Letter from Jack King

To Our Donors

     We wrote to you in November about a letter from the DNR’s Northern Region Director which described a study the DNR is conducting with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to measure the relationship between input and output of water in the MW lake and river system. John Gozdzialski’s letter mentioned “next year” (2010) as a probable date for publication of the Environmental Assessment (EA).

     Through the efforts of our attorneys in obtaining documents via the Freedom of Information Act we have now learned that the USGS project extends through 2011. We’ve talked to the DNR Supervisor in Rhinelander overseeing the EA. He has admitted that data collection might extend beyond this coming summer, putting EA publication into 2011.

     It is frustrating to realize that this matter may not be resolved after eight years. The DNR’s proposals for changes in the operation of the Rest Lake Dam go back to 2003. In those early years community leaders insisted that what the DNR was proposing for the Dam was unsupported by solid scientific evidence. Yet even after a contentious public meeting in August 2007,  DNR staff continued to defend their proposals. Now they are finally engaged in gathering reliable data about flow into and out of the Chain and the operational efficiency of the Dam. This result of the Defense Fund’s ongoing legal efforts can be credited to your continuing financial support.

     This message is not about fundraising but rather to ask for your help in collecting data that will be useful to our legal team. Our attorney has proposed that any Chain property-owner who is in MW this spring or early summer should take pictures of and provide information on any shoreline structure damage resulting from wind-blown ice at the time of break-up. This request is based on the possibility that alterations in the fall drawdown will be part of a new Operating Order. We know that opinions differ on the effects of higher ice on piers, shore stations, and wet boathouses, and we’re not asking you to “vote” on ice-levels. Our legal team simply wants a “snapshot” of conditions on the Chain in the spring.

     Please send your data and pictures to Defense Fund President Jack King at either jgrovking@yahoo.com, or to him at P.O. Box 236, Manitowish Waters, WI 54545. He’ll be glad to respond to your questions and concerns.