New easy URL - just type  PBWOA.org - PBWOA Annual Meeting will be held Saturday May 19, 2012 - at the Portage Yacht Club at 9:30 AM

            
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Notice To All Riparian Owners

on

Portage, Base & Whitewood Lakes

Weed Harvesting

 Will Be Available Starting 2011

 A New Company, Huron Lakes Weed Control,

located on Base Lake, has been formed.

Huron Lakes Weed Control  was founded in December, 2010, by long-time board member Bill Tupper.  Based on the number of weed complaints received from PBWOA members, Bill decided to start a company and buy a weed harvester, from Aquamarine Harvester Company, that is large enough to handle more area than his own frontage.  PBWOA is hoping that everything falls into place for HLWC and the equipment is on the water by May 15th.

 Aquatic Weed Survey:  PBWOA hired Professional Lake Management Company in 2003 and again 2004 to complete a weed survey on both  Portage and Base Lakes. The studies explained the benefits and detriments of aquatic herbicides and confirmed our own position that the use of chemicals in our lakes is counter-productive. First of all, chemical weed control allows dead weeds return to the bottom of the lake and become the nutrients for next year's plant life.  Another problem with the chemical method of weed control is that it alters the normal time in which the weeds die off. Instead of dying in the fall, in cold water, they are killed off in warm water which contributes to Algae Blooms.  Additionally, the chemicals linger in the water for several days restricting swimming and irrigation.

 Weed Harvesting: The report from Professional Lake Management advised that the best way to control weeds is with mechanical harvesting. 

File Photo

Benefits of Weed Harvesting

 Harvesting Schedule:  There are two standard harvesting periods.  HLWC plans to be operational by May 15, 2011, for the first harvest serving the lakes in the following order:

Second Harvest: The summer growth and the 2nd cutting will run between July 10th and August 20th. These dates vary depending on weather, water clarity, and water depth. (See Cost below)  As this is the first year of harvesting for HLWC, getting acquainted with the lakes makes setting an exact schedule difficult. 

Fall Harvesting (Possible 3rd Cutting): If necessary, this would be done during the months of September and October. An additional cutting cost would be charged.  HLWC will contact you if it appears to be is necessary. The objective behind a 3rd cutting is to get as many nutrients out of the lake in the fall in order to curtail weed growth in the spring.  (See Cost below)

Weed Area and Shoreline District:  The weed surveys of 2003 and 2004 provide the data as to the type and density of the weeds. We have also charted all of the shorelines around the lakes measuring the approximate areas where the weeds are shown growing.  This gives us an approximate idea of the area that the weed harvester machine has to cover in acres. We have also divided up the shoreline up into neighborhood districts for the purpose of getting a work schedule base on how big is the weed area and how many homes are located within each district.  (See Minimum Job Size below)

Shoreline District Captains: This is a big project and its success is going to depend on PBWOA members getting involved. We are hoping that all PBWOA members who have a problem with weeds will take the responsibility of getting as many neighbors as possible to sign up for the harvesting.  Additionally, we would like to have a PBWOA member be our representative for his/her neighborhood area.  As the representative, he/she would be informed, via email, of every PBWOA member that has requested weed harvesting service in his/her area.

 Flat Fee:  In this first year HLWC hopes to find enough business from the owners in Portage, Mud Bay, Base, and Whitewood to keep the equipment station on our lakes. The PBWOA board feels that charging a flat fee for each homeowner contracting HLWC services would work best regardless of the fact that some owners have a denser weed problem than others.  A complete area being harvested is a mutual benefit for everyone.  Our success in getting control of the weeds by harvesting rests with the owners and their participation.  (See Minimum Job Size below)

 Cost:  HLWC will be charging non-PBWOA members $400 for two harvestings.  PBWOA members will have $50.00 per cutting deducted from their bills.

Payment Billing:  HLWC will bill each  non-PBWOA who contracts for weed removal ($200) by mail for each cutting after the service has been performed.  

Minimum Job Size Needed:  The price of $200 per cutting is based on getting a minimum of 15 riparian owners along a given shoreline area to sign up for harvesting. 

A Complete Sweep of Weed Area: The objective is to effectively control the weeds and algae blooms on the lakes while preserving fishing and safe lake use.  Ultimately, this would require every homeowner to contract for weed harvesting services.  If your neighbors have a weed problem, then it could be your problem when their weeds float onto your beach.  Because we believe harvesting is best for our lakes, we are hoping to find a PBWOA member along every shore who will contact those who have not signed up before May 15th to remind neighbors of this opportunity.

 Contact:  Please send your Name, Lake Address, Mailing Address (if different) with City, State, and Zip, Phone Number,  and e-mail address via e-mail to PBWOA@hotmail.com or via snail mail to PBWOA, Box 563 Pinckney, MI  48169.  HLWC will use e-mail for scheduling and progress reports.

 PBWOA Investment: PBWOA is handling the organization, promotion and weed surveys for this project.  We have paid the costs of weed surveys, organizing the weed districts, and mailings.  At this point the PBWOA has invested over $7,700 into this project.

Contractor:   When you choose to have your weeds harvested, the contract is with the Huron Lakes Weed Control Company not PBWOA.

 Value of PBWOA Membership: We hope that non-members will join this association for $50 and be a supporter in the community efforts of PBWOA.  Consequently, we have made it to your advantage to be a member of the PBWOA if you use HLWC weed harvesting service   PBWOA deals with the various governmental entities that surround our lakes and rivers and every voice is important.

Last modified: April 25, 2012