Minnesota Star Lakes Program established

The Minnesota legislature established a Star Lakes and Star Rivers program in the Spring of 2008 (the enabling legislation can be viewed at https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/statutes/?id=103B.701&year=2008). According to Senator Mary Olson, who authored and carried the bill, the program is designed to encourage and reward citizen participation in lake and river management and protection. The program will be implemented by a Star Lake Board comprising various state agency representatives and citizen volunteers representing riparian property owners from around the state.

To attain a Star Lake or Star River designation, a citizen-initiated lake or river association must meet four basic eligibility criteria. First, a Management Plan addressing ten specific areas of concern must be developed by the association and approved the Star Lake Board. Second, at least 50% of eligible property owners must be members of the association. Third, the association must participate in a volunteer water quality monitoring program meeting Pollution Control Agency Standards. Finally, the association must meet annually to review and monitor their Management Plan which is to be formally updated every five years.

In addition to signage recognizing Star status, designated lake or river associations will be eligible for special project funding on a competitive basis. Potential project funding sources include the Clean Water portion of the recent constitutionally-mandated sales tax increase as well as private philanthropy dollars. In addition, Star Lakes and Star Rivers may receive special consideration by state agencies allocating financial and staff resources. Several Beltrami County lakes are already strong candidates for Star Lake status, based on past participation in the Healthy Lakes and Rivers Partnership program jointly administered by Beltrami SWCD and the Northwest Minnesota Foundation.

Beltrami County is well-represented on the 15-member Star Lake Board. Dann Siems, Beltrami SWCD Aquatic Biologist, was appointed by the Speaker of the House to represent organization that promotes clean lakes and rivers. Jim Jones, Bemidji-based Cultural Resources Director, represents the the Indian Affairs Council. The Star Lake Board is currently developing application and certification procedures and expects to consider initial applicants by late spring of 2009. If you are interested in finding out more about the Star Lakes program visit their website at http://www.starlakes.org/.