The sheets of ice covering area lakes dissolved into springtime this week. Big Lake was the last of the lakes to become ice-free Thursday in a matter of two hours, as 40-mile winds blasted the remaining covering into oblivion. And the quiet of winter was gone.

 

Makes us think about the wonderful fun that awaits boaters and swimmers.

 

We’ve covered a number of lake issues in The Citizen and West Sherburne Tribune and the plight of our hard-working lake associations at the Briggs Lake Chain and in Big Lake.

 

Invasive weed species that need to be dealt with, the threat of zebra mussels, which are affecting area lakes, the negative effects of agricultural runoff, shoreline degredation and an abundant supply of fish are the big issues.

 

Sadly, not enough local people are considering it their cause to pitch in and help - either with labor or with cash.

 

We reported two weeks ago the Briggs Lake Improvement Association officials, meeting with the county,  were hoping to “move its boundaries” to eliminate a lake (and a large share of non-participating property owners) so it could reform its potential tax service district (LID) and continue efforts to make it a reality.

 

Nobody wants to pay higher taxes, myself included. But the disconnect many of these dissenting property owners have to the important issue has us wondering.

 

Our lakes are our most important resource here in Sherburne County. They are the reason for our high standard of living - nature’s gem to be shared.

 

The argument that locally-generated taxes benefits the lake experiences of those “just visiting” doesn’t hold water.

 

We aren’t “just visiting” and need to pledge our efforts to improve these waters - not just sit idly by.

 

That is the issue not only with the Briggs Lake Chain, but with the Big Lake waters as well.

 

I will be doing a story in the Tribune next week, reporting on the diminishing participation of Big Lake property owners in their association. Fewer property owners are signing up as $50-a-year paying members of the Big Lake-Lake Mitchell association.

 

Sadly, there’s a disconnect there, too.

 

We live around these waters because we enjoy seeing the sun rise and set over them.

 

The most wonderful experience of the year is to enjoy a boat ride and witness the merging of land and water.

 

Or the anticipation of what comes when a worm and a hook goes below the surface.

 

We live around these waters because they bring a wonderful element of nature to our doorsteps.

 

Too many of us, I fear, relish the good but retreat when it becomes their responsibility to become involved.

 

To the associations - keep up the good work. It is very necessary, in spite of the  uphill battles that challenge them.

 

Meanwhile, we will dedicate ourselves at both papers to cover the issues and keep them in front of the readers. 

 

It’s important to us, too.