MLCA Memo to WI DNR regarding PFAS Findings

Established in 1984 with over 300 property owners on the many lakes, the purpose of the Moen Lake Chain Association, Inc. (The Association) is to protect, maintain and enhance environmental and recreational values on the Moen Lake Chain and its surroundings; obtain and provide information of concern to its members; represent its members with other organizations and public officials; and conduct other such activities as appropriate to the purpose and consistent with the nonprofit status of the Association.

The term “Moen Lake Chain” is defined as the North Pelican River Flowage, including Moen Lake, Second Lake, Sunset Lake, Third Lake, Fourth Lake, and Fifth Lake as far as the dam at the outlet of Fifth Lake. Fourth and Fifth Lakes are also known as North Pelican Lake.

The Association is concerned with the recent public findings of the DNR regarding the Moen Lake Chain. We are strong stewards of our lake’s quality including the Clean Boats Clean Waters Program, Fish and Habitat Program, Fish Sticks Stocking Program and are the only association certified in the state and actively engaged in the Lake Stewardship Program. All these programs are championed by volunteer members that work hand in glove with your colleagues at the DNR.

Our members are surprised and concerned about the new findings and the vast statewide media coverage it garnered due to the lack of communication, evidence and transparency we have enjoyed with the DNR for many years. We have received numerous phone calls and emails from concerned citizens, multiple businesses ranging from taverns to prestigious nationwide summer camps to musky tournament coordinators for the chain, all verbalizing their deep concerns with these new “findings”.

We are requesting that you and your colleagues host a town hall this month to confirm that there has been additional testing by the DNR and when and where that happened; has there been a state PFAS threshold change from past public findings and have water quality changes occurred, and what other lakes in the area were tested, will there be DNR sponsored new water testing and what is the affirmed evidence of all of these findings.

Please get back to us as soon as possible with your availability to meet this month at the Town Hall in Stella, WI. We have enjoyed our wonderful partnership with the DNR in the past and hope to continue the important water quality and tourism progress we have made for our amazing Moen Lake Chain assets.