Board Selects Officers
Ron Morden was elected President of the LPA Board at the May 22 regular meeting. John McDermott was selected Vice-President, Susan Thompson, Secretary, and Duane Spicer, Treasurer. McDermott is beginning his second term as LPA Board member and Thompson and Spicer are newly elected members.

Board Passes Tree Cutting Restriction--first reading
The LPA Board has passed a tree cutting restriction that is meant to reduce the number of trees removed on developed lots.
       The rule, which will go into effect after two more readings and approval, will limit tree removals to half of the canopy cover on the lot involved. A number of removals are allowed automatically--access, building area and construction zone, places for septic fields, etc. The proposal allows a property owner to cut more than half of the trees, if a tree planting restoration plan (to re-establish canopy cover) is approved and is completed within a year of cutting. The rule leaves the option for the property owner to request a variance where necessary to allow for an amount of clearing over 50%. The only fines imposed is if the property owner does not establish and follow a plan or get a variance in the allotted time.
       
       The intent of the plan is primarily to encourage property owners to think through the process and minimize tree removal to achieve their purposes or replace trees in a timely manner. The greatest concern of the building codes committee, that recommended the rule, was the unsightliness and erosion problems caused by indiscriminate tree cutting, particularly along the lakeshore.
       

Boaters Cautioned about Skiing in the Narrows
Denny Merritt, security chief, has requested that boaters not pull novice skiers and tube riders through the narrows--the narrowest portion of the lake between the upper basin and the area just above Sunset Beach. There is little room for other boats to go around foundered skiers without encroaching past the center line buoys.
       
       Merritt recommends novice skiers be pulled in the widest areas of the lake.

Permits Issued
26 building permits and 14 land disturbing permits have been issued through May of 2007. Included in the building permits are five new homes, the same number as at this time in 2006. Other permits issued have been for detached garages, decks, additions and storage sheds.

Boat Registrations
Through May, 1170 boats and 247 personal watercraft have been registered at Lake Panorama. Permits are issued during regular office hours. The new 2007-2010 Iowa DNR registration information is needed before LPA permits can be issued. Call the office for details.

Board to review Asset Reserve Proposals
The LPA Board will have a special working meeting to review potential proposals for how an asset reserve replacement fund might be handled. The fund would be an assessment that would establish a reservoir of money to be used for planned upgrades and replacements of LPA infrastructure--dam repairs, building upgrades, golf irrigation, marina facilities, etc.
       
       Proposals for this fund and plans for long-term capital projects needed by the LPA and LPN will be worked on over the course of the summer. Watch for informational meetings and newsletter articles that will outline the proposals which will be refined and presented to the membership for a vote, probably late this year.
       

Erosion Control and Maintenance personnel remove Debris
Over 500 truckloads of floating debris have been removed from Lake Panorama this year, the most ever in one year since the Association received the new skimming boat, Enterprize, from the Rural Improvement Zone funding.
       
       Heavy spring rains have resulted in three very high river flow events. Some upgrading has been done on the anchorage of the main floating debris boom that is located on the upstream side of the upper basin.
       
       
       
       

Beach Water Quality Information
The LPA tests water at all three LPA beaches every Tuesday from May 1 to September 30. The waters are tested for bacteria that indicate possible disease organisms in the water. The procedures and criteria for testing are the same as the Iowa Department of Natural Resources testing of State Park beaches. If testing at a beach exceeds the Iowa DNR limit for safe swimming, the beach will be posted "swimming not recommended" signs and announcements. The information is available on the website homepage events announcements weekly and is also posted at each beach and the marina store.
       
       High water flow that includes silt laden water is almost always very high in bacterial content. If tests on Tuesday indicate safe swimming and a storm event causes muddy water before the weekend, the beaches will still be posted "swimming not recommended." If you have questions about beach water quality, please contact the office.
       
       Also, conditions at one beach do not necessarily reflect conditions at another beach. Results can vary due to local conditions or wildlife present.

Independence Day Fireworks
Joe Scheiring has announced that the Fireworks will be held at Shady Beach on Saturday July 7. Donations for the display can be sent to Joe in care of P.O. Box 605, 6874 Panorama Drive, Panora, Iowa, 50216