The BCLF MISSION:  The Bayfield County Lakes Forum works to preserve and enhance the scenic, natural, recreational and economic values of Bayfield County lakes, streams and shorelands.

Your BCLF in action:

          The Lakes Forum is a volunteer citizen group that represents the lake associations in our county and our individual members. We are not part of the county government and rely on your contributions to continue our work. Here are a few examples of our successes . . .

     Thanks to leadership from the Lakes Forum, Bayfield County was first in the State to make it illegal to transport aquatic plants on our roadways. We helped inspire the State Legislature to make this a statewide law.

     BCLF partnered with the County Tourism Department to address the threat of Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM). This inspired a major grant that funded our county AIS work and our County AIS Program Coordinator.

     We are partnering with LoonWatch to encourage a statewide ‘phase out’ of small sinkers and jigs that are toxic to loons, raptors and other wildlife.

     BCLF’s ‘phosphorus-free’ resolutions helped usher in the new statewide bans on phosphorus lawn food and phosphorus-based detergents. Both are severe threats to healthy waters.

     BCLF was a key partner in the ‘Slow-No-Wake within 100 feet of shore’ law, initiating the concept in 1998 and following it through to the signing of the law in 2009.

     The Lakes Forum represents you and your interests on a statewide level, working closely with our Wisconsin Legislators, the Wisconsin Lakes, DNR, the Northwest Waters Consortium, UWEX and the Wisconsin Conservation Congress.

     The BCLF frequently testifies at County Zoning and Board of Adjustments meetings on behalf of reasonable, responsible development practices.

     The Lakes Forum has educated fireworks users and worked to reduce the problem of irresponsible use of fireworks near lakes.

     Your BCLF has proposed improvements in the Fishing Tournament rules.

     Forum Directors posted EWM Alert signs and ‘No-Transport’ signs at every Bayfield County public landing and at many private landings to help keep invasives out of your favorite lake! E-mail us for more signs at BayfieldCountyLakes@Yahoo.com.

     The Lakes Forum and our partners invite you to attend the 12th annual Northwest Lakes Conference at Telemark, June 18^th. We help plan this great event each year. See page 12 for the whole scoop.

     Each year we represent your interests at the statewide Wisconsin Lakes Convention in Green Bay.

     The BCLF has secured $12,000 in education grants in the last three years to educate folks about lake issues. These are ‘matching’ grants, meaning every $100 contribution results in another $300 from the State for lakes education. Contributions from individuals helped make this possible. This newsletter and our website upgrade are just two of the many results.

     The Forum has hosted free Clean Boats – Clean Waters training sessions in collaboration with UWEX and our County AIS Coodinator.

     We initiated an annual meeting of the Bayfield County Lakes Consortium: 30 key partners that make decisions regarding our County waters are invited to share accomplishments, identify issues facing our natural resources and consider collaborations for seeking solutions. Their contact info is on page 8.

     We recently upgraded our website: BayfieldCountyLakes.org.

     Our website features many lake articles free for use in lake newsletters.

     We now offer free web page hosting for your lake.

     Our LAKE REFLECTIONS newsletter reaches over 3,000 waterfront homeowners in our county. 4,000 additional copies are hand delivered to local businesses for local citizens and visitors.

     The BCLF has sponsored attendance at the Wisconsin Lake Leaders’ Institute.

     We collaborated with our nine neighboring countywide lake associations to form an active partnership that represents the unique interests of our region. Our new Northwest Wisconsin Waters Consortium (NWWC), also known as Northwest Waters, shares information, supports common work and speaks in a united voice for lakes. It will benefit all

     The Forum frequently speaks at lake and community club meetings on key lake issues.

     BCLF fights for more protective statewide shoreland development rules, less farm runoff to lakes and streams, improved groundwater regulations, more funding for AIS education, more funds for our Land and Water Conservation Dept, Zoning Dept. and more.

     The Lakes Forum has hosted VHS disease education sessions and work to educate boaters on this devastating threat to our fisheries.

     We support town overlays within county zoning ordinances that reduce waterfront dwelling densities to reasonable levels.

     BCLF Directors help form lake associations, assist with grants, boat landing monitoring programs and more.

     We recently helped stop a 208 unit ATV campground when it was learned that its development would harm three small lakes.

     We are working to improve the campground zoning regulations.

BCLF Directors, present and past, serve on a wide variety of boards, committees and partnerships that address surface waters issues. These include the Board of the Wisconsin Lakes (WAL), the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, the Northwest Weed Management Cooperative Area and the Bayfield County AIS Committee, among others.

     The Forum is your watch dog organization. We stay on top of the lake issues. When we learn of an issue affecting our waters and those who use them, we take action, alerting members to lake issues and opportunities via e-mail.

          The Lakes Forum represents lake organizations and individuals across the county, lending support to your efforts, and encouraging your direct input on critical issues. It’s true: When we learn of an issue affecting our waters and those who use them, we take action…getting the word out, educating ourselves & others, contacting appropriate state/local agencies or officials and encouraging others to do the same. Our work has influenced and inspired many other countywide and statewide groups to do similar work. This is good because BCLF knows that a problem for one lake may be a problem for all. We treat each concern, including yours, as most important.  

          These are some of our recent accomplishments, showing what BCLF has done for you. Much more can be found at BayfieldCountyLakes.org.

            The BCLF will continue its multi-faceted approach to protecting our surface waters so future generations will be able to enjoy clean, safe and healthy Bayfield County lakes and streams.