2008 Annual Report and 2009 Budget

Lake Improvement Board of Bear Lake

2008 Treatment

The Lake Improvement Board (LIB) adopted the recommendation of the Limnologist retained to study the lake.  The recommendation was to treat the majority of Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) with chemicals first.  After the treatment with chemicals, 18,000 weevils were to be stocked to treat the remaining beds of EWM.  The chemicals were necessary to stop the spread of EWM so it didn't overcome the entire lake.  The intent of the LIB was to contain the spread of EWM and then rely on weevils to control the EWM.

 

On June 12, 2008, about 163 acres of the lake were treated with chemicals.  During that evening, we had a major storm.  That storm washed out U.S. 31 between Manistee and Ludington.  The  storm resulted in major wave action and drift of the chemicals into the EWM beds intended to be stocked with weevils.  The EWM plants in these beds sustained damage and thus were not viable food for the weevils.

 

A subsequent recommendation of the Limnologist was accepted by the LIB to treat the remainder of EWM with chemicals and postpone weevil stocking in 2008.  So, on July 16, 2008 about 60 acres of the lake was treated with chemicals.

 

Why Aquatic Herbicides Affect Aquatic Plants And Not You! is an informative video presentation that comes from Dr. Carole Lembi of Purdue University.  It has been very helpful to better understand chemical treatment of plants in a lake.  It is available at the following website: www.btny.purdue.edu/aquatic/aquaticherb.

 

 

2008 Results

The Limnologist conducted another point intercept grid matrix survey on September 17, 2008.  Treatment in 2008 was successful.  About 64% of the areas treated contained dying EWM plants.  It is very good that 25 different species of native plants were found.  In addition, some native plants were populating areas where previously only EWM was present.  

 

 

2009 Preliminary Treatment Plans

Treatment plans are based on the most current survey information available.  The point intercept grid matrix survey in September, 2008 is the basis for our limnologist's preliminary 2009 proposal that we treat 150 acres with chemicals and plant 10,000 weevils. 

 

There will be another point intercept grid matrix survey conducted next spring and the results of that survey will be used to finalize the plans.  However, we are aware that Mother Nature can play tricks with our plans.  Just as we had a major storm when we treated on June 12, 2008, events that can't be predicted and are beyond our control may impact our results.

 

 

2008 Assessments

2008 winter tax bills included the special assessment to those who have property that abuts the lake and are in the special assessment district.  The tax bills included assessments for both 2008 and 2009 treatments.  The tax bill assessments in 2009 will be smaller and reflect treatment for only one year, the 2010 treatments.

 

Manistee County was very helpful as they approved a loan that allowed us to treat our lake in 2008 before we collected assessments.  We will reimburse Manistee County after we collect assessments from the 2008 winter taxes.

 

2008 Expenses vs. Budget and 2009 Budget

Included in this report is an exhibit of a spreadsheet showing 2008 expenses vs. budget and the budget for 2009 as well as projections of costs for 2010, 2011 and 2012.

 

Many Thanks to Many People

 

We thank many people who have helped protect and preserve Bear Lake.  The list includes:

·        The President of the Bear Lake Property Owners who had the vision to create the Community Council for the Control of Milfoil (CCCM).

·        The original members of the CCCM who made preliminary findings of the extent of the problem and then recommended the creation of the LIB.

·        Organizations like the Bear Lake Property Owners, Triginta, Bear Lake Promoters and the Bear Lake Lions whose monetary donations provided the ability to hire a limnologist and lawyer that enabled the fact-finding to establish the LIB.

·        The three municipalities (Village of Bear Lake, Pleasanton Township and Bear Lake Township) that approved the resolution to create the LIB and who continue to support the LIB.

·        The County of Manistee for approving a revolving fund that allowed the lake to be treated in 2008 before assessments were collected in 2008 winter tax bills.

·        The County of Manistee staff and Manistee County Commissioners who devoted time and commitment to help fix a community problem.

·        Countless individuals who supported and volunteered to help in many ways.