and landowners to preserve
cisco (tullibee) lakes, northward from Roosevelt Lake near Emily. Obvious-
Michael T. Pederson, DDS
Steven E. Bilben, DDS
PedersonFamilyDental.com
Phone: 218.547.1851 Fax: 218.547.2261
108 Michigan Ave W PO Box 1389 Walker, MN 56484
4 Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation
Clean Water Critical Habitat Program - Projects Closed
Lake Name County Acres Feet Shoreline Protection Category
Roosevelt Crow Wing 103 5.000 Fee Title - MNDNR AMA
Little Whitefish Crow Wing 216 9,600 Conservation Easement
Leech Cass 54 5,825 Conservation Easement
Washburn Cass 160 1,340 Conservation Easement
Clean Water Critical Habitat Program - Projects Pending
Lake Name County Acres Feet Shoreline Protection Category
Borden Cass 120 5.000 Conservation Easement
Ten Mile Cass 55 1,000 Conservation Easement
Ten Mile Cass 123 Forest for the Future Easement
Kabekona Hubbard 15 750 Fee Title - MNDNR AMA
Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM) Program
Lake Name County Acres Feet Shoreline Protection Category
Ossawinnamakee Crow Wing 56 1,000 Conservation Easement
Ossawinnamakee Crow Wing 23 750 Conservation Easement
Ossawinnamakee Crow Wing 20 Conservation Easement
Roosevelt Crow Wing 43 1,200 Conservation Easement
Ten Mile Cass 4 230 Conservation Easement
Ten Mile Cass 55 Conservation Easement
Thunder Cass 159 Conservation Easement
Ten Mile Cass 35 Conservation Easement
Roosevelt Crow Wing 80 Conservation Easement
TOTAL 1,321 31,695
ly, landowners and develop-
ment patterns play huge roles
in maintaining shorelands
and shorelines. We want wise
use of habitat surrounding
our fishing waters. That ben-
efits ciscoes, muskies, other
fish species, plus future gen-
erations of anglers and other
lake and stream users. So Im
very concerned and involved
in preserving fish-friendly
shorelines at Leech Lake and
elsewhere. Ive been actively
involved in environmental is-
sues most of my adult life.
Congratulations, Ray! We are
fortunate to benefit from
your passion for our northern
woods and water.
PRESERVING LAND TO PROTECT WATER IN A NEW LOCATION
Maggie McGill, LLAWF Chairperson
Ah, Paradise revisited! I
literally count the days
until I can load the car
and head north - not even
daunted by the always
present road construc-
tion or the traffic con-
gestion on I-494 around
the Twin Cities! North of
St. Cloud the sightings of
white birch remind me
that Im almost home! Central portion of the state is judged to have
The mission of the Leech Lake Area Watershed
Foundation has always been to preserve and pro-
tect this beautiful slice of Paradise that I visit ev-
ery year. Our mission goes beyond protection for
only you and me, but for generations to come. We
know that by preserving land we protect waters
and wildlife habitat forever.
The Minnesota DNR estimates the Degrees of
Stress in Minnesota lakes. They found that the
Southern and South Central portion of the states
lakes are under major stress - mostly cannot be
restored or restoration unrealistic. Nearly 60% of
our state! No swimming. No fishing. Our North
moving to the big town and look forward to see-
Good quality lakes that can be protected.
While the state of Minnesota owns our lakes, we
the people who live on and around them are the
stewards. We have the opportunity and respon-
sibility to continue our good quality status the
DNR has given us.
The Watershed Foundation is proud to work with
conservation minded property owners who want
to protect sensitive lakeshore, wetlands and up-
land forests. Wed love to tell you our stories about
what weve been doing for the past twenty years.
Wed love to have you visit us at our new home on
main street in Walker. Yes, after twenty years were
ing many of our friends and supporters at our new
location.

RENEWED VISION IN A NEW LOCATION

Mary Ackerman and Maggie McGill
You can sense the energy at the Leech Lake Area
Watershed Foundation when you walk in the door.
We have much to share with you! Our Board of
Directors and Executive Director, Lindsey Ketchel,
are pleased to announce that our 2017-2020 Stra-
tegic Plan is now in place. The planning process
gave us time to examine and celebrate our strong
history of trusted land conservation work. It also
allowed us to dream of the future we want for the
environment that we hope to preserve for future
generations.
Our conservation focus is unchanged. It is: to pro-
tect the water, woods, and wildlife of our service
area through land conservation and promotion
of sustainable natural resource management for
public benefit.
Here are our five key goals and strategies for
our future:
Increase our protection of high quality land
and water resources that provide important
ecological functions and community resiliency.
We will do this through acquiring more high
priority land easements and fee title projects.
Promote and influence land-use decisions,
regulatory actions, and legislative strategies
that ensure protection and preservation of
our natural resources. We will do this through
partnerships and collaborative efforts with to offer educational events.
conservation and preservation organizations
and agencies.
Build organizational capacity with a strong
financial base to achieve effective conservation
goals and sustain a robust organization. We will
do this by increasing our membership base and
organizational development plan.
Promote public awareness and education to
mobilize individuals, organizations key officials
and citizens on behalf of land and water
conservation and sustainable resource
management. We will do this with an
expanded website and comprehensive
communication program.
Pursue Accreditation through the Land Trust
Accreditation Commission and meet the Land Photo by: Mary Ackerman
Trust Alliance Standards and Practices to
become fully accredited to hold land
acquisitions by 2020.
Stop by and visit us later this summer at 615 High-
And, as if a new Strategic Plan were not enough way 371 in downtown Walker.
we moved our offices from Hackensack to Walker!
After reviewing needs and options for office space As you can see, the Leech Lake Area Watershed
last fall and winter, the Foundation moved their of- Foundation is poised for great conservation work
fice to main street Walker in early June. The new in our region. We do it in partnership with YOU.
two-level space will eventually include a welcome Please stop by our offices, become a member, call
area with information about our northern waters us with questions. We are here with information
and lands, a soon to open retail area that will in- and answers. We are grateful for all the work each
clude books, maps, and resources for the local of you do to preserve and protect our beautiful
area, as well as office space. In the future, we hope northern Minnesota region.
Thank you.

John E. Valen
Lawyer

5th and Michigan

PO Box 1105
Walker, MN 56484
Phone: 218-547-2600
Fax: 218-547-2641
Email: valenlaw@arvig.net

leechlakewatershed.org 5
PROTECTING LAKE ROOSEVELT AQUATIC MANAGEMENT AREA
The newest Aquatic Management Area (AMA) in
Crow Wing County will be dedicated on August 5
as part of the Love Our Waters! event in Outing.
The Roosevelt Lake State Aquatic Management
Area - Judy and Charlie Eggers Tract is 105 acres
and over 5,000 feet of pristine, forested shoreland
in Woods Bay.
It is thrilling to add this property,
of such high ecological value,
to the Aquatic Management Program
where the public, treading lightly,
will be able to enjoy it in perpetuity
~ Marc Bacigalupi, DNR Brainerd
Fisheries Supervisor
Following the death of their parents, Judy and
Charlie Eggers, the three Eggers siblings wanted
to implement their parents wishes to preserve this
special place as protected public land to be man-
aged for fish and wildlife and public recreational
opportunities. Through the vision and generosi-
ty of Jo Ann Todd, Linda Van Straaten, and Allan
Eggers, the natural features of
this sensitive shoreline will
be permanently protected
and contribute to the long-
term health of Lake Roosevelt.
The property had been owned,
enjoyed and treasured by the
Eggers Family for more than 65
years. Jo Ann, Linda and Allan
consider their father to have
been an early environmental-
ist. Our Dad always loved the
out of doors and it was his goal
to nurture wildlife habitats on
the lake property and his tree
farm. His business life reflect-
ed his personal interests, as he
was a manufacturers repre-
sentative for hunting and fish-
ing equipment. In 1951 our parents bought land
on Lake Roosevelt that has been enjoyed by four
generations of our family. Over time he purchased
all available land around Woods Bay to prevent it
from being developed. This is the land that will
become the AMA Tract and we are pleased to have
made our parents wishes a reality.
Lake Roosevelt is a deep cold-water 1,585 acre
lake in which cisco, also known as tullibee, are
able to survive. The lake is important to protect
because it is predicted to be a refuge for these
highly temperature sensitive cold water fish if 75%
6 Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation
of the land draining into the lake can be protect-
ed from land conversion. However, land protec-
tion isnt the only approach for preserving these
unique lakes. As the Roosevelt And Lawrence
Area Lake Association (RALALA) has been promot-
ing for years, it is also important for landowners
to minimize their household impact on lakes by
keeping shorelines natural; eliminate sources of
phosphorus and nitrates such as fertilizers, runoff,
and erosion; maintain septic systems on a regular
basis; and motor at slow speeds in shallow water
and near shorelines.
Tullibee are an important forage fish for walleye,
northern pike, muskellunge, and lake trout. Tull-
ibee require cold, well oxygenated waters a con-
dition most common in lakes with deep water and
healthy surrounding watersheds. This cold-water
fish is a canary in the coal mine signaling three
major threats to Minnesotas sport fishery and
clean water degraded watershed health, shore-
line development, and climate warming. Deep,
cold-water tullibee lakes with high quality, well
oxygenated waters and natural, undisturbed land
cover and shorelines will offer the best chance
for tullibee and other fish populations to survive
these threats.
All of the shoreline in Woods Bay has been des-
ignated by the MN Department of Natural Re-
sources as sensitive shoreland using a scientific
field-based model and survey in 2009. Sensitive
shoreland has critical aquatic and wildlife features
that would be severely impacted by shoreland de-
velopment. The natural features of the new AMA
APPLIANCES / PAINT
GRILLS / HOUSEWARES
8250 Industrial Park Rd NW, Walker
(218) 547-1515
walkerhomecenter.com
are also highly vulnerable to the impacts of devel-
opment or land conversion. The property is listed
on the Minnesota County Biological Survey be-
cause of its high biological significance and intact
old growth forest canopy.
The Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation
worked with the Eggers Family for eight years and
received a grant from the Lessard - Sams Outdoor
Heritage Fund in 2014 to acquire the property for
an AMA. RALALA partnered with the Leech Lake
Area Watershed Foundation to appeal to land-
owners in the watershed to provide both financial
and community support for the protection of this
property. The Twin Cities Chapter of Muskie Inc.,
Hugh C. Becker Foundation, also provided a grant
for the acquisition of this property which includes
muskie spawning areas.
Lindsey Ketchel, Executive Di-
rector of the Leech Lake Area
Watershed Foundation, notes
that, The protection of this
property is a significant con-
tribution to efforts to protect
our northern waters for clean
water, healthy habitat, and re-
silient communities and econ-
omies. We are so very grate-
ful to the vision of the Eggers
Family, the Lessard-Sams
Outoor Heritage Council, our
many partners and the State
of Minnesota for recognizing
the importance of healthy nat-
ural resources and local com-
munities.
For more information contact Lindsey Ketchel,
Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation (218-547-
4510) or Marc Bacigalupi, MN DNR (218-203-4303).
 EA
WATERSH
E NEW BOARD MEMBER PROFILES
R

D
A
Nate Becky

FO
LAKE

UNDATIO
EECH
Lundeen Seeman

N
L

Nathan Lundeen owns Becky Seemann has al-

Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation
Preserving Land to Protect Water
The mission of the Leech Lake Area Watershed
Foundation is to promote activities that preserve
and sustain the natural resources in the Leech
Lake Watershed and neighboring counties in
North Central Minnesota for the use and
enjoyment of current and future generations.
Mailing Address:
PO Box 455, Hackensack, MN 56452
New Phone: 218-547-4510
Street Address:
615 Minnesota Ave, Walker, MN 56452
info@leechlakewatershed.org
www.leechlakewatershed.org
Newsletter Design: Evergreen Graphic Design ment to conservation, increasing protected water
Board of Directors:
Mary Ackerman Tim Bremicker
Randy Ferrin Bob Frink Nathan Lundeen
Maggie McGill (Chair) David Miller
Jim Miller John Persell
Dave Schneider Becky Seemann
Executive Director: Lindsey Ketchel
Land Conservation Specialist: John Sumption He can be reached by email at nathan.lundeen@
Communications & Membership Coordinator:
a seasonal cabin on
Kabekona Lake with
his wife, Gaye, and two
daughters Sidney and
Jaclyn. As a Finance
Consultant by trade, he
assists private and public organizations with de-
veloping and improving key reporting metrics,
identifying trends that help directors make better
cost control decisions, and highlighting areas of
non-value added work to prepare for significant
growth. Prior to Nathans consulting career, he
held strategic planning leadership positions at
Mesaba Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
Nathan and his wife are supporters of Leech Lake
Area Watershed Foundation and Kabekona Lake
Foundation. He believes that protecting our lakes
and forests for future generations is an awesome
responsibility we all have in common, and is proud
to be a board member because of our commit-
resources and prudently managing contributions
of land, outright gifts and estate assets.
Nathan and his family reside in Minneapolis where
his wife owns a small marketing firm and his chil-
dren attend Minnehaha Academy. He is an avia-
tion business graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronau-
tical University and also serves as a volunteer for
the National Ski Patrol, Afton Alps Vail Resorts.
gmail.com or by calling (651) 231-5769.
ways lived near water
from her early years along
the California Coast to
her adult life enjoying the
lakes of Minnesota. Water
matters, she says and Ive
taken it for granted my entire life. From Longville,
Becky is a silversmith and with her husband they
create rustic furniture, home accessories and jew-
elry that is inspired by nature. It is their way to help
people enjoy and respect the beauty of the natu-
ral world. You can see them at local art festivals
in Northern Minnesota. Becky volunteers for the
Leech Lake Watershed Foundation because she
knows the importance of stewardship to protect
water now and into the future. She contributes
to environmental needs such as sending kids to
camp at Deep Portage Environmental Camp and
to helping preserve sensitive shorelines through
the Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation.
Photo by: Nate Lundeen

KIDS CORNER
Kathy DonCarlos

The Foundation is deeply

grateful to the following
sponsors for their generous
support as we preserve land
to protect northern waters.
Thank You!

Bob and Nancy Adams

Arvig
Cass Company Insurance
First National Bank
First National Insurance
Hackensack/Backus Lumber &
Hardware
John Valen Law
Maggie McGill
Northwoods Dock & Service
Pederson Bilben Family Dental
Pine River State Bank
Swansons Bait & Tackle
Walker Ford
Walker Home Center
Wilkening Fireplace Company
Woman Lake Lodge

leechlakewatershed.org 7
THE NORTHERN WATER ALLIANCE OF MN
The estimated economic damage for 1 Wisconsin lake when impacted by AIS was calculated at $140 million dollars.
[MPR News] That is the potential cost to property owners and the public if just one of the threats to our waters happens right here.
As many of you are aware, one of our Board
Members, Mary Ackerman, and her husband,
Jim Reents, got involved in the issues around the
preservation of water when they became aware
of risky oil pipeline routes nearly 3 years ago. As
they became more aware of the environmental
threats of badly conceived oil pipeline routes,
they also realized that there were several oth-
er issues threatening our waters in this part of
Minnesota. They organized the Northern Water
Alliance to create a network of organizations and
individuals already working to protect our waters
so that protection efforts were coordinated and
supported.
Since the Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation
protects land in part, to preserve water, it was
logical that we stepped up to give the NWA a
home. The Northern Water Alliance now has over
a dozen larger non-profit water protector organi-
zations in its network. Several county and indi-
vidual lake associations are also members. NWA
aims to distribute the research and science-based
information that trusted member organizations
provide Information on topics relevant to lakes,
aquifers, wetlands, rivers, drinking water, wild
rice lands, watersheds and more. Our work is to
connect residents, property owners and visitors
with good information to mobilize all of us in the
preservation effort for clean water.
Whether you are a resident in one of our four
counties or a seasonal property owner, we know
many of you are overwhelmed with the press of
critical issues that need immediate attention at
home. However, the issues affecting our most
valuable lands and waters need your attention if
the next generation will be able to enjoy them.
Threats include Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), en-
ergy pipeline routes, risky agricultural practices,
roadway salts, septic system problems, over-de-
velopment of shorelines, unenforced building
regulations, and the list goes on.
A few facts we think might help you understand
the importance of staying informed and engaged
in water issues:
The DNR has estimated the Degrees of Stress
in Minnesota Lakes. The Southern and South
Central portion of the state are under major
stress mostly cant be restored or restoration
mostly unrealistic. This is nearly 60% of our lakes.
No swimming. No fishing. Our North Central
portion of the state (around 35-40% of lakes)
have Good quality lakes that can be protect-
ed. Were lucky. This is the region we enjoy.
However, without pubic vigilance our region
may well look like the rest of the state.
Although a group of concerned citizens
was successful in stopping the proposed
Sandpiper Pipeline and its proposed envi-
ronmentally disastrous route, the New Line 3
route is currently slated for this same corri-
dor. It will carry more oil than the old Line 3
and more oil than the proposed Keystone XL
Pipeline. The proposed route crosses the Mis-
sissippi Headwaters twice. This route threat-
ens drinking water aquifers, wild rice lakes,
8 State Forests -- including the Mississippi
Headwaters State Forest, 3 wildlife manage-
ment areas, the North Country Hiking Trail,
and 13 trout streams. Public pressure on
our Legislators and Governor is needed to
change this route.
Our Northern MN region has 3 watersheds
that drain to Hudson Bay, the Gulf of Mexico,
Governors Headwaters Press Conference, Summer 2016
and the Atlantic Ocean. What we do to these Photo by: Mary Ackerman
watersheds has drinking water and agricul-
tural water impact well beyond Minnesota. Did
you know that our local Pine River Watershed is of wetlands! These wetlands and rice beds are also
primary importance to the Mississippi River that habitat for more than 17 species of wildlife listed
supplies drinking water to the Metro and South- in the MN-DNRs Comprehensive Wildlife Conser-
ern part of the State? And, by estimates of the vation Strategy as species of greatest conserva-
Metropolitan Council, we will have less than 50% tion need. Strong comprehensive environmental
of the water supply needed in the Metro Area by impact studies are critical to any energy or other
2030 13 years from now! Clean drinking water is land development proposals.
a human rights issue.
So what do you do with this information?
In a larger picture, our economic future de- Make those important calls to elected officials.
pends on clean waters. Should our immediate Consider personally joining the Northern Water
region become polluted by any of the water risks Alliance. There are no dues for NWA membership.
on the horizon, we could lose the tourism income Consider linking or subscribing to the organiza-
we depend upon an estimated $377 Million. tions listed on the website as members of NWA.
We might lose full time jobs estimated at over They have great information. Watch the local
17,000. And, an annual tax revenue estimated at papers and listen to the grapevine for Water
nearly $24 Million. A strong Northern economy Conversations -- informal events to inform and
bolsters property values, ensures dependable connect around these issues. And, if you are al-
local services, and is the life blood of our smaller ready a member of LLAWF, look for the Alerts we
towns and cities. send if we see specific reasons you need to take
action ASAP. It will take all of us working together
Did you know that MN is also the Worlds larg- to preserve our waters for the next generation.
est producer of natural Wild Rice? And, our region Join us!
supports the largest percentage of rice harvest