Weed Control Project
Notation:
ALRB = Austin Lake Riparian Board
CoP = City of Portage
PCC = Portage City Council
At the August 24, 2021 Austin Lake Riparians Annual Meeting a number of lake residents expressed concern about the apparent increase in weeds on the lake.
In response to the concerns, on November 12, 2021, the ALRB sent a request to PCC asking for an investigation into methods for reducing lake weeds.
On March 22, 2022 the PCC awarded a 6-year contract to Progressive AE of Grand Rapids, Michigan for $102,500 for consulting service and plan development for Aquatic Nuisance Control on Austin Lake. Note: Hailee Lamorandier is a Field Scientist for Progressive AE and can be reached for questions at hlamorandier@weareprogressive.com .
During the summer of 2022 Progressive AE, a Lake Management Consultant, evaluated Austin Lake for possible weed control. See the May 2022 report for the process.
In October 2022 a report issued giving background information on the water quality of Austin Lake.
On October 17, 2022 Paul Hausler from ,Progressive AE, made a presentation to the ALRB with a proposal for weed control. His report is below. Note: the costs, found on page 26, are estimates and will probably change. Note also this proposal is for controlling invasive weeds only. Non-invasive weed control is not part of this proposal. For example, page 23 of the report shows very few invasive weeds in the south bay. Thus, the majority of the south bay weeds would not be targeted for removal.
Due to the concern that much of the south bay weeds would not be addressed, the ALRB asked for a revised proposal to include the south bay (see the November 2022 documents below). As the south bay is predominantly native plants they can not legally be killed with chemicals. Thus, mechanical harvesting would be used.
November 16, 2022: the ARLB requested the CoP review Progressive AE proposal, both for the invasive and non-invasive weed control. The City did schedule hearings in early 2023.
January - March 2023: PCC will be addressing our request for weed treatment including time for public hearings (dates). In January ALRB mailed a letter to lake property owners detailing this review process and public hearings. CoP mailed letters to property owners detailing proposed property tax assessment and notice of hearings.
February 7, 2023: the PCC passed a resolution to continue with our weed treatment plan.
March 7, 2023: the PCC held a hearing concerning our weed treatment plan. The PCC adopted "Resolution No. 5, confirming the Special Assessment Roll for the Austin Lake Aquatic Plant Management Special Assessment District No. 023-A; and, award a contract to Solitude Lake Management LLC, Little Rock, AR for the 2023-2027 Austin Lake Herbicide Application Program at a cost not to exceed $117,455,and authorize the City Manager to execute all documents related to the contracts on behalf of the city".
June 6, 2023: The first chemical weed treatment was performed using an Air Boat. A map of treatment locations was provided. When chemicals were applied, a posting was left which described when water could be used for swimming, watering lawns etc. (see below).
June 17, 2023: an update was issued and notice of mechanical harvesting of weeds on June 20, 2023.
June 19, 2023: based on the lake weed measurements made on 6/19/23 a new harvest map was created (see below).
June 23, 2023: the first cutting and removal of weeds using a Weed Harvester started on 6/23/23 and ended on 6/30/23. For more details see documents below.
In July, 2023 a weed study was performed and a new treatment map was proposed for invasive weeds.
In August, 2023 another chemical treatment of invasive weeds was scheduled for 8/17/23 and a weed treatment map was provided by SOLitude Lake Management Company .
On August 17, 2023 a second chemical treatment to eliminate invasive weeds was applied. When chemicals were applied, a posting was left which described when water could be used for swimming, watering lawns etc. (see below). A treatment map was provided on 8/1/23.
On August 18, 2023 a $26,960 invoice from Savin Lake Service (for mechanical harvesting on 6-30-23) was approved for payment.
On January 22, 2024 the Weed Control process was started for 2024.
On October 7, 2024 Progressive AE met with the ALRB. Reports from this meeting can be found below, About ALR webpage and on the Enviromental webpage.
Weed Control Documents
- Most Recent First -
10-1-24 Plant (Weed) Control Summary
8-12-24 August Lake weed Treatment
7-19-24 Solitude Lake Management Invoice 1
7-19-24 Solitude Lake Management Invoice 2
7-1-24 Savin Lake Service Invoice
6-25-24 Photos Weed Harvester at Work
6-24-24 Aquatic Plant Harvesting Begins
6-11-14 Weed Treatment Scheduled for June 11
5-20-24 Aquatic Plant Surveys starts
3-1-24 2024 Permit Authorization Package
1-18-24 authorized to submit a permit
2024 Permit Application and Invoicing
1-22-24 Start of Weed Control for 2024
8-31-23 CoP Special Assessment
8-17-23 Example of Treatment Posting
6-19-23 Mechanical Harvesting Fact Sheet
6-17-23 Update on Weed Control
6-6-23: Example of Treatment Posting
6-6-23: Weed Treatment map for first weed treatment
May 2023: Pre-Treatment Notification
3-8-23 Authorization to Apply Herbicides
2-23-23 CoP Notice Hearing on 3-7-23
2-7-23 PCC - City Managers Report
1-30-23 CoP Proposed Assessment
1-27-23 CoP Notice of Hearing on 2-7-23
1-20-23 ARLB Letter to Riparians
1-4-23 Portage City Council Dates for Review of Weed Control Proposal
11-16-22 ALRB Request to City of Portage
November 2022: Proposed Budget for 2023_2027
November 2022: potential native treatment and harvesting areas
10-17-22 Austin Lake Study and Recommendations (indicated costs are estimates only)
10-3-22 Progressive AE Invoice
October 2022 Austin Lake Report
May 2022 Aquatic Plant Control Program
3-22-22 City of Portage Agenda
11-12-21 Request to Portage for Weed Control Program
August 24, 2021 Annual Meeting Minutes