The Geneva Lake Environmental Agency was formed in the early 1970's by a group of citizens concerned about Geneva Lake's future. The Agency was formed as a shared unit of the local governments of the Towns of Linn and Walworth, the Villages of Fontana and Williams Bay and the City of Lake Geneva.

Since 1975, the Agency has operated under a Uniform Resolution and By Laws signed by the sponsoring units of government. The resolution calls for the Agency to study the 5,462 acre Geneva Lake and its 12,800 acre watershed regarding its physical, chemical and biological characteristics, water quality, lake and land use; protective measures, recreation and resource related problems and to make recommendations to protect resources, improve living conditions and foster legislation to accomplish these recommendations. This program is implemented by one full time staff member and a college intern.

All too often, many of us take the quality of the lake and diversity of plant and animal life for granted. We seem to expect a healthy and diverse lake, clean and plentiful water to view, swim, fish, and boat in. A healthy Geneva Lake also increases tourism and property values, and is good for the local economy.

Not only is it critical to protect the lake today, but it is important to protect it so we can pass it down to future generations. If we do not take steps to ensure that the Geneva Lake's water quality remains suitable for these purposes, the excellent water quality we take for granted may vanish. The Agency is determined to maintain Geneva Lake's resources by protecting, preserving, and enhancing desirable lake and watershed quality.

The most important thing one can do is to GET INVOLVED! Take steps to:

• Learn about how your daily routines affect Geneva Lake by obtaining a copy of the Geneva Lake Book. Realize that we are part of the problem and an integral part of the solution.
• Encourage your family, neighbors, community, civic groups, and governments to protect water quality.
• Contact the Agency or other water quality advocates who have the technical ability to help us help ourselves.
• Do not take water quality for granted. Realize that water quality is strongly related to your enjoyment of the lake, property values and an important legacy to leave for future generations.
• Help the Geneva Lake Environmental Agency in its efforts to protect, preserve, and enhance Geneva Lake's water quality by sending a donation. These donations are tax deductible and will support the Agency's research, monitoring, and education programs that are necessary to maintaining a high quality resource important to our social, economic, and environmental well being.

Private donations are a vital part of the Agency's funding. Any and all contributions to the Geneva Lake Environmental Agency are tax deductible and will go solely to Geneva Lake's management and no other lake. Please consider supporting our lake management efforts with a private tax-deductible contribution. Check with your place of employment to see if they have a matching gift program. That way, your contribution is twice as valuable.

Send your contribution to: Geneva Lake Environmental Agency, P. O. Box 914, Williams Bay, WI 53191, 262-245-GLEA (4532).

Thank you for supporting the work we are doing. Thank you to the many volunteers and contributors who make our work possible and sucessful.