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A message from Loon Ranger Lois
On or around September 21 a young loon was found dead along the west shore of Long Lake. The loon had a fish in its beak - probably with a lure attached. This incident was reported to me by message on my answering machine. Since I was out of town at the time, I was unable to make a personal observation. However, this is the information needed by those of us who fill out end-of-season reports. Up until and through October, it is important for resident loon rangers to have continued information.
Please pass information about loon sightings or activities along to the Loon Rangers or to Board members. Thank you! Committee Reports & Updates
Annual Meeting Minutes, '09
LLA Treasurer's Report '09
MDEQ Letter
As noted in the minutes of the LLA Annual Meeting, Matt Preisser of the MDEQ rode along with Dennis and Ron during the EWM survey. Afterwards, he e-mailed them with observations. Some excerpts from his e-mail follow:
In terms of your lake management strategy, I feel you are doing a great job. In my opinion, three of the most important things you need to effectively manage a lake are committed lake residents, local government buy-in, and a stable source of funding. You clearly have all three. You also have access to technology (GPS, laptop, color maps, website) which is a bonus.
Whenever you have a lake problem (EWM) with multiple solutions (herbicides, weevils, harvesting, etc.), you are bound to have internal disagreements. Most lakes have staunchly pro-herbicide people, pro-weevil people, and then everyone else is in between. None of the currently available methods will rid your lake of EWM forever (or even for a few years). Each has its pros and cons. Your strategy of doing a little bit of both is a good strategy. You are following the basic tenets of "integrated pest management" (see http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/factsheets/ipm.htm).
With regard to new invasive species, I do want to call your attention to some new species that are spreading within the Great Lakes region. It would be wise to learn about these plants and monitor for their presence in you lake:
- Phragmites (common or giant reed) - this is an emergent plant that grows around the shoreline, similar to a cattail. There is a native variety, but an invasive form is spreading within the Grand Traverse region. It is usually pretty conspicuous (established stands can grow 12 - 15 feet tall), so it would be relatively easy to see (unlike underwater plants like EWM). I watched for it when you took me around your lake and I didn't see any along the shore. DEQ has a special page set up for this plant: http://www.michigan.gov/deqinlandlakes (click on Aquatic Nuisance "Control, then look under Information - Control and Management of Invasive Phragmites).
- Hydrilla and Brazilian elodea. These are two exotic species that look somewhat similar to each other. They are both underwater plants. Superficially, they appear similar to native elodea (Elodea Canadensis), which complicates matters. Hydrilla is "the EWM" of the south - Florida alone spends millions of dollars controlling it. For a long time, it was believed that neither plant could survive Michigan's cold latitudes, however populations of Hydrilla were recently found in Maine, then northern Indiana, and Wisconsin, and last year in New York. You should become familiar with these species. They would be ever harder and more costly to control then EWM. http://www..miseagrant.umich.edu/ais/hydrilla.html
Meet your new Board member, Jake Kaberle
I moved to Long Lake in 1976, to my family's home on Long Lake Peninsula; two doors south of the Northern tip. My Dad still lives there.
I grew up using the lake all summer, fishing, knee-boarding, swimming, and hiking the islands.
My wife, Suzanne, and I both graduated from Michigan State. My degree is in Administration, and hers is in Child Development and Teaching.
I moved back to LLTWP in 1999 and owned a home on Weatherby Lane. In 2003 my wife and I built our current home on Russ Noble Drive. We have three girls, Katie 7, Kendall 3, and Keagan 1.
I am the Assistant General Manager at Boone's Long Lake. I have been employed there for 11 years. Suzanne is a First grade teacher at Westwoods Elementary.
My goal as a board member is to further the education and lake stewardship for the next generation of Long Lakers. The children that use the lake will have a large impact on the quality of the lake. Through early education they can be taught to protect and preserve this wonderful resource. Ideas:
- A water education program put together including; water safety, lake guidelines, water quality preservation, and invasive species identification. Getting Marine Patrol and the DEQ together to help on this would make for an authoritative lesson. Keep it fun for the kids and give them a t-shirt when they complete the class.
- A rules/guidelines for lake use information sheet given to all rental properties on the lake. Suggest that all renters read upon arrival.
- Increase membership through more social activities/gatherings. Snowshoeing, x/c skiing on the islands, boat parades, Boone's Gatherings. Focus on keeping these gatherings fun and social rather than issue charged.
