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Lake Martha Lake Association Meeting Minutes July 11, 2011 The July meeting was called to order at 7:10pm Angela introduced Carolyn Dindorf of Fortin Consulting, Inc., Carolyn is a limnologist. Carolyn was our guest speaker covering 5 year lake management plans, aquatic vegetation testing, and lake shore restoration. We had a discussion on Lake Martha history of projects the residents have undertaken including iron oxide treatments, weed harvesting and herbicide treatments. Another product thought to seal or solidify the bottom like the iron oxide was alum. We discussed the use of copper sulfate. There has been recent debate if we should treat again now or not. Carolyn stated it is toxic and will kill both bluegreen and filamentous algae. Dave commented it also helped prevent swimmers itch. Dave also asked about duckweed, there was not as much blowing out of the back waters, possible because there appeared to be more weeds holding them back. Carolyn commented duckweed removes large amounts of phosphorus. For the lake management plan we will need a Diagnostic Feasibility Study. Plans range from simple to more extensive for lakes in trouble. Lake Martha is considered to be in protective mode, no major problems. Carolyn gave us an outline of items included in a 5 year management plan, and identified things we could do like get a copy of the Land Cover Map for Lake Martha Watershed. As tax payers we can get it for free, where if Carolyn requested it as a consultant, would be required to pay for it, that cost would then be passed on to us. Angela has the ruff cost estimates we received from Joe Jacobs. Joe got estimates from several companies on a Lake Martha plan for low to high range of prices we could expect if we proceed with a 5 year plan. For the Aquatic Vegetation Program we will need a Point Intercept Survey. There are many fixed costs so a smaller lake is not much cheaper than a large lake. The survey consist of 50 to 150 points, GPS located. The number of points is determined by size of lake linear aces, also if we are doing the survey for the 5 year management plan or if we want it for future DNR funding of projects. The cost range was $2300 to $3500. DNR funded this survey for Mitchell Lake thru the city and required testing before herbicide treatment and again in the fall. We will not get this kind of funding at this time. Carolyn also listed a few other resources for us like Minnesota Waters, a state organization we could look into joining. She said we could talk to Joe Jacobs about programs available to help us work with surrounding farmers to improve the lake quality. An example was, funds to help pay the cost to a farmer to remove field drain tile. Carolyn answered questions on lake shore restoration projects. Any thing you plant in the water up to the high water mark, you need a permit. This permit is free and is for a limited time. She talked about prices and number of plants you would to do a 50 foot lake front. She talked about types of protection barriers, the best being the coir log. Dave asked about Bull Rushes for lake shore protection and could we transplant some from his property to other locations on the lake. She said the DNR is not in favor of this now because there are many more nursery's specializing in aquatic plants. There was more discussion going over the points and Carolyn left. The minutes had one change, Dave changed June meeting minutes were accepted to May meeting minutes were accepted. The treasurers report was given, the balance of checking and savings was $3215.54. Jim has not ordered the new check blanks yet. The Secchi disk reading was at 8 1/2 feet for the last three week readings. Angela reported Midwest Aquacare may not be able to do the second weed treatment due to the Government shut down. Midwest Aquacare have gone to court to fight this decision. They have started calling residents to confirm the second treatment. Brad brought the check for the aluminum can sale for $264. Paul said his boat and the spreader was available for the copper sulfate application. Meeting adjourned at 9:05. |
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