Covid-19 Cancellations and Postponements
May 28 – Seminar: Your Lake Health and You – Canceled
April 25 – Boating Safety Class – Canceled by the Sheriff’s Department
May 9 – PBWOA Annual Meeting – Postponed until August 15 – Meeting will be virtual/online – Details to follow
May 12 – HRCOL Improvement Project Update – Postponed until September 24
July 4 – Portage Lake Fireworks display – Canceled by Portage Lake Area Community Service Organization
August 14 – Annual PBWOA Pizza party – Canceled
Shoreland Stewards Program
An example of a silver-level shoreland as rated by the Michigan Shoreland Stewards Program. Click HERE to rate your shoreline.
Invasives
Lessons Learned from Fighting Invasive Species (whether an invasive lake plant from Siberia or a virus from China):
We’re all in this together.
Listen to the science.
The invasive species can be managed, not controlled and certainly not eradicated.
The invasive species does not discriminate and does not care who you are.
Be prepared.
Be thoughtful.
There are costs no matter what.
Look at the progress, not the failures.
No matter what you do, nothing is perfect in fighting the invasive species.
The sun will rise tomorrow.
The PBWOA board has heard the concerns of members and has taken significant steps to address each of them. Over this past year the board has met with several scientific lake management companies, as well as governmental agencies in order to better understand the problems we’re facing and the possible solutions to either eradicate or manage invasive species in our lake system. We felt it was most important to deal with someone who could provide an unbiased analysis and recommend treatment. As a result, PBWOA has contracted with Restorative Lake Sciences, an aquatic analysis company to perform a hands on, feet on the ground, scientists in boats study. They will survey, analyze and produce a detailed report of what species we have, where they are, their size and recommended treatment methods. RLS does NOT provide weed control services, only unbiased recommendations for the best treatment.
This initiative was presented to Dexter, Hamburg, Putnam and Webster Townships for their input. Their concern about the health of our lakes was evident and they volunteered to collectively contribute $5,000 dollars toward this study, which is half of the total cost of $10,000. In addition, we are soliciting donations from other lake associations on the chain and affected businesses to help offset the cost.
Our hope is that results from this comprehensive study will pave the way to a holistic management program that will combat current as well as new invasive species that could negatively impact our lakes ecosystem.