2013-06-05 P & R Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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However, will harvesting aquatic plants now destroy this natural progression to a healthy plant community? Will harvesting tend to favor the invasive species? These are questions to consider. My own thoughts on this matter are this: I'd rather not disturb the native aquatic plants off my shore at this time; the area seems to be turning from invasives to natives. I also want to wait to see the action plan from the Peltier TMDL study. For years we hired professionals to harvest the Curlyleaf Pondweed. We got thousands of dollars in grants from the RCWD. This money ran out because the cost never ends and the benefit is mostly limited to lake residents. We then tried to do the cutting ourselves with permits but it was a disaster. There were multiple problems; people cut tens of thousands of square feet of aquatic plants that ended up on someone else's property. It happened to me and to others. DNR regulations explicitly state that all cuttings must be removed from the lake immediately. That is especially true when Eurasian Watermilfoil invaded our lake. Milfoil spreads by cuttings and stem fractures (which it does on purpose to propagate itself). One tiny leaflet cutting can infest an entire lake! Any harvesting done should be done by professionals with proper equipment. Others have asked me about herbicides used on many other lakes. The DNR has designated Peltier Lake in the category "Natural Lake." This means that herbicides are NOT allowed. I've also been told that herbicides are tricky because they require just the right temperature and calm water. Peltier Lake is a widening in multiple creeks with a definite flow. I've been told that this flow would likely not allow herbicides to work long enough on the plants to kill them. I don't think herbicides and poisons are the right answer. I think the answer to improving Peltier Lake is the RCWD TMDL and perhaps other research. How and why did Rice Lake rid itself of the invasive Curlyleaf Pondweed? How and why did the north part of Peltier Lake overcome the invasive Curlyleaf Pondweed and Eurasian Watermilfoil restoring it to native aquatic plants? �C Have there been any other lakes or rivers where invasive aquatic plants succumbed to native aquatic plants? What exactly are the factors and can they be duplicated? S There are many more questions and topics, but I'll stop here. The Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) is in the best position to do something to help Peltier Lake. 2. IMPORTANT QUESTIONS (See COMMUNICATION on how to answer these questions.) These are questions of general interest. I'll relay answers to RCWD or others as appropriate. Would anyone help with monitoring the Great Blue Herons, eagle, waterfowl and other wildlife? In the summer, observations and sightings of Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Bald Eagles, Trumpeter Swans, White s Pelicans, Mergansers and any relatively unusual bird or animal sightings could be valuable. Observations and sightings posted in a Face Book page might work well. The Great Blue Herons typically arrive on St Patrick's Day, March 17. A phone call to the dedicated "environmental" phone number could be useful. Are you okay with a drawdown of Peltier Lake? (� (For myself, I need more information. This is what I know. RCWD plans to study a drawdown and does not suggest anything specific yet. They might be studying a possible draw down of 3 to 6 feet starting in a fall and continuing through the winter. Spring runoff would return the lake to normal levels because the watershed is very large (It would not remain low like White Bear Lake. I actually have some personal experience with a 3' drawdown and a 2' drawdown. Some questions are: What would the impact be to the native plants in the north and other parts of the lake? Would the native plants come back and displace the invasive species or might the natives be killed and the invasive species dominate even more? Would the Great Blue Herons on the island be affected? Would sediments in the north part of the lake be negatively affected? In 1988, with a 3' drawdown, an aeration system was installed to reduce winter kill for the fish. Would there be an aeration system or other measures to preserve the fish population? To be effective, would this drawdown have to be repeated every so many years ?) Are you in favor of an Alum treatment to reduce internal phosphorus loading? Alum traps the phosphorus in the sediments so it is not released into the water column. Note that Centerville Lake had this treatment but its watershed is very small and controlled and its watershed does not quickly pollute the sediments.