Committee: Aquatic Nuisance Committee

Objectives: To control Eurasian Watermilfoil already present in Bay Lake and to protect Bay Lake exotic species that are not presently in the lake.

Steps to Achieve the Objectives:
1. Continue to follow an established and successful plan to control the spread of Eurasian Watermilfoil in Bay Lake. 
2. Monitor the public access to prevent the introduction of new exotic species.

Background: 

Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) was discovered in Bay Lake in September of 1992.  The Bay Lake Improvement Association addressed the problem aggressively with a comprehensive plan to eradicate and or control the weed in Bay Lake.  We have used divers, surface surveys and property owners to identify areas of infestation. Those areas were then either hand pulled or we used chemical treatments to remove or kill off areas of the weed.

We were not able to eradicate EWM from Bay Lake but we have kept it controlled. While it is scattered throughout the lake it is not a nuisance. Bay Lakes native vegetation is very healthy and combined with the chemical treatments we have been able to keep EWM in Check.

This program has been funded mostly by the homeowners of Bay Lake and help from the DNR. In the early years of the program, the DNR gave up to $15,000 in grant money for the chemical treatment and was in charge of the Chemical treatments. In 1999 Bay Lake was reclassified from a high priority status to a maintenance lake, which cut funding and support from the DNR personnel. BLIA has made up the difference financially and stepped up the intensity of the program.

BLIA was also then required to get homeowner signatures allowing chemical treatments within 150 feet of their shoreline. We did that and the response was almost 95%. Without these signatures we would not be able to run our program.

Current Activities & Plans:

Monitor the EWM in Bay Lake:

·        In the spring use divers and surface surveys to evaluate the EWM present in the lake 

·        In the fall repeat the process

·        After the spring and fall evaluations, chemically treat larger sites to control the size and spread of the site. BLIA is responsible for the permitting, contracting the delineation of the sites, and treatment of the EWM.

·        In August of each year mail each homeowner a request to search their shoreline for any signs of EWM and report their findings via a return card or phone call.

·        Continue to keep the DNR staff in Brainerd and in St. Paul involved and updated with what BLIA is doing.

·        Update the membership at the annual meeting each June and in the Breezes.

Prevent the introduction of new exotics:

• Monitor the public access.

• Operate ILIDS photo monitoring system.
  

Current Needs

• Money- your contributions have allowed us to do what we have done to date and with out continued homeowner support we will not have a program. When asked, please contribute generously to the BLIA Environmental Protection Fund and remember it is tax deductible!

• Signatures- when you are requested to authorize chemical treatment of your shoreline please promptly submit this signature card. It is a very critical component of our plan.
  
• Property owners - continue to check their property for signs of EWM in the fall and report your findings as requested.
• Volunteers - to monitor the public access.

Committee Chairperson:

 David Devins

PO Box 1220

Minnetonka, MN 55345

952-931-1241

davidd953@msn.com

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