BMLA members celebrate
Kathy Nevins (left) and Linda Zawacki serve BMLA’s 70th anniversary cake at the meeting.
Mantrappers from around the lake celebrated the Big Mantrap Lake Association’s 70th anniversary and reviewed the association’s accomplishments during BMLA’s August membership meeting.
Rollie and Kathy Nevins hosted the Aug. 29 meeting and potluck, which drew more than 30 people who shared great food, stimulating conservation and laughter aplenty in a beautiful setting.
Dues was a major discussion item during the meeting. Treasurer Kathy Nevins reiterated her analysis of 2025 spending and income that showed BMLA spent $42.09 per member while income was $25 per member. President Bill Dinger said dues have not been increased for 30 years. The last increase ‒ from $10 to $25 ‒ was approved in 1996 and became effective in 1997.
Members voted to increase dues to $50 starting in 2027. The increase passed on a show-of-hands vote.
Loon team liaison Mark Condiff called 2026 “an amazing year” for BMLA’s loon nesting program. Forty eggs were laid with no predation; 32 eggs hatched and 18 juveniles were counted in early August. In addition to the John Muir Award announced earlier this year, our loon program will receive another national recognition in November from The Wildlife Society.
AIS coordinator Brian Livingston reported “mostly good news” from this year’s AIS survey. No new invasives species were found. One small patch of Eurasian Watermilfoil was found near the public access. The Minnesota DNR sent a team in scuba gear to remove the plants by the roots. They also checked from the access to the swimming area and found no other milfoil. This is good news from our lake.
Funding remains the biggest challenge for protecting Big Mantrap against AIS. State funding for inspectors at the public access is expected to be cut by 50% in 2027. That means BMLA will need an additional $7,789 to maintain inspection coverage at current levels. BMLA’s share of the inspection cost this year is $17,037. Next year, it will likely increase to $24,826.
Inspectors are the best defense against additional invasive species. Options are to raise additional money to cover our increased share of costs or reduce coverage, Livingston explained.
“Less funding does not mean less risk. Without replacement funding, it means less inspection coverage,” Livingston explained in an AIS handout.
Tish Laske reported preliminary results of BMLA’s latest survey. By the meeting, 45 people had completed the survey and more did so during the meeting. This feedback will give the board and membership lots of food for thought. Tish will share more details in the fall Aerie.
