Year-round and seasonal residents interested in maintaining the natural beauty of area lake waters are invited to attend a Rainy Lake Conservancy presentation at 2 p.m. Aug. 11 at La Place Rendez-Vous in Fort Frances.

The presentation is expected to focus on the new Rainy/ Lake of the Woods Watershed Board, formed recently by the International Joint Commission to oversee area water quality. Board member Lee Grim, an International Falls resident who has much knowledge of Rainy Lake, will present using visuals and answer questions from the audience.

The new watershed board is comprised of 20 members, consisting of an equal number of Canadian and American residents. Watershed board members will advise on everything from the opening of the dam gates, measurement of harmful algal blooms, control of aquatic invasive species to prevention of sulfides and heavy metal leaching.

The IJC has helped manage water levels for the Lake of the Woods and Rainy River watershed since 1912 when it launched a major study of pollution of Boundary Waters Canoe Area and reviewed an application for a dam at Kettle Falls. Establishment of the new board, however, will streamline effectiveness by combining former smaller boards.

The public is invited to attend the presentation at 2 p.m. and the meeting which is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.. Those who decide to stay for the second portion will learn about what the Conservancy has achieved throughout the year and upcoming goals.

About the Rainy

Lake Conservancy

Based out of Fort Frances, the Rainy Lake Conservancy is an organization partnering with many other organizations on several projects. Members collect water quality data, promote good shoreline practice, support environmental research, and liaison with area mining officials to meet environmental safeguards. The primary focus, however, is to protect the wilderness character of Rainy Lake by facilitating conservation agreements on private land and educating members and the public on good lakeshore stewardship.

For more information, contact Dale Callaghan at 807-632-4051.