The combined cost of controlling invasive plants and the ongoing scientific work to protect the water quality of the lakes from phosphorus pollution will be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Each of us has a stake in maintaining the water quality of Lac Courte Oreilles. It is imperative that everyone become a Partner in protecting the lakes by contributing money for COLA’s operations. Just the minimal donation of $100 from the approximate 650 property owners on the lake would generate $65,000. So please consider a donation. (More information about the State of the Lakes in 2021.)
Natural History Field Trip Programs - Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College’s Extension Program
For the month of September we have two natural history field trip programs planned for the general public, courtesy of the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College’s Extension Program. Please note that the date for the Hawk Ridge trip has changed from the earlier field trip overview. Also, the felsenmeer trip will depart at 9:00 a.m. and involves traversing some very rugged uneven ground, so flip-flops or heels are NOT recommended! J The trips are as follows:
Saturday September 18th: Hawk Ridge from 10:00 a.m. until approximately 5:30 p.m.
If birds of prey fascinate you, then you and your binoculars will want to join us at Hawk Ridge by Duluth as we observe these remarkable birds during the best time of day at the very peak of their migration. Most raptors prefer not to cross large bodies of water, so they get funneled around Lake Superior at this point. Twenty species of raptors and vultures occur there, including the rare peregrine falcon and gyrfalcon. Some nest as far north as the arctic and winter as far as South America. A naturalist will be on site to help answer questions.
Saturday September 25th: The Blue Hills Felsenmeer from 9:00 a.m. until approximately 5:00 p.m.
Hiking the Blue Hills Felsenmeer, a State Scientific & Natural Area, is the closest thing to being in the alpine zone! Cold air emanates from the pink quartzite talus all summer long, sustaining a lichen & moss community normally found much farther north. We will hike down what is locally known as the "box canyon", a magical fern-enveloped cleft and come back up the base of the felsenmeer, which means "sea of rock". Every member of the family able to hike on rocks will enjoy the incredible scenery, interesting plant life, and geological features of this special place. This hike is not recommended for people with mobility issues.
Although lunch will be provided, you will need to pack it in. If it is raining the trip will be postponed until Saturday, October 23rd.
We will meet at the main entrance in front of the LCO College. The field trip programs are sponsored by the Extension Department at no cost to the participants. This includes registration, the tasty bag lunch, and transportation in the college’s new touring van. Working closely with the college’s Covid Coordinator, we have concluded that the field trips can proceed in a relatively safe manner, altho there is of course always a slight element of risk to those who remain unvaccinated. Once the van fills, you can carpool or follow us in your own vehicle. Please feel free to bring the entire family to enjoy Nature and learn more about its wonders. Hawk Ridge is handicapped-accessible. Please make sure that you register ahead of time at this link: https://forms.gle/aZYbm8vauJbp2sqv7, or if you have questions contact Cali Quaderer-Cuddy, LCO College Extension Program Coordinator, at cquaderer@Lco.edu, phone 715-634-4790 ext. 137.
Hope to see you there!
Mike
Gov. Evers Announces Two Appointments to the Natural Resources Board
Gov. Tony Evers announced two new appointments to the Natural Resources Board, including Sandra Dee "Sandy" E. Naas of Ashland and Sharon Adams of Milwaukee. These appointments fill the vacancies created by the expiring terms of Dr. Frederick Prehn and Julie Anderson on May 1, 2021.
“Here in Wisconsin, our state and our economy—from our sporting heritage to fishing and boating to outdoor recreation—depend on preserving and protecting our natural resources. The Natural Resources Board is a critical partner in preserving this tradition, conserving our natural resources for future generations, and ensuring the growth and success of our state's economy,” said Gov. Evers. “I'm excited to appoint Sandy and Sharon who understand the vast and valuable natural resources Wisconsin holds and are ready to advocate on behalf of our land and water, our sporting heritage, and the health and wellness of our people and our wildlife.”
Naas has more than 30 years of experience related to conservation and currently serves as an Agriculture and Natural Resources Instructor and FFA advisor at Ashland High School. She is also the owner and primary Natural Resources Scientist at Stable Solutions, an environmental consulting firm in Ashland. Currently, she is the chair of the Bayfield County Conservation Congress and vice-chair of the Bayfield County Deer Advisory. Prior to these positions she also worked as a Soil and Water Scientist at JZ Environmental and held the position of County Conservationist at the Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas and Iron, and Adams County Land and Water Conservation Departments. Naas is an avid hunter and angler, and a certified trapper education instructor.
Adams founded the Walnut Way Conservation Corporation with her husband in 2000. Walnut Way is a community development organization dedicated to economically diverse and environmentally sustainable neighborhoods. In this role, she fostered initiatives to implement stormwater management, demonstrate healthy urban food production, and introduce 4-H programming. She retired in 2015 and formed HN Development to inspire real estate development in historically disinvested neighborhoods. She has also served as a board advisor for the UW-Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and has advised the city of Milwaukee on policy issues impacting natural resources.
2021 Aquatic Plant Management Plan
COLA has completed its 2021 Aquatic Plant Management Plan. This plan will allow for COLA to maintain eligibility for WDNR aquatic invasive control grants and guide COLA, LCO, Sawyer County, and the WDNR in aquatic plant management for the lake over the next five years (2021 through 2025).
Curly leaf pondweed (CLP) was first discovered in the lake in 2005 and Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) was first discovered in 2017. Since the discovery of CLP, management efforts related to aquatic plants have primarily focused on controlling CLP and more recently EWM. To help address the issue of CLP the Courte Oreilles Lake Association (COLA) had an aquatic plant management plan completed for the lake in 2011. This plan updates that previous plan. It also identifies the issues and need for management, reviews past management aquatic plant activities and presents management options. By evaluating these components and issues, a sound strategy was developed for the management of aquatic plants in the lake which includes the following goals:
Goal 1) Control existing populations of AIS.
Goal 2) Prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species.
Goal 3) Preserve the lakes’ diverse native plant communities.
Goal 4) Lake residents and users are made aware of the importance of native aquatic plants, the means to protect them, and the threat of aquatic invasive species.
Goal 5) Restoration and preservation of native shoreline vegetation
Goal 6) Waterfront residents will protect lake water quality and plant communities by minimizing runoff of pollutants from their lake property.
To see the full version of the APMP, click on the links below:
2021 COLA Aquatic Plant Management Plan
Appendix A - COLA 2018 Aquatic Plant Survey Report
Appendix B - COLA 2019 Aquatic Plant Survey Report
Appendix C - NR-109 manual mechanical removal requirements
Appendix D - NR-107.04 APM requirements
View From Your Dock - Survey Results
The "View From Your Dock" survey was a great success. The response rate was about 24%, which is really good in these days of constant requests for on-line feedback.
But what was most impressive was the thought put to answering the survey's questions coupled with the emotion expressed in the comments. The full report is provided here, so take a look yourself. It’s obvious that we belong to a dedicated and thoughtful community, and the Lac Courte Oreilles lakes can look forward to a bright future.
State of the Lakes Report
Kevin Horrocks, COLA’s President, has issued COLA’s 2020 State of the Lakes Report. It provides up-to-date commentary on issues facing big and little LCO. It’s formatted as a brochure so feel free to print out multiple copies and provide it to friends and neighbors.
High Winds and Turbulent Water Have Created Loose Mats of Uprooted Aquatic Plants
A number of people around the lake have seen large volumes of aquatic plants roll up onto their shores in the past several days. Most of the reports are coming from areas in Chicago Bay, and from first appearances, most of the plants seem to be the native northern milfoil.
This same phenomenon took place last summer when strong winds and waves tore up aquatic plants deposited them in piles on the eastern basin shores at the mouth of Barbertown Bay.
Northern milfoil and other native aquatic plants are occupying areas where they have not been observed before (e.g., sand bar at entrance to Musky Bay, small bay near Ashland point, south side of Wismo Point), and the density of all aquatic plants is increasing with time. This is the classic result of increasing phosphorus load to the lake.
Unfortunately, some have reported that COLA and the new Eco-Harvester are to blame for the floating mats of milfoil.
Fact check: COLA's Eco-Harvester has not been built yet - it will be purchased and delivered early next Spring. COLA is not involved in any machine-harvesting nor cutting of aquatic plants on Lac Courte Oreilles.
If you have any questions, please contact COLA. Please report any odd observations on the LCO Lakes using COLA's Lake Observation forms.
Thanks for your help.
The Eco-Harvester is Funded
The Eco-Harvester funding campaign began last fall, and the LCO Foundation received nearly $38,000 in donations. After the LCO Tribe joined the effort by providing $25,000 this spring, COLA ramped up the effort, and, within a short period, we reached the $100,000 goal.
A large number of both COLA members and NON-members quickly, generously, responded and donated. Donations ranged from modest to very generous, and what is so great about that is just that…people supporting COLA as they can because they know it is the most involved, dedicated organization working to save these two lakes, protect these two lakes.
The Eco Beast will make its debut in 2021. COLA will spend the remainder of 2020 working with the manufacturer to create a machine best suited to LCO's conditions. We will also be recruiting and training operators so that the ECO Beast will be ready to go when and where needed next year.
A Message from Max Wolter, WDNR Fisheries Biologist, on How COVID Might Impact Fishing
Hey folks,
Lots of questions about how COVID might impact fishing this season. Please see the attached FAQ, as it might answer a lot of questions people have. If you have questions beyond what is covered here, I would be happy to help track down that answer.
The basic message is one you are likely used to hearing by now in other aspects of life with COVID: be smart, be safe, practice social distancing. Fortunately, fishing is designated as an essential activity and it’s one where social distancing is very possible. It may require some changes to how we move about and socialize while fishing, at least for the time being.
I hope everyone has a great opener weekend. The weather is going to be fantastic and the fish have no idea there’s a pandemic going on. I think you’ll find them to be just as cooperative as normal if you are able to get out. Take care,
P Max H. Wolter
Fisheries Biologist
Hayward Service Center
Bureau of Fisheries Management
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
phone: (715) 634-7429
fax: (715) 634-9232
e-mail: Max.wolter@wisconsin.gov
Herbicide Treatment of Invasive Aquatic Species in 2020
Late last summer COLA’s Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) contractor identified and documented the location of all known AIS in the LCO lakes. The two invasive species of concern are Curly-leaf Pondweed (CLP) and Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) (more). Five locations have been identified that are too large or the plants so dense that herbicide treatment is the only feasible option to manage the growth or spread at these locations. Please view the five location maps here to determine the location and AIS species that are within 150’ of your property.
COLA has applied for a WDNR permit and large-scale worksheet to allow COLA’s AIS Contractor to apply herbicide at the five locations beginning with the CLP locations in mid-May and the EWM locations in mid to late June. The COLA contractor will be using the herbicide Aquathol-K active ingredient Endothall at the three CLP locations and Weedar-64 active ingredient 2,4-D at the two EWM locations.
For the CLP locations the Aquathol-K post treatment water use restrictions within 150 feet are:
· SWIMMING NO RESTRICTIONS
· FISHING OR FISH CONSUMPTION NO RESTRICTIONS
· WATER GRASS NO RESTRICTIONS
· GARDEN CROPS, NEW SEED, or ORNAMENTALS no watering for 7 days
For the EWM locations the Weedar 64 post treatment water use restrictions within 150 feet are:
· SWIMMING NO RESTRICTIONS
· FISHING OR FISH CONSUMPTION NO RESTRICTIONS
· WATER GRASS NO RESTRICTIONS
· GARDEN CROPS OR ORNAMENTALS no watering for 21 days
COLA is hopeful that by treating the five locations with herbicide this season we will reduce the areal extent and density at each location, reduce the risk of spreading CLP and EWM to other part of the lake(s) and be in good position in 2021 to deploy the Eco-Harvester, an effective method of non-herbicidal control for AIS on the LCO lakes.