BEPCO Home Page

Big Eau Pleine Citizens Organization

Welcome to the Big Eau Pleine Citizens Organization!

2010 BEPCO Memberships!
As some have noticed in the recent property tax mailings, BEPCO has begun the 2010 membership drive. The rates are the same as last year, $25 for families and $40 for businesses. Your tax deductible contributions support the continued work of the Big Eau Pleine Citizens Organization. Please print out the form and mail in your membership dues. Please share the extra forms with your friends and neighbors.

Aerator Live!
The aerator on the Big Eau Pleine was turned on Wednesday February 17! Holes were drilled in the ice above the ends of each line to assist in opening up a large contiguous area of open water to improve oxygen levels for the fish. Thanks to the many volunteers that worked closely with BEPCO leaders, DNR and WVIC staff to make this day a reality.

This has been an encouraging partnership between BEPCO , DNR, WVIC and Marathon County to work together for a common goal of protecting the fish in the Big Eau Pleine. A reminder to all. Access to the aerator site is restricted and needs permission. Please respect the private property.

Pat Patton took Mike Paul for a ride in his airplane to see the aerator from the air. Mike posted a video on YouTube. See the location of the aerator on GoogleMaps

WSAW Channel 7, WAOW Channel 9 and WSAU radio picked up our story
The local papers also keep people updated our story - click here

Lon Hoerter of WVIC and Joe Jurgensen watch as John Kennedy backs Scout (provided by Jim Kafka) up to hook to PVC lines and drag out. Ron Rahm bent over in orange.

Jon Fochs and Mike Reigel watch as Luke Lamb drags another set of lines out onto the staging area

Luke Lamb pulling lines to stage


Jeff from Merkel electric trenching the ice	A look at the first lines staged through the PVC culvert sleeve	Aerial shot by Pat Patton and Mike Paul showing the layout of lines and scope of the project.


This mini Old Faithful started soon after the Aerator was started on February 17.	View of the open water from the pump house on February 19.	The aerator is starting to open some pretty good sized holes in the ice already by February 26.

BEPCO Reaches Fund Raising Goal to Replace the Aerator
One of the reasons for the massive fill kill (see photos) was that the 30 year old aerator is no longer functioning properly to provide enough dissolved oxygen to keep the fish alive throughout the winter. Through the generous contributions of so many people, BEPCO has raised the $32,416 in matching funds to replace the aerator in order to avoid another massive fish kill like the one this past Spring. Your donations are appreciated! See list of donors See Press Release

Community Connections, the newsletter of the Marathon County Environmental Resources Committee has an update on the aerator.

BEPCO has been granted 501(c)(3) tax exempt status! We would like to thank the Clifton, Gunderson LLP office in Marshfield for their assistance in processing our application.

Are you concerned about?

The quality of life on the Big Eau Pleine
Water safety and shoreline health issues
Recreational use, summer, winter, spring and fall
The sustainability of fish and wildlife
Property values/taxes
Economic impact to businesses and communities

The purpose of the Big Eau Pleine Citizens Organization is to preserve, protect, and improve the quality of the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir, it's watershed area, it's surroundings, and to enhance the water quality, fishery, boating safety, and aesthetic values, as a year round public recreational facility for today and for future generations. Respecting the interests of property owners, the rights of the general public and the management of the reservoir under the operating license granted to the Wisconsin Valley Improvement Co. by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Click here to read the BEPCO By-Laws

BEPCO has reorganized to partner with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company (WVIC), Marathon County, and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to address the serious issue of how the extremely low water levels that impact the issues listed above.

The size of our membership builds credibility when facing these large, powerful organizations.

We need your help
Spread the word - print out this poster, share with other concerned citizen and post copies at local businesses

Numbers matter, join BEPCO!
Print out the sign-up form, complete for you and share with others.

Thanks to our Business Sponsors!
Anthony's Again
Bill's Service Center - Stratford
Buck-A-Neer Supper Club
Don B. Anderson Agency
Forms Specialist
Frane Body Shop, Inc. - Unity
Greater Insurance-Marshfield
Halder Bridge Bar
Hotchkiss's Last Cast
Kafka Granite
Kennedy Diesel, Loyal
Mosinee Bait & Taxidermy
Pioneer Bank - Stratford
Ray's Electric-Marshfield
Red's Market
Remax-American Dream
Safari Bar
The Family Barber - Mosinee
The Mosinee Times
Thomas Koderl-Remax
Windshield Wizard
Winterhaven Bar

2010 Meeting Schedule:

May 16
August 8
November 14
All meetings will be Sunday at 10:30 at the Green Valley Town Hall

Annual Picnic and BEPCO Meeting will be on Saturday June 12 at the Big Eau Pleine County Park

DNR Ice Fishing Notice

Visitors

Big Eau Pleine Citizens Organization
PO BOX 335
Mosinee, WI 54455
Feedback@BigEauPleine.org