JUNE 2019 Address page…Our Care Bear is in rehab, will return this summer.
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Spring Bloodroot/Marilyn Smith
PARADISE LAKE ASSOCIATION
NEWSLETTER
Volume 22, Issue 2
June 2010
CONTENTS:
Lake Erie Bill of Rights.1
President’s Letter…....2
Eagle photos………………2
PLA News……………….….3
In Memory………………….4
Community Notes………5
Summer Festival…………6
The Septic Question…..7
Highway/Triangle…......8
Calendar & Photo Book.8
LAKE ERIE BILL OF RIGHTS….let’s think about this concept…
Tired of receiving notices warning that their drinking water may have
been compromised and having little recourse to fight corporate polluters,
voters in Toledo, Ohio approved a measure granting Lake Erie some of
the same legal rights as a human being.
Sixty-one percent of voters in Tuesday's special election voted in favor of Lake Erie's Bill of Rights, which allows residents to take legal action against entities that violate the lake's rights to "flourish and naturally evolve" without interference.
"Beginning today, with this historic vote, the people of Toledo and our allies are ushering in a new era of environmental rights by securing the rights of the Great Lake Erie," said Markie Miller of Toledoans for Safe Water in a statement. Under the Bill of Rights, residents will now have legal standing in court to sue corporate polluters on behalf of Lake Erie and to seek damages which would be used to rid the lake of pollution.
The initiative was modeled on "rights to nature" laws which have passed in Lafayette, Colorado; by the Ponca Nation of Oklahoma and the Chippewa Nation in Minnesota; and countries including India and Nepal. Toledoans for Safe Water began their campaign in 2016 in response to a drinking water crisis in the area two years earlier. Five hundred thousand residents of the Toledo area were advised not to drink or use their tap water for three days due to a toxic algae bloom that had been detected in the water system.
"People need to start relying on our democracy to hold polluters accountable," Mike Ferner of another local group, Advocates for a Clean Lake Erie (ACLE), told the Toledo Blade. "Regulatory agencies have not been doing their jobs for a long time. We're still going to try to get them to do what they're supposed to do. But there's no reason to be limited just to that if there are creative approaches out there such as the Lake Erie Bill of Rights…………EcoWatch
PLA GOALS
*To encourage the best
possible water quality of
Paradise Lake
*To stress
communication,
education and
promotion about and for
the Paradise Lake area
*To promote fish
management
*To promote boat safety
*To complete a visible
community
improvement project
annually
For Your Consideration…..
Hey,
What happened to our spring? After a long, long winter our spring weather has not been kind to us. Hopefully the weather improves soon and we have a great summer.
One by one our friends and neighbors are returning from their winter destinations. Every day we see more docks and boats in the water. Fishing is reported as slow, mostly due to the cold water temperatures of Paradise Lake. The loons, ducks, mergansers and even cormorants have returned to the lake.
We are coming into the seasons with many PLA activities. Volunteers are needed for the 20 plus activities. These activities require hundreds of volunteer hours. If you can spare a few hours here and there it would be greatly appreciated. Please do your part to help keep the PLA active and strong. You can contact me at 231-758-0586 or [email protected].
Have a great summer, Greg
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PLA OFFICERS President: Greg Torsky Vice President: Jim (JP) Pauling Treasurer: Barry Potter Secretary: Jolene Michaels Trustees: Dale Berry, Mike Madden, David Milne, Mary Lu Norton Summer Trustees: George Bearden, Dick
Elliott, Donna Karbowski, Paul Karbowski
2019 PLA BOARD MEETING DATES
Members & Public Welcome
January 3 June 4 September 3
February 5 July 2 October 1
Aug 4 (Sunday) November 7
May 7 December 3
PLA 2019 ACTIVITIES
Saturday a.m. CBCW
January 19 Ice Fishing Tournament
June 29 DEQ Landing Blitz
July 06 A Summer Day in Paradise
July 17 Boating Safety Class
August 4 Annual Meeting/Election
Deer on ice Eagle conversation Eagle family reunion, young & old Photos submitted by Mary Enzenaeur winter 2019
2019 OFFICIAL PARADISE LAKE “ICE OUT” Monday, April 22, 2019 at 3:00 PM was determined to be the official “Ice Out” on Paradise Lake. Kevin L. Priest chose April 23
rd at
12:00 PM which was deemed to be the closest to the official PLA “Ice Out” determination. Amy Ball chose April 21st
with no time of
day listed. These two experts used their scientific skills to calculate their predictions!!! When you see them, recognize them with all
the respect due to their status of “FAMOUS PEOPLE!!” The main body of the lake opened on April 21st. It is unusual for ALL the ice
to then be gone in such a short time period. Warm weather (Aahhh…70+ degrees) was the magic solution to rid the lake of ice from
our 6 month long winter! Thanks to PLA President Greg Torsky for witnessing each and every large piece of ice disappear.
LOON RAFT PLACEMENT
PLA volunteers put the loon nesting raft back in Paradise Lake. The raft was purchased from a local group called Loon
Corps. The purpose of the nesting raft is to provide a possible additional nesting site on our lake. We have been
fortunate enough to host 2 pair of nesting loons for several years. Loon Corps says our lake is large enough to support
another pair of loons. Anyone who loves loons has to respect the decision to remain chemical free in our lake
environment if at all possible. Doesn’t it feel wonderful to encourage replacement loons for those dying other places?
Note: 6 adult loons have been seen on our lake this spring, might 2 of them rent the loon raft???
CLEAN BOATS CLEAN WATERS (CBCW)
PLA volunteers will again conduct a CBCW program each Saturday morning this summer at the MDNR Public Access on
Paradise Trail. 2019 is the 8th summer that the PLA has endorsed this program. Key floats, dry towels, AIS identification
cards and educational literature are among the items given to boaters to encourage using our boat wash station and
learning how to identify and eliminate the spread of aquatic invasive species.
SUMMER DAY IN PARADISE
The PLA has hosted a summer festival, “A Summer Day in Paradise” for 22 years. See page 6 of this newsletter to find
scheduled details of the festival.
BOATING SAFETY CLASS
Wednesday, July 17th is the tentative scheduled day for the Boating Safety Class, held from 9 am until 3 pm. at the Carp
Lake Township Hall. Emmet County Sheriff Marine Officers will conduct the class. Call 231-439-8900 to register.
Attendees must be at least 12 years old and at least 10 people must sign up for the class to be held in Carp Lake. A
Boating Safety Certificate will be issued to those passing the class. Bring pen and pencil and a lunch. Thanks to PLA
trustee Mike Madden for coordinating this important event for the community! Safe Boating is Happy Boating!
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(continued on page 4) 3
PLA NEWS
If You Love Paradise Lake You Should Join the Paradise Lake Association Our $15 (or more by choice) annual membership fee is far less than 1 tank of gas or a dinner out. For
that cost you receive water quality monitoring with oversight by Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council,
surveys by various organizations, walleye planting, loon raft placement, Clean Boats, Clean Waters
program, sponsorship of Emmet County Sheriff Boating Safety class, our fun summer festival and
quarterly newsletters to keep you advised. Our membership year runs January 1st through December
31st, the address label on your newsletter reminds you of the year your dues are paid through.
Application is available on our web site under the “Store” tab. Join us in protecting our beautiful
lake. The fun times and events are a bonus!
(continued from page 3)
PLA SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Allison Spierling, from Pellston High School, is the recipient of the PLA 2019 $1000 scholarship. Her essay states: “As a
civil/environmental engineer, I would manage air, water and energy resources, as well as protect from natural and man-
made disasters such as tornados, earthquakes, flooding, dam and bridge failures and air and water pollution. As an
engineer I would design systems for air and water quality treatment, hazardous waste management and treatment. I
would also study and apply hydrology to specific which encompasses the occurrences, distribution, movement and
properties of water on earth and its environmental relationships. The PLA scholarship criteria provides extra credit for
environmental direction in the recipient’s choice of study. Allison certainly fits that category. We are sure she will
succeed and make our world a better place to inhabit. Thanks Allison for being outstanding in your endeavors!!
DEQ AIS LANDING BLITZ
The 6th annual 2019 Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz will be held at the Paradise Lake public access site on Saturday
June 29th! Towels, key chains, water bottles and current information on preventing the spread of aquatic invasive
species between bodies of water will be handed out by your PLA volunteers. Stop by and chat. To date the Michigan
DEQ has 57 host locations signed up for this year’s event.
WALLEYE PLANTING
Your PLA will again plant 6” to 8” walleye in our lake this fall. Donation canisters are at resorts and businesses around
Carp Lake as well as a “fund me” site is available on the PLA face book page, “Paradise Lake Association of Carp Lake”.
The PLA will pay $1000 from their treasury toward the project to supplement your donations. Teamwork pays off! The
MDNR also plant 25,000 smaller walleye fry every 3 years in our lake, but they have a much smaller survival rate.
IN MEMORY
Our world will be less beautiful with the passing this past winter of three very generous and earth loving individuals:
Gale Shoemaker passed away on February 25, 2019. He and his lovely wife Mona (who passed on September 4, 2014)
had been PLA members for MANY years. Gale was living near his daughter’s family downstate. Stephen Smith passed
away March 17, 2019. He had created a beautiful native flower garden in the few short years he and his wife Martha had
retired to Paradise Lake. Jeff Lange, creator of Loon Corps, where the PLA purchased their loon raft, and owner of
Morningstar Jewelers in Petoskey, passed away February 26, 2019. They will all be missed for their devotion to
protecting their spaces in our green world. Our thoughts and prayers go to their friends and loved ones.
PICKLEBALL
Pickleball will be played at the Carp Lake Township Park tennis court on Paradise Tail on Monday-Wednesday-Friday at 9
am. Needed equipment and instructions will be provided. Just wear comfortable tennis or court style shoes. For
questions or additional information contact Mike Madden at 989-640-0535.
ANNUAL MEETING
Sunday, August 4, 2019 will be the date of the PLA Annual Membership Meeting, held at the Carp Lake Township
pavilion on Paradise Trail. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. with a pot luck lunch, beverages provided. Please bring your
tableware and a dish to share. The meeting and election of officers will follow the lunch. Good friends, good food, good
information!! Stay informed.
PLA WEBSITE The PLA website is www.paradiselakeassociation.org. Send e-mail to: [email protected] .
Members can submit photos to [email protected] and contact board members:
[email protected]. Paradise Lake Association of Carp Lake
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PARADISE LAKE IMPROVEMENT BOARD (PLIB)
2019 PLIB meetings will be July 10th, September 11th and November 13th at the Carp Lake town hall at 7 PM.
The PLIB mailing address is P.O. Box 52, Carp Lake, MI 49718-0052, e-mail address is [email protected]
and website is www.paradiselakeimprovementboard.com. This website is the official valid source of
information regarding PLIB minutes, reports and business.
CARP LAKE TOWNSHIP SPRING CLEAN-UP
Saturday, June 22nd from 9 am to 3 pm is the annual Carp Lake Township clean-up date. The site is at the
gravel pit on Schmalzried Road, ½ mile west of US 31. Township residents only can participate, bring proof of
property ownership. There will be a separate container to collect any item with metal attached, even anything
with a power cord. PROHIBITED ITEMS ARE: construction materials from contractors, toxic liquids, yard waste,
household garbage, concrete, bricks or blocks, mattresses or TV’s, no tires. No charge to dispose of accepted
items. Flyers around the area have details. To dispose of toxic materials, call Emmet County Household
Chemical Drop Off line at 231-348-0640. Call Paul Teike at 231-537-2513 if you need help with heavy items or
would like to volunteer to help with clean-up day. Yard waste not accepted at this site due to abuse of rules.
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Community Notes
If you do something out of duty it will deplete you, but if you do something out
of love it will energize you…. Feelgoodery.tumblr.com
You saved to Motivation
Almost every successful person begins with two beliefs: the future can be better than the present, and I have the
power to make it so. #wisdom #affirmations
HELP WANTED
PARADISE LAKE IMPROVEMENT BOARD
LOOKING FOR A PERSON TO OPERATE AND SUPERVISE THE PONTOON SUCTION BOAT
DUTIES TO INCLUDE: TRAIN OPERATORS; MAINTAIN THE SCHEDULE; MAINTAIN THE EQUIPMENT; ACCEPT WEED
PICK UP REQUESTS; HAVE ACCESS TO P/U OR TRAILER TO DISPOSE OF WEEDS.
PERIOD OF OPERATION IS MID-JUNE THROUGH SEPTEMBER, APPROXIMATELY 5-6 HOURS PER TRIP
PAY RATE IS $15 PER HOUR
IF INTERESTED PLEASE RESPOND TO [email protected]
MDNR COMMUNICATIONS
1) The Paradise Trail MDNR Public Access site will be closed from June 10 to approximately June 20 to replace
the cement underwater driveway structure. Will reopen if completed sooner.
2) A person driving a vehicle, trailer or boat with invasive species on them can now be ticketed in the state of
Michigan. Use your Paradise Lake boat wash station to clean your equipment!!
3) A Michigan State Recreation Passport is now required to make use of MDNR public access sites. Passports
can be purchased at Michigan DNR offices or Secretary of State offices when you renew your car license.
22nd ANNUAL SUMMER FESTIVAL, SATURDAY, JULY 6, 2019
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CARP LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT TRUCKS AND STAFF WILL
PARK AT MDNR PUBLIC ACCESS FOLLOWING THE PARADE
TO DISPLAY EQUIPMENT AND ANSWER QUESTIONS
7 P.M… FLOTILLA ON THE LAKE …ANCHOR YOUR BOAT IN
THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKE, TIE UP WITH OTHERS, BRING FINGER FOOD
AND BEVERAGES, SHARE & CHAT WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS
EVERYONE WELCOME….TIME FOR RELAXATION & FUN
The Bliss Bunch will host a Sale of Delicious Baked Goods
from 9am until after parade on the corner of
Gill Road/Paradise Trail
PANCAKE BREAKFAST - 8 TO 11 AM
PROVIDED BY THE PARADISE LAKE ASSOCIATION AT THE CARP LAKE TOWNSHIP HALL
$6 ADULTS – $3.00 12 AND UNDER – UNDER 5 FREE
GET YOUR T-SHIRT AND BASEBALL CAP WHILE YOU ARE THERE
1 P.M. STREET PARADE ON PARADISE TRAIL
LINE UP ON WHEELING ROAD AT 12:30 – PROCEED TO PUBLIC ACCESS
JOIN IN!!
COMMUNITY FUN DEPENDS ON YOU—SHOW US YOUR STYLE!!
THE SEPTIC QUESTION PROJECT REPORT
The Septic Question Project is a grant partnership between the Health Department of Northwest Michigan and Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, funded by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The goal of the project is to closely examine septic system policies for the entire Lake Charlevoix watershed, identify any problems, and examine potential ways to solve them. The committee was also charged with creating a Final Report for decision makers. However, because this research has generated so much interest, the Watershed Council created a similar report for Antrim, and we are currently working on reports for Cheboygan and Emmet Counties. Statement of the Problem: Most on-site septic systems in the state are never inspected again, once installed. Michigan is the only state in the nation without uniform standards for how on-site septic systems are sited, designed, built, installed and maintained. Public health officials in Michigan believe reported septic system failures represent only a fraction of the total number of failures statewide, and many go undetected or remain unreported for years. In most counties in Michigan, after a system is built, the counties do not follow up to make sure those systems are functioning properly. Because this important follow up is non-existent, it creates a potential threat to public health and water resources. To further support this point, as recently as June 2015, brand new research was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. The study, conducted by Michigan State University, used microbial source-tracking tools to show that pollution arising from septic system discharges is likely much more severe than previously realized. Results suggest human fecal contamination is affecting 100% of the studied river systems in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Key Findings: The Final Report includes a simple analysis that demonstrates potentially less than half of the aging septic systems in Charlevoix County have been replaced. Considering that typical septic systems usually have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years, those older systems still in use may have already failed, or could be on the verge of failing soon. We want to see changes that require additional oversight, to ensure failing systems are discovered before they fail, completely. Research and data collection point to warning signs that we can take into account, in support of making changes to oversight requirements. Therefore, we created a menu of Policy Options for decision makers to consider and to help get the discussion started in the community. The report was presented and distributed to local officials in the County and all of the Townships, and we are seeking feedback from them. During summer 2016, the Septic Question Committee sponsored a public event where this report was presented to the public, and public comment is being sought using an online survey. Upon compilation of feedback from officials and the general public, we will meet with the County Board of Supervisors to continue the discussion and encourage action in 2017, tailored to specific needs in the watershed. Our intent is to make change that is positive, not punitive or burdensome for citizens, businesses, and local government. We researched what is working in other areas of Michigan and the U.S. This report summarizes each policy option and outlines the Advantages and Disadvantages for each of the following:
Maintain the Status Quo
Time of Transfer Inspection Ordinance
Mandatory Pumping Ordinance
Mandatory Inspection Ordinance Provided by Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council (www.watershedcouncil.org ), celebrating their 40th year of providing guidance for
water protection in Antrim, Emmet, Charlevoix, and Cheboygan counties. Go to their website under “News & Resources” to find the
full Septic Question report and lots of pertinent information on lake protection.
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The earth has music for those who listen……..Shakesphere
From left: MaryLu Norton, Janet Holmquist, Donna Karbowski, Mary
Bleakly, Annie Coffin, Annie & George Bearden. Thanks for spring
clean-up at the downtown triangle!!......... Photo by Dominic Bertollini
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From left: Paul & Donna Karbowski, Mary Lu Norton, Greg Torsky, Mike
Madden, Keith Chaffin & David Milne. A great team doing Highway clean
up for Carp Lake community!...Photo by Donna Karbowski
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