Continual education and eradication are required. Education improvements are happening. Mary Ann T. has started hosting our own "Landing Blitz" event, launched during Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week (June 28 to July 7 this year). More volunteers are needed! Watch the EVENTS page to stay current.
Click on each subheading to open that year's RLS report.
Please check back later this year for the full report.
A June 2024 update from RLS informs LPLA that the EWM (Eurasian Watermilfoil) has formed a new hotspot and in total has grown, now up to 14 acres. The estimate for treatment this year will be around $20,000.00, which is included in the 2024-25 budget as presented during the annual meeting last Saturday.
Wherever possible, it is preferred to use a systemic aquatic herbicide for longer-lasting plant control. There are often restrictions with usage of some systemic herbicides around shoreline areas that contain shallow drinking wells (such as with 2,4-D). Systemic herbicides such as Triclopyr should be used to control EWM in Little Platte Lake and continued spot-treatments with this herbicide would be recommended for any EWM that may return. A DASH boat could also be used to remove the EWM without the use of herbicides in the future or very small patches such as those observed in 2022, could be manually removed by SCUBA divers or snorkelers. Invasive emergent Phragmites have been treated by the local CISMA late during the seasons with great success and this will be evaluated again in future years if requested. There were new stolons arising in the treatment areas and thus more treatment may be needed in 2023.
Wherever possible, it is preferred to use a systemic aquatic herbicide for longer-lasting plant control. There are often restrictions with usage of some systemic herbicides around shoreline areas that contain shallow drinking wells (such as with 2,4-D). Systemic herbicides such as Triclopyr should be used to control EWM in Little Platte Lake and continued spot-treatments with this herbicide would be recommended for any EWM that may return. A DASH boat could also be used to remove the EWM without the use of herbicides in the future or very small patches such as those observed in 2021, could be manually removed by SCUBA divers or snorkelers. Invasive emergent Phragmites were treated by the local CISMA in late September 2019 with great success and this will be evaluated again in future years if requested. There were new stolons arising in the treatment areas and thus more treatment may be needed in 2022.
Invasive Species Report Jerry Rupley reported very good news. In 2019 about 5 acres of Milfoil was found and treated. Restorative Lake Sciences (RLS) surveyed Little Platte again this week and found only 2 Milfoil plants in the lake. Treatment for Milfoil will not be needed this year. A small patch of Phragmites was still observed at the east end of the lake. A large area of Phragmites was treated last year by the Grand Traverse Conservation District using money from state grants. Jerry contacted the Conservation District and there is no grant money available this year. He is following up on a quote for treatment but it is unlikely that the small patch of Phragmites will be treated this year. Maps were shared showing the 2019 infestation of the Milfoil and Phragmites and the 2020 map showing the significant reduction of both.
Wherever possible, it is preferred to use a systemic aquatic herbicide for longer-lasting plant control. There are often restrictions with usage of some systemic herbicides around shoreline areas that contain shallow drinking wells (such as with 2,4-D). Systemic herbicides such as Triclopyr should be used to control EWM in Little Platte Lake and continued spot-treatments with this herbicide would be recommended for any EWM that may return. A DASH boat could also be used to remove the EWM without the use of herbicides in the future. Invasive emergent Phragmites were treated by the local CISMA in late September 2019 with great success and this will be evaluated again in 2020.
Restorative Lake Sciences does not believe that the use of herbicides in the amounts necessary for treatment of invasive milfoil on our lake will be harmful to other plants, animals or people. The cost in 2018 of treatment and ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of the treatment and consideration of necessary future actions will be approximately $9,500 to $10,500. We will be exploring and considering various possible sources of funding for these activities, including grants from governmental and private entities, fundraising activities, contributions from property owners and businesses along our lake and use of existing cash reserves. We will provide further information as are plans are more fully developed.