What to Expect This Season

As mentioned in the fall newsletter, our work last summer is a good indicator of what we will do again this year regarding Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM).

Our Contractor’s Plan of Action

We will begin by having Wisconsin Lake & Pond Resource, our selected contractor, complete a survey to identify areas of Milfoil. Aquatic Plant Management will then prioritize the areas with the highest density and return after Memorial Day to use DASH (Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting) to physically remove the highest concentrations of Milfoil. You may remember that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) did not grant us a permit for herbicide treatments, so we are relying on DASH again this year. We expect the DASH to take about three days.

Neighbors in Action

You may also see your neighbors out on the lake in their kayaks, assisting the divers by scooping up any stray pieces of milfoil that break off but don’t make it into the collection receptacle. A follow-up survey will be completed in fall to guide next year’s Milfoil management plans.

Funding Update

Unfortunately, despite many hours spent documenting and preparing a solid proposal, we were not awarded the grant for which we applied. That means we will be using PLPOA funds to cover the costs. This year’s projected expenses for the DASH treatment, both surveys and permit fees totals about $12,300. We are already preparing to submit another grant proposal in late fall, with the hope that our costs will be reduced next year.

Beyond Milfoil: Strengthening Our Shorelines

We are also exploring other ways to maintain and improve the health of our lake. One way is making sure that our shorelines include native plants, which help stabilize soil and reduce erosion. Look for more information about this project at our Annual meeting in July.

How You Can Help

As always, we hope you will continue to help by watching for milfoil patches in the lake and hand-pulling those plants along your shoreline. If you find areas of milfoil, please pass the location on to any of the Board members. Also, if you would like to assist with collecting stray milfoil from your canoe or kayak while our DASH contractor is on the lake just send me a text.

Beth Wells