LAKE MINNETONKA CONSERVATON DISTRICT CONSENSUS

  
The League of Women Voters of Excelsior-Deephaven Area, recognizing the need for protecting Lake Minnetonka, a unique natural resource, endorses the concept of the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District.  The LMCD is a cooperative local organization of all municipalities around the lake, formed to conserve and improve the lake to ensure equality of use opportunity and to balance competing use demands.

In order to provide continuity in policy and authority and yet reflect the attitudes of the local municipalities, directors of the LMCD should be appointed from each city to
serve staggered terms of service.  Voting power shall be limited solely to directors.

We support its role as regulator in the use of the lake and facilitator in reducing pollution in and on the lake.  To implement this policy, the LMCD should:

(1) actively pursue methods of eliminating pollution; 

 (2) retain authority to:             
      a. set uniform service and usage fees which regulate the types of crafts, vehicles and structures permitted to use the lake;
      b. regulate the construction, installation and maintenance of permanent and temporary docks and moorings;  

(3) retain its powers to contract with other law enforcement agencies to enforce its regulations.

We feel the LMCD should predominate in establishing uniform practices and regulations with regard to the use of the lake.


Background:

A study of the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District was completed by the League of Women Voters of the Excelsior-Deephaven area in March of 1976.  LaVonne Jacobsen and Dorothy Leitzman were co-chairmen of the committee.  Other committee members were Shirley Rice, Sue Dodson, Doris Lizee, JoAnn Carroll, Katie Williams, Val Stuessi, and Kay Thompson.  

At the time, there was a bill in the legislature that could affect the LMCD and the study was an opportunity to find out who and what the LMCD was. Mr. Frank Miza, LMCD executive secretary, was most helpful in providing information on LMCD policy.   
 
Papers from the LMCD were also submitted to the committee for study.  Because of high local interest at the time, surrounding area Leagues and the general public were invited to special meetings in August and September at the Freshwater Biological Institute.  Information and consensus was accomplished at unit meetings for two months.  The Minnetonka League concurred with our consensus when it was presented at their annual dinner in 1976.  

The Westonka League also concurred by a letter in June, 1976. 
 
At its Annual Meeting, LWV South Tonka voted to retain this position in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.