Good and bad news was reported at the annual meeting of the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Saturday morning. A large group gathered under the Ruddell Pavilion for the 20th annual meeting including the annual Cattail Awards, state of the watershed and a presentation by Rod Edgell, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Lake and River Enhancement.
Nancy Brown, Jeff Herdrich and Ian Rolland were honored with the 2011 Cattail Awards for their work with the conservancy.
Brown, a resident of Benton Township, is program manager for the Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District. She is also a trainer for the Hoosier Riverwatch program and has been assisting the conservancy in many areas, including educational training and grant applications.
Herdrich is active in the foundation's ecology and land management committees. He is responsible for building the bridge on the new trail at the educational center, known to carry his chain saw with him on a canoe trip to rid downed trees on Turkey Creek and is a volunteer leader with the Wawasee Yacht Club Sailing School.
Rolland is one of the founding board of directors of the WACF and has been a supporter and friend to WACF for 20 years.
Also recognized was Deborah Flanagan Tobias, a 2010 Cattail recipient, not present last year. Tobias was recognized for her continued support since becoming active in WACF in 2006 and serving as WACF chairwoman in 2008, accomplishing numerous projects.
 |
 |
DISCUSSING ISSUES - An opportunity to discuss various issues with Rod Edgell, a biologist with Lake and River Enhancement, second from left, was taken by Tom Yoder, left; Doug Grant and Bart Culver, clockwise on the right. Edgell was at the 20th annual Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation's meeting Saturday to discuss the status of starry stonewort on Lake Wawasee. |
DONATION TO EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS - Diana Castell, left, receives a check for $1,000 from Wawasee Property Owners Association President Kay Young to further educational programs by the WACF. |
Discouraging News
Edgell, a biologist with LARE, spoke about the presence of starry stonewort, appearing in Lake Wawasee since 2009. He provided an update of what has and will be done.
He reported the invasive plant has only been found in three Indiana lakes c Lake Wawaasee; Lake George, partially in Steuben County and Michigan; and Wall Lake in LaGrange County. He also reported it's prevalent in parts of Michigan. However, it is a relatively new plant with little known how it reproduces other than fragmentation.
Starry stonewort, an algae, resembles the native plant Chara, a rooted plant which is a low growing plant that grows by itself. "What's weird about this plant, it's an algae but we've seen it grow 5 feet tall in 20 feet of water. We found it in 18 feet of water in Johnson's Bay." The plant is prevalent in Johnson's Bay.
Presently, based on a study of June 22, there are 96 acres of the plant. When it was initially found 20 acres was reported with 60 acres discovered in 2010. The heaviest concentration is in Johnson's Bay. Other areas have dense populations where the plant is mixed in with native plants. Three treatments have occurred on 21 acres in the southeast portion of the lake and northwest portion going into Syracuse. "These areas were selected because of being near boat ramps, are heavily used, near marinas and obviously a connection to another lake," stated Edgell.
Also 32 acres in Johnson's Bay has been done with some channels and shorelines being done paid for by property owners. The results of those treatments will be known by the end of August when another study is conducted.
"We don't know how evasive it is," he admitted. "We don't think it is on the same scale as hydrilla." He stated the main goal is to keep it contained to the three lakes where it already has been found.
Edgall indicated it is believed the plant started in Johnson's Bay and could spread into channels heavily treated for navigational purposes and may be a selected area for its growth. "Chemicals traditionally used for the rooted plants won't kill starry stonewort," he said.
He stated 2010 was a learning year, starting out with a chemical thought to be effective. "It was controlling it, knocking it down, basically gave it a haircut, which isn't a bad thing." Additional testing resulted in use of a different chemical. "We think we've got something that works," he announced, "however, it still takes multiple treatments to get to a very low level or even undetectable level + as of right now unless a chemical company can come up with something totally different the chances of eradication of this is slim to none."
Edgell pointed out in 2011 Indiana Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator applied and received a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grant for various projects. Money was set aside from the grant along with LARE money to start 2011 c $60,000 for treatment, $10,000 for surveying.
While eradication is not likely, Edgell stated there are two goals c keep it from spreading to other lakes and reducing the spread of the plant and having a recreational impact on the lake. He also noted the plant will continue to be treated as long as there is money or the weather turns cold. It was noted a federal grant has been received by the aquatic invasive species coordinator but the amount available for 2012 is not known.
State Of The Watershed
Retiring board members Betty Knapp, Jerry Riffle and Bob Myers were recognized for their combined 40 years of service. New board members Ron Baumgartner, Pam Schumm and Jeff Wells were introduced.
Heather Harwood, executive director, reported on the enhanced wetland behind the educational center to be used as a demonstration area and talks along with a series of channels that have been created, as well through Fish and Wildlife grants. She noted the mitigated wetland was completed and trail one was near completion. Use of two LARE grants were noted for work at Dillon Creek and Village Lake.
Dan Berkey reported on canoe trips with it being noted Aug. 29, 36 freshman students from Wawasee High School's honors biology class will take the trip. Approximately 200 individuals participated in canoe trips this year.
Diana Castell, education committee, once again involved those present with a question/answer competition complete with visual effects. She reported on several of the education programs this past year. Among the information she provided included facts such as 1 pound of phosphorous produces 10,000 pounds of weeds; a swan leaves behind 10 pounds of waste a day and it eats 43 percent of its body weight; and it takes 1,800 gallons of water to refine one barrel or 42 gallons of oil.
Regarding development, Terry Clapacs reported a consultant was hired for strategic planning during the next five years with a five-year plan to raise $4.1 million to support educational programming, conservation projects, land acquisition and an endowment.
Tom Yoder, land acquisition, noted three properties, contingent to each other, have been acquired along Turkey Creek, totalling 13 acres or 1 1/2 miles of controlled bank. These areas were of concern as livestock waste was filtering into the creek or livestock allowed use of the creek. It was noted WACF now controls 740 acres including two conservation easements, hog farm and camp.
Prior to the meeting John Holderman, chairman, recognized the original 18 who founded WACF, noted during 20 years 35 wetland properties have been purchased providing 10 miles of protected shorelines. He noted WACF has received $1.25 million in grants and donations to seek solutions to any matters detrimental to the watershed. |
