Tomahawk Lake Association Picnic, Kemp Station, July 2009 Listed below is an executive summary of Tomahawk Lake’s Comprehensive Lake Management Plan (CLMP) Goals and Objectives as submitted to the DNR. It has already allowed our association to receive over $150,000 in DNR supporting grant funds for 2009 thru 2010.
The overall plan is truly comprehensive at 105 pages plus and will be our guide to mutual understanding of lake issues specific to Tomahawk Lake. Most importantly it guides our strategy and execution as an organization. The goals and objectives listed are a direct result of open forum sessions and surveys from you the users of and property owners surrounding Tomahawk Lake.
Tomahawk Lake Association plans to hold an open forum discussion annually, with the first session planned for June 2010 at Indian Shores. Details will follow as the date nears. The purpose of the forum will be centered on one of our core guiding principles of our organization; Inclusiveness and Transparency. The CLMP and attachedsummary below was based upon your input. Each year you will have to opportunity to make sure that our primary objectives, tasks and timelines are on target to our vision as an organization.
I want to thank you, our membership, for being engaged in the health of our lake. I also want to thank the CLMP steering committee for incorporating community opinions in a guiding document that allowed Tomahawk Lake Association to receive the necessary DNR grant funds in order for us to continue our work at an effective level:
Radley Watkins –Environmental Scientist, Northern Environmental
James Kavemeier – Chair of CLMP Committee
John Rybski – Chair of Aquatic Invasive Species Committee
As well as the rest of the dedicated CLMP Committee: Judith Bloom, Roger Cote, Jim Ferguson and Jim Nicholson.
Todd Kavemeier, President, Tomahawk Lake Association, Inc.
p.s. If you are a member and want more detail on the CLMP’s established tasks and deadlines, simply e-mail me at tkavemeier@tribune.com and I will send you a PDF.
1.1 Vision Statement, Goals, and Objects
Vision: Through purposeful leadership and cooperation between private citizens and public officials insure that the Tomahawk Lake System is a place where water quality, wildlife habitat, natural beauty, recreational opportunities, peace and tranquility are maintained and improved for present and future generations to enjoy.
The goals and objectives used to implement the Vision of the Tomahawk Lake System have been organized under the following programs:
- Aquatic Plant & Other Invasive Species Management
- Water Quality (Lake Stewardship)
- Recreation & Tourism
- Watershed & Land Use (Watershed Stewardship)
- Education
- Communication and Networking
Aquatic Plant and Other Invasive Species Management Program
Goal: To reduce the acreage, abundance, and frequency of occurrence of Eurasian watermilfoil infestation, restore native plant communities and prevent other aquatic invasive species infestation.
Objective: Reduce EWM infestation by 80% over the next five years.
Objective: Utilize the Tomahawk Lake System Sentinel Aquatic Invasive Species Monitoring program to identify the location and extent of invasive infestations.
Objective: Develop and implement a fishing tournament AIS management and monitoring program.
Objective: Develop and implement the WDNR Clean Boats, Clean Waters program.
Water Quality Program (Lake Stewardship)
Goal: Maintain the quality of Tomahawk Lake System waters.
Objective: To continue and expand the Tomahawk Lake System comprehensive water quality monitoring program through the WDNR Citizen Lake Monitoring Network. The program would include Water Clarity Monitoring and Water Chemistry Monitoring.
Objective: To encourage the incorporation of water quality protection measures in the design, construction and maintenance of all lake access sites on the Tomahawk Lake System. (e.g. storm water control, site drainage control, appropriate plant matter disposal, and watercraft wash down facilities).
Recreation & Tourism Program
Goal: For the benefit of residents and visitors, maintain a high quality, safe and diverse environment for fishing, watercraft activities, swimming and other lake-based recreation in which natural habitats and biotic communities are protected and enhanced, natural beauty sustained and the recreational use of the Tomahawk Lake System occurs in harmony with each other and nature.
Objective: TLA, working in concert with the WDNR staff and representatives of fishing related businesses, should evaluate the Tomahawk Lake System fish management goals, objectives and management practices in order to maintain and enhance a quality family sport fishery.
Objective: TLA, working in concert with the WDNR staff and representatives of fishing related businesses, should evaluate the Tomahawk Lake System fish tournaments goals, objectives and procedures in order to assess the impact of fishing tournaments on the quality of the family sport fishery.
Objective: Promote safe boating and minimize recreational conflicts through education, the creation of slow-no-wake zones, and the enforcement of boating laws and ordinances.
Watershed & Land Use Program (Watershed Stewardship)
Goal: Monitor and support watershed and land-use practices which maintain or improve water quality. Of particular importance are land-use practices that limit nutrient and soil runoff from the watershed into the Tomahawk Lake System.
Objective: To support the identification and preservation of critical species and critical habitat lands, primary and secondary environmental corridors, and wetlands within the watershed. (These are areas with rare vegetation, important habitat for wildlife, or important spawning and nursery areas for fish. Preservation of these lands has a direct impact on the water quality of the lake.)
Education Program
Goal: Develop an education program(s) to encourage property owners, visitors, and others to become good stewards of the lake and watershed by promoting awareness about the impact of their activities on water quality.
Objective: Provide visitors with education and information concerning the impact their activities on the Tomahawk Lake System can have on the spread of EWM and other aquatic invasive species, native wildlife and their habitats, and the quality of the water in the lake.
Objective: Provide education and information to shoreline property owners regarding native aquatic plant protection and how shoreline management can slow the spread of EWM, improve the lake fishery, improve wildlife habitat and impact the quality of the water in the lake.
Communication & Networking Program
Goal: To encourage and support the other lakes in the watershed through collaboration on matters of mutual benefit including education, advocacy and other stewardship opportunities.
Objective: To meet on a regular basis with representatives of lakes located within the watershed and local government agencies to inform and discuss current programs and issues and to find solutions to the issues discussed.
Objective: To provide the local newspapers, radio stations, TV stations, and other local media with information regarding current TLA education and lake management programs.
