LOON CALL Spring 2004

Spring 2004
Volume 10 Issue 1
Finally! The New Sawyer County
Zoning Ordinance is Law
By Bill Christman, Sawyer County Zoning Administrator
After nearly four and one-half
years in the making, on December 18, 2003, the Sawyer
County Board of Supervisors
adopted new shoreland amendments to the Sawyer County
Zoning Ordinance. The purpose
of these amendments is to enhance the protection of the
County’s lakes, rivers and
streams. These amendments
are the result of the bringing
together of many of the
County’s competing interests,
but all with the central focus of
doing what is best for the protection of our water resources.
These amendments are so significant that they begin a new
era in shoreland zoning in Sawyer County.
These amendments revised
some facets of the “old” ordi-
What’s Inside This Issue
of Loon Call
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
2 The President’s Corner
3 Spring Membership Meeting
4 Ice Fishing Contest
5 Lakes Conference
6 Couderay Waters Land Trust
7 Trash Dive
8 Sailing
8 Treasurer’s Report
9 Membership Form
10 Postcard History
nance, yet added major elements to the “new” ordinance.
While this is not the forum to
mention every change, the highlights of some of those changes
that may have a direct impact
on you, a shoreline property
owner are: (1) Additions to nonconforming dwellings (those located closer than 75 feet to a
water body), while previously
based on lake setbacks with expansion limited to a maximum of
one-half of the dwelling’s value,
will now be based on lake setback, impervious surfaces, the
existing dwelling’s existing habitable area—with expansion limited to a stated maximum footprint and maximum enclosed
habitable area. (2) Property
owner’s applying for a land use
permit, commonly referred to as
a “building permit,” for construction activities on their property,
will discover that prior to the
issue of the permit, they must
commit in writing to the County
that they will maintain their
property’s current shoreline
buffer zone, if intact per State
and County requirements, or
they must commit in writing to
MUSKY BAY
LITIGATION TO
CONTINUE IN
STATE COURT
By Alf Sivertson
Despite the dismissal in
federal court last December
of the lawsuit against Billy
Zawistowski's cranberry operation on Musky Bay, the
case will be pursued in
state court. The case
alleges that phosphorus
from his cranberry farms
on Musky Bay has choked
the Bay with weeds, algae
and slime rendering it useless for the public and private landowners for such
things as fishing, swimming
and boating. The suit seeks
both monetary damages
and an injunction prohibiting Zawistowski from further discharge of phosphorus into the Bay and restoration of the Bay.
To learn more, please
come to the COLA Spring
Membership Meeting.
Sawyer County Zoning Ordinance
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
Courte Oreilles Lakes Association, Inc.
7759 N Wilkie Road, Hayward, WI 54843
Spring 2004
PAGE TWO
THE PRESIDENT’S
CORNER
Fellow Lake Lovers:
As the ice mantle recedes
and green replaces winter
brown along our shorelines,
we all look forward to another
summer enjoying our pristine
lake environment.
Unfortunately, the days of
merely “opening up the
cabin” and forgetting the
cares of urban life are a
luxury of the past.
Folks, the world has discovered our aquatic Shangri-la.
Pressure to develop, to build,
to use have never been
greater. If you’d like to envision Lac Courte Oreilles a few
decades from now, take a
long look at Lake Geneva in
Southern Wisconsin. It too
was once a quiet getaway.
Today Geneva is a splashing
tub lined with back-to-back
mansions over soil worth
more per-ounce than gold.
But there is hope here in
the northwoods. For instance, after four years of
hard work and citizen input,
the Sawyer County Board
voted last December to revise
zoning rules for lake and
stream shorelands. These revisions reaffirmed, and in
some cases, refined rules
governing what landowners
can and can not do in developing or remodeling structures.
Some feel the measures
weren’t tough enough; others
would disagree. But thanks to
grassroots efforts of our own
Harry Schroeder and other
shoreline owners, the job got
done.
Once more, a near carbon
copy of these zoning regulations has been drafted for enactment by the LCO Tribal
Governing Board. If tribal
leaders agree with its provisions, that means all shoreline properties, both tribal
and non-tribal, will be subject
to consistent rules.
At this writing, another local committee has drafted a
boating ordinance for the
town of Bass Lake. Among its
provisions is a requirement
for organizers of boat events
to obtain a permit before
those events. The move resulted from last summer’s
controversial racing boat
speed trials in Chicago Bay.
In all of the above examples, efforts to put brakes on
the deterioration of our beautiful lake have not just happened. They took interest,
energy and care on the part
of our neighbors, the kind of
care we must all start to
demonstrate. It’s us “for
whom the bell tolls.”
s/Tom Burgess, President
The long awaited guided bus tour
of the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation has been rescheduled for
Saturday, July 10th, 2004. If you
are interested, please sign up at the
Spring Membership Meeting. There
will be a small charge to cover the
cost of the bus.
2003-2004 COLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(With area of oversight)
Tom Burgess, President
634-2291, 634-6101
tfb@cheqnet.net
Phil Nies, Water Safety
634-2920
Fax: 634-6400
Jan Hahn, Shoreline Protection
638-2250
Fax: 638-2250
Alf Sivertson, Vice President
634-2957, 651-778-0578
ALF@sivbar.com
Fr. Bill Jablonske
865-6154
bill@jablonski.com
Jerome Gunderson, History
865-4404, 608-788-9448
JHGunderson@centurytel.net
Bob Degen, Sec-Treas-Membership
634-3336
boandeg@cheqnet.net
Colin Williams, Loon Call
865-4808
ckayakr@cheqnet.net
Chris Headley
634-3806
Wanda.Headley@LPCORP.com
Official Newsletter of the Courte Oreilles Lakes Association, Inc.
Spring 2004
PAGE THREE
COLA’s 2004
SPRING MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Saturday June 19
St. Francis Solanus Mission
Hwy E between Hwy B and Hwy 70 in Reserve
on Little Lac Courte Oreilles
Coffee at 9:00AM / Meeting at 9:30AM
Featured Speaker:
Dave Kafura, WDNR Water Management Specialist for
Sawyer County
Also: Committee Reports, Boating Ordinance,
Details on New Shoreland Ordinances, and Lots More!
Don’t Miss It! Friends and Neighbors
Very Welcome!
2003-2004 COLA COMMITTEES
MEMBERSHIP:
Bob Degen, 634-3336
SEC. ASSIST
Barb Batholomew, 634-1038
WATER QUALITY:
Dan Tyrolt, Chrmn. 634-0102
WATER SAFETY:
Bob Hahn, Chrmn. 638-2250
HISTORY:
Signe Schroeder, Chrmn. 634-1476
FISHING:
Mike Persson, Chrmn. 634-4543
MEETINGS:
John Bartholomew, Chrmn.
634-1038
COMMUNITY RELATIONS:
Harry Schroeder
634-1476, 608-782-3993
SGS-HAS@centurytel.net
Official Newsletter of the Courte Oreilles Lakes Association, Inc.
Spring 2004
PAGE FOUR
WFNW Annual Ice Fishing Contest
By Bob Degen
“Walleyes for Northwest Wisconsin (WFNW)” and it’s major
sponsors, Wild River Road &
Trail and Kwik Trip, sponsored
it’s 8th Annual Family Ice Fishing Contest on Lac Courte
Oreilles on February 14th. Approximately 350 adults and 60
kids participated in the contest.
The temperatures were generally moderate and the ice, although about 28” thick, very
accessible. Several dozen
Northerns, up to 36 inches, several Walleyes to 23 inches, Crappies to 13 inches and other
perch, bass and bluegills were
caught. Prizes were awarded in
all six categories in both the
adult and kids division. The
largest fish of the contest were
a
36-1/8” Northern and a 23-3/16”
Walleye. In addition to the fish
prizes and other raffle prizes
there were a number of Grand
Prizes awarded. The winners of
the Grand Prizes and their respective prizes were:
∗
Tom Tasker—Green Beret Knife
∗
∗
∗
∗
∗
∗
∗
John Paine—Stihl Leaf Blower
Al Weissinger—Underwater
Camera
Nick Blank, Dave Ochu & Matt
Woodruff—LCO Casino Packages
Jody Kellorgen—Appa-Lolly
Ranch Package
Robert Kretschmer—Rhino
Truck Bed Liner
Bob Hahn—Framed, Signed &
Numbered Walleye Print
Blake Hartman & Janis Ledbeter—Wild Hockey Jerseys
∗
∗
∗
∗
∗
Dorothy Brown—Gun Refinishing
Package
Steve Wanek—Fish Mount Certificate
Jim Breen—Snowmobile Helmet
Mike Pellkowski—LCO Concert
Tickets
Karla Coenen & Randy BriggsBad River Casino Packages
The fishing contest is the primary
revenue source for WFNW and
the monies raised are used to
support numerous habitat and
water quality programs in area
lakes. To this end, we have contributed in excess of $40,000 over
the past several years. Courte
Oreilles has benefited directly
from these programs by the
placement of 80 fish cribs over
the past several years.
More information about WFNW
may be obtained by contacting
me at 634-3336 or at boandeg@cheqnet.net. If you think
fishing on Lac Courte Oreilles in
the summer is fun, you haven’t
seen anything ‘til you do it on the
ice. Make plans to join us next
year.
Official Newsletter of the Courte Oreilles Lakes Association, Inc.
Spring 2004
PAGE FIVE
Northwest
Wisconsin Lakes
Conference
On Friday, June 25, the 2004
Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference will be held at Telemark Resort in Cable, WI. This year’s
agenda includes sessions and workshops presented by Frank Pratt,
WDNR Fish Biologist, Derek Ogle,
Northland College, Sarah Lloyd,
Aldo Leopold Foundation, Jim Brakken, President of WAL, Governor
Jim Doyle (invited), Linda Meyer,
WDNR Attorney and many more.
There will be exhibits as well. The
registration fee is $40 per person
which includes lunch and materials.
For more information, contact WAL
(Wisconsin Association of Lakes) at
1-800-542-5253 or email to
wal@wisconsinlakes.org.
Official Newsletter of the Courte Oreilles Lakes Association, Inc.
Spring 2004
PAGE SIX
Couderay Waters
Regional Land Trust
The Couderay Waters Regional
Land Trust is a new non-profit conservation organization dedicated to
protecting and preserving the natural environment of Northwest Wisconsin.
A small group of local landowners
began meeting more than a year
ago. Their common objective was,
and continues to be, the protection
and preservation of the woods and
waters in this part of Wisconsin.
The land trust joins 44 other local
and regional land trusts whose
members have worked cooperatively with hundreds of private landowners to permanently protect
more than 30,000 acres throughout
the state.
Working under the umbrella of
Gathering Waters Conservancy,
founded in 1994, it supports the
start-up, capacity building, effectiveness and professionalism of land
trusts; educates, advises and assists private land owners and their
families in efforts to protect their
land, and promotes public understanding and public policies that
support private land conservation.
“The Couderay River watershed
region of Sawyer County has a rich
and diverse natural environment
that includes forests and wetlands,
lakes and streams. We value the
high quality of life that is possible in
such a setting, but cannot take its
continuation for granted. Pressures
for development are strong.
Changes are inevitable. In the face
of these influences, a continuing
effort to preserve our natural heritage must be mounted and sustained.” For more information contact the Couderay Waters Regional
Land Trust, Inc., PO Box 13097,
Hayward, WI 54843 or call 6345042.
Date to Clip for 2004
COLA Annual
Meeting &
Picnic
August 22
For more area Event Dates
visit www.haywardwi.com
Sawyer County Zoning Ordinance
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
restore the buffer zone to those
minimum standards. (3) Property owner’s concerned about
being able to “fix-up” that old
boathouse, will now discover
that they may replace it’s foundation and roof support systems, provided that buffer zone
issues are addressed. Previously, these activities would
have been limited to one-half of
the boathouse’s value. However, maybe to many of you, the
most important aspect of the
amendments is that none of the
new requirements apply to your
property, until you, the property
owner, make application to the
Zoning Office for a land use permit.
For those of you with internet
access, the new shoreland zoning requirements may be found
at http://
www.sawyercountygov.org/
zosec4.htm—(Section 4.4
SHORELANDS REGULATIONS).
Of course, you may contact the
Sawyer County Zoning Office
(715) 634-8288 for additional
information.
Where
There’s
Smoke,
There’s Fire
A burning permit is required in Sawyer
County if you want to burn brush or
proper material (house waste such as
dry paper and cardboard) in a proper
burning barrel. A campfire, a cooking
fire and a warming fire do not require
a permit.
Get your permit before you start to
burn, after all, they are FREE. Fire
permits are available from any DNR
station or any Volunteer Fire Warden.
Two permits are available: Regular
Burning Permit, good for up to three
days if conditions allow, and Barrel
Permits, which are good for one calendar year.
A camp fire is defined as a fire held
within a noncombustible ring of rock or
metal. It is preferred that it be of a
diameter of 3-feet or less. The material you are burning must fit within the
confines of the ring.
For more information, contact the
Forest Ranger at the Hayward Service
Center, 634-2688. A wealth of information is available at
www.dnr.state.wi/org/land/forestry/
fire. Remember what Smokey always
says… Please be careful with fire!
Official Newsletter of the Courte Oreilles Lakes Association, Inc.
Spring 2004
PAGE SEVEN
Renewed Lake
Vigilance is Needed
COLA MEMBERSHIP REPORT
by Bob Degen, April 27, 2004
Total
Total
Total
Total
Total
From the Wisconsin Association of
Lakes (WAL), of which COLA is a
member, we received the following.
DNR budget cuts and the Job
Creation Bill requires us all to be
vigilant about the shoreland
practices of our neighbors. DNR
and other enforcement agency
staffs are stretched thin. With
the “Job Creation Bill” many
shoreland practices no longer
require permits, unless the DNR
is contacted and finds it necessary. Many projects previously
requiring a permit will not be
reviewed in advance by anyone!
However, an individual permit
may be required if the DNR determines that a closer look is
necessary. It’s now up to citizens and lake shore owners to
alert the DNR when our waters
may be threatened. Serve as
the eyes and ears the DNR, to
identify possible lake violations,
and protect our public waters.
If you see a possible violation
call
1-800-TIP-WDNR or e-mail
LE.Hotline@dnr.state.wi.us. Remember, it’s your lake, so
please protect it for everyone.
Non-Tribal Properties (Approx)
Memberships on Current List
Non-Members
‘03 Memberships Paid Thru April 27, ‘04
‘04 Memberships Paid Thru April 27, ‘04
666
322
344
278
93
156 Follow-up letters were sent in October to all those that had not paid 2003 dues.
To date, we have received responses from 96. On November 3, letters were sent to
29 members that had not paid dues in either 2002 or 2003. As payments have not
been received from 24 of the 29, they will be moved to non-member status.
Dive for Trash, or
Dive for Treasure!
Diver Dave’s and COLA will be
sponsoring the 4th Annual Trash
Dive on Lac Courte Oreilles. With
25 or more divers each year, the
dive has been very successful in
removing garbage from our lake, as
well as having lots of fun. This
year’s dive will once again be held
in conjunction with COLA’s Annual
Picnic on August 22, and all “Trash”
and “Treasures” will be displayed at
the picnic for everyone to see. If
you are interested in diving or in
donating garbage bags, door prizes,
or would be willing to take divers
out on your boat, please call or visit
Dave or Kathy at Trailways Inn on
Highway 27 (634-2328).
NOTICE
SAWYER COUNTY ZONING LAND
USE PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
The Sawyer County Zoning Ordinance requires that a Land Use
Permit be issued for construction
activities exceeding 100 square
feet in area. Common examples of
permit requiring activities would be
the construction of dwellings, garages, storage buildings, decks,
patios, gazebos and additions to
existing buildings. The placement
on a property of any structure exceeding 100 square feet in area
also requires the issue of a permit.
Please contact the Sawyer County
Zoning Office at 634-8288 if additional information is required.
Use this coupon to order copies of
Tales of Lac Courte Oreilles
Name______________________________________________
Address_________________________ City_______________
State___
Zip_______
Number of books ____@ $15 each
Shipping & Handling @ $3 each
Total $___________
Total $___________
GRAND TOTAL $___________
Please makes checks payable to: COLA
Mail coupon and check to:
Signe Schroeder, 1411 King Street, La Crosse, WI 54601
Official Newsletter of the Courte Oreilles Lakes Association, Inc.
Spring 2004
PAGE EIGHT
LAC COURTE
OREILLES SAILING
CLUB SETS RACE
DATES
The sailing club has set seven
races for the 2004 season. The
dates are 6/19, 7/3, 7/17, 7/31,
8/14, 8/28 and 9/4. Skippers
meeting and instruction for new
racers will be held at noon at the
Beach Club. The first race starts
at 1p.m. followed immediately
by a second race. Race results
and beer at the Beach Club following the second race. For
more information contact Alf E.
Sivertson, 651-778-0575, Tom
Austin, 865-4393, Tom Austin
Jr., 865-9006, or Tom Burgess,
634-2291.
Water Exhibitions and
Racing Ordinance
By Jan Hahn
The speed boat time trials that
were held on LCO last Labor
Day weekend in Chicago Bay
created numerous on and off
lake resident complaints due to
excessive noise, speed, and
negligent operation of the
speedboats post race. Consequently, the Town of Bass Lake
Planning Commission created
an adhoc committee with the
express purpose of developing
an ordinance for all watercraft
involved in water exhibitions and
races. The committee represented on and off lake residents
and members of the Planning
Commission.
The lake is for everyone’s enjoy-
COLA TREASURER’S REPORT
by Bob Degen, April 27, 2004
November 4, 2003 to April 27, 2004
Balance as of November 4, 2003
Income
Loon Call Ad
Donation (R. Olson)
Memberships
Book Sales
Total Income
Expenses
Advance Printing (Loon Call)
Mail Call (Loon Call Mailing)
WAL Membership
Book Mailing Expense
Microphone
Total Expense
Balance as of April 27, 2004
Balance
$ 8,573.83
75.00
69.00
660.00
1227.00 ($10,393.00 to date)
$ 2,022.00
$
181.88
259.50
330.00
19.76
31.64
822.78
Cash on Hand
Cash
CD (Matures 8/04)
Total Cash
$ 9,773.05
ment and there can be a balance of all interests, ultimately
protecting all riparian rights.
Managing the use of our lakes
will help preserve a most valuable resource and is in support
of your responses to the COLA
survey conducted last year.
The ordinance requires a permit
for all watercraft events and limits the number of permits
granted each year. Permit inclusions place restrictions on when
the event can be held and duration. For events involving watercraft capable of exceeding 70
mph, paramedic and event support staff are required, proof of
insurance is required in the
amount appropriate for the
event, and an appropriate number of caution buoys is required
in the interest of public health
and safety. An event coordinator
is also required and responsible
for managing and supporting the
event.
While all water exhibitions and
races are exempt from some of
the Wisconsin Stats., maximum
noise levels, required safety devices, and specific operational
requirements and regulations of
a watercraft will remain in effect.
The ordinance was approved by
the Planning Commission and
the Town Board and is in effect.
Should you have any questions
or comments, contact Jan Hahn
at 715-638-2250 or by email
rmholdlapointe@centurytel.net.
4,323.43
5,449.62
$ 9,773.05
Association Reserves
Clean Water Fund (Victory Heights) 500.00
Total Reserves
500.00
Uncommitted Balance
$ 9,273.05
Official Newsletter of the Courte Oreilles Lakes Association, Inc.
Spring 2004
PAGE NINE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
around 1934-35 and Frank used to
ride along with him. Ernie drove a
green paneled truck and one evening Ernie had a bit too much fun
and decided to sleep it off in the
truck. During the night someone
painted a blue goose on the side of
the truck and the name stuck!
Ernie’s Blue Goose Resort was located at the end of Kidd Road
(aptly named Blue Goose Point on
current maps) and operated in the
mid-30’s. Frank was not sure of
the number of cabins but says it
was a popular destination.
Frank was also able to clear up another mystery for me. I have a
wonderful postcard of the Northwoods Beach Hotel but didn’t know
where it had been located. Frank
remembers it being at the end of
Wise Blvd by the LCO boat landing.
Ma Kelly and her son George ran it
“Del & Vi’s Place, Court O’Reilles Lake, Hayward, Wis.”
and Frank used to go there and
play Hearts with them. Frank tells
me that the hotel was a large place
and quite impressive.
What fun to know the local lore!
There are so many stories to be
told…please let us hear them.
This issue’s mystery postcard is
titled “Del & Vi’s Place, Court
O’Reilles Lake.” It’s postmarked
1956 so that gives us a general
time frame. Do you known where
this resort was located? Who were
Del and Vi? Please phone (8654808) , write or email
(jeniferwilliams@cheqnet.net) your
info to me and help the lake lore
live on.
Join The COLA Membership Drive!
If you own property on the lakes, you should be a member of COLA. You need to be involved to make Lac Courte
Oreilles a better place to be. Strength in numbers is very important to support many of the projects being undertaken
to protect the lakes for you. Please join today! If you’re already a member, the most important thing you can do is to
persuade your neighbors to join! Please do it! If you need an extra copy of the Loon Call for a neighbor, please call
Bob Degen (634-3336). And if you’re already a member, but haven’t yet paid your dues, please do so today.
Do you know of a lake neighbor who is not yet a member of COLA?
Please, pass this form on to them...Thanks!
NEW MEMBERSHIP FORM
Name(s): _______________________________________________________
Address on the Lake: ______________________________________________
City/State/Zip: ______________________________________________
Phone: 715-________________
Other Residence: _________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: ______________________________________________
Phone: ____________________
___Enclosed is my $20.00 Annual Dues for 2004
___I would be interested in helping on the ____________________ committee
Official Newsletter of the Courte Oreilles Lakes Association, Inc.
Spring 2004
PAGE TEN
There’s History In Those Old Postcards!
By Jenifer Williams
In the last issue of Loon Call, I
posted a picture of Ernie’s Blue
Goose Resort, hoping to hear
from someone who might know
of it’s history. The proverbial
gold mine was struck when I received an email from Al Utzig. Al
suggested I get in touch with
Frank Utzig; Al is Frank’s cousin’s
son (it’s all family up here). Al
had shown the picture in the last
Loon Call to Frank, and sure
enough—he had the scoop.
Frank spoke of rocky, rutted roads
that no car of the day could traverse. Memories of camping in a
cabin on Lac Courte Oreilles.
Hand carrying water in buckets
from the Log Cabin Store, hauling supplies without the aid of a
truck and the rugged outdoorsyness of the area. All of this wonderful history and more was
given to me in a lengthy phone
conversation with Frank whose
family has been coming to LCO
since 1927.
Last issue’s postcard was titled
“No. 1 Cabin at Ernie’s Blue Goose Resort,
Lac Court O’Reilles”
canvas tent on Pete Moeller’s Northwoods Beach farm (before Northwoods
Beach was developed) while building a
As far as the Blue Goose Resort
goes, Frank had a delightful tale to
tell! It seems that Ernie Pasternic
was “peddling ice to the campers”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
RESTATEMENT OF PURPOSE FOR COLA The purposes of the Courte Oreilles Lakes Association, Inc.
(COLA) are (1) to protect, preserve and enhance the quality of the Courte Oreilles Lakes, their shoreland and surrounding
areas, while respecting the interests of property owners and the rights of the general public, and (2) to consider, study, survey
and respond to issues deemed relevant by the membership of the organization. The Courte Oreilles Lakes consist of Lac
Courte Oreilles and Little Lac Courte Oreilles, both located in Sawyer County, Wisconsin.
IMPORTANT
NOTICE!
COLA’S SPRING MEETING WILL BE
SATURDAY JUNE 19, 2004
PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND!
7759 N WILKIE ROAD
Hayward, Wisconsin 54843
Courte Oreilles Lakes
Association, Inc.