June 28. 2025

Meeting commenced at 11:10 AM – Sheri’s Pub and Grill

Welcome and Introductions

Jean Rutkowski welcomed all to the 22nd annual CSLA meeting. New CSLA members, first-time meeting attendees, Board members, and Landing Monitors were recognized.

Treasurer’s Report – Debbie Mursch

2024 year-end (YE) assets from the CSLA checking account and 3 CDs totaled $35,950.58. These funds have been set aside for “emergencies”, i.e. invasive weeds and channel dredging. The DNR grant ($4,000) was awarded again in 2024. The LDF grant ($1,000) was not awarded in 2023 but resumed in 2024.

Donations set a record high in 2024 and are on track to be even higher in 2025. Tracking current members who move and new property owners who may be interested in membership can be difficult. Please contact a board member if you have information that may help keep the membership list current.

LCS Landing – Jean Rutkowski

Mary Rodman was hired as the LCS Landing Monitor and Volunteer Coordinator in 2018 and retired in 2025. We would like to recognize Mary’s contributions to the CSLA and her dedication to keeping our lakes pristine and free of invasive weeds!

Thank you to our 2025 Landing Monitors: Ben Wegner, new hire this year; Todd Wegner, who also serves as the Volunteer Coordinator; and Bob Lapacek. Together, their time amounts to 56 hours per week. In addition to Ben, Todd, and Bob, volunteers are still needed to cover approximately 2 hours most days.

Follow up on possible invasive weed issue at the landing in 2024: so far there is no indication of EWM at the landing. The Tribe indicated they will be checking the landing for any sign of invasiveweeds; this activity is pending.

Update on Projects – B.J. McMahon

Channel between Little and Big Crawling Stone – BJ has connected with a contractor who said he is willing to do the dredging, possibly this fall, and will take care of the permitting. The cost analysis from this contractor is pending. *Permits are not issued until a contractor has been identified and a cost analysis completed.

Speaker – Mike Costello (see attached Twin Placid Lake District, Crawling Stone Lake Association Presentation, 6/28/25) Mike shared the history and status of the Twin Placid Lake District’s proposed project to dredge the channel between Twin Placid and Fence Lake. He stressed that their solution might not be our solution given the differing scope of each project. For instance, Twin Placid’s two channels are 1,000 and 80 feet long and originally built in the 1930s. The LCS channel is approximately 30 feet long.

Mike’s suggestions are to 1) verify our funding method; 2) contact the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and discuss our desire to dredge; 3) contact the Tribe and ask for their process /Land Use Agreement (LUA); and 4) to avoid a possible penalty of up to $10,000, contact the DNR and Tribe ahead of time regarding permits rather than trying to skip this step. We may also want to consider joining forces with Twin Placid, Moss, and/or Long Interlocken regarding the permitting.

Mike suggested reading “People of the Lakes: A Guide for Wisconsin Lakes Organizations” published by UW-Stevens Point.

Volunteers – Todd Wegner

There are 23 volunteers signed up to help cover the first 53 days of the summer season. We still need 9 more between now and 7/19. Todd will send an email to the membership each week throughout the summer with updates on the number of volunteers needed.

Website and Facebook – Jean Rutkowski

Thank you to Rick O’Donnell, Andy Coopman, and B.J. McMahon for their work on developing the new CSLA website: crawlingstonelakes.org.

Contact a board member if you have something you’d like to post.

CSLA also has a Facebook page for member posting and interaction. Requests for access are approved by B.J.

Survey – Jean Rutkowski

A student from UW-Stevens Point, Maria Skee, has expressed interest in doing a water quality survey of Crawling Stone Lakes. This is just a heads up in case you are contacted.

Member Input

  • Ralph Kerler – Ralph suggested looking at the Minocqua Kawaguesaga Lake website to read about their efforts to eradicate EWM. Thus far they have spent over $800K on this effort. Prevention is key. The earlier you find it the greater the chance of eradicating it.
  • Suggestion – have a QR code at the LCS landing for donating
  • Question – “barge boats” that come through the channel for dock and lift installations are potentially destructive due to their size. Is there anything that can be done about this? Todd Wegner said he interacts with the operators regularly at the landing and will talk with them about being careful, not powering up too close to shore, no loud music, etc. Todd has found them to be respectful and responsible.

Raffle – Doug and Colleen Akerley

Thank you to all who participated in the 50:50 raffle! All proceeds go toward the CSLA.

Thank you to Sheri’s Pub and Grill for hosting the meeting!

Meeting adjourned at 12:07 PM

FYI - A detailed summary of all financial activities was passed out during the meeting. If you could not attend, but would like a copy of that summary, please request one at crawlingstonelakes@gmail.com.