Current News
T-Docks Planting of 300 Native Plants Along the Shoreline
Recently a team of ERCLA member volunteers and Quita Sheehan from the Vilas County Land and Water Conservation Department met at the T-Docks Landing on Yellow Birch Lake to plant over 300 native plants along the shoreline. The scope of the project is to create a demonstration shoreline buffer to show ERCLA riparians how they can add more native plant species to their shoreline buffers and do so in an aesthetically pleasing way. Improving the diversity of plants will enhance pollinator and wildlife habitats and reduce soil erosion. ERCLA would like to thank Ed Bonack, George Katich, Deb McGee, Jim Ehler, Steve Skora, Sue Skora, Sue Groth, Pat Peterson, Jody Voight, Marc Groth and Quita Sheehan for their time and effort.
ERCLA Volunteers Refreshed ERCLA’s Invasive Species Pink Bucket Program.
On Monday, May 13th, a group of ERCLA volunteers completed a refresh of ERCLA’s invasive species Pink Bucket Program.
Marc Groth, Tom Batterman, Jody Voight and Steve Skora
Earth Day Kick Off of the T-Docks Landing Shoreline Restoration Project
The ERCLA Restoration Committee along with other ERCLA volunteers along with Quita Sheehan from Vilas County Land and Water got together on Earth Day to kick off the T-Docks Landing Shoreline Restoration project located on Yellow Birch Lake. The project is a collaboration between ERCLA, Vilas County Land and Water, and the City of Eagle River. The project’s objectives are erosion control, enhance the vegetative diversity for pollinators and birds, deter geese, enhance ERCLA’s commitment for continued grants, and provide educational opportunities for Eagle River Chain homeowners and visitors who use the T-docks boat landing. The group spent the morning weeding out the thistle and spreading seeds of various types of grasses in among the existing sedge grasses.
Eagle River Chain of Lakes Shoreland Condition
By Marc Groth, Shoreline Restoration Chair and Duck Lake Captain
One of the most vulnerable areas of a lake’s watershed is the immediate shoreland zone (from the water’s edge to 35’ from shore). When this 35’ buffer is developed, the increased impervious surface, removal of natural vegetation and other human practices can severely increase pollutant loads to the lake while degrading important habitat. Limiting these man-made effects on the lake is important in maintaining the quality of the lake’s water and habitat.
Click here to read on.
ULERCLC Meeting to Take Place on Thursday, February 15, 2024
Meeting of the Unified Lower Eagle River Chain of Lakes Commission (ULERCLC) will take place on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 12:00 pm, at the Eagle River City Hall, 525 E. Maple, Eagle River, Wisconsin.
To view the full agenda click here.
To view the previous ULERCLC meeting notes from November 16, 2023, click here.
Wake Boat Legislative Update Regarding the Eagle River Chain of Lakes Watershed and Ecosystem
We have created a wake boat legislative update regarding the Eagle River Chain of Lakes watershed and ecosystem. To view, please visit https://bit.ly/3vwOaGb.
Onterra LLC’s Findings of EWM Levels on the Chain
The Vilas County News Review reports on Onterra LLC’s findings of Eurasian water milfoil levels on the chain.
Click the link to the view article. https://www.vcnewsreview.com/news/eurasian-water-milfoil-levels-creeping-up-on-eagle-river-chain/article_58a54bc4-9477-11ee-9940-3ff3cfdee8cf.html
Onterra, LLC to Release the 2023 Eagle River Chainwide Lake Management Results
Save the Date: On Wednesday, November 15th at 7:00 PM, representatives from Onterra, LLC, who provide lake management planning services, will release the 2023 Eagle River Chainwide Lake Management results and the 2024 plans.
This session will be hosted by the Town of Washington at 2301 Town Hall Rd, Eagle River. ERCLA representatives and Commission members will be in attendance. This meeting is open to the public and impacts every property owner on the Chain.
2023 Annual Membership Meeting
Join us for the Annual Membership Meeting on July 30th. Hosted by Braywood.
Business Meeting at 10:30 am, followed by Educational Event and Picnic.
Please RSVP to [email protected] or 920-428-6743.
Vilas County to Implement User Fees at Parks and Boat Landings
By Katie Thoresen, WXPR Public Radio
Vilas County will soon require parking permits at many of its parks and boating landings.
“Our use has gone way up with COVID and everything and renewed insurgence of people wanting to get outdoors,” said Todd Bierman, the Vilas County Parks and Recreation Supervisor.
Like much public land during the pandemic, Vilas County has seen the usage of its parks and boating landings increase dramatically in the last few years.
The increased use has also meant more wear and tear on facilities and infrastructure.
“Nothing you put in lasts forever. A need for maintaining it and improving it has come to a point,” said Bierman.
Bierman says the county board unanimously approved implementing the fee system after more than a year of discussion among the forestry, recreation, and land committee.
The money from the fees will go into the county’s general fund.