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Intern Report
ESLA President Supports DEQ Action to Rectify Discharges into Elk Lake
Message to Congress: Protect Michigan's summer fun!
Volunteers Needed!
Stop Invasive Species, Michigan Groups Urge Congress as Seaway Opens
Great Lakes are Priority for Washington
ESLA Briefs
Volunteers Wanted and Needed
Loon Rangers Needed
NEWS & EVENTS ARCHIVES
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Intern Report
This report focuses on a search for the presence of both the invasive and native types of the plant Phragmites australis around Elk and Skegemog lakes, the Torch River, the mouth of Rapid River and the Elk River. In order to discover the location of different clusters of Phragmites, we paddled in a canoe and kayaks around the perimeter of the lakes and rivers using a GPS unit to mark locations of any Phragmites stands. We identified each stand as native or invasive based on several traits. Our research was the first of its kind on these lakes. The information we gathered will be used as a baseline for Elk-Skegemog Lakes Association (ESLA) and to aid in predicting where future growths of invasive Phragmites may occur. We found only the native type of Phragmites on any of these waterways or their close environs. Our hope is that our information can also be used to increase public awareness about the possible invasion of Phragmites in our local lakes, due to the recently documented presence of invasive Phragmites along the shores of East Grand Traverse Bay.
Click here to download and read the complete report.
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ESLA President Supports DEQ Action to Rectify Discharges into Elk Lake
The basis of this complaint centers around discharges from the Burnette Foods, Inc. spray irrigation site alleging that adjacent wetlands, a downstream creek and Elk lake are being adversely affected. The resulting investigation by the DEQ revealed saturated soils, ponded effluent vegetation stained black (from the effluent), standing water, and surface water runoff anaerobic soil conditions reflecting waste water runoff too high for the existing site. The DEQ issued an official violation confirming the leaching and discharge of wastewater into the wetlands, creek and Elk Lake. This discharge was being done without the benefit of a current permit, since Burnette Foods had allowed a previous permit to expire. Even with a permit, the level of discharge and the soil saturation at the surface and subsurface level are greater than what would be considered acceptable by any standard, potentially impacting area well water systems and the leaching discharge into the watershed. Burnette Foods has been ordered by the Michigan DEQ to cease and desist any further discharge and pursue actions to determine the reason and extent of the release and to conduct clean-up activities
click here to read ESLA President Pete DiMercurio's support of this action.
Message to Congress: Protect Michigan's summer fun!
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of Northern Michigan's tourist season as many travelers make their way "up north" to experience and enjoy our many magnificent waters. But, the waters we know and enjoy are being impacted by invaders that have already changed the ecosystem and more threaten to enter our waters if something isn't done soon.
Click here to read the full message.
Volunteers Needed!
Explore and protect the streams of northern Michigan!
Click here for more information.
Stop Invasive Species, Michigan Groups Urge Congress as Seaway Opens
As the St. Lawrence Seaway prepares to open tomorrow, Michigan conservationists are urging the federal government to pass comprehensive legislation to stop the introduction of invasive species into the Great Lakes.
Click here to read the full story.
Great Lakes are Priority for Washington
The Great Lakes emerged as a top priority in Washington this week, as Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council joined more than 200 citizens, members of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, Great Lakes Commission, and other organizations for the annual Great Lakes Day. In addition to advocates from all the Great Lakes states urging Congress to restore and protect the Great Lakes, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced a bill that provides manageable solutions to accomplish that goal.
Click here to read the full release.
ESLA Briefs
Riparian Handbook Reminder
The 2005 edition contains current information on just about every subject pertaining to your land, shoreline and water activities. It even includes (on page 55) all the important township, county and state governmental agencies. Keep this valuable book available. If you have misplaced or worn out your copy, we will gladly provide another at our Annual Meeting. Free of charge, of course.
Landscaping Books Available
We still have copies of the two best landscaping books that we could find. Both are written by the DNR of Minnesota and contain many full color illustrations of landscaping and shoreline wildlife. Landscaping for Wildlife, 145 pages, and Landscaping for Water Quality, 175 pages, can be purchased from ESLA for $3 each. Just call your ESLA representative and we will deliver it to you.
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 Volunteers Wanted and Needed
ESLA has operated for its 58-year history as a completely volunteer association. Our bylaws direct that approximately one half of our officers' and directors' two year terms of office expire each year, thus insuring continuity for the organization. All terms expire following the Annual Meeting, usually held in August. This system provides for fresh ideas and new individual involvement each year. It's an opportunity for everyone to become active in lake and shoreline management and to carry out their ideas and plans in water and shoreline stewardship.
So, now is the time to volunteer for the 2009-10 team. We need you. In answer to past questions, yes, it is important for part time residents to volunteer. While we function year round, many of our directors are summer residents. The "year-rounders" keep you up to date with mail, e mail and phone calls. We need you, regardless of how many months you are here, to participate. Of course, those who do stay all year are very important.
To volunteer or just to discuss the idea, please call any one of our officers or directors. You are needed!
Loon Rangers Needed
The loons on Elk Lake and Skegemog Lake need your help!
Do you love to watch loons?
Do you want to see them thrive on these lakes and rivers?
Then please volunteer to be a LOON RANGER.
A LOON RANGER observes loons throughout the year and records these observations until the loons migrate in the fall. Then the LOON RANGER completes a short report and sends it to the MICHIGAN LOON PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION.
Contact Peg Comfort at 377-7512, or send an email to: whitepine@torchlake.com
Best Practices for Riparian Property
Owners
Elk-Skegemog Lakes Association
| Disposal
of Wastes |
| Recycling Centers: |
Village of Elk Rapids 231-264-8921
(call for hours and location) |
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City of Kalkaska 231-258-3369
(call for hours and location) |
| Dumpsters: |
Acme (by
Ace Hardware) and Williamsburg
(5777 Vinton Rd., Whitewater
Twp. Hall)--recycling of
#1 and #2 plastics, tin,
glass, cardboard, and paper. |
| Hazardous waste: |
Dispose
of hazardous wastes, such
as paints, antifreeze, and
motor oil, by contacting
the Antrim, Grand Traverse,
or Kalkaska counties hazardous
chemical collection programs.
Never pour toxic substances
in your drain or on the ground. |
| Septic Systems: |
Septic tanks should be pumped
out, depending on use and
size, at least once every
3–5 years. Use only
low phosphate or no phosphate
detergents and household
cleaners. |
| Lawn and Property |
| Fertilizer: |
Do
not apply fertilizer
or weed killer within
50 feet of the lakeshore.
Use a low phosphate or
no phosphate fertilizer.
If you use a lawn service,
direct them to ensure
protection of the lakeshore.
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| Plantings: |
Allow native plants, vegetation,
and trees to grow adjacent
to the lakeshore (a 30' green
belt) for erosion protection.
Riprap and other artificial
barriers require a permit
and should be used only as
a last resort. Never plant
or propagate non-native invasive
plant species, such as Purple
Loosestrife.
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| Run-off: |
Stormwater run-off and gutters
should be directed away from
the lake. |
| Boat and PWC Operation |
| Personal Watercraft: |
PWC's must be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner at all times. PWCs must maintain "no wake" speeds when operated within 100 feet of shore, docks, swimmers, rafts, star buoys, or moored boats. It is illegal to operate a PWC between one hour before sunset and one hour before sunrise. |
| Boats: |
The legal speed limit in Michigan for all watercraft is 55 mph. Boats must maintain "no wake" speeds when within 100 feet of shore, docks, swimmers, rafts, star buoys or moored boats. It is illegal to tow skiers, surfboards, or any device of this type between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise. Observe all no wake zones. |
| Good Neighbors |
| Fireworks: |
Explosive fireworks or rockets
are illegal in all counties
of Michigan.
Night Lighting: Don't be a light polluter—help maintain the beauty of our
night skies. Use outdoor lights with motion detectors and timers. Make sure that
any outdoor lighting illuminates the ground and not the sky. Do not leave bright
flood lights on all night. |
| Property Rentals: |
Property rentals should be
selective and occupancy should
be consistent with
dwelling and lot size. |
| Guests, and Visitors: |
Please share these best practices
with your guests, visitors,
family, and renters. |
| Protecting the
Loons |
If
you are lucky enough
to see a loon in the
area, please be careful
not to approach the loons.
They are fragile waterfowl
and will abandon their
young if disturbed.
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| Feeding
the Waterfowl, Please
Don’t! |
Waterfowl
feed on plants and other
aquatic organisms, then
excrete nutrients which
support new plant growth.
This is a natural cycle.
When we provide artificial
sources of food, waterfowl
congregate and many more
nutrients enter the lake.
A feeding program which
supports a large population
of semi-domesticated
ducks can contribute
hundred of pounds of
phosphorus per year to
a lake and cause unnatural
weed and algae growth.
If
waterfowl are allowed to
find natural sources of food
throughout the summer, they
will not be dependent on
human feeding when winter
comes. |
NEWS & EVENTS ARCHIVES
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