Lotus Lake Conservation Alliance
Committed to protecting and improving Lotus Lake and surrounding wetland areas
About Lotus Lake Conservation Alliance
The Lotus Lake Conservation Alliance (LLCA) was incorporated in 2012 as a 501(c)-3 (non-profit) corporation. The LLCA was formed as a result of the collaboration between two groups that had been working to preserve and improve Lotus Lake - the Lotus Lake Homeowners' Association and the Lotus Lake Clean Water Organization.
We are committed to improving and protecting Lotus Lake, and work to keep it a clean, healthy and vital lake with usable beaches, clean lake equipment and safe shorelines. We do this because Lotus Lake is a tremendous asset to our community. It provides recreational opportunities like fishing, boating, swimming, skiing, and sailing, it is home to many varieties of fish, birds, frogs, etc., and it is an important asset for our property values. The LLCA also advocates on behalf of Lotus Lake and surrounding bodies of water (including Lake Ann and Lake Susan) on projects, inspections and long term planning.
In 2014-2018, the LLCA worked through strategic partnerships to protect Lotus Lake interests in the following ways:
- Reviewed and pushed for scope reevaluation for the Riley Purgatory Creek project funding which is now scaled back to include only the sections of the creek that are in most need, instead of the whole creek, most of which is in good condition. This change frees up funding for other projects in the watershed district that have a higher urgency / impact on the community and environment. Project budget was reduced from $4.25 million to $1.2 million.
- Working with our partners on other local lakes, succeeded in reducing overreaching and unnecessary buffer and stormwater measures for homeowners proposed in the new Watershed Regulations. These regulations would have been extremely difficult and costly to implement for lakeshore and wetland owners, while at the same time would have likely decreased home values.
- Funding and management partnerships for the AIS inspection program along with Chanhassen, the Watershed District and Carver County. It is important to note that the LLCA pays for over one third of the inspections done at Lotus Lake. As a result of the inspection program, many boaters who attempted to illegally transport and launch water, weed or AIS infested boats were stopped. Additionally, the inspectors check boats on the way out, so Lotus Lake does not spread Eurasian Watermilfoil to other lakes. If it weren’t for the inspection program, Lotus Lake would now be infested with zebra mussels!
- Working to receive a fair share of Watershed funding for much-needed lake improvements and programs.
- Instrumental in founding the Southwest Metro Lakes Coalition, which represents residents on or near Lakes Lotus, Lucy, Mitchell, Red Rock, and Riley—about 1500 households, giving us a much greater voice with both the Eden Prairie and Chanhassen City Councils, as well as Carver and Hennepin County. This coalition played an important role in reducing the Watershed regulations.
- Hosted Winter and Summer Parties / Events to build community among homeowners.
Thank You to our Partners:
A special thank you to our partners who we work closely with to help us protect and improve Lotus Lake, its wetlands and the surrounding areas. We appreciate their dedication, consideration and cooperation.
- South West Metro Lakes Coalition (SWMLC)
Thank you to all of our LLCA Members!
Your dues are directly contributing to funding additional inspections and influencing our local partners to protect and improve Lotus Lake.
2020 LLCA Board Members:
Executive Officers
- Paul Granos - President
- Steve Donen – Vice President
- Jeff Gustafson – Secretary
- Barb Spilane – Treasurer
- Mark von Oven - Information Officer
Board Liasons
- John Colford - Watershed District
- Bill Moffly - City of Chanhassen
Members
- Kristine Aller
- Jay Warmuth
- Maggie Seybold
“Without the contributions of the LLCA members, 34% fewer inspections would be occurring at Lotus Lake. We need everyone’s help to protect the natural resources we all enjoy.”
- Paul Granos, President LLCA
The board typically meets once every month at the Chanhassen library (however recently meeting via Zoom due to CoVid-19).
