Recent News
A Message from the President
I am so honored to be SECOLA’s new president and to serve our lake community with such a dedicated Board. A special thanks to Scott Reynolds for providing thoughtful leadership for the past four years. Scott will stay on the board and I am grateful for his support. First I’d like to share some of the behind the scenes work the Board is currently working on:
The North Lake Boat Landing Committee, with representatives from Florence County Forestry and Parks, Flor-ence County Land Conservation and Spread Eagle Chain of Lakes Association (SECOLA) continues to work on improving the boat landing. SECOLA members involved include Jay Weber, Gary Weber, Scott Reynolds. and myself. Our goal is to design a landing that will be both functional and protective ofour lakes by using infiltration basins and permeable pavers to help reduce the risk of introducing pollutants and invasive species into the lake.
We are also working with the Wisconsin DNR to renew our Bass Island Management Plan and Land Usage Agreement. The original plan from 1999 will be updated to identify and implement improvements needed on Bass Island and its shoreline. I would like to thank Dan Cecconi, Gary Weber, Chuck Hjerpe, Joe Buchanan, Carl Sundberg, Scott Reynolds and Britt Reynolds for their input.
In addition to supporting the safety of our waters, Britt Reynolds, Water Safety Chair, has been researching grants applicable to our lakes and shorelines. With the help of Glen Johnson we hope to obtain grants through the DNR for 2026. (As discussed at the Annual Meeting, we no longer have grant money available to fund the identifica-tion and removal of Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) currently found in North and Middle Lake. If EWM is found in other lakes then we would be able to reapply for a Rapid Response Grant.)
This year was the first year SECOLA published the directory. Thanks to the talent (and hours) of Scott Howard, Katie Reynolds and Martie Muzzy, our directory is now digitalized.
Jay Weber, Invasive Species Committee Chair, reports that our Decontamination Station was taken to Nine Lakes for winterization and storage by Gary Weber. Special thanks to the water tank crew of Carl Larrson, Joe Rizzo, Chuck Hjerpe, Scott Howard, and Gary Weber for maintaining the station throughout the summer. Thanks to Joe Plourde for storing the station and to the Parmar Family on North Lake for giving us access to a hose bib to fill the water tank. It truly does take a village! Jay noted that our lake level as of September 22nd was 50 1/2” which is exactly where it should be. This year, working with White Water Associates, the team identified and removed 457 lbs of Eurasian Water Milfoil from North and Middle Lake (see chart below). Jay plans on doing a final EMW survey in October to assess our needs for spring.
As always, we look forward to the change of seasons, gathering for the holidays with family and friends. This year our thoughts and prayers are with our lake families who have been affected by hurricanes and tornedoes.
Respectfully, Deb
I am so honored to be SECOLA’s new president and to serve our lake community with such a dedicated Board. A special thanks to Scott Reynolds for providing thoughtful leadership for the past four years. Scott will stay on the board and I am grateful for his support. First I’d like to share some of the behind the scenes work the Board is currently working on:
The North Lake Boat Landing Committee, with representatives from Florence County Forestry and Parks, Flor-ence County Land Conservation and Spread Eagle Chain of Lakes Association (SECOLA) continues to work on improving the boat landing. SECOLA members involved include Jay Weber, Gary Weber, Scott Reynolds. and myself. Our goal is to design a landing that will be both functional and protective ofour lakes by using infiltration basins and permeable pavers to help reduce the risk of introducing pollutants and invasive species into the lake.
We are also working with the Wisconsin DNR to renew our Bass Island Management Plan and Land Usage Agreement. The original plan from 1999 will be updated to identify and implement improvements needed on Bass Island and its shoreline. I would like to thank Dan Cecconi, Gary Weber, Chuck Hjerpe, Joe Buchanan, Carl Sundberg, Scott Reynolds and Britt Reynolds for their input.
In addition to supporting the safety of our waters, Britt Reynolds, Water Safety Chair, has been researching grants applicable to our lakes and shorelines. With the help of Glen Johnson we hope to obtain grants through the DNR for 2026. (As discussed at the Annual Meeting, we no longer have grant money available to fund the identifica-tion and removal of Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) currently found in North and Middle Lake. If EWM is found in other lakes then we would be able to reapply for a Rapid Response Grant.)
This year was the first year SECOLA published the directory. Thanks to the talent (and hours) of Scott Howard, Katie Reynolds and Martie Muzzy, our directory is now digitalized.
Jay Weber, Invasive Species Committee Chair, reports that our Decontamination Station was taken to Nine Lakes for winterization and storage by Gary Weber. Special thanks to the water tank crew of Carl Larrson, Joe Rizzo, Chuck Hjerpe, Scott Howard, and Gary Weber for maintaining the station throughout the summer. Thanks to Joe Plourde for storing the station and to the Parmar Family on North Lake for giving us access to a hose bib to fill the water tank. It truly does take a village! Jay noted that our lake level as of September 22nd was 50 1/2” which is exactly where it should be. This year, working with White Water Associates, the team identified and removed 457 lbs of Eurasian Water Milfoil from North and Middle Lake (see chart below). Jay plans on doing a final EMW survey in October to assess our needs for spring.
As always, we look forward to the change of seasons, gathering for the holidays with family and friends. This year our thoughts and prayers are with our lake families who have been affected by hurricanes and tornedoes.
Respectfully, Deb