Joe Rush, our biologist and lake
manager, was in attendance for input on plans for lake remediation.
All were in agreement we don't want to see our lake go through
another year like this one and plans are moving forward to bring
forth a proposal to put to the manager and board for budgeting
purposes.
It appears the consensus is to use and
alum treatment to handle the immediate problem then continue the
process with burns, plantings, killing non-native species of plants,
further investigation of the Solar Bees, wells, and other
possibilities. This is simply my take on the discussion and not a
definitive plan at this point.
The vast majority of the meeting was
discussion of the lake issue as would be expected. Friendship Park is
the main area for the burn and plantings. I did not know the
plantings will be of a type that will spread into the lake itself.
This is a good thing for phosphorus control. Every option discussed
other then an alum treatment will take time to have an effect.
One thing is undeniable, Joe Rush and
the rest of those involved in the process have spent a lot of time
investigating the issue and they continue to do so. We are in good
hands and I have no doubt a solid plan will develop.
Joe has sent in more lake samples for
testing and when results are positive the lake will re-open. He
indicates he expects no problem with ice fishing this year. I had
asked the question a couple weeks ago about the residual effects of
the toxin in fish flesh. The Illinois EPA head toxicologist has
indicated the toxin in fish flesh takes about two weeks to dissipate,
meaning if we have acceptable water quality we can expect fish two
weeks later to have the same concentrations as the time of the test.
Just as a point of reference, we have
290 million gallons of water in our lake at normal pool so think
about how much water wells would have to put into the lake to have
any real affect. As Joe said, we can't jump the gun with wells then
not need them after they are installed.
There has to be a cost/reward equation.
We can't just start throwing money at a problem without having a
solid basis in probable outcome. I'll keep you informed as things
progress.
Ken Dillenburg