Victory!

well, sort of...

Promising news!

The Court of Appeals has ruled that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources misused its discretion in granting an approval to the Village of East Troy to construct Village Well # 7 in 2005. Specifically, The Court found that the DNR had failed to consider information given to it by the Lake Beulah Management District, including preliminary test results clearly demonstrating that operation of the well could adversely impact Lake Beulah. Absent a petition to the Wisconsin Supreme Court to review this decision, the case now moves back to the DNR with directions that it consider the scientific analyses presented to it before deciding whether the Village may operate the well.

On a larger scale, this decision represents a significant breakthrough in Wisconsin law regarding the protection of lakes and streams. For the first time, there is a judicial decision recognizing that the DNR’s statutory duty to enforce the public trust doctrine---the constitutionally based body of law that protects navigable waters for the public benefit---as it applies to the groundwater which becomes surface water. The link between groundwater and surface water may seem obvious, but it has taken over 160 years for our state law to affirm the connection.

And now we may need to continue to fight, against one or more governmental bodies no less, in order to ensure that this critical decision safeguarding the public’s waterways remains intact.

Management District (LBMD)

East Troy Well

LBPIA
P.O. Box 153
East Troy, WI 53120

LBPIA is dedicated in providing its members and Lake Beulah residents the voice to protect our lake environs and create a clean, fun, and safe environment for all who share in the opportunities the lake affords. LBPIA is made up of an elected board of directors and homeowners who voluntarily represent the concerns of Lake Beulah. Support of the work the LBPIA provides is funded by membership dues and donations. LBPIA strives to promote the health of Lake Beulah and its environs. LBPIA membership dues assists in legal challenges, water quality education, monitoring of water conditions, invasive species education, fish stocking (when WDNR is unable) and property identification for safety and security. LBPIA holds biannual, open meetings in the Spring and Fall. We encourage all who seek a healthy, safe and clean lake to become a member of the Lake Beulah Protective and Improvement Association. Your membership and donations are greatly appreciated. Mission Statement Action Plan Smart Growth Plan Lake News: For information about meetings and lake events visit our Calendar of Events page Yes, there actually are walleye in Lake Beulah! Fish stocking by LBPIA in partnership with the Triangle Sportsman’s Club. Kettle Moraine Land Trust, LTD. (9/09) The Village of East Troy’ Smart Growth plan and Well #7 have significant implications for large portions of the lake and its environs. One way to preserve our precious resources is through conservation easements and land trusts. To learn more about these options, please visit the Kettle Moraine Land Trust at www.kmlandtrust.org. LBPIA needs your help (9/09) The LBPIA has incurred significant legal expenditures this year. Membership dues and private donations are the only way we have to raise funds for continuing to fight the Well #7 issue. Please consider making a contribution to assist us in these efforts. Fish Stocking (9/09) The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was unable to stock Lake Beulah this year. Once again, the LBPIA and Triangle Sportsman’s Club have partnered to stock the lake with 1,290 walleye fingerlings. Gollon Bait and Fish Farm will be delivering them in the coming weeks. The fingerlings will be approximately 5 to 8 inches long upon release. Happy fishing…in a couple of years. oy Town Hall Mission Statement The object of this Association shall be the general improvement and protection of Lake Beulah and the streams and waters adjacent thereto, and the promotion and taking of action tending to the general improvement and safe enjoyment of the Lake, its streams and the natural resources and habitat thereof. Lake Beulah Protective and Improvement Association 2010Action Plan Lake Beulah Protection and Improvement Association 2010 Action Plan 1. Continue to inform and educate the membership of land and lake use laws and regulations and support the Lake Beulah Management District, the Town, County and State in their enforcement with emphasis on lake weeds, shore lands management and landscaping. 2. Continue working with the Wisconsin DNR, LBMD, our members, volunteers and other experts to monitor and improve the overall health of Lake Beulah's fish, wildlife, forests and aquatic ecosystem. We will continue to pursue the latest state of the art water quality monitoring and reporting techniques; obtain available training to carry out these tasks; and summarize results in reports for meaningful interpretation and follow up. 3. Monitor, comment and take actions representing the mission, views and interests of the Association regarding proposed developments that may affect the Lake and its surrounding environs including but not limited to the Village well. 4. Continue to support local area educational outreaches of the youth such as the annual “Water Education Days” for students hosted at and in partnership with Edwards YMCA Camp. 5. Continue to monitor, review, and comment on boating laws and water safety issues. 6. Partner with Walworth County’s Aquatic Invasive Species Control and Prevention program to educate, minimize, and reduce the potential of invasive species entering Lake Beulah water ways.

Village of East Troy's Smart Growth Plan | 5/09 LBPIA Response To the Lake Residents of Lake Beulah, East Troy, WI: Here, in a PDF format, you will find the Village of East Troy’s “Smart Growth” plan | Smart Growth maps (these are two separate large files and may take some time to open) This document contains important information about the potential development of our surrounding lake environs. The LBPIA is beginning to research the proposal and investigate potential threats to our lake and surrounding watershed. The LBPIA is open to partnering with the Lake Beulah Management District and the Kettle Moraine Land Trust in an effort to challenge any issue that could threaten our right to a healthy lake environment and watershed. We encourage you to read the document and forward any concerns or suggestions to the LBPIA email address at lakebeulahpia@gmail.com. For more information on Smart Growth visit the Current Issues page on our website. 5/09 LBPIA Response to the Village of East Troy's proposd 2030 Comprehensive Community Plan Click here for the PDF version of the final "Comments and response of the Lake Beulah Protective and Improvement Association, the Lake Beulah Management District, the Kettle Moraine Land Trust, and the Friends of the Mukwonago River to the Village of East Troy's proposd 2030 Comprehensive Community Plan."

Send your Lake Beulah information to:
lakebeulahpia@gmail.com for inclusion on this page. Please include your name and lake address for verification of material submitted

Fireworks photo used with permission from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Firework1_pre.jpg