Shore Land Buffer Zone Expo – All the Buzz on B-Zones

Do you own – or are you thinking about buying – lake or stream shore land in north-central Minnesota? Are you interested in doing all you can to ensure the quality of your shore land and adjacent waters, protect your property values and enhance the pleasure of your lake or river-side living? If your answer is “yes” to these questions, reserve Saturday, August 9, 2008, on your calendar and plan to attend the “Shore Land Buffer Zone Expo ’08 – All the Buzz on B-Zones!”

The day-long event, which will be held at the Deep Portage Conservation Reserve (east of Hackensack), is co-sponsored by the Cass County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA) and Deep Portage.

According to Dorothy Harrington, President of the Cass County Chapter, IWLA, the Expo workshops and exhibits will provide property owners with the specific, how-to-do-it information they need to prepare for and execute a shore land buffer zone installation, maintain and monitor their septic system, and manage potentially polluting water run-off. “Whether you want to hire the work done or do it yourself and whether you have a small or a large project in mind, you will profit from the workshop leaders’ expertise,” Harrington said. Participants will have an opportunity to talk with local property owners who have installed buffer zones on their shore lands, as well as with a variety of experts, ranging from Minnesota DNR fisheries and wildlife biologists to suppliers of native plants. Information about obtaining the required permits and identifying possible sources of financial assistance for shore land and septic projects will be available.

Space is limited and pre-registration will be required. A fee of $15/person or $25/couple will be charged for lunch and participation in the workshops. Access to the informational exhibits will be free. Further details will be announced later. Shore land owners, non-profit organizations and businesses interested in participating in the Expo may contact Jack Fitzgerald, Secretary, Cass County Chapter, IWLA, at 218-682-2941 or by email at jjfitz@tds.net for more information.