Wisconsin Lakes Conference here April 15-17 News-Chronicle Lake enthusiasts can hear from state officials about a new law that changes shoreline permitting processes, efforts to combat invasive species, and other important lake issues during the April 15-17 Wisconsin Lakes Convention in Green Bay. "This year's lineup offers a great chance to hear Wisconsin's top officials talk about legislation that affects Wisconsin lakes and the people who own lakeshore property, and to get updates on what Wisconsin is doing to fight invasive species," says Bob Korth, a University of Wisconsin-Extension educator who's part of a team organizing the conference. "If you have any interest in the waters of Wisconsin in general and lakes in particular, you can probably learn more in these three days than you can by hit or miss over the course of a year." The 26th annual convention draws hundreds of citizens involved in lake associations and other conservation associations and water management professionals from the Department of Natural Resources, state universities, and other state and federal agencies. The gathering is the largest and oldest of its kind in the country. Once again, the convention features a mix of keynote speeches from the state's highest ranking officials and practical, hands-on sessions designed to provide attendees with knowledge, resources, and in some cases, supplies and materials, to help them protect and improve their favorite lakes. The Gov. Jim Doyle and Department of Natural Resources Secretary Scott Hassett will speak April 16, during the morning session. Tourism Secretary Jim Holperin is scheduled for the morning session on April 15, and Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager will speak at 7 p.m. that night in a special session devoted to 2003 Wisconsin Act 118, also known as the Jobs Creation Act. That law aims to streamline the permitting processes for activities along lakes and rivers without weakening protections for Wisconsin lakes and streams, which belong to all citizens. Attendees also will get a chance to preview DNR draft rules governing distribution of grant money to pay for measures to control aquatic invasive species, and a chance to weigh in on guidelines for creating plans to manage lake plants, a new requirement for organizations seeking to use a mechanical harvester or other means of removing excessive aquatic plants. On April 15, attendees will hear from conservation organization leaders and state agency officials about tools citizens and organizations can use to protect Wisconsin lakes. Breakout sessions will address such issues as citizen monitoring, conservation easements and other tools for natural resource protection, building organizations, and sustainable water use. On April 16 and 17, attendees can listen to reviews of Wisconsin's shoreland management program, budget cuts that may impact their lake, how to engage in statewide protection programs, and how to lessen the environmental impacts of lakeshore development. The convention is sponsored by the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership, a nationally recognized and successful collaboration of the Wisconsin Association of Lakes, DNR, and the UW Extension Lakes Program. Thursday's sessions are additionally co-sponsored by the River Alliance of Wisconsin, Gathering Waters Conservancy, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Groundwater Association and Wisconsin Wetlands Association. Fees range from $55 to $70 with a discount for attending the full three days. For full convention details, including registration and agenda, go to UW-Extension's Lakes Convention Web site at www.uwsp.edu/cnr/uwexlakes/conventions - Exit DNR. Or call Sally Marchell of UWEX with registration questions, 715-346-2116.