INVASIVE SPECIES COMMITTE (ISC) REPORT

Onekama Township/ Portage Lake Watershed Committee

September 3, 2019

Aquatic Invasive Species - The aquatic invasive species survey and water quality sampling was completed July 31 and the treatment of ewm was completed on Thursday August 15. Approximately 50 acres were treated in several locations around the 2116 acre lake. The treatment map is attached. Treatment was done at boat launches, the marinas and several small sites on the south side of the lake. The same 4 agents that were used last year were used. A follow up survey will be done in September to determine the success of the treatment and complete the water quality monitoring for 2019 . Phragmites – The contract with Wildlife and Wetlands Environmental Services has been signed and the entire shoreline of the lake will be surveyed and treated for phragmites, purple loosestrife and other invasives The survey and treatment is scheduled for the week of September 23. One large patch on Andy’s Point and a few new areas will be treated. Will send out facebook reminder to please call if you have phrag on your property. According to the Phrag Ordinance of 2009, we have sent out notices and a public hearing will be held on September 11 at 7PM at the Onekama Township offices for anyone to object to treatment on their property. Ecoli monitoring for 2019: The data from the 6 dates of 10 test sites was received from Matt Fortnier on August 31. It is available at the Onekama Township offices and will also be sent to the Village. Stream #9 (flows into Easy Street canal) and Schimke Creek are less than the spring counts but are still high. We are working with District 10 Public Health to continue exploring possible sources. MICHIGAN INVASIVE SPECIES GRANT: – On July 8 2019, EGLE released the application for a grant to cover the surveying and treatment costs of invasive plants in Michigan. The Watershed supported 3 grant applications by NWISN, one CISMA(Coordinated Invasive Species Management Areas)grant and one grant application from Benzie Conservation District. These applications will cover costs for 2020. This Grant is cooperatively implemented by the Dept

of Environment GL and Energy (EGLE) , DNR and Dept of Agriculture and Rural Development. DRONES - We were able to schedule the Portage Lake surveys on July 31, August 1 and August 2. We viewed some of the results from the lst day and the quality of the survey was great. The final report will be available sometime in September. The results will be connected to the shape maps we will receive from the Manistee Planning Department. SWIMMER’S ITCH(SI): We have not received any more reports of summer itch since early July. GRANTS - A Save our Great Lakes grant from US Fish and Wildlife for stormwater management (20 raingardens in Manistee Co) may be submitted by Manistee Conservation District. It will benefit all of the watersheds in Manistee Co. The plan includes hiring a person for 3 years to administer the grant and it will supply administrative support for watersheds. It will also define a citizen scientist project that will strive to have more volunteers involved in the environment.. Matching funds are required and the PLWF voted to contribute $2,000/year for 3 years for a total of 6,000 if the grant is obtained. Watershed Plan update – The Steering Committee met with the Spicer team on August 19 to again review the draft of the plan. Minutes of that meeting are attached. Greg Goudy reviewed the Goals and Objectives and his report of August 19 is being reviewed. Also the suggestions of the committee were reviewed. Final comments are due to Spicer by August 29 and the plan will be submitted to EGLE on September 3, 2019. Submitted by,

Mary Reed, Chair Invasive Species Committee (Herb Lenon, Jim Simons, Ted Lawrence, Chuck Reed)