Trumpeter Swans found dead near Upper Rice Lake reignites dispute over water management – ‘This is not a dead horse’
Wed, 03/27/2019 - 3:52pm
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By:
Karen Edelbach
Tim Halberg, a Bear Creek Township resident, came to the Clearwater County Board of Commissioners on March 19, 2019 with a presentation about the discovery of four Trumpeter Swans found dead on the Upper Rice Lake shore last summer.
“These are protected birds and it is believed the death of the swans is linked to the DNR spraying of the area with products containing chemicals such as glyphosate, which are found in Rodeo and Monsanto products,” Tim said.
“The DNR drains our water sheds, and the Fish & Wildlife often restores them. In my opinion the County should not tolerate this double standard. I think the County and Townships should resist that. Any Board can stand up to the State and say no.”
The DNR suggests that the spray is non-toxic used according to the label, but research shows much data to the contrary, including lawsuits paying a great deal of money related to deaths connected with close use of the chemical.
“I don't want my tax dollars to pay for spraying on our fresh water. With lower water levels there is an increase in cattails, then the DNR sprays to kill them. Herbicides are harmful and we are killing our wetlands,” he said.
Farmers in attendance who rely heavily on the chemicals on their land disagreed, and did not believe the chemicals to be as dangerous as stated.
While use of dangerous sprays on the area waters is a serious issue to many, there is much more to this story which goes back to the early 1960s, and has been a hot topic among Minerva and Bear Creek Township area residents ever since.
“The DNR wanted to build a controlled structure (dam) at the entrance to Minerva Lake but a lot of property owners did not approve. Around 1968, the State bought some land that became available there and the DNR bypassed Minerva Lake to put the dam at the outlet to Upper Rice Lake. That is when the controversies began, and have been going on ever since,” stated Dean Newland who is District 2 Commissioner in that area, in a follow-up telephone interview.
“The main issue is to restore the river between Minerva and Upper Rice Lake back to the original way nature intended it to be.”
He noted that Upper Rice Lake is the biggest lake that is completely in Clearwater County, and it is at the top of the Continental Divide. It is the very beginning of the Wild Rice Watershed, which flows to Ada and Fargo.
“DNR controls the structure and keeps the dam at the lower level to help control flooding there, but turns the Upper Rice Lake into mud. Minerva Lake used to be a beautiful lake, and a good fishing lake; but now it is full of cattails.”
Prior to 2004, 1000s of fish were found dead along the shores of both lakes, but when photos were presented to the DNR, they refused to come and look for themselves.
“An Advisory Board was formed. Bemidji TV was here. DNR was here, and the Water Shed District,” Commissioner Dean Newland said. “The DNR would not work with us. Rooms were packed with people, but the DNR did not like hearing what they had to say about wanting the natural waterway restored. Letters of Resolution are on file from the County and townships showing they do not agree with the DNR management plan,” he said. “There have been years of meetings and numerous letters about the controversy.”
“The County has done everything possible to do something about this. They (DNR) don't want to deal with it,” he said. “This has to go to the DNR again. Maybe with Tim's input, who has many degrees and is very knowledgeable, and new personnel at the DNR, the time has come that they will listen.”
It was stated that this issue has been treated as “a dead horse” by local media in the community. But it still a hot topic when discussed at local township meetings according to Tim Halberg and Dean Newland.
One of the purposes of keeping the water levels low is to increase wild rice production.
Engineer Dan Sauvé said the water was kept high when he came to the County in the 90s.
“It would be interesting to see if the wild rice production has improved since then,” he said.
“This is not a dead horse,” Tim adamantly stated. His next presentation will be to the DNR in an attempt to get them to see this as a serious issue to protect the wetlands, including 4-Legged Lake.
“It may come down to lawsuits,” he stated.
“Restoration should be the number one goal – going back to mother nature should be what we are looking for,” Commissioner Newland stated.
SWCD Lori Buell, District Manager received approval for the extension of the County Lake Access Enhancement Project that was originally passed and signed on July 12, 2016 to continue the funding until the end of the grant agreement on Dec. 31, 2019.
“There is over $45,000 left,” she stated.
“This is a good grant, and we really do want to keep this. This is important,” said Commissioner John Nelson.
Director of Nursing Marissa Hetlund received approval to hire three Home Health Aides/Homemakers for Nursing Service. They are Jill Olson, casual to part time; Kiley Netland, part time; Hannah Neeland, part time; and Joan Hanson on a casual status.
Assessor Jamie Freeman updated the Commissioners about important information regarding property assessments that may affect 2020 property taxes.
“There are no land value changes, little change in ratios, and little in Bagley. Commercial property is what is difficult,” Ms. Freeman said.
“Most Commercial parcels in the City of Bagley were reviewed. Green Acre values are assigned by the State of Minnesota.” Values for non-tillable remained constant at $1,000 per acre.
County Auditor Allen Paulson was authorized to pay the submitted invoices of $14,126 for the County Revenue Fund and $13,388 for the Nursing Service Fund.
All Commissioners were present at the meeting: John Nelson, Neal Illies, Dean Newland, Mark Titera, and Mark Larson.