Lakes Committee Meeting, 3/29/11

Lakes Committee Meeting,  3/29/11

Helen Weingarten, Roy McCauley, Wes Daining, Lara Treemore Spears, Kathie Weinmann, Larry Bowman, Lois Maharg, Jeff Miller, Gordon Schielll

Rain barrel  workshop - 4/16: (Larry B.) is searching for a new source for the barrel.  Barrels he’s located come w/ fittings ‘pre-drilled’ (thus easier to fabricate) ,  but his former source no longer has them available (American Soy products).  A new source needs to be located;  Zingerman’s, Jiffy Mix, Eden Foods, car washes.  Larry wants to be able to offer not only directions to make a rain barrel but resource to get barrel.  Helen will help find sources if needed.

Cooperative Lakes Monitorial Program:  Lois & Mac (Wes will help) met w/ Ric Lawson to talk about developing a sense of what’s going on in our lakes and he encouraged the C.L.M.P. Lois registered.  Year 1:  collect water samples in both lakes to measure phosphorus content of lakes in spring and summer.  Also weekly canoe excursions in both lakes w/ secchi disks to measure clarity over 5 mo. Period (May – Sept.).  First phosphorus collection date w/b 4/08; 1 ft. above the deepest spot.  (Lois explained the collection procedures.)  Larry’s volunteered Barb Bowman to take the phosph. test to Jackson for interpretation.  Surface area and depth of both lakes is needed for C.L.M.P.  (Lara & Wes will provide these).  Mac / Wes volunteered their canoes for both lakes.

Boyden Cr. @ Rock Pk. retention basin bank:  Wes noted the erosion taking place due to high velocity and recommends placement of boulders.  Cutting away willow may help but still could cut through into basin and scoop great amounts of sediment into the lake.  Suggestion to file permit and obtain boulders at same time as Lane 10, which is currently ‘on hold’.  SIDE NOTE (Jeff: Prices for Lane 10 ranged from 10 – 40k.  Reserve $$ will address this year.  DEQ permits are required for anything below the ordinary high water mark.)  Lara observed that creek jumps into the basin under all high flow conditions by design and reinforcing the bank may not be long-term solution.

Erosion Concerns (Lara):  water quality and community education aspects of storm water control gets mixed up w/ grounds and roads i.e. how landscaping effects erosion,  how plugged culverts affect water quality.  Jeff offered that ‘how information comes to our board meetings’, we’re all volunteers and making it up as we go along.   Nobody has expertise in overseeing things we are seeing.’  He has recommended professional management to LAIA board.  Committees overlap but there isn’t enough expertise in any of them in managing a community:  a professional co. may be able to save $$ on contracts / bids.  Mgmt. fees c/run 15% of assoc. fees.  Lara: It’s important that committees can actually advise and provide input so that decisions are made with good sense. She is opting to join Grounds.

Phragmites: Wes treated 2010 betw. Upper lake and retention basin in late summer / fall.  Further treatment along Playground Park is critical and machete’ management through the summer.  Late summer and fall application (tasseling) of aquatic RoundUp is needed (“bloody glove treatment”).

Rain Garden presentation (Mon. April 11, 7:00p.m.,  @ Gerl home), planned with the garden club.  Creek on Eastgate that crosses Canterbury flows under golf course and into Boyden Creek.  This overgrew into elm grove. Gordon’s slide show; begins w/rain barrels, various rain gardens in LA area, Thurston garden, etc.  Gordon made a map to go w/slide show so people can find them in real time.

Additonal Comments:  Larry suggests that community s/b more aware of when treatments are administered, why it’s done, how it’s done, as some residents are uninformed and so may have negative attitudes.  Lois suggested a possible spring-summer-long schedule / informative piece. This c/b posted in Bd. Bulletin, website, Lore,

Respectfully submitted 4/01/11,  Kathie Weinmann

Lakes Report: May - July 1, 2010

Please enjoy the beaches and improved swimming & boating!  Fences are to keep birds off the sand, not people out!  Enjoy!

This just in:  E. coli testing results:  Water testing results were returned 7/02, with E. coli levels completely safe for public swimming.  Tests were drawn at Rock Park & L.A. Park beaches and at Midway graveled path at Greenook Lake.  Have fun!

6/29/10 meeting attended by Lois Maharg, Wes Daining, Helen Weingarten, Gordon Sheill, Kathie Weinmann, Jeffrey Miller (LAIA board liason)

            Beaches:   The commercial ‘Benthic Barrier’ is in @L.A. beach.  It’s about 10 ft. out and is fine to walk on, making the bottom feel less mucky.  Volunteers pulled weeds in sandy areas and raked dead water weeds.  THANKS FOLKS!! 

            Savin Lake Services:  Savin  Lake Services re-treated both lakes for algae on June 21.  They will again treat for algae in August, monitoring water temperatures.  Water Tested for eColi on June 28.  Results will be reported a.s.a.p. 

            Birds & Fish(ing):   L.A.’s swans came to the upper lake for food because theirs  was wiped out on the lower lake by the initial Savin treatment on May 25.  This also coincided w/ fish spawning; cover plants died. Fishing is compromised w/o the cover vegetation the fish need.  Savin  has explained that decimating the invasive weeds was necessary to allow native plants a place to begin to re-grow.  We are working w/ them to plan selectively treating the lower lake to allow native vegetation beds for birds and fish.  Boats A Lakes Comm. member is taking inventory of boats stored at Rock Park and contacting owners:  All boats must have a L.A. boat permit.  Boats should be locked to prevent vandalism.  Please maintain yours by cleaning vegetation growing nearby. NOTE: Unidentified boats may be sold in the next month, check LAIA ‘classified ads’ to purchase!  

              Lane 10 basin: This retention basin is not functioning properly; handling drainage and releasing it to the lower lake after filtering. There is work to be done; more information as available.

              AACC & Boyden Creek:  We would like to plan a work party to repair creek walls as a joint effort w/AACC and recognize they have other priorities now. Such a work party brings out the best in volunteerism and we hope it can proceed in September. Discussion w/the Greens keeper is in progress. There are concerns that heavy rainfall could cause the creek @ Bridgeway  (in Rock Park, not on AACC property) to cut through to detention pond; spare rocks from other areas may be used to shore this up. 

              HRWC & Boyden Creek:  Lakes Comm. is reaching out to Huron River Watershed Council for expertise on excess silt in the lakes (as endpoints of Boyden Creek, the 8.5 mile creekshed that feeds our lakes).   Elizabeth Riggs, Watershed Planner HRWC  was invited to talk w/ us, she is likely to join us in July or August.

              Rain gardens & Clean Water Act Sec. 319 funds:  Helen W. & Gordon S.  observed the water basin @ end of Eastgate.  Gordon put together a PowerPoint presentation with highlights of Eastgate creek and several local rain gardens after reaching out to Garden Club’s Pat Lee.  Helen suggests an email effort to contact folks who may have run-off problems and would like to come to a discussion re. rain gardens.  Kathie W. and Pat Lee attended joint HRWC & J.F. New / Hardscape (contractors) presentation on Allen’s & Miller’s Creek rain gardens, constructed with MDNRE 319 Non-Point Source Control grant assistance.  It was very impressive; we saw 4 different rain gardens on school yard, business, neighborhood corner and private lots.  Kathie W. hopes that a L.A. resident might explore this grant program further, focusing on L.A. common areas and run-off concerns—contact weinman1@aaps.k12.mi.us for links.

              Other: Folks fishing at platforms may not be residents.  Games at L.A. Park bring more outside folks to explore the neighborhood. Be safe but watchful for unauthorized use of the lakes, beaches, paths, etc. and report concerns to L.A. Security.

LAKES VOLUNTEERS are ALWAYS WELCOME!  by Kathie Weinmann

Lakes Committee Meeting Notes, 4/29/10

Present: Lois Maharg, Wes Daining, Phil Kish, Helen Weingarten, Kathie Weinmann, Lara Treemore Spears, Gordon Sheill

COUNTRY CLUB

What are the plans for area that was “bulldozed” at creek?  Native area?  North West side of creek, NE. of Climbing Way.  Wetland permit to do wetland fill was reactivated?  Gravel was brought in?  Plans for lots on Brook Court?  Is there an effort afoot to buy off the CC and develop the land?  Slumping stream banks, assistance w/ this work:  how to address this?  AACC are losing land, it is contributing sediment to the lake, etc.  

BEACHES AND FENCES

Fences are in place, benthic barrier is ready to go in.  Phil has volunteered to pursue permit from MDNRE for barrier.  Posting on MDNRE website from ’07 listed this in  “minor permit” categories @ $70.   L.T.S. thought this was the right time to do it.

Major concern is size of area; m/b less than 1600 square feet for total lake. Would a fire pit be a good idea?

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

(Concern over flood insurance for a lot on Woodland.)  How to outreach to waterside lot owners.  Herbicides w/o fertilizers?  Involve kids (and adults?) in taking photographs by the lake w/ a nominal prize.  Put on a photo show @ AACC of nature photos; thematic – water quality concept?  Animals? Helen will work on this idea.  Define Adopt:  Receiving recognition for taking care of an area?  Knocking on doors to get neighbors interested?  Inform via the LORE that we’re looking for commitments.  Could work parties (like Wildflower party on 4/24) be organized more frequently?  Monthly work parties in different areas?  Lois would contribute some home baked pies to the effort. Lois m/b willing to organize monthly work parties.  Are we allowed to do this (Lily pads are protected).  Garlic mustard pull c/b organized coming up.  Shrub planting?  Take dogwood slips from easement @ Kish’s for replanting to island. 

TREATMENT OF LAKE WATER

Phil reported his measurements.  Kathie shared recent contact w/ Savin re. temperature and weed growth.  Phil felt that mid-May was not “too late” to be effective, if it is truly b4 5/20.  (NOTE: Peter Logan talked w/ Mr. Savin on 4/28 re. notification of home owners about treatments, and asked him to call Kathie re. acceleration of first treatment).  Clarify when and where treatments w/b done:  weeds are growing 3-4 feet down, Shallows have 1-2 ft. of growth.  Phil will take the day off work to observe computerized treatment equipment.

CHEMICAL AND WATER TESTING

Phil wanted to check into doing it ‘civil’ style, simple and less costly (i.e.  like testing is done w/ goldfish tanks vs. tropical fish tanks).  Lara discussed B.O.D. (biological o2 demand).  Phil:  Nitrogren & phosphorus, $90/ 50 tests.  LASA not worth pursuing.  Also measure Ni & phos. coming down the stream; is it hugely boosted during rain events?  

LORE commentary:  Please d/n release not-native species to the lake, i.e. gold fish. Wes saw ‘orange fish’ bigger than bass in the lower lake.

Garlic Mustard Work Party: Sat., May 8, 11:00 - 1:00

Join neighbors for a concerted effort to remove invasive garlic mustard from common areas.  We'll meet at Playground Park picnic tables to share maps of identified problem areas and go out armed with (bring your own) garden gloves, water bottle, bag or basket to collect pulled weeds, clothing to protect arms and legs from other itchy stuff.  Meet back at the park 2:00 for shared treats.  Areas you've identified to include on the map are most appreciated.  Call Kathie @ 734-253-2019 or email <weinman1@aaps.k12.mi.us>  w/questions.

May 2010 Lakes Committee Report

Here’s what members and friends of the Lakes Committee have accomplished in the past month:

1. We’ve extended and repaired fencing around Bridgeway Lake. We’ve installed new gates and more fencing on both beaches to encourage recreation and keep geese out. Please remember to close the gates upon leaving.

2. We’ve shared information about fertilizing practices with the community in response to the fertilizer survey. Look for it on the website and in the LORE.  

3. We’ve drafted an extensive "Drainage/Erosion Issues Assessment" identifying trouble spots. We will share it with Grounds and Roads committees in the hopes of working together to solve the problems.

4. We’ve cleared the upper lake of a trashcan full of litter.

5. We’ve purchased a beach blanket to stifle weed growth directly offshore. It will be rotated from one spot to another (it’s not a permanent installation) to test for effectiveness.

6. A work party of about a dozen neighbors met at the island off Rock Park to clean disturbed areas and enhance the natural environment. Wildflowers were uncovered, invasive plants pulled, and paths wood-chipped and defined with fallen limbs and trunks. Please walk on the paths; we will re-assess to consider repopulation with native shrubs where needed.

Thanks very much for your efforts:  Phillip Kish, David Rodgers, Lois Maharg, Lara Treemore Spears, Wes Daining, Bart and Judah Wise, Larry,  Barb and Jack Bowman, Mindy and Brian Kerr, Wesley Treemore,  Lisa Carolin and Susanne Murray, Mary Swain, and Helen Weingarten. And special thanks to those who've worked on their own; we don't know who you are, but we see and appreciate the results of your labor on our beaches and in our woods.

Sincerely, 

Kathie Weinmann

May 1, 2010