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MORSE WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION

Go to www.morseh2o.org and click on MEETINGS for previous meeting summaries.

Meeting Summary

August 8, 2005

Highlights: Announcement of two Morse Waterways Association public service events. Update by Steve Hunter, DNR District Manager on safety/accidents on Morse and the open container law. Update on algae treatment south of Carrigan bridge. See below for more details on highlights.

The meeting was attended by 47 people. Of the 47, 15 had not attended prior meetings. Our membership has now grown to 220 people.

The meeting began with a short introduction from Ford Hebner explaining our organization formation and our mission. We have created six (6) working committees.

Each of the committee facilitators gave a brief update of any new committee activities. For the new members, some of which have signed up to work on committees, below is a list of each committee and description of activities.  

o        Safety Impact Committee

§         The focus on boating safety, specifically working with DNR and local boat dealers concerning the education and notification of the public regarding safety.

o        Economic Impact Committee

§         This committee will examine the total impact of all factors, which affect the value of our real estate and the community. Many topics covered by other committees will contribute to the economics of the Morse Community.

o        Environmental Impact Committee

§         One element currently identified is the water quality of Morse Reservoir. This committee will keep abreast of the Little Cicero Creek surveyor study, take samples of our reservoir water, and study other factors affecting the quality of the water.

o        Water Level and Reporting

§         This is a subject that concerns and affects virtually all of the Morse community and is already beginning to impact our property values. What can we do about it?

o        Excessive Boat Noise

§         Depending on where you live on the reservoir, this may or may not be your issue. This committee will identify the issue, review options, and coordinate with DNR regarding enforcement of existing state laws.

o        Property Owner Issues

§         This committee will touch many issues impacting property owners including lake debris, buoys, docks, shorelines, etc). This committee will provide information for property owners and develop action plans as needed. 

 

Environment: Facilitator – Mike Murphy

Mike has been very active meeting multiple agencies who are doing water quality testing on the various creeks feeding into Morse. He is researching the agencies and the prior testing results. Once Mike consolidates the information, his committee will then decide where they need to focus their sampling activities.

Morse has been treated this past week with algaecide south of the Carrigan Rd. bridge.  The Indianapolis Water Company has supplied the following information since our meeting regarding the chemical treatment.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

CUTRINE-ULTRA is a chelated copper formulation containing an emulsified surfactant/penetrant combination for highly effective control of coarse (thick cell-walled) filamentous algae, mucilaginous (colonial) planktonic algae, Chara and copper-sensitive vascular aquatic plants. CUTRINE-ULTRA, under field conditions, controls mat-forming, filamentous forms such as Spirogyra, Cladophora, Hydrodictyon, Vaucheria, Ulothrix, and Lyngbya; planktonic cyanobacteria such as Anabaena, Aphanizomenon, Microcystis, Pseudanabaena, Oscillatoria; and attached, bottom-growing forms such as Chara, Nitella, Gleotrichia. CUTRINE-ULTRA has also been proven effective in controlling the rooted aquatic plant, Hydrilla verticillata, Egeria densa and other copper-sensitive species. The ethanolamines in CUTRINE-ULTRA prevent the precipitation of copper with carbonates and bicarbonates in the water. Waters treated with CUTRINE-ULTRA may be used for swimming, fishing, drinking, livestock watering or irrigating turf, ornamental plants or crops immediately after treatment

 At present there are no plans to treat the north end of the reservoir, however should algal blooms appear in the northern of the reservoir then treatment of the north end may be necessary. 

 

Economics: Facilitator - Dean Denhart

Focus of this committee will be on property values and what we can do as an organization to get the values up and growing. We need to “sell” the positive points of Morse rather than concentrate on the negative water level issues.

For example, the official ground breaking of the new Morse condos will take place on Tuesday August 16th. These condo homes are expected to sell in the $329,000 to $529,000 price range.

 

Water Level and Recording: Facilitator – Roger Goings

Discussion on the Indianapolis Water company kickoff to study the future water needs of the city. Planning will include the future growth of the city and where additional water supply can be accessed. Future sources for water may need to come from wells, which is more expensive than surface, rivers, waterways, reservoirs.

 

Excessive Boat Noise:  Facilitator – Gary Helgemo

Committee is working with cities of Noblesville, Cicero and the DNR to better understand the existing legal statutes and noise ordinances, the enforcement of these laws, and the court processes. 

 

Safety: Facilitator –  Volunteer Opportunity Call or e-mail Jim Schneider or Ford Hebner if interested.

Our focus will be the Morse Waterways 1st public event :  the Safety Awareness Days. We need your help to volunteer on either Saturday or Sunday over Labor Day weekend. Help your Morse community and volunteer for a 2 hour shift. All you will need to do is to greet boat launchers and hand them a one page boat rules guide and an Indiana Boating rules handbook. Let’s make Labor Day weekend a SAFE HOLIDAY.  Email Karen Steves karensteves@yahoo.com to volunteer.

 

Property Owners Issues: Facilitator – Jim Schneider

Morse Waterways 2nd public event, the Morse Cleanup Day will be held later in September. Details will come later after the committee meets and completes the planning of this event.

 

DNR – Steve Hunter

There has been only one minor accident reported this boating season on Morse reservoir. This is a great and positive selling point for property value and bodes well for the DNR and Noblesville PD who patrol the lake.

Through July 21, 188 ticket violations had been issued on Morse. Of those, 28 were for speeding in idles zones, 7 speeding after dark, 11 for boating while intoxicated, and the reminder were for safety reminders.

Here is where we can help by reminding boat launchers of some safety tips on Safety Awareness Days.

Concerning the numerous questions on the “open container” law, this law applies to motor vehicles and does not apply to watercraft/ boats. However, boat operators and boaters are subject to intoxication laws.    

 

Donations always accepted.  We need funds to help with our two Fall events – Morse Cleanup Day and Safety Awareness days.

The MWA is accepting donations to begin funding some of the needs of our organization. It was suggested that members contribute $100. This is a voluntary donation. You may contribute more or less; the choice is yours. Make checks payable to Morse Waterways Association. You can send your check to Morse Waterways Association  c/o Bill Steves, 1520 Bayswater Ln. Cicero, In. 46034. 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. We need your help. Contact Jim Schneider if you can assist in any capacity.

We need someone to fill the roles of facilitators for our Safety Committee and the new Membership Committee which we want to create. Neither of these roles would take much of your time and would help spread our work load.

Also, we need someone to attend our meetings, and write summary notes.    

Next meeting will be held on Wednesday September 14th at 7:00PM at the South Harbour Community Building, 1156 South Harbour Drive. Come hear about how you can help with the Morse Cleanup Days. Let’s keep the lake clear of debris and safe for boaters, tubers, and skiers.

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