Cheboygan Long Lake Association
Spring Update – 2014
Message from the Association Board
New Strategy for Controlling the Invasive Plants at Long Lake
A common theme from feedback from lake residents regarding this growing concern reflects that the majority of lake stakeholders want a plan to control the invasive aquatic plant – Eurasian Milfoil as soon as possible.
The board, with representatives from each Lake District and the township, met twice in October and have unanimously agreed to a long term strategy. Below is a brief recap of the discussions.
The association contacted the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Environmental Quality experts who suggested we speak directly to the company associated with managing the enormous infestation of milfoil at Houghton Lake. The state indicated that this company, Progressive AE, has been extremely successful managing the invasive plant species at Houghton Lake and they too had started by using the weevil program.
The board met with Tony Groves, a biologist from the water resources group of Progressive AE, who has over 30 years’ experience working with invasive species on over 100 lakes in Michigan.
Progressive AE is a company who works with lake associations and facilitates projects to manage and control lakes similar to the problem we have at Long. They are engaged to manage the control of the invasive weeds by using some of the following actions:
• conduct an assessment of the invasive weeds in the lake to determine the species & magnitude
• track invasive weed beds via GPS and determine the number of acres that are infested
• create a specific treatment action plan based on the magnitude of the problem
• work with the lake association to obtain necessary state/federal permits for using herbicides
• source the appropriate application companies to coordinate the treatments
• facilitate communication to lake owners of specific treatments
• work with the lake association and township on funding for a 5 year plan
Next Steps
The board agreed that this strategy was worth proceeding forward with and is taking steps to engage Progressive AE to do the initial assessment in the spring of 2014. It is important to note that before the entire plan is approved there will be additional public discussion before being able to proceed with the 5 5 year plan.
Annual Meeting – June 28, 2014
The meeting will be held at 9:00 am on June 28th at the Aloha Township Hall. Tony Groves from Progressive AE will present information about their plans to eradicate the milfoil at Long Lake and discuss the impacts to lake stakeholders, costs and special assessments, state permits, and the opportunity to answer your questions. . Your attendance is encouraged. Coffee and donuts will be served. The $20 annual dues is also due on or before the meeting date and should be paid to Barbara Hall (address below)
$150 Voluntary Contribution for 2014
Over the past several years we have asked for contributions to help support the purchase of the weevils to control the milfoil. For 2014 we are asking again for $150 to initiate the strategy replacing the weevil strategy. Your contribution will fund the assessment which is critical to determine the ultimate cost and timing of the new plan.
Please send your contribution and annual dues to:
Barbara Hall – Treasurer
5104 Paradise Trail
Cheboygan, MI
49721
Please do not hesitate to contact any of the board members or lake zone representatives if you have any questions or concerns before the annual meeting.
Cheboygan Long Lake Area Association
Officers and District Representatives