Cook County News Herald

Clean water workshops offered




This month, three Cook County organizations will team up to offer free public workshops on clean water stewardship issues.

The workshops will focus on proper operation and maintenance of subsurface sewage treatment systems and strategies for employing best management practices on lakeshore property.

Both workshops are aimed at protecting lakes and groundwater from pollution and degradation; helping homeowners become better, more knowledgeable stewards of our treasured water resources while preserving property values; and helping homeowners save money by taking good care of their property and septic systems to avoid costly repairs down the road.

Then workshops will be held on July 26
at Birch Grove Community Center from 1 to 4 p.m. and 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.; and July 27 at Poplar Lake Fire Hall (Gunflint Trail) from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The workshops are sponsored by the Tofte Schroeder Sanitary Sewer District (TSSSD), the Cook County Coalition of Lake Associations (CCCoLA) and the Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) with support from Cook County Planning & Zoning and the Cook County Community Fund.

Featured speakers include recently retired county health inspector LeRoy Halberg, zoning administrator Bill Lane, water planner Cindy Gentz; DNR GIS specialist Clint Little; MPCA watershed program specialist Karen Evens; CCCoLA board members Linda Hendrickson and Biz Clark; and lake inspector Mitch Johnson. They will also be on hand to answer questions.

Among the topics to be discussed are ordinances (including the proposed septic ordinance), permits, and resources available to help homeowners with specific needs—as well as the big picture: why it pays to preserve our clean water and shorelands.

Participants will receive a selection of very useful take-home materials and a chance to win some great door prizes including wildflower seeds and rain barrels. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information and registration forms, contact Cindy Gentz at 387-3648, Biz Clark at 388-0114 or Nancye Belding at nancye. belding@gmail.com.


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