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| Message Subject: Pewaukee Lake Fisherman Alert! | |||
BigO |
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Posts: 169 Location: Pewaukee, WI | Pewaukee Lake Fisherman Be Alert! On April 19th, 2004 plan on attending a public information meeting from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Pewaukee High School cafeteria. Be ready to voice your objections to an ill conceived plan that will destroy 64.5% of the fishery in the eastern basin of Pewaukee Lake. This ill conceived plan is being promoted by a small group of self-serving property owners on Pewaukee Lake to enhance their property values. This plan is being promoted by the Pewaukee Lake Improvement Association, the Pewaukee Lake Management Committee which includes Mayor Jeff Nowak and two Alderpersons from District 1. Here is their two point management plan: Point #1 Clear cut 600 acres of fishery in the eastern basin of Pewaukee Lake down the center for recreational boating. Point #2 Kill the weeds, approximately 66 acres of shoreline out to 150ft. with 2,4D; an aquatic systemic herbicide in the Riparian areas between the piers. RESULTS: 1,030 total acres in the eastern basin 600 acres targeted to be clear cut. "Cut early & cut deep" PLIA motto 66 acres to be treated with the herbicide 2,4D THIS ILL CONCEIVED PLAN DESTROYS 64.5% OF THE FISHERY IN THE EASTERN BASIN OF PEWAUKEE LAKE. If you are upset with this reckless management plan, please do the following: 1. Plan on attending this meeting on April 19lh, 2004 and voicing your objections to this plan. 2. Contact your local DNR person, Shelley Warwick at 262-574-2124 or via email at [email protected] 3. Contact Robert Giblin, President of the Pewaukee Lake Improvement Association at 262-695-1435 or via email at rgiblinfciwi.rr.com 4. Contact Pewaukee City Hall 262-691-0770 Mayor Jeff Nowak 262-695-9363 Administrator Harland Clinkenbeard 262-691 -0770 Alderperson Tony Balistreri 262-695-2811 Alderperson Carolyn Byers 262-691-0055 REMEMBER, PEWAUKEE LAKE IS PUBLIC WATERS AND SHOULD REMAIN FOREVER FREE. DO YOUR PART TO PROTECT YOUR HERITAGE AND REACT TO THIS ILL CONCEIVED PLAN. | ||
| Gander Mt Guide |
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Posts: 2515 Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | Dave, You may want to double check the email address for Robert Giblin. 3. Contact Robert Giblin, President of the Pewaukee Lake Improvement Association at 262-695-1435 or via email at rgiblinfciwi.rr.com | ||
| H.K. |
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Posts: 66 Location: Wales Wi. | I find it hard to believe that the DNR supports this plan due to the fact that they have been fighting for years to restore water plants and marsh on the west end. If the DNR supports this plan they are playing both sides of the fence and that would be something the tax payers need to know. Interesting to find out! Howie. | ||
| Guest |
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| Row Troller |
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| I find it sickening that the same people that are speading lawn fertilizer or are having a lawn service spray their lawns are also the same ones who want weeds removed at all costs. While it will be long after the April 19 meeting, the Milwaukee Chapter of Muskies Inc. will have Dr. Bruce Thorton, an expert on the Pewaukee Lake Watershed at their meeting on May 25. I think you will be in for an eye opening experience if you hear what the Dr. has to say. | |||
| BigO |
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Posts: 169 Location: Pewaukee, WI | Corrected e-mail address for: Robert Giblin: [email protected] Shelley Warwick: [email protected] If you can make it to the meeting that would be great, if not, a call and e-mail would be appreciated. Thanks | ||
| Gander Mt Guide |
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Posts: 2515 Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | Thanks BigO! | ||
| tuffy1 |
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Posts: 3240 Location: Racine, Wi | An e-mail will be sent. Unfortuately I work in IL, and wouldn't be able to make it up there. But I will drop them a line. | ||
| guest |
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| Update on Monday the 19th meeting. -Over 125 Lake association members were in attendence, about a half dozen concerned sportsman...not an impressive showing for concerned anglers -2 applications are in the DNR's hands, the first for the 2,4D treatment and the second for extensive clear cutting of Milfoil -The 2,4D herbicide treatment could be approved in as little as 7 days, with application immediatley following -The harvesting of more than 600 acres would follow the herbicide treatment -This deal is all but signed, sealed and delivered. -Now is the time to contact the DNR to express your concerns. The permits are not approved as of yet, so anyone who is concerned about the resource needs to contact: Gabriel Powers Water Resources Specialist 262-574-2171 fax 262-574-2117 E-mail: [email protected] John D. Madsen, PhD, Research Biologist US Army Engineer in his research states (http://www.aquatics.org/pubs/madsen2.htm) "Although many claim that harvesting is environmentally superior to herbicide use, most neglect to consider that harvesting removes large numbers of macroinvertebrates, semi-aquatic vertebrates, forage fishes, young-of-the-year fishes and even adult gamefishes. The harvester acts as a large, nonselective predator "grazing" in the littoral zone." The clock is ticking... | |||
| tuffy1 |
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Posts: 3240 Location: Racine, Wi | I just sent an email to that gentleman from the DNR. I hope all that could not attend would do the same. This is a rediculous proposal, and will definitely impact the fishery on Pewaukee. Thanks for bringing this to light!!!! | ||
| Kevin Mahlberg |
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Posts: 156 Location: Oconomowoc, WI | Just sent an email to the three people mentioned. It took less than 2 minutes. Keep sending messages guys. | ||
| Steve Van Lieshout |
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Posts: 1916 Location: Greenfield, WI | Knowing how fanatical the DNR typically is about protecting shorelines and "natural" habitats, this is incredible, if it in fact is true as "all but signed and sealed". Normally, projects of any size are studied to death over a multi-year period with a budgeting aspect within the DNR which is agonizingly slow. This is done even for seemingly insignificant projects, not to mention a project of this magnitude in one of the largest, most heavily used lakes in SE Wisconsin. Something doesn't smell right here!! Edited by Steve Van Lieshout 4/21/2004 9:27 AM | ||
| Kevin Mahlberg |
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Posts: 156 Location: Oconomowoc, WI | The president of Pewaukee Lake Association just responded to my email with pages of reasons why this is going forward. Also littered in his response was how much he cares for the fishery and how he fishes 10-12 hours a week from his pier, much to his wive's dismay, yada, yada, yada. He even once caught a 49 inch musky that weighed 29 pounds and a local guide told him it weighed so little because there wasn't enough food for the Musky to eat... He claims the treatment will only affect Eurasian Millfoil and not native weeds and it will thus help the lake and fish growth rates, blah, blah, blah. If anyone wants to see his email, let me know, or better yet send him an email and I'm sure you will get the same reply. Kevin | ||
| Gander Mt Guide |
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Posts: 2515 Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | I got the same message that Kevin got....BLA BLA BLA, Yada Yada Yada These guys give Lake Associations a bad name. | ||
| tuffy1 |
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Posts: 3240 Location: Racine, Wi | Kevin, could you send me a copy of that e-mail. My email is [email protected] Thanks!!! | ||
| tuffy1 |
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Posts: 3240 Location: Racine, Wi | That e-mail is the biggest load of poor excuses that I have ever seen. I love how well he documents his "sources" I would like to see where he got that info. If these fish are so hungry, and the catch rates are going down so much, then how did Mr. Extreme's client nail a FAT 48.5 last year, not to mention the 46"er that I caught that was well fed. Man!!!! this bugs me. The water skiers just want to knock down the weeds so they have more room to haul @$$ all over us fisherman. | ||
| esoxb8r |
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Location: Pewaukee, WI | My 2 cents worth -----Original Message----- From: Komar, James Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 1:59 PM To: '[email protected]' Subject: I just wanted to drop you a note on my lunch break regarding the current plan to spray and cut the weeds in Pewaukee lake. I use this water an average of 3 times per week. I am an avid recreational and tournament fisherman, and also use the water on occasion for other water sports. In addition to Pewaukee lake, I utilize an average of 25 other waters in our state per year as well as travel out of state to numerous destinations. I bring this up not because I am an expert in lakes but simply to make the point that this topic is very important to me. I grew up in Pewaukee and Pewaukee Lake has been a big part of my life. I am sure you are aware why I am sending you this today. I wish to express my concerns about the current proposed plan to use chemicals and clear cutting to control the weeds. My first concern is that I have not heard from any fisheries biologist about the impact this will or will not have on this waterway. This so far has seemed to be centered on one thing....weeds and what will work and what won't. I am concerned that although the chemicals may not kill the fish, that the actual weed kill and subsequent oxygen depletion will. Further, I have been watching the current weed cutters for years and know that even those inevitably kill some fish every year. Now we want to clear cut a rather large area? To what extent will this affect the fish?. Contrary to some non-fisherman's beliefs, there are numbers of game fish that utilize the area targeted to be treated. My second concern, is that this is a plan from one one community. Not the three communities that make up the lake. I believe it is the responsibility of the DNR to protect the entire watershed for all of it's users. Unfortunately this has been thrown into local politics and I believe the DNR needs to look at the impact a decision like this will have on everyone involved. Last, I have watched Pewaukee Lake get better over the years. The fishery has remained stable under increasing pressure, launches and services have been rebuilt and maintained, and use of this lake has been in the top 5 per acre for years. Why now, all of a sudden, are we in need of rushing this plan? The City of Pewaukee recently passed a phosphorus ban on area lawns and this is a start. I believe that if the adjoining communities would follow, this will have an impact however small. I understand the arguments this is tough to enforce, but in the end it can and will help. The eastern basin of Pewaukee Lake is a flooded marsh......there will always be weeds. We can kill the milfoil and something else will take it's place...until the milfoil returns...and I am sure you are aware it will. A lake with this much usage will continue to spread the weeds forever....so to please a few is it worth the effect on the fishery and the possible long term damage this short term fix could cause? There is plenty of water for us all to enjoy. There is plenty of water to ski weed free and plenty of weed lines to fish right now. Thank you for your time. Jim Komar Waukesha, WI | ||
| esox-dan |
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| I am forwarding this to the board so everyone knows what was said in the return Email as well as mine. To: [email protected] ; [email protected] ; Cc: [email protected] ; [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 11:42 AM Subject: Pewaukee Lake Management Plan This is what I wrote: Dear Specialists, I am concerned with the Management plan of Pewaukee Lake in the Eastern Basin. I was unable to attend the meeting on 4-19-04 due to a serious health issue in my family. I am well aware of the weed growth in the eastern basin. It seems to be getting out of control, with the help by other means it is speeding up the evolution of the established lake. I am aware of 2,4D and know it kills all vegetation. Is this 100% safe for this water and downriver? Should we be looking at this differently? The application of this I understand will be as early as this spring. I believe we need to study this more and educate the public more before executing! This is when many of the fishes in Pewaukee Lake spawn in the eastern basin. I know many fisherman that have a great deal of questions about this. We all know the fishery has been thriving due to the DNR and Local help and organizations, I would hate to see any of this be in jeopardy. What is the main objective? Is it so recreational boaters or homeowners can use more of the lake? After the application of 2,4D it then needs to be cut. I understand that it needs to be a deep cut. This could be a major problem for the many different species of fish in the lake as they will be there spawning, what kind of impact will this have on the fishery? Please answer me the following questions: What is the Objective for this year and beyond? Who and What will it benefit? Is the application of 2,4D and Cutting safe for what important species that live in the basin and downriver? Is there any other way to achieve the objectives? What will be in jeopardy when this is put into motion? Is this a good management plan for ALL involved? This is literally a growing problem, but I am concerned that the fishery will be in jeopardy, Please respect that and help educate me and others about these concerns before starting this project. Thank You, Dan White This is what I recieved back: Hi Dan I appreciate you getting in touch with us. You mentioned that 2,4-D kills all vegetation. That isn't entirely accurate. There is a correlation between the amount of product used and what plants it affects. At a application of 100 pounds per surface acre, 2,4-D is very specific to Eurasian Watermilfoil and lily pads, when done at the proper time and water temperature. We will not be recommending use of 2,4-D in areas where lily pads currently exist. I literally just got off the phone with one of the potential applicators, and asked about the verbiage of the sign that needs to be posted at the time of treatment. The signage would read something to the effect that you can immediately swim in the water and you can immediately consume the fish that you take out of the water. You don't however, want to irrigate or spray this water on your flowers until after it is reduced to .07 parts per million. Estimate from the applicator is 7-14 days, but it's all based upon testing. This is the same product used to kill dandilions in the lawn, and has been approved by the EPA for over 50 years, and for 60 years in use with agricultural crops. 2,4-D happens to be a plant growth hormone. There are habitat sensitive areas on Pewaukee Lake that are excluded from chemical treatment according to our plan. Per Charlie Shong of the LPSD, there are two areas on either side of Penninsula Drive that are temporary habitat sensitive zones specifically during the spawning season. These areas cannot be disrupted during spawning season, and Taylor's Bay is for all intensive purposes off limits because it is a habitat sensitive area. After the application of 2,4-D, you mentioned that it needs to be cut. It is my understanding that the weed actually collapses and can't be cut. Our objective this year is to begin the process of erradicating Eurasian Watermilfoil from Pewaukee Lake. It will benefit all users of the lake, as well as the rest of the waters of Wisconsin because we will not be providing a distribution mechanism for this invasive species anymore. As you will read in the following response below, reducing the amount of milfoil will actually be good for fishery, as it will allow native vegetation more of the eco-system in which to grow and flourish. As you may be aware, I have received a number of e-mails from interested parties, and I have included below two of the e-mails I sent out, which I hope will answer a lot of your questions and provide you with additional information about the pilot program...... "Thousands of hours of thought, research, and effort have gone into this plan. I would be grateful if you would take a minute to read this and give me your thoughts. Let me apoligize in advance for any redundancy in the text. Creating an understanding with the users of the lake should help us to meet our improvement goals of this excellent resource. By the way, the Town of Delafield and the Village of Pewaukee would not pass the zero-phosphorous ordinance we asked for. What they thought was a compromise was actually status quo for the landscapers who have been coming from as far away as Madison to lobby the communities on Pewaukee Lake not to pass the ordinance. With the number of outsiders coming into the area from significant distances I can only think that they are trying to guard their pocketbooks at the expense of the health of Pewaukee lake. 1 pound of phosphorous is enough nutrient to grow 400-500 pounds of weeds and algae in the lake. That is a 40,000% to 50,000% return on weight. How's that for impact on the water column? I don't know what town you live in but, a letter to the appropriate elected officials near the lake may give us a chance to turn this around. Back to your e-mail.... Thank you for caring about the lake. I am attaching a copy of an e-mail that I sent out this morning regarding the plan for Pewaukee Lake. It should give you a perspective on what we are trying to accomplish regardless of what you may have heard. Please feel free to forward this e-mail to anyone who is as interested as you in the waters of our lake. Dear Mr. concerned fisherman: I'm not sure who you are, and I'm always surprised that someone like yourself who has strong feelings about Pewaukee Lake does not have their name on their e-mail. That being said, it is possible that anonymity allows people a greater level of honesty and eliminates concern of social repercussions. For that reason, and the importance of these topics, I am glad to have heard from you. You are aware that everybody knows who I am. I am very upfront with what I know about the lake eco-system and the necessity of erradicating Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM). Also as I mentioned at the meeting, I want to thank you for caring enough to come to the informational meeting. You may have missed a few of the crucial points with regard to fish habitat. If you were to go on to the Muskies, Inc. web site, you would find a study done by Randy Schumacher from the State of Wisconsin, on Pewaukee Lake habitat. With regard to muskies, catch rates and harvest have declined between 1982 and 1998 creel surveys, while angler hours directed at catching muskies has nearly tripled. Also, with regard to walleyes, catch and harvest rates have also declined from 1982 to 1998, while angling pressure has doubled. With regard to bass, according to the study, growth rate of bass is low. Much of the littoral zone of Pewaukee Lake becomes heavily infested with aquatic plants, especially Eurasian Watermilfoil, which may be interfering with prey capture success. Small mouth catch rate dropped by more than 80%, but the number of hours anglers spent fishing for small mouth increased nine fold. Catch and harvest rates of all panfish species also declined. Size structure and growth rate for bluegills were poor. Heavy plant growth encourages excessive recruitment, which also lowers proportional stock density ratios and greater competition. Lack of predation on small bluegills due to heavy aquatic plant growth in much of the lake may be contributing to poor bluegill size structure. Growth rate of bluegills, small mouth, and large mouth bass is below average based on records from fish management reference book. Again, dense aquatic plant growth may be reducing the efficiency of large mouth and small mouth predation on small bluegills. As you can see from this study, a number of times the dense aquatic plant growth from Eurasian Watermilfoil was referenced as inhibiting the fishery and growth rates. I don't know how much opportunity you have had to research EWM and its effect on the fish population. From everything I have read, it creates large schools of stunted panfish, and the large important sporting predators have a difficult time getting access to their food source. There was a study done in Michigan that said that bass under 200 milimeters grow significantly slower in lakes infested with EWM than in lakes without infestations of EWM. In large portions of the eastern basin on Pewaukee Lake, fishing boats literally cannot navigate due to the dense stands of EWM. Contrary to what you may have heard, and also something I mentioned at the meeting, our problem on Pewaukee Lake is a foreign invasive species that is not being addressed in any aggressive manner, until, hopefully, this year. We are very much in favor of native weed growth for a number of reasons. It is our understanding that native aquatic vegetation produces more oxygen for the water column, and unlike EWM, does not grow as fast and is not spread by floating pieces which grow roots, sink, and create more dense milfoil stands. I happen to be an avid fisherman myself, and to my wife's chagrin, I spend 10-12 hours a week fishing off my pier. In 1998, I caught a 49 inch, 29 pound musky. I was told by a guide on Pewaukee Lake that the small girth and weight of this fish meant that it wasn't getting enough to eat. Virtually all the information we receive through our research at the lake association comes from aquatic biologists. I don't feel confident enough to draw my own conclusions since I am not a biologist, so I depend upon the DNR, various commercial aquatic biology companies, and, as you may have heard at our meeting, we have a couple of very experienced and talented scientists on our board of directors. The portion below is a copy of an e-mail response to a member of Muskies, Inc. It should answer many of your other questions in your e-mail. "I appreciate the fact that you copied me on your e-mail to Shelley at the DNR. I would also like to thank you for your support on the zero-phosphorous fertilizer ordinance. It may be hard to get all the facts from our local newspapers, but the Pewaukee Lake Improvement Association initiated and has been actively lobbying the Town of Delafield and the Village of Pewaukee to pass a zero-phosphorous lawn fertilizer ordinance. We were the ones that convinced the City of Pewaukee to pass the ordinance. It seems that it will be costing landscapers more money to carry two different formulas of lawn treatments, and they are showing up at these meetings from 30 miles away. We even had the Executive Director (lobbyist) from the Wisconsin Landscaper's Association drive all the way from the City of Madison (where, by the way, they passed a zero-phosphorous fertilizer ordinance the same day as the City of Pewaukee) come to the Town of Delafield board meeting to fight an ordinance that will be tremendously beneficial to the fishery in Pewaukee Lake. Evidently there was enough controversy that the Town of Delafield decided to limit phosphorous content in fertilizers to three percent instead of zero. The unfortunate coincidence is that three percent is exactly what the landscapers currently use. If we are going to reduce the phosphorous in Pewaukee Lake, we can't keep doing what we have been doing. We need to reduce the landscapers' contribution to our weed and algae problems. I might be asking a lot, but if you could get a letter or e-mail to the Town of Delafield on Monday, they will possibly be voting on this issue Monday night. The Village of Pewaukee is addressing this ordinance on Tuesday night, April 20. I would like to address a couple of your points with regard to the herbicide treatment planned for Pewaukee Lake. 1) Our objective is to restore to Pewaukee Lake the natural vegetation that existed here for thousands of years. Unfortunately, when international shipping released their bilge water, there was more than just zebra mussels in their ships. Eurasian Water Milfoil is on the State of Wisconsin's foreign invasive species list., and has existed in Waukesha County since the early 60's. It has since spread to roughly 60 counties in the State of Wisconsin, as well as thousands of lakes around the country. Eurasian Water Milfoil crowds out native vegetation, grows earlier, grows faster, and does not release or produce as much oxygen to the water column as do the native plants. We will be using a chemical that very specifically kills Eurasian Water Milfoil, with non-existent impact to the eco-system. That is why the State of Wisconsin and the DNR will approve use of this particular herbicide in the waters of the state. In 2003, in the waters of Wauksha County, nearly 8 tons of 2,4-D granular was used to combat this infestation of a plant that has no natural enemies on the continent of North America. Over the past few decades, Pewaukee Lake has made a minimal effort to erradicate this particular species of plant. It is socially irresponsible to allow this weed to flourish in the quantities that it has for quite a number of years. The large stands of EWM have accelerated its spread via boat trailers and watercraft throughout the state of Wisconsin, in what is a very popular lake for the Southeastern region of the state. 2) Pewaukee has become, like many other lakes, surrounded by significant human development. That means asphalt, concrete, storm systems draining into the lake, and fertilizers with high concentrations of phosphorous being dumped into the water column. Unfortunately, Mother Nature hasn't had a lot to do with this. These steps that we take are the first steps in what we see as a continuing process in bringing the lake back as close as we can to the natural eco-system it deserves to be. We have already convinced one municipality to pass a zero-phosphorous fertilizer ordinance, and are working very hard to convince the other two communities that are contiguous to the lake. Pewaukee Lake has a 15,000 acre watershed, and is essentially a catch-basin, not being tied into any existing incoming river system. 3) I don't know how much opportunity you have had to research EWM and its effect on the fish population. From everything I have read, it creates large schools of stunted panfish, and the large important sporting predators have a difficult time getting access to their food source. There was a study done in Michigan that said that bass under 200 milimeters grow significantly slower in lakes infested with EWM than in lakes without infestations of EWM. In large portions of the eastern basin, fishing boats literally cannot navigate due to the dense stands of EWM. 4) In the plan, you have noted that we are harvesting hundreds of acres in the eastern basin as the primary recreational boating area. We are not necessarily doing this so people can go water skiing. Every time a small piece of EWM is cut from the plant, it becomes what is called a "floater". This floater will be moved by wind and wave action, grow roots, sink, and start another stand of EWM. 5) During my research, I found that one of the major experts in the field, a Dr. Madsen, started off an examination of EWM management with the following statement: "the major obstacles to effective management of aquatic plants were sociological rather than scientific. In most instances, a motivated resource management group (whether they be a lake association or a local, regional, state or federal agency) could use a half-dozen of the available options to manage aquatic plants in their lake. The limitations to effective management are time, patience, and funds, not the lack of an effective management tool." Unfortunately, we are wrestling with political issues, as well as rumors and hearsay that are truly not based on facts at all. We have done thousands of hours of investigation and research, and feel that we have put together a reasonable, safe, and beneficial plan to counteract the human development issues that exist around this urban lake. Again, I would like to thank you for your interest in lake issues. It is more beneficial when I get an e-mail like this and can share our decision making process, than to have someone out there who thinks we have made hasty, uninformed decisions. I don't know how this information got into your hands, but I'm glad it did, and I would greatly appreciate if you would forward this response to whomever has been communicating with you on this important topic." Bob Giblin President Pewaukee Lake Improvement Association | |||
| Jason Smith |
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Posts: 4520 Location: Chippewa Falls Wisconsin | I sent my email to the DNR. This whole thing is just a mess. I cant believe only a few showed up at the meeting. If I was there I would have been kicking and screaming!!!! We have to stop this!!!....we have a voice too! | ||
| Jason Smith |
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Posts: 4520 Location: Chippewa Falls Wisconsin | Tell the Pewaukee lake owners to look at the Fox Chain after it got sprayed. Do they really want a MUD PUDDLE!!! | ||
| Nancy H |
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I agree with Jason, this will be so detrimental to Pewaukee Lake. I had class on Monday night, so I was not able to attend the meeting. I did send out e-mails and I am the Muskies Inc member that Bob Giblin replied to. This whole thing just makes me sick and it pretty much sounds like it is a done deal. The best thing to work for now is to stall the permit process long enough to enable the water to warm up and get the fish to move into deeper water before they posion the shorelines. Please keep the pressure on!!!  | |||
| Nancy H |
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| This is interesting it comes from an article in the Lake Country Reporter. The herbicide treatment can take place when conditions are right for treating milfoil. The right conditions are anticipated during the last weeks of April or beginning of May, said Giblin. Lake water temperatures and height of the milfoil are two of the factors considered. There is also some concern from residents who say the spray might not be safe. The DNR has also received applications for herbicide treatment from 47 individual homeowners, most along Kopmeier Drive, for a treatment area that would total less than 10 acres, said Warwick. Some of the homeowners, including Giblin, are village of Pewaukee residents. The same public informational process is not required for treatment areas of less than 10 acres. Giblin said the residents submitted applications because, at the time, there was no approval from the DNR and the city had not yet approved the pilot lake weed management program. If the city's permit is approved, "the duplicate applications from the homeowners will be sent back," said Giblin. If the DNR does approve the city's application, the public has rights to contest the approval. Citizens could request a contested case hearing to an administrative law judge, according to state statute. Or citizens could file for a judicial review of the DNR decision with the circuit court, explained Warwick. | |||
| Steve Van Lieshout |
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Posts: 1916 Location: Greenfield, WI | I have left a message for Dr. Robert Anderson, of Wisconsin Lutheran College. He was the indivdual who was the technical head of the on-going, now famous, Pewaukee Lake Muskie Study, which the Milwaukee Chapter of Muskies Inc. had sponsored. He is the only individual that I am aware of that I would trust to comment on this program objectively. Hopefully we will hear from him soon. | ||
| tuffy1 |
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Posts: 3240 Location: Racine, Wi | I just spoke with a woman that is opposed to this treatment as well. She is working on having a public forum on this. She said she would contact me with the date and time. If you would like to contact her, her e-mail is [email protected] Her name is Barb. She is trying to see what there is that can be done to prevent this. I will keep you posted as I hear from her. | ||
| sworrall |
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Posts: 32886 Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Please let me know if you would like a special chat room night to discuss the subject, and if you would like a thread to be locked on top for response and discussion. | ||
| esox-dan |
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| I have also emailed someone that is very knowledgeable with this and will be able to distinguish any problems that could be involved. I hope I get a reply soon. I have wrote numerous other emails with them eluding the concerns I have. What I am gathering from this is that when they need to apply the 2,4-D is during certain conditions (meaning water temp, time of year, wind, etc.) Many fish will be spawning and in these habitat sensitive areas which are off limits for the application, for now. I have yet to receive a clear answer on what their plan is to do in those areas. So, my next question is when will they make that application to kill the Eurasian Watermilfoil in these sensitive areas (because you need to rid it all or it is just coming back, just in another place) and with what? 2,4-D? When? When the conditions don't allow for proper application? As we know that boaters cut the Eurasian Watermilfoil with their props then it floats, sinks and reestablish itself. My main concern is that I don't believe that they do have a "Master" plan. Which makes me very leary about this whole situation. If they do they are not very willing to share the info for what reason!!? I try not to get into politics especially small town politics. This is a major part of the battle here. I have been corresponding with Bob Giblin the President Pewaukee Lake Improvement Association. I look at it as he has a job to do. For starters we need to convince him with FACTS that this is not the thing to do especially with the time frame at hand. I have been keeping my composure thus far. I have been looking for valid arguments for the fisheries defense. I don't believe that we will get anywhere with angry and hateful emails. Believe me, we have their attention. We need facts, and need to be convincing with our arguments. Unfortunately, I believe that if it does go to a public vote that the other recreationalist and lake homeowners will outweigh the fishermen's perspective. Has anyone out there have any first hand dealings with 2,4-D in Lake applications? What can we expect? What could be some Positives? What are the Negatives? What should we be aware of? Anyone? Thoughts, concerns, ideas............ We need basis! Dan Edited by esox-dan 4/23/2004 2:25 AM | |||
| tuffy1 |
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Posts: 3240 Location: Racine, Wi | Good points Dan! I wish I knew more about the effects of the herbacide. The thing I am concerned with is, first off, what if the wind is blowing, and it blows it to places it was not intended for? Also, this seems to be a temporary fix, that will inevitably go unresolved. You hit it right on the head when you said that the props are going to go through, cut up the weeds, the float to another location, and spread roots again. Seems like a never ending battle. Because the weeds are in other locations than where they are spraying, they are going to come back. I just think they need to think of some alternatives, and also who will this benefit? The skiers, yes. The fisherman, not so much. I will see what kind of info I can get on this. One of the guys I went to school with is a fisheries biologist, I just have to find out where he is, and see if I can get some info from him. | ||
| Nancy H |
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| Here is a website that I came across : www.pesticide.org/24Decological.pdf | |||
| Steve Van Lieshout |
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Posts: 1916 Location: Greenfield, WI | Thanks for the offer Mr. Worrall, Locking it at the top of the board for a little while might not be a bad thing. | ||
| esox-dan |
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| Nancy, Good find! I fwd the link to Bob with this letter. We need more ideas and more people to oppose this. At the moment, I don't know if I am doing the right thing. I don't want to piss people off as to where they start deleting. If I am somehow hindering this opposition, please inform me. I am just posting this letter that I wrote to trigger ideas for others concerned. Which they inturn can write their own. Dear Bob, Please respect us in reading this Herbicide Factsheet. I want to make clear that I am not a "activist" trying to sabotage this plan. I am a concerned fisherman and outdoorsmen with knowledge to detail. I really believe that the effects from this could be very damaging. This needs to be studied more! Please, we need to consult more experts as they are able to decipher the negative impacts, which we then need to weigh! As you know just because the DNR approves something doesn't automatically make it safe for use anywhere. There will be chronic problems with this and we don't yet know what the magnitude will be. Your judgment in this case will have long-lasting effects on this watershed. We need you to make the correct decisions. I believe this link will help in that process. http://www.pesticide.org/24Decological.pdf Please respond, Thank You, Dan White Edited by esox-dan 4/23/2004 11:57 AM | |||
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