LONG LAKE PROPERTY OWNERS

ASSOCIATION, INC.

EURASIAN MILFOIL PROJECT

Middfoil® Project Description

Long Lake has been undergoing a rapid expansion of EWM in the past several years. This problem became significantly worse in 2009, due to a combination of factors including improved water clarity due to zebra mussels. Milfoil expanded tremendously during the summer of 2009, and nearly half of the broad shallow areas of the lake which support plant life are now dominated by milfoil. Because of this, EWM poses a considerable long-term threat to the recreational potential and ecological health of the lake.

Plainfield Township and the Long Lake Association had evaluated several alternatives for dealing with this problem, and in 2009 began a multi-year program involving stocking the Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) weevil E. lecontei which is the active biological control agent in the MiddFoil® process. In addition to being an environmentally safe and cost-effective approach, milfoil weevils can provide long-term permanent control as opposed to chemical application which will need to be reapplied indefinitely.

 Recommendations for the stocking program begun in 2009 were based on site conditions observed during an August 2008 review of the lake. The significant expansion of the milfoil between the time of the 2008 review and the 2009 stocking of 22,000 weevils warrants re-evaluation of the original stocking program and the level of funding that supported it. 

Although every lake responds somewhat differently and there are few hard and fast guidelines for application, it is clear that the length of time needed for the weevils to achieve lake-wide control is proportional to the number that are stocked. Given the rapid expansion of the milfoil observed in 2009, we believe that the original stocking program will no longer provide the desired level of control in a reasonable period of time. For this reason, Plainfield Township has requested that EnviroScience provide recommendations and several different options for a revised treatment program. These options include a chemical-only approach, an integrated program involving spot herbicide application with weevil stocking, and a program involving stocking larger numbers of weevils.

Plainfield Township has received and reviewed proposals for the first two approaches and this proposal outlines the third, biological control-only, approach.  We believe that this stocking program will provide cost-effective control much faster than would have occurred under the previous program.

In addition to stocking weevils in each of the next three years, the project involves establishing baseline conditions and charting the progress of the project using detailed field surveys and laboratory analysis. This provides for the continuous monitoring of the MiddFoil® program and the evaluation of its progress. The data collected during the surveys helps to provide the necessary information for making future adjustments to the program. It also provides the client with an annual report detailing the status of the MiddFoil® program.

Three general tasks will be accomplished each year as part of the Long Lake MiddFoil® program.

Task 1: Initial survey, mapping of sites, and weevil stocking

An initial survey is conducted prior to each stocking event during the growing season (June – August).

Task 2: Follow-up Survey

A follow-up survey will be conducted at the end of the growing season (August - September).

Task 3: Reporting

Reports summarizing the progress of the MiddFoil program are generated at the end of each stocking year (September - December) and pursuant to the final follow-up survey.

 Yearly Summary of Expenses

                                                Number of                                                                                                                                  

Year       Survey Cost    ReportCost          Weevils     Weevil Cost    Total Cost

2010       $3,269.40        $750.00            95,000        $76,000.00     $80,019.40

2011       $3,215.90        $787.50            60,000        $48,000.00     $52,003.40

2012       $4,380.20        $909.48            40,000        $32,000.00     $37,289.68

2013       $2,049.54     $1,041.84             0                   0                $3,091.38

Total     $12,915.04    $3,488.82      195,000      $156,000.00

Sorry about the quality of this scanned document.  Hopefully, you will be able to read it.

March 13, 2010

 To:  Long Lake Property Owners

Subject:  Milfoil Management Program

             As all of you know, the Eurasian water milfoil in Long Lake has spread at a rampant rate during the summer and fall of 2009.  The present program of weevil plantings by Enviro Science will not provide the desired level of control in a reasonable period of time.  Therefore, we are looking at a revised proposal for 2010 thru 2013. 

             Mechanical harvesting is not an option because of the problem that when the milfoil is cut or torn it spreads even faster.  Chemical treatment has been successful in many lakes, but it is more expensive and must be continuously reapplied.  I, for one, do not want chemicals in Long Lake. 

            The new proposal is to continue with the weevils.  The stocking program for 2010 was originally for 12,000 weevils, the new proposal goes to 95,000, 2011 from 9,000 to 60,000, 2012 from 0 to 40,000 and 2013 would be zero based on of the outcome of 2010 thru 2012 program.

             The increased cost to each property owner would be approximately $390.00 over the next four years.  Fred Lewis, Plainfield TWP Supervisor, and Robert Cudney, Board of Commissioners for Iosco County are looking for ways to provide funding to help cover some of the cost.

             April 10, 2010 at 1:00 PM there will be an information meeting to be held at the Plainfield TWP Hall in Hale.  April 25, 2010 at 1:00 PM a public hearing will be held to increase the assessment.  I know that some of us will not be able to attend these meetings, but we need your help.  Please send an e-mail or letter to Fred Lewis telling him we must save Long Lake from the spread of Eurasian milfoil and you agree with the increased assessment.  Fred’s e-mail is:  supervisor@plainfieldtwpmi.com  the address is:  Plainfield Township, 220 N. Washington, Hale, MI  48739.

             Your approval of the revised program would be appreciated!!

                                                 James Ouillette, President

                                                Long Lake Property Owners Assn.