Newsletter: Issue 50
Volume 1 Issue 50 September 30, 2023
NEWSLETTER RICH BURTON, EDITOR
Message from the Board
Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM)
A BMLA survey on June 20 found about 15 acres of EWM. Another survey by Blue Water Science found more, and they recommended treatment of about 36 acres which included much linking of patches of EWM.
Lengthy discussion at the 6/21/2023 BMLA Board meeting centered upon the optimum balance of treatment area vs. funds available for treatment.
2022 had been a very successful treatment year. Negligible amounts of EWM were identified in fall 2022. None of the 5 acres treated in 2022 had shown regrowth in 2023. However, mostly all the heavy 2023 growth areas were immediately adjacent to areas treated in 2021.
Treatment concentrations using Procellacor were relatively light in 2021. Speculation is that the light treatment only suppressed the EWM for a year, then good growing conditions in 2023 lead to regrowth.
A plan was developed by our BMLA team with assistance from Blue Water Science and PLM (our licensed applicator) which combined Procellacor and Diquat at varied concentrations. Total PLM contract cost was $26163. We are most grateful for an increased grant (total $8000) from the Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District (CMSCWD) which provided a key needed boost in helping to cover this unexpectedly high expense.
The efficiency of treating a larger area and the ability of PLM to vary concentrations on the fly were key to managing costs.
Thanks to all the BMLA surveyors – Jeff Dahlberg, Jeff Holker, Al Lepinski, Craig Johnson, and Mike Blehert. Also, thanks to Mike Blehert and Jeff Dahlberg for their detailed negotiations with PLM.
The good news is that no standing EWM was found in treated areas in a 7/31/2023 survey.
Zebra Mussels
A Washington Conservation District inspector found EWM containing zebra mussels (ZM) on 7/22/2023 on a pontoon being moved from Lake Minnetonka by a Lake Service Provider. Since the EWM was still fresh and green, clearly the pontoon had not been out of the water for 10 days as required. After milfoil removal the pontoon appeared clean, and, as per policy it was allowed to enter the lake. The inspector then more closely inspected the milfoil and noticed very tiny ZM within the plant. Photos were taken.
The inspector did record the boat registration and it has been submitted to the DNR. Hopefully the pontoon owner and the LSP were located and properly disciplined.
Lake Service Providers are licensed by the DNR and required to be knowledgeable of all transport requirements.
The number one take away…. Thank goodness for the inspector program!
Membership
Membership donations are lagging 2022! Your financial backing is key to continuing to combat AIS in BML. The participation of every BML lakeshore property owner is of utmost importance. $26163 is not all of the costs of fighting AIS for 2023!
Membership donations should be sent to –
BMLA
12636 - 182nd St. N.
Marine, MN 55047.
Minimum suggested donation is $50.00.
Or pay on the Website at: bigmarinelakeassociation.org
The website is a source for past newsletters, BMLA Board Meeting minutes, notes on AIS-related conferences, AIS descriptions, AIS news articles, and more.
E-mail: contactus@bigmarinelakeassociation.org
Other News Items
Some articles of interest in the Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates newsletter are –
May 25, 2023 - “2023 Legislative Outcomes”
June 1, 2023 - “Water Connects Us All”
June 27, 2023 - “PROTECT THE LOONS AND THEIR
CHICKS”
August 2, 2023 – “Early Detection pays off on Long Lake”. (Note that the CMSCWD has paid for starry stonewort inspection in BML since 2018.)
See the articles at: https://mnlakesandrivers .org.
Our Neighbors
Here is the story by the Grundtner family -
In 1961 our parents, Rich and Dolores Grundtner, bought property on the shores of Big Marine Lake. After clearing the land, they began building their dream — a lake cabin for family and friends to enjoy. A few years later, the adjoining property was purchased from the same owner. It was then divided into two lots – one purchased by Rich’s brother and the other his cousin.
On each lot, a cabin was constructed with the help of friends who also happened to be skilled craftsmen. There seemed to be a friend to fill every need – bricklayers, electricians and plumbers were some of the talents needed to create these vacation getaways.
The lake was much lower then and many more trees dotted the shoreline. While the lake levels have changed throughout the years – dramatically in the 1970’s – the one constant was the enjoyment that was had by anyone who visited ‘the lake”.
Our family lived in St. Paul and in those days, Big Marine seemed like quite a distance to travel. In the summer, we would spend weeks at the lake with Mom, while Dad would commute daily to his job in St. Paul. Our aunts and cousins would also stay. The fun never seemed to end – spending hours on the lake every day — learning to drive boats, waterski, and surfboard. We played all summer with our cousins and neighbors on the lake, going back and forth between houses and beaches. Some of those neighbors are still there today.
Sometimes, during the winter we’d head to the cabin for a day of snowmobiling and ice-skating.
Eventually we all grew up, married and had children of our own. The lake was still a destination for all of us as we watched our kids and their friends enjoy many of the same experiences we had growing up.
Our parents’ plan was to retire at the cabin, but unfortunately that wasn’t to be. After Dad passed away, we all worked hard to maintain the cabin for Mom. During the summers, our kids often stayed at the lake with Grandma, enjoying her good food and her love for games of any sort. To her there was nothing better than family and having her grandchildren around was her greatest joy.
Our parents have passed on now but our appreciation for their dream – to have a place for family and friends to gather – has been nurtured through the years.
Now our children are having their own families and ‘the lake’ is the place we all go when we are in search of fun and family celebrations.
This new Grundtner generation, the fourth to enjoy this cozy little cabin, all love it as much as we did when we were young.
Dick, Mary Rose, Cissie and Gail
The Grundtner siblings (in clockwise order): Gail (in front), Mary Rose, Dick, Cissie
Delores and Rich Grundtner