Q & A’s From Members

06.13.20

Q & A - Invasive Weed Treatment

1) When will Eurasian Milfoil weed treatments end?
There are several responses to this question. When we started this process we were told we would eradicate EU. However, the EU has learned to hybridize and this limits the effectiveness of traditional 2, 4-D along with other variables listed below. The hybridized weed beds treated with 2, 4-D, do stop the EU from growing, it becomes distressed, but does not die. Our goal still remains - to eradicate this invasive weed! We are looking at options.

As an all sports lake, boats travel across the EU weeds, cutting weed pieces that re-root elsewhere, therefore, we will likely not be rid of this weed. Yet, recent treatments have managed to help keep the weed beds from growing. Weed scans show us that EU weed beds have not grown in size, and that 2,4-D is allowing us to control weed bed size. 2, 4-D reduces/ shrinks the weeds from the surface so that when the boats drive over the top of the EU weed bed, props miss the weed and limits its re-rooting.

There are a few homeowners that do not give consent to treat the EU weed beds in front of their homes so those weeds beds will continue to spread and grow if untreated. Further, as boats travel over and through them, prop cut weed segments will re-root and expand the weed bed.

EU beds have learned to hybridize, reject 2, 4-D and survive. The board is exploring different applications, also a newer safe herbicide called ProcellaCOR that other lakes use on EU plant. A pilot was conducted in 2020.

2) Why Treat the weeds with 2,4-D?
Eurasian Mil foil (EU) is an identified invasive weed in Pine Lake that if left alone, will spread across the entire surface of the lake like a canopy, and cause havoc to aquatic life, the ego system, swimmers and boat props. If untreated, EU will grow, spread over the lake surface and block sunlight that will kill the good plants and food for natural habitat like fish and plant life. It is cost effective. We budgeted $17,000 from PLPOA dues from the 2020 budget for treatment and permits.

3) Can we bring in a weed harvester to cut the weeds instead of applying 2,4-D?
Our experts have told us EU should not be harvested because it will re-root and spread. Weed harvesting is not budgeted for 2020.

4) What are other alternatives to keep EU at bay?
The Board and scientists have investigated various methods of removing EU and selected 2,4-D with a bio-wash as the standard treatment for EU. Options investigated with our experts for EU weed control:
a. Introduce weevil bugs that feed on EU. It is very expensive and has not been proven to be successful, particularly on a high boat traffic lake.

b. Water rakes to uproot weeds. Doing this with EU would cause pieces to break off, re-root and spread - not a good solution.

c. Lake water blankets. These blankets cover the bottom of the lake preventing sunlight and killing all vegetation in that area. Expensive and labor intensive.

The Board is looking at a couple of options. Different herbicides is one way. Different timing of the applications is another way. A newer herbicide may be looked at called ProcellaCOR as another safe, selective, systematic herbicide for management of EU aquatic vegetation that does not impact native plants. PLPOA conducted a successful pilot in 2020. The Board has looked at all of the above and more, and will be adjusting the 2021 plan. Herbicide is the best way to manage these invasive weeds. Pine Lake is not a pool, eliminating all the weeds is not the goal. We try to manage the invasive weeds. Native pond weeds are good for the lake's ecosystem and are a sign of a healthy lake. Thank you for working with us as we continue the Lake Management Plan.

07.18.20

5. What invasive weed beds were treated?  
Hybrid EU was treated. Native pond weeds, the sign of a healthy lake, were not treated per DEQ restrictions. 

6. Where on the lake are the invasive weed beds and that were treated? 
See map showing the 2019 GPS coordinates on our website https://www.pinelakemi.com/lake-management  A new map will be posted shortly by Savin Lake Services.

7. What is the best method for treating invasive weeds? Can a holistic approach be used?
The PLPOA Board, with the help of experts and other resources, looks for the most efficient, cost effective and non chemical approach, but to date, there just isn't a viable option. We are always looking for better alternatives.

08.08.20

8. To treat or not to treat aquatic invasive weeds?

A. That is the question we ask ourselves every day! Really, there just isn't an option to do nothing, in fact we are at war with invasive weeds! If we don't do anything and let these invasive weeds grow, our lake will become an environmental disaster with devastating effects on the habitat, Eco system, boat props, swimmers, etc., not to mention property values. Please see all of the options we explored for weed management in question #4 above. The PLPOA Board with the help of experts and other resources around the country are always looking for the most efficient, non-chemical, cost effective, approach, but to date, there just isn't another viable option. Small inland lakes all around the country are dealing with these same issues.

9. What is the process for developing the weed management plan each year?

A. It is a year long process. We hire a limnologist (Dr. Jude) and weed specialist (Kieser & Associates) to test water quality, map weed location, weed type and weed density throughout the spring and summer. We hire Savin Lake Services to attain necessary permits, apply the herbicide by GPS coordinates, and later, harvest weeds - as the budget allows. All three specialists will report their findings and make recommendations to the board in an early fall special board study session. This collaboration, along with the projected budget, projected dues collection result in the formulation of our Lake Management Plan for the year.

10. If you make a plan and then treat the invasive weeds, why are they not disappearing?

A. The traditional 2,4d herbicide treatment that we have used for about six years has kept Eurasian milfoil (EU) in check by reducing the thickness of the beds, but is not eliminating it. Our experts tell us that some EU beds have hybridized and are showing resistance to 2,4d, even with the addition of bio-wash, a substance, that prepares the surface stem, so the 2,4d can be absorbed. Our primary focus is on EU beds in the boating lanes. We do not treat natural, native pond weed per DEQ restrictions. The EU weed beds that we do treat, are based on specific, targeted, mapping AND permission from Riparians. Riparians must consent, by way of a signed permission form, to treat weeds in front of their property. If we don't have permission from a Riparian then we can not treat the EU bed in front of their home, which will keep EU on our lake. The Board is always looking for better alternatives. A new option that has been presented to us is ProcelaCOR, another low risk alternative for treating invasive EU. Read more about ProcelaCOR HERE. Invasive weeds on Pine Lake consist of EU and small areas of Starry stonewort with the potential for more as reported by Dr. Jude and Kieser & Associates.

11. Why am I seeing more weeds on the lake?
A. You may be seeing native pond weeds. We have good, native weeds that are necessary for a balanced and healthy, all sports lake. In fact, this is good news, there was a significant increase of NATIVE pond weed overall, in biodiversity, which is a good sign. Despite our efforts to minimize the use of lawn fertilizers, in the watershed, we know that lawn fertilizer drains into the lake after a rain and feeds weeds. Pond weeds are good for the overall environmental health of our 400 acre lake. That said, no one likes any kind of weeds when swimming, boating, canoeing, etc. When necessary, and in the budget, we bring in a weed harvester at a cost of $7,500, to cut native pond weed in the boat lanes. We have learned that we can not harvest EU because pieces break off and re-seed which perpetuates more EU. Our experts recommend:

  • Continued management of EU

  • Monitor for Starry stone-wort

  • Harvest native pond weeds only if they pose a significant impediment in the boat lanes as budget allows

09.01.20

12. Q. What if I want to pay my dues with a check? 

A. Mail your check to PO Box 222, Keego Harbor, MI 48320. For those who have not paid yet, you should have received an invoice by mail.

13. Q. Why so many aquatic weeds on the lake?
A. We have been blessed with a fabulous warm and sunny summer: great for aquatic weed growth. You may be seeing native pond weeds. We have good, native weeds that are necessary for a balanced and healthy, all sports lake. In fact, this is good news, there was a significant increase of NATIVE pond weed overall, in biodiversity, which is a good sign. Despite our efforts to minimize the use of lawn fertilizers, in the watershed, we know that lawn fertilizer drains into the lake after a rain and feeds weeds. Pond weeds are good for the overall environmental health of our 400 acre lake. That said, no one likes weeds in the boat lanes and closer to shore when swimming, boating, canoeing, paddle-boarding, etc. Pond weed has taken over where the invasive Eurasian Milfoil was treated. The board is assessing a new vendor with a two step treatment approach for 2021 to treat the invasive Eurasian Milfoil and shoreline pond weeds. This could alleviate some of the concerns we have seen in certain sections of Pine Lake.

14. Q. What can I do to help the water quality?
A. Plant a garden with plants along the shore to stop runoff. West Bloomfield has a list of plants. Do not fertilize if you use lake water, there are plenty of nutrients already in the water. If you use city water only fertilize 2 a year (6 times is too many and can be recommended by Fertilizer Companies) fertilizer - weeds - rain garden/ green belt  

15. Q. What is the difference bolder barrier vs sea wall? 
A. A sea wall bounces waves back into the lake, a bolder barrier properly sloped, will absorb waves better than a sea wall. No new sea walls are allowed, per DEQ / EGLE, only repairs to an existing sea wall.

10.03.20

Questions from Members

16. Q. What can be done to avoid this from ever happening again? I came close to running over a paddle boarder recently because the sun was in my eyes. I didn't see her until the very last second. Luckily, I was able to veer off and miss, thank goodness. The paddle boarder jumped off her board to avoid getting hit. Life threatening for the paddler and frightening for me.

A. We suggest paddle boarders and kayaks use a neon vest so they get the attention of distracted boaters. See the article below called "Make Yourself Visible".

17. Q. I understand Michigan Lakes & Streams recently had their virtual convention, can you give us some take away highlights? 

  • We learned there doesn't seem to be any one magic bullet to eradicate aquatic invasive species. There are however many management strategies. Strategies range from literally getting in the water and pulling weeds out at the roots to treating with various EPA safe rated Herbicides. The Board is working with our limnologists for options.

  • There was mention of a aquatic weed harvester that pulls weeds at the root level and then vacuums them up instead of cutting them like other harvesters. This machine has been out for 6 years and could be an answer for shallow water weeds - not sure about deep water weeds OR pricing - stay tuned. It is called Eco- Harvester. We will learn and share as information becomes more available.

  • We have learned we simply need to be more aggressive by getting people involved so the community knows what we are doing - such as having a Webex or Zoom November virtual "fireside chat" with members to talk about solutions, with a guest speaker.

  • We learned the single most effective way to attack the problem starts at the launch site - the cleaning of boats at launch site before leaving - to educate the community to CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY, DISPOSE.

  • Rain gardens/ natural shorelines nicely landscaped, are not only beautiful but a very effective way to absorb nutrients from fertilizer run off ... looking forward to having more active participants get involved with implementing a rain garden at the waters edge. See article below.

  • Avoid using "shop talk" in communications - use layman terms