Category Archives: DLWID

 
Group takes issue with aesthetics, cost and communication

A group of Lincoln City-area residents are protesting the Devils Lake Water Improvement District’s (DLWID) planned $1-million purchase of SolarBees, water circulation devices that combat blue-green algae, and made their position clear by posting about 300 “No Solar Bee” signs in lake neighborhoods last week.

The group also provides window posters and brochures, and planned to hand out about 75 T-shirts to protest SolarBees at the DLWID board meeting Thursday. About 500 mailers were sent to area residents.

The group’s website address is www.nosolarbees.com.

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After hearing from nearly 50 people tonight, the Devils Lake Water Improvement District Board voted unanimously to defer any further action toward placement of SolarBees on Devils Lake. 

More specifically the resolution made by Otis Winchester read;

“I move that we defer further actions toward pursuing SolarBees until we have more information regarding the nature, extent and effects of cyanobacteria and learn more about the safety experience with SolarBees on other recreational lakes.”

In other actions the Board created a permanent Communications Committee staffed by members of the community to advise the board in improving communication to lake users.

This result is proof that public involvement can really work, that said its tiring, and I’m not home yet.  So I’ll provide more details after a good night’s sleep.  Thank you all for your support.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN – LET’S WORK COOPERATIVELY
 TO RESTORE, PRESERVE, AND ENHANCE DEVIL’S LAKE

 There is evidence that the cyanobacteria problem in Devils Lake is getting worse.  Sediment cores dating from the 1840’s to the present (2005) demonstrate that harmful cyanobacteria are reappearing each year and their populations continue to increase substantially.  With the loss of nearly all aquatic weeds in 1994 to the grass carp, the cyanobacteria have grown exponentially in numbers in the recent decade. Experts tell us that, once such a trend is established, it usually continues and accelerates.  The DLWID Board has attempted over the past two years to identify every possible method to combat the problem.  Chemical solutions are objectionable to many people, and they are prohibitively expensive because chemical applications always have to be repeated.  Every other solution was either ineffective, or too expensive, and usually both.  The Board has also been aware that the weed problem on Devils Lake is likely to return soon due to the demise of the aging grass carp. 

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Thanks to a generous donation from Lake Front homeowner Larry Brown we have produced 300 yard signs for placement on the lake.  These 18″x24″ signs will clearly declare your position as it relates to Devil’s Lake Water Improvement District’s plans to put 20 SolarBees on our lake this summer.  That is “SolarBees – No! No! No! ”  Our goal is to put all 300 signs on the lake to send a clear message to DLWID that SolarBees are unpopular and unwanted.  Additionally we hope that these signs will get the message out to the greater public that regularly use Devil’s Lake throughout the year.  There opinion should be a part of this decision along with the rest of us.

New Yard Sign

If you would like to have a No SolarBees sign placed at the water’s edge on your property please email your request including the address of your lakefront property to [email protected].  We’ll make our best effort to install a sign on your behalf as soon as possible.  If you would like to make a donation to the cause to help defer these costs let us know, all contributions will be gladly accepted.

So don’t delay!  Let us know of your desire to voice your opposition to SolarBees!  The sooner we get these signs placed, the more effective our message will be.

Thanks again, Larry!