PLIB News
Happenings on Paradise Lake…
Phase 1 of Treatment Completed
The first aquatic herbicide treatment of Paradise Lake for invasive EWM occurred Wednesday, June 23, 2021. RLS was present to oversee the entire treatment and was with PLM all day. A total of 220 acres were treated in the West Basin and all required EGLE treatment postings were posted along lakefront properties, along with the access site where two were posted.
A second treatment is proposed for June 30 of the north and mid-lake, south polygons to address the EWM present there. If the weather does not cooperate, treatment will take place after the Fourth of July Weekend.
RLS will be on the lake again in July and monthly thereafter to evaluate the efficacy of the EWM treatment and document the various stages. Some treatment may still be necessary next year, but it is expected to be very low acreage. RLS will continue to provide updates.
Meet the new Board Member
At the March 3, 2021, meeting of the Carp Lake Township Board, Ash Alt was appointed to replace the retiring Bob Smith. This is one of two positions filled by the township according to Michigan State law. The other member is Paul Teike who currently serves as PLIB chairperson.
Ash sent this information to introduce himself to everyone:
I grew up on a 2nd generation family farm in Northwest Indiana which is still in operation today. I received my Agriculture degree from Purdue University and am currently pursuing my masters. I am a regional sales manager for a farm equipment manufacturer and enjoy getting to travel all over the country meeting with farmers and our dealers. When not travelling for work I enjoy spending time at our cabin in Carp Lake on Stony Point. Most of my time on the lake is spent fishing, kayaking, or boating however I also really enjoy hiking and biking while exploring Wilderness State Park. I look forward to working with this board and serving the local community.
2021 Lake Treatment Plan
After months of consideration, the PLIB has formed a tentative plan for treatment of Paradise Lake for 2021-2025. This will be presented at a public hearing on March 26 at 5 P.M. via Zoom. All members of the Special Assessment District (SAD) are being notified by first class mail. Notices are also published in the Petoskey News Review (PLIB- Notice of Public Hearing 2021).
SAD members will be able to inspect the SAD roll and determine what their assessment would be. A copy of the roll is available on the Notices page of this website and for in person viewing by contacting Paul Teike, PLIB chairperson.
After the public hearings on the treatment plan and the SAD roll, the board will render a final vote to accept or reject the plan at a Special Meeting immediately following the public hearings.
PLIB now has Twitter account
In response to SAD members asking for some way to get notices for updates to our webpage, the PLIB has opened a Twitter account. What this means is that if you “Follow” us on Twitter, you will receive tweets from us on your device (computer, tablet, or smartphone). The PLIB can be found at paradiselakelover.
But I don’t have a twitter account! It is easy to sign up and it’s free. Go to <twitter.com> and open an account. If you will just be using it for PLIB notices, you can skip the profile. However, you can sign up for tweets in a specific area of interest or for a particular person. It’s as easy as that.
The first time, do a search for paradiselakelover. When the tweet is found, click on the “follow” button. Now you will be notified of every tweet the PLIB sends out.
COVID 19 Moves PLIB Outdoors
Since Covidid 19 restrictions limited indoor meetings to 10 persons, the PLIB moved their August 12 meeting to the pavillion at the Carp Lake Township Park. With limited seating at tables, many attendees brought their own chairs. Masks were definitely visible.
Suction Boat Use Earns Reward
Three years ago the PLIB purchased a suction boat to enable riparians to more easily clean up their shorelines. The first year was a big success with many volunteers. However interest waned and no one applied for the paid position of coordinator for the project.
At the meeting on July 8, 2020, the Board voted to offer volunteers $5 per bag of weeds sucked from the shoreline and removed to the dump site. This trial offer has a cap of $1000 for this year.
What this means is that, e.g. a crew of three persons who removed 30 bags of shoreline weeds would get a reward of $150 to be split equally. Training in use of the boat and suction system is available. To get a bit of pocket change, clean up your beach and those of some of your neighbors, call Bob Smith at 231-348-3802. Check out the video of operation the HOME page.
Operation manual for Suction Boat
What is the Weed Suction Boat?
8/02/2018: The suction boat arrived as of last Friday where it was successfully tested at the public access site by Dale Berry and Bob Smith. The purpose of acquiring this boat is to aid all riparians in the removal of weeds that have drifted onto their shoreline, especially those who reside on high embankments. This also gives those residing in areas beyond the aeration system a little more bang for their buck. The operation of the boat is optimized with the aid of three persons, one operating the pump and bagging of the weeds, one operating the suction end of the hose and one raking the weeds towards the suction.
We are asking for volunteers to help operate the boat. If you can help, please forward to me who you are and when you would be available rsmith4268@hotmail.com. Bear in mind that weather and disrupting schedules can totally change any projected schedule. The weeds that are suctioned up are fed into 50# onion sacks, or perhaps just piled onto the deck of the boat, then transferred to a vehicle for transport to the township dump site or to whoever would like them for mulch, etc.
Weed Harvesting Complete
Superior Dock began the 2020 weed harvesting on July 6 and completed the cutting of 30A of weeds. This involves cutting weeds near the lake bed and removing the vegetation. Below is a map of the area which was harvested.
