Okoboji Protective Association

Summer 2011

From the OPA President

Dear Members,

Summer has finally arrived at Okoboji! A wet, cool spring stubbornly yielded to the warm temperatures of late June and early July. Summer is in full swing, as is the OPA.

The spring and early summer has been a very busy time for the OPA. Oftentimes OPA members ask what is it that the OPA does. The simple answer is: MANY THINGS TO IMPROVE AND ENHANCE THE WATER QUALITY AND ECOLOGICAL HEALTH OF LAKE WEST OKOBOJI AND THE IOWA GREAT LAKES WATERSHED. The following is a short list of current projects and activities of the OPA:

• The OPA has partnered with the Spirit Lake Protective Association with respect to an endowment that has been created to provide funds for future major repairs to Gull Point State Park shelter house and Mini-Wakan State Park shelter house. This partnership will make certain that visitors and lake residents alike will have the use and enjoyment of the respective shelter houses for many years going forward.
• This past year, the OPA donated $15,000 towards education concerning aquatic invasive species in the Iowa Great Lakes. This educational endeavor includes underwriting informative billboards erected on Highway 86, providing boaters maps throughout the region with admonitions regarding the spread of unwanted aquatic hitchhikers, placement of ads on KUOO during Walleye Weekend regarding the dangers of milfoil, and providing information at various boat ramps - all directed towards educating the public of the dangers of unwanted aquatic invasive species and prevention of the same.
• The OPA has assisted in the funding of the Student Conservation Association (SCA) to the tune of $6,800. College students have been hired through the SCA and receive food and lodging at the Iowa Lakeside Lab. These students monitor the boat ramps in the Iowa Great Lakes, educate boaters regarding aquatic invasive species, and inspect boats prior to launching to make certain no unwanted aquatic visitors enter the lakes.
• The OPA contributed $15,000 for scholarships for 2011 summer students at the Iowa Lakeside Lab. Students participating in this program assist in the environmental protection and analyze water samples collected through the CLAMP Program that began in 1999 under the direction of OPA stalwart Jane Shuttleworth. These water samples are analyzed at the Bovbjerg Water Chemistry Laboratory located in the Waitt Lab at the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory. These efforts contribute to the constant monitoring of the water quality of West Lake Okoboji.
• The OPA has provided support to the Emerson Bay Trails Improvement which is part of the Dickinson County Trails. The OPA has contributed $10,000 to assist in the wetland restoration portion of the trail in Emerson Bay with an additional contribution to be made in 2012.
• This spring, with the backing of the OPA, the Iowa legislature adopted a lower threshold for enforcement of boating while intoxicated laws.
• The OPA has an admirable track record for environmental monitoring and protection and has led the charge to promote the construction of environmentally safe storm sewers, encourage the use of zero phosphorous fertilizers in lawns and gardens adjacent to the lake, and pioneering the concept of low impact development.

This is just a snippet of the various activities the OPA is currently involved in. As stated in previous communications, the most significant challenge facing our organization is preserving the integrity of the water quality of West Lake Okoboji and controlling the proliferation of aquatic invasive species. To date, our considerable efforts have been successful in preventing the invasion of unwanted environmental predators. This accomplishment is the direct result of the unwavering commitment of many associated with the OPA. That is one reason why your membership is essential.

Keep an eye out for the Notice of our Annual Meeting which will arrive soon. This year's meeting will certainly provide important information on the future funding of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, a topic of critical environmental interest. Also, a highlight of our Annual Meeting is the presentation of the Ace Cory Conservation Award, annually awarded to an individual who has carried on the tradition of a principled and ardent environmentalist, that tradition firmly established by our late friend, Ace.

One final comment. It was erroneously reported that the OPA was not an appropriately registered and qualified 501(c)(3) organization. Thanks to the vigilance of Barry Sackett, our Treasurer, the OPA is not facing the problem many non-profits are facing due to the fact that they did not keep their non-profit status current.

I look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting! Celebrate the balance of the summer and keep in mind that the enjoyment of our pristine lake is not a given - we must constantly monitor, and sometimes battle for, the integrity of our ecosystem!

Joseph L. Fitzgibbons
President