Katrina Could Be Gone

One of the best catfish spawning locations (that holds other fish as well) could be history from the looks of the planning map.

MN and WI DNR will be in attendance according to an event posted on FaceBook.
Friday, April 15th 2016
Starting at 11 am
St James Hotel in
Red Wing, MN

This is a free public meeting for anyone that’s interested according to the FB announcement.

The take from the Post-Bulliten:

http://www.postbulletin.com/news/local/man-made-islands-could-help-lake-pepin/article_c497d86f-9149-5bf3-817f-3655974f9d77.html

Attachments:

1. 

   Head-of-the-lake.jpg
   

RSVP
Contact: Rylee Main, Executive Director, Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance, 630.806.9909

Press Release
April 4, 2016
Lake Pepin Neighbors to Discuss Restoration and Protection Efforts
Red Wing, MN — “In the coming year, we need to
pull together and find ways to unite our support and pride of what this lake means to us,” said the Executive Director of Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance, Rylee Main.
The public is invited to learn and share why Lake Pepin is critically important to many communities: migrating and resident birds, over-wintering fish species, local businesses, inspired artists, sailing and recreational enthusiasts, tourists, residents and commercial boats navigating its waters. Longtime residents, including Suzanne Blue, and fellow birders will learn from Minnesota Audubon’s Ashley Peters about the habitat needs of migratory and resident birds in a critical fly-over zone along the Upper Mississippi River at a community meeting sponsored by the Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance at the St. James Hotel, at 11 am on
Friday, April15th. Light refreshments will be served.
“We’d like to learn about shared values in the Lake Pepin community and questions on the minds of our neighbors,” said Suzanne Blue, a board member of the Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance who will be sharing some of her own personal connections to the lake.
Rylee Main will discuss the status of federal interest
in the Head of Pepin Habitat Restoration Project. She’ll look at how that connects to a feasibility study for island construction and backwater dredging at the headwaters near Bay City, Wisconsin. Expert staff from the Army Corps of
Engineers, including the ecosystem hydraulic engineer, Jon Hendrickson, will be available to answer questions. Audubon Minnesota’s Tim Schlagenhaft and staff will also be in attendance to discuss the project design along with natural resource experts from Wisconsin and Minnesota. Topics include water quality and expected resilience to ongoing sedimentation, similar project designs and financial considerations.
The Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance, based in Red Wing, MN, is a multi-state non-profit organization established in 2009 to preserve and restore Lake Pepin as an integral part of the Upper Mississippi River System.

Thanks for sharing. I’ve seen some really dandy fish coming from those exact areas…

Thanks for sharing BK. I have always wondered how Katrina got her name. Does anyone know the story behind it?

Thanks,

FDR

Lake Catherine

Why does this meeting start at 11? It’s our fees and taxes that pays for the dnr and guys like us work during the day! Do they purposely start this meeting at 11 so some can’t make it? That’s ridiculous!!

Clarification Mr. Buckeye.

This is not a Corp of Engineers Meeting nor a MN or WI DNR meeting, although when I read the release it appeared to be as it did you.

This is being held by the Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance and (according to the release) will be representatives to the MN and WI DNR as well as the Corp in attendance.

Whoops sorry I blew up but still 11am?

Yes… 11 am to 1 pm.

I’m hoping to be in the St James restaurant having Sturdiwheat Pancakes by 10 am. Swing in if you can.

Update on todays LPLA Meeting.
First off, I have to say I’m onboard with the idea of this project.
Next I’ll say that there’s a very very long way to go (to get anything done), but it’s a movement in the right direction. And it is movement which is something that has been lacking.
For those that are concern about the fish, be it walleye, catfish or any of the other 109 or so species of fish in the Mississippi, well the LPLA is doing it right. Before going to all the agencies they will need a permit from, they’re taking notes on all of the concerns each group or individual has.
Oh, planning map below? That was created by the WI DNR. I should have known just by looking at it.
The meeting was well attended, there were even a couple fishermen there to represent the fish. Something that been mostly absent from other meetings I’ve attended.
The main topic of the day, much to the discontent of the LPLA was the Minnesota River. Now these are my words and not the LPLA’s.
“Since the folks along the MN River can’t slow the sediments filling Lake Pepin, we need to do something ourselves.”
I’ve always liked that attitude. Stop complaining about something that I can’t control and do something myself to fix the problem. Now I’m not saying the people along the MN River are sitting on their hands but there’s too many interests involved (and government red tape) for anything to happen fast enough for my tastes.
Of course the siltation can’t totally be stopped. But it can be slowed and in the mean time changing the way the sediments are deposited are the next best thing.
If you would like to show your support to this group, and $10.00 won’t take food away from your kids, here’s where to sign up.
http://www.lakepepinlegacyalliance.org/donate-2/