Big Cedar Lake Property Owners Association
The Big Cedar Lake Property Owners Association’s (POA) primary goal is to protect and preserve the lake and shoreline. We are focused on the lake itself, the healthy clear quality lake water. The POA is made up of owners and tenants residing within the Big Cedar Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District (PRD).
We have 22 directors, representing their respective lake neighborhoods. Membership is granted to property owners for a voluntary fee of $20 a year.
The POA has a number of programs to support our mission.
- We have a shoreline enhancement program that asks residents to use zero phosphorous and slow-release nitrogen fertilizers. The program encourages the lake-friendly landscaping practice of using native non-invasive plants and offers financial grants of 10% of the cost of up to $500 for nearshore landscaping that follows our guidelines.
- We supported the PRD implementation of the CD3 boat cleaner at the public launch to minimize exposure to invasive species being transported in or out of Big Cedar.
- We started an effort several years ago to advocate for a conservation easement of the Cedar Community shoreline. Our committee assisted in getting Cedar Community and Cedar Lake Conservation Foundation to work together to create the conservation easement. That work is in progress and we are hopeful it will ultimately implement an agreement.
- The POA has a scholarship program to award graduating seniors $1000 grants for students pursuing advanced studies in water resource management or environmental sciences.
- We make an annual contribution to the Cedar Lake Yacht Club for the 4th of July fireworks.
- We make bi-annual contributions, generally every other year, to the Thursday Night Fishing Club for their walleye stocking program.
We have no taxing authority, no police powers, nor are we, legislators. We leverage the political weight of our considerable membership, working through the duly constituted local authorities. We work with agencies such as the PRD, the Town and County Boards and Departments, the DNR, and our Madison representatives in the legislature.
The POA works with Wisconsin Lakes on issues common to many lake organizations. Wisconsin Lakes works to develop statewide solutions for the challenges faced by our lakes. They have a longstanding relationship with the DNR and the state legislature. This statewide organization gives the POA an opportunity to advocate for solutions at the state level with the voice and influence of a collection of many lake organizations.