Harvester In / Working

Dear Friends of the Lake,

The harvester was put in early this week and is working!

The City experienced some technical  delays in getting the harvester running corrrectly, so we appologize for the delay. The Harvester has already worked 8.5 hours clearing access to the back bay on Lake 1  as well as clearing vegetation within the bay. Clearing a channel to the bay entrance on Lake 2 was also started. One and a half truck loads of weeds have already been harvested.

It is important that everyone recognize the guidelines the DNR imposes on our permit to harvest vegetation and how the harvesting program fits into the total program to control invasive weed species and to maintain safe and navigable waters.

1. The major strategy for controlling invasive weed species( eg. Curly Leaf Pondweed) is herbicide treatment. The The City-FLLA -WSD program currently successfuly treats/controls 150-170 acres/season. This program is for "open water " control...ie water 150 ft or greater from shore.

2. The area from the shoreline to 150 ft out is the responsibility of the shoreline owner. Control of invasive or natural vegetation is allowed but requires a DNR permit  or the use of a DNR authorized applicator who would obtain the permit for you( eg Lake Management, Inc.). This includes limited control of natural vegetation for recreational use  and deep water boating access.

3.The harvesting program is focused on controlling vegetation( including natural vegetation) to maintain safe and navigable waters. The harvester will be used to keep channels connecting the lakes open, to maintain deeper water access at back bay entrances ( and within the bays as needed as water depth allows), and  to maintain deep water access for public launches. The harvester will not be used to clear /control vegetation within 150 ft of  private residences.See point # 2 above.


If you have vegetation issues that meet the above guidelines for the harvester, please let us know so we can address the issue.

We still have over 100 members who have not paid their 2012 $40 dues. We will be re-invoicing these members to remind them about the importance of their support. So if you receive a reminder please respond promptly.


Thanks for your support!

The FLLA Board of Directors

Adopt a Pond

Dear Friends of the Lake,
   
Please consider participating in the City's "Adopt a Pond"  program designed to keep our local waters clean and attractive. This program would be a great project for an individual household or a local group such as Scouts, Church/youth groups, etc.

The following is a more detailed program description and contact information:


Adopt-A-Pond Program

Are you looking for a way to make a difference in your neighborhoods while protecting water quality? Gather a group of friends, neighbors, or family members and participate in the City of Forest Lake’s “Adopt-A-Pond” program! There are over 100 public storm water management ponds in Forest Lake that can be adopted by interested groups, businesses, and individuals. These volunteers assist in cleaning up around the ponds and make observations of pond conditions and reported developing problems to Public Works. Please consider joining them in the effort to keep Forest Lake’s water resources clean.

Interested volunteers should contact Mark Peterson (mark.peterson@ci.forest-lake.mn.us or 651-209-9729) to inquire about adoptable locations. The City will provide aerial photos of each site, trash bags, a sign to recognize your efforts, and recognition on the storm water website. Participants will be responsible for collecting litter at least 3 times each year and reporting their pond’s conditions to the Public Works Department.

Storm water ponds are designed and constructed to hold and clean storm water runoff. These ponds provide numerous benefits including:

• Control of storm water discharge rates
• Treatment of storm water pollutants through natural processes
• Reduction of flooding
• Prevention of downstream erosion
• Creation of wildlife habitat

Let me know if you would like further information.

Thanks for the interest.

Mark Peterson

Engineering Technician

Public Works Dept.

City of Forest Lake

Herbicide Treatment Update and Weed "Outlook"

Dear Friends of the Lake,

On May 9th, Lake Management, Inc.chemically treated 155 acres of the invasive species Curly Leaf Pondweed(CLP). The treatment,materials and process was done under DNR approval and protocol. A map of the treated areas on Lakes 1,2 and 3 follows:

The treated areas were selected based on  a vegetation survey conducted by the consultant Steve McComas on April 10, 2012. The Goal was  to identify the CLP beds that represented the largest potential growth. As a result of the survey, treatment was shifted from some  areas previously treated for three years(and now controlled) to new CLP beds that had never been treated. New areas treated were on the south side of Lake 3 and some new areas on the west shore of Lake 1. Steve McComas was hired by the CL-FL Watershed District, Doug Thomas, Administrator, to improve the effectiveness of the CLP treatment/control program.


WHY?
Curly Leaf Pondweed (CLP) is a nuisance invasive weed  species in Forest Lake. It grows rapidly in less than 15 ft of water to form a mat like structure near the surface.  This formation restricts boating, water skiing, swimming and jet skiing. It chokes out native weed species. It dies in early July and floats to shore just in time for your 4th of July parties! The dead CLP  releases  phosphorus that supports summer algae blooms. Its turions( seeds) can germinate up to three years later.

WEED OUTLOOK

With an early ice out and early hot weather, the weed growth will be heavy this year. Treating 155 acres of CLP is not going to solve the problem of  weeds floating onto shorelines...although it does eliminate what would have been tons of weeds from  those 155 acres! There are a number of reasons why we will still see weeds floating to shore:

1. FL has 2300 acres of water. 1500 acres are less than 15 ft deep and can support vegetation growth. The City and FLLA treated 155 acres of invasive species CLP which is only 10% of the possible vegetation.There are other untreated beds of CLP that will die and float to shore in late June including CLP that is within 150ft of shore.Our treatment program is only authorized for "open water"( ie., 150ft or farther from shore).

2.Watercraft traffic (propellers cut weeds) and fisherman( anchors dislodge weeds) can send a lot of weeds to shore on a busy weekend.
3. Two native vegetation species common to FL are Coontail and Canada Waterweed(Elodea). Both have shallow root structures and are easily dislodged by boat traffic and/or storms /wind. These species can be the source of floating weeds....especially later in the summer.

SUMMARY

Tha City and the FLLA   treat 155-170 acres of CLP each year and this eliminates tons of weeds from floating to shore in time for your July 4th party. We  also eliminate 600 lbs of phosphorus from entering the lake from the decomposed CLP. However, their are 1500 acres ( out of 2300 total)  that are less than 15ft deep and can support vegetation growth. We are not allowed nor do we want to treat/kill native vegetation. So as a result of boat traffic, storm levels, fishing activity, and shallow rooted weed species  etc.,and the direction of the prevailing summer winds, everyone will have beach weeds sometime during the summer.

We  know this doesn't solve your problem but we hope it provides some perspective on the "weed" situation.

THANKS

Special thanks to Doug Thomas and the CLFL Watershed District Board for their support of our lake improvement efforts and to the City for partnering with us to maintain this valuable community asset.  None of the programs, however, could be implemented without the financial backing of you our Lake Association members. Thank you for your continuing support.
 
The FLLA Board
Steve Schmaltz, President

Watercraft Inspector Summer Jobs

Dear Friends of the Lake,

The City and your FLLA have combined funds to hire 2-3 summer employees to inspect boats and educate watercraft owners at the three public launches on invasive species such as Zebra Mussels and Milfoil. This investment will add over 800 inspection hours to the 286 hours provided by a DNR  matching grant  won by the CL-FL Watershed District and the FLLA.

The positions will pay $11.30/hr. The maximum time will be 35 hrs/week. The work hours will be primarily on high lake usage days: Friday afternoons, Saturdays and Sundays and  Holidays, fishing tournaments and some week days. Each employee will have a preset work schedule, so work days will be identified for the entire summer. Training will be done by the DNR.

Below is a position description. If you or someone you know is interested, please obtain a copy of the city  employee application form at the city website:http://www.ci.forest-lake.mn.us/index.asp?Type=B_JOB&SEC={2C26342D-F000-4747-A0F0-6C18F801D685} .    Select the form at the bottom of the web page,

POSITION TITLE:             Watercraft Inspector

DEPARTMENT:                 Public Works

POSITION STATUS:          Seasonal – up to 35 hours per week
                                                
JOB OBJECTIVE 

● To inform and educate the public on the threats of ecologically harmful aquatic invasive species.  The Watercraft Inspector works at public water access sites educating the public by providing information to watercraft users and conducting a brief survey while inspecting watercraft for invasive species.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

● Supervision provided by the Forest Lake Lake Association in conjunction with the City of Forest Lake Engineering Technician. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

● Educate the public on aquatic invasive species program and issues
● Distribute written information to watercraft users
● Inspect watercraft for invasive species
● Conduct a verbal survey and inspection inventory
● Document and record research activities
● Compile and submit a year end report
● Work in partnership with the DNR Aquatic Invasive Species Program
● Other duties as assigned

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The Watercraft Inspector is expected to work weekends, evenings and some holidays between May and September.  Inspector will be responsible for work schedule upon supervisor approval.  Personal transportation and personal cell phone is required.  Scheduling can be flexible to work around adverse weather conditions.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Education and experience

a. Graduation from high school or equivalent
b. Currently pursuing, or completed, a college degree program in areas including, but not limited to Biology, Natural Resources, Fisheries & Wildlife, Law Enforcement, Communications, Recreation Resource Management, Recreation, Park & Leisure, Ecology, Environmental Science, Forestry, Geology, Sociology, Sociology of Law, Criminology & Deviance, or Urban & Community Forestry.
c. Valid Drivers License or the ability to make alternative travel arrangements to fulfill the duties of the job.
d. Computer/word processing skills.

2. Knowledge, skills and abilities

a. Excellent verbal communication skills.
b. Sound understanding of customer relations.
c. Ability to coordinate multiple tasks within a professional setting.
d. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
e. Sense of humor.
f. Demonstrated interest in environmental work through education, volunteer work, or hobbies.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Car, computer, telephone, calculator, copy machine, facsimile, survey recorder

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms; stand; walk; sit; talk or hear and use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop; kneel or crouch.

The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works at public water accesses.  The employee can expect to work in a variety of weather conditions.  No work will be performed during conditions of severe weather.

Moderate noise levels such as running vehicles and boat motors can be expected.

GENERAL STATEMENT

Applicants for appointment to this position will be required to submit a formal application and may be subject to rating of education and experience, oral interview or reference check.  Job related tests may be required of any applicant.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Zebra Mussel Shells Block Lake Access

Dear Friends of the Lake, 

Attached below is an article from the Pioneers Press describing how Zebra Mussel shells can block shallow channel lake accesses.

As you know, Forest lake not only has shallow channels between the lakes but also has hundreds of homes in back bays that access the main lake through shallow channels. If Zebra Mussels enter and propagate extensively in Forest Lake, the shallow channel lake accesses could be blocked, making access to the main lake more difficult.


Learn more about Zebra Mussels from Steve McComas , president of Blue Water Science, Inc. at our 7PM , Tuesday ,April 24th Annual Meeting   at Vanneli's restaurant in downtown  Forest Lake. Steve will describe the ZM life cycle and resulting issues with this invasive species. In addition, he will describe a study he will conduct in Forest Lake this summer to assess the vulnerability of Forest Lake to the rapid propagation of Zebra Mussels.