BLACK OAK LAKE RIPARIAN OWNER'S ASSOCIATION 
Land 0' Lakes, WIsconsin 54540 
ANNUAL REPORT 
To Homeowners and Interested Parties 
Fall 1980 
Your Board of Directors thought that you would like to have a report as to what has been happening to BOLROA. The Board has met several times during the summer and discussed a variety of items. Copies of those Minutes are available upon request. We have enclosed a list of the Board Members and the positions they hold on the Board. Please feel free to write to any Board Member at any time. 
ANNUAL MEETING - The meeting opened with the traditional chorus. The reading of the minutes from the 1979 meeting were waived. Treasurer's Report 
was read; current balance is $679.22. 
LOON PROGRAM _ Rick Newton, staff biologist from the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute at Northland College, Ashland, Wisconsin presented a program on Wisconsin Project Loon Watch. With stimulating audio and visual aids, Mr. Newton described the detailed study of loons. Citing some interesting facts, he stated the life span of the loon is approximately 30 years; the loon has been accidentally caught in commercial fishing nets in Lake Superior at depths of up to 200'; loons have also been seen flying in the jet streams at speeds up to 80 m.p.h. during migration. Mr. Newton explicitly cautioned against getting too close to nesting loons or bothering them on the water. Wisconsin Project Loon Watch derives much of its study and statistical information from the observations of lake residents. Anyone wishing to participate should contact the project headquarters at Northland College. 
FISH REPORT _ Sam Tyndall gave the fish stocking report as follows: 
On June 25, 1980, 7500 walleye were stocked among six different locations in deeper water areas and away from weed beds. In June or July, an additional 17,800 walleye will be stocked with another 3000 to be stocked in 1931, bringing the total to 28,000 fish stocked over the two year period. The fish should reproduce by the third year and the Department of Natural Resources will come in to check. Fifteen thousand lake trout will also be stocked in the fall of 1980. The DNR is continuing its studies on the lake trout and with fin clipping. Other various items were also reported on. Parasites in fish come from birds and snails and will cook out of the fish with no danger to human consumption. As Black Oak Lake is not as fertile as some of the other lakes, the 
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AN ASSOCIATION OF CONCERNED PROPERTY OWNERS 

 

	

growth of fish is not as rapid, Motor trolling is for Class A lakes only. Requirements for Class A lakes include no muskie and an area of more than 500 acres. Black Oak Lake qualifies as a Class A lake. The DNR doubts that Black Oak Lake is polluted in any way. If private stocking were used, the cost of 
walleye would be 400 fish for $1,000 and 1000 lake trout for $140. Concerning weed control: It is best done in the spring and each homeowner can take care of the front of his own property. If interested, owners should contact the Board and the Department of Natural Resources. All income for the DNR comes from licenses, not from taxes. 
A discussion on motor trolling ensued with unanimous approval to write DNR Headquarters for further information, Correspondence was subsequently initiated by Sam Tyndall and Bill Berg regarding the possible disadvantages of motor trolling and the use of sophisticated fishing equipment. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was very responsive; a reply from DNR Secretary Anthony Earl was received in early October. Some highlights of his letter follow: 
"Our management scheme for lake trout has been to try to build up the stock in what can be described as a marginal lake trout lake. To date we have been quite successful at Black Oak and the stock has built up to a level which provides steady fishing. We, therefore, would not consider specific management measures aimed, at protection of lake trout. The size of the boat has little bearing on the extent or intensity of fishing. The governing factors will be the number of lines a fisherman is allowed, The current regulation is 2 lines with 1 hook or 1 line with 2 hooks." 
"In conclusion, although many may be concerned about the welfare of some fish populations, we do not have sufficient evidence to indicate that controls of types of gear being used are warranted. The cropping rates for most species of fish lie within levels that are tolerable," 
It should be noted that Mr. Earl describes Black Oak Lake as 'moderately large with moderate fertility'. It is the DNR objective to manage within the constraints of these qualities. Copies of the correspondence are available from Board Members. 
WATER TESTING - Six unofficial water samples were taken by Board Members in early September. Preliminary results indicate that, in spite of the acid rain issue, Black Oak remains quite alkaline, which is the opposite of acidic. Also with only a trace of iron, the water is quite soft. The quality of the water was affirmed by the water tester, however, he could not comment on pollution, etc, Therefore, the DNR was approached for discussion on this matter. The department will never okay lake water for drinking as a resident duck population can bring about bad results. In pursuing a scientific analysis of whether Black Oak contains pollutants of any type, the DNR suggests what it refers to as a Comprehensive Shoreline Study. This test is conducted under strict guidelines such as many samples taken along all shorelines flown to the DNR laboratory in Madison to be analyzed within 24 hours. Tentatively this test is scheduled for next Summer. The DNR is responsive to individual questions and especially the questions by riparian owners associations. 

WATER COURTESY: - As always this issue is a concern for all. Common courtesy and common sense are evidenced when the lake is alive with waterskiing, sailing, fishing, canoeing, swimming, and even a boat parade. A few specifics: swimming rafts can be anchored up to 200' from the shoreline, although swimming markers are not allowed except by municipal authorities to designate public beach areas. Of course, there will always exist the occasion when some one needs to be reminded of the general safety rules. To that end we are attaching a separate sheet of safety and consideration items that appeared in our report a couple years ago. 
PUBLIC BEACH - There is a new public beach ordinance in Vilas County which includes an 11:00 P.M. curfew. Residents can call the Sheriff after 11:00 P.M. and he must evict violators. Hopefully this will begin to eliminate the noise of parties in the early morning hours after midnight. 
ZONING - Although there are some association members still in favor of pushing for rezoning, the consensus at the 1979 Annual Meeting was to remain with the current Town Ordinance. One of the founding principles of our association was the zoning issue. And to this day BOLROA and the Board of Directors are committed to keeping close relationships with town and county officials to keep abreast and to be informed of any violations or proposed undesirable developments on Black Oak Lake. 
OTHER ASSOCIATIONS - Forest Lake and Big Portage Lake Associations together with Black Oak comprise a large number of landowners in the Township. It has been suggested by your Board that several members of each Board will try to meet informally in 1981 for the purpose of discussing issues mutually relevant. 
HISTORY - Efforts to develop a log of histories around the lake are continuing under project chairman Ed Hook. History of your property, names, dates of owners, family tree, interesting stories and/or anecdotes are all desirable, We have families on the lake now in their second, third, fourth generations that we would all enjoy sharing some of the old days with. Please send your historical information to Ed Hook, P.O. Box 9969, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80932. 
MEMBERSHIP/DUES - BOLROA has a membership ratio it can be proud of. Yet we all have a neighbor or acquaintance on the lake who has not joined the association. It is important that we understand their reluctance to join an organization at the location of their retreat. Many non-members are perhaps quite active in organizations in their home communities, businesses, etc. However, BOLROA has accomplished a lot over the past few years, acting as a watchtower organization for the benefit of all lake residents, their guests, visitors to the public beach, etc. And the benefits will continue for the years ahead and for the generations yet to come. Solicit the non-members, cite examples of accomplishments and ask them to send 1980-81 dues to BOLROA, c/o Jerry Olk. Treasurer, 1283 Covey Lane, Eagle River. Wisconsin 54521. 
Those of you who have not paid your dues for this year can do likewise. 
Make checks payable to BOLROA for $5.00. 
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The annual Picnic was held in early August at the Leimbachers. Highlighting the activities was our residential ski team under the direction or Walt Bates. We’re all becoming quite professional in setting up this annual event. Hearty thanks go out to all who helped make this year's picnic a  great success. Keep in mind we’ll be looking for volunteer hosts for next year's picnic7 and remember with our able staff of organizers, the hosts are honored with executive positions. 

4th OF JULY ~ This year's boat parade has brought a new dimension to the holiday festivities. Your Board is discussing the ‘traditionalizing' of the boat parade at 4:00 P,M. on the 4th of July, followed by the lighting of flares on each dock at precisely 11:00 P.M. Flares are to be procured and distributed by the Board. We’ll be formalizing this early next summer. 

PLATS - Lolly Truss moved into the Vilas County Courthouse for a while this summer. The result was an up-to-date file of all Black Oak plats and current lists of all property owners. Although these change year to year, your association is now current with all the riparian owners, and the work Lolly Truss did is greatly appreciated. 

BOARD ELECTION/OFFICERS - Thanks are given to Berta Morris, Sally Lippert, Judge Bates and Bill Van Haecke who completed their terms of office at the Annual Meeting. Elected_to go on the Board for two-year terms are Bill Knecht, Walt Bates, Lolly Truss and David Hoffman. Continuing on the Board to finish the second year of their two-year term are Bill Berg, Nancy Frawley, Ron Kuhlman, Jerry Olk, Gordon Hinners, and Sam Tyndall. At a subsequent Board Meeting following the Annual Meeting, David Hoffman was voted in as President, Walt Bates as Vice-President, Gordon Hinners as Secretary, and Jerry Olk as Treasurer. According to the By-laws, Ed Hook continues on the Board for one more year as President Emeritus. 

It appears we have an excellent Board of Directors as evidenced by nearly 100% attendance at Board Meetings in late summer and cooperative, involved efforts in things that come before the Board. We hope this mailing has been helpful in bringing all association members up to date on BOLROA happenings. Please remember to write to any Board Member should you have questions or comments. 

The leaves are all down now, ice just beginning to form in the bays, the wind with the winter whistle through the bare tree branches, traces of snow here and there.  Winter is nigh! From the Northwoods, best wishes to all. 

Sincerely, 

David J. Hoffman 
President, Board of Directors 

BLACK OAK LAKE RIPARIAN OWNERS ASSOCIATION 
Land 0’ Lakes •. Wisconsin 54540 
BOARD MEMBERS 1980-81 

David J. Hoffman 
1759 Yellow Birch Road 
Eagle River, Wisconsin 54521 
Walt Bates Jr. 
Black Oak Lake 
Land O'Lakes, Wisconsin 54540 
Gordon Hinners 
500 Fulton Street Geneva, Illinois 60134 
Jerry Olk 
1283 Covey Lane 
Eagle River, Wisconsin 54521 
Bi 11 Berg 
188 Vernon Drive 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15228 
Nancy Frawley 
1116 Franklin Street Wausau, Wisconsin· 54401 
Ed Hook 
P.O. Box 9969 
Colorado Springs. Colorado 80932 
Bill Knecht 
2423 Harrison Street Evanston, Illinois 60201 
Ron Kuhlman 
21640 Silver Spring 
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin 53051 

President 
Vice-President 
Secretary 
Treasurer 
Lolly Truss 
8915 N. Seneca Road Milwaukee. Wisconsin 53217 
Sam Tynda 11 1865 Sunnyside 
Westchester, Illinois 60153 

AN ASSOCIATION OF CONCERNED PROPERTY OWNERS