Approval letter for the Lake Management Plan on Carstens Lake in Manitowoc County.

In 2000, Manitowoc County Lakes Association (MCLA) developed a lake management plan which identified key sources of phosphorus inputs, and laid out goals for a watershed-scale approach to improving water quality in Carstens Lake. This revised Carstens Lake Management Plan (“the Plan”) is being developed to build on previous plans and studies, to recommend on-the-ground conservation measures within the watershed, and provide a framework to implement these measures. The Plan includes additional data collection, modeling of nutrient loading, and will establish target objectives for watershed and water quality improvements for Carstens Lake. The Plan will work to create alliances and partnerships between community members, lake users, landowners, scientists, and agencies to leverage funding and implement strategic conservation practices. The desired outcomes will include benefits to these stakeholders, and success will be built on collaboration among a wide range of local community members.

Lakeshore Natural Resources Partnership (LNRP) is sponsoring a project to update the Carstens Lake comprehensive lake management plan. Project final deliverables include: all data collected, agendas and minutes for planning meetings, and a lake management plan that includes methodologies, results, and management alternatives discussion with an implementation plan.