2012 Eurasian Milfoil Program Progressing

Last night the City of Lake Stevens Council approved a measure asking Aquatechnex to move forward with the implementation of the Lake Stevens Integrated Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan.  This plan was developed by the City and Snohomish County water quality experts in 2010.  Last year in 2011, Aquatechnex was selected to implement the first major component of this plan, our team mapped approximately 135 acres infested with this noxious weed and treated it with a selective herbicide, Renovate OTF.  The results of that treatment were found to be excellent.

The program for 2012 will begin with two surveys of the lake.  One will be performed in the spring to note any surviving milfoil plants and review areas of the lake that were not treated in 2011 because of little or no milfoil present.  The second survey will be held later in the summer.  Based on results of the survey, Aquatechnex may propose additional actions to the City for consideration.

Anyone living on the lake that has a concern about milfoil in their area, we’d like to hear from you prior to each survey effort.  You can email adam@aquatechnex.com or you can click on the “Log a Case” link above to contact us.  We will be using this site over the 2012 season to convey our findings and keep the community informed.

Potable Water Use Restriction Expires

As noted below, the EPA has set a drinking water tolerance for the herbicide Renovate OTF.  Water can be used for potable supply after levels have dropped below 0,4 parts per million or ppm.

Lake Stevens was sampled at representative locations within treatment plots last Thursday, 48 hours post treatment.  These samples were shipped to the laborabory and the analysis arrived this morning.

All treatment plots sampled showed levels below the drinking water tolerance and the potable water use restriction for the lake is now lifted.  The irrigation restriction remains in place, additional sampling will be conducted this week and results posted here as well.

Eurasian Milfoil Treatment Completed

Aquatechnex biologists worked through the day to complete the Lake Stevens Eurasian Milfoil treatment.  The lake was posted on Monday afternoon notifying residents of EPA and DOE water use restrictions.  Our application of Renovate OTF aquatic herbicide began about 6 am this morning and was completed about 7 pm.  All areas on the treatment map, see page tab above, were targeted.

Our team will begin sampling the lake on Thursday so we can notify residents when potable water use and irrigation restrictions have expired.  Please check back often as we will notify you of results here when they are received from the lab.

Looks Like Tuesday July 12th is D-Day

Aquatechnex biologists are gearing up to begin the treatment of Eurasian Milfoil in Lake Stevens on Tuesday July 12th.  Monday will be spent on logistics, posting the required signage on the lake and on the shorelines, moving the herbicide into position and getting treatment vessels calibrated and organized.  Tuesday morning very early treatments will begin barring a weather event that precludes us getting going effectively.   A couple of points to keep in mind.

The signs that will be posted on your property on Monday are required by the Department of Ecology.  The wording is as they specify on these signs.

Swimming:  The United State Environmental Protection Agency has approved Renovate, the herbicide that will be applied, with no restrictions on water use for swimming and water sports.  The Department of Ecology advises that people not swim in the treatment area for 12 hours post treatment and that langauge is required to be on the signs posted.

Drinking: The EPA requires that anyone drawing water from the lake for potable consumption wait until sampling indicates that herbicide levels are below 0.4 parts per million.  This generally happens within 2-5 days and we will be sampling and posting that information here.

Irrigation: Renovate is a herbicide and will impact some plants.  The EPA requires that those drawing water from those areas of the lake that were treated wait until herbicide levels are below 1.0 parts per billion, this generally occurs within 2-5 days and we will be sampling.

Interaction with our application team: Often lake residents have questions and attempt to hail our treatment vessels during application.  Our vessels are using GPS guidance and tracking to make sure our applications are even and provide the coverage we necessary to target all the growth present.  Stopping that process and coming to shore impacts the efficiency of the treatment.  If you have questions, go to the log a case tab on this page and enter that information.  That gets transferred to us in the field and we can respond during breaks or while reloading the boats.  Thank you for your understanding.

Eurasian Milfoil Treatment Scheduled for Week of July 11th, 2011

Aquatechnex biologist are planning on implementing the treatment portion of the City of Lake Stevens Integrated Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan the week of July 11th.  This plan was developed using funding from the Washington Department of Ecology and with collaboration with Snohomish County and the residents of Lake Stevens.   This plan was finalized during the winter of 2010-11.  The first year calls for treatment of Eurasian Milfoil sites using Renovate OTF aquatic herbicide. This material is a granular controlled release pellet that will be spread evenly across those areas of the lake where Eurasian Milfoil densities warrant treatment.  Those interested may click on the treatment map tab on this page to view treatment locations.

The proposed schedule will be dependent on weather.  Absent adverse conditions, our team will be performing the shoreline posting required by the permit from Ecology on Monday July 11th.  The following morning (weather permitting) our team will begin to administer this application.  We will be focusing on getting this treatment accomplished in 1-2 days on the water.

Anyone with questions may use the Log A Case tab on this page and input their contact information and concerns.

Eurasian Milfoil Survey Completed, Treatment Plan Proposed to City

Proposed July 2011 Treatment Map

Aquatechnex biologists completed a Eurasian Milfoil survey of Lake Stevens this week.  The team used a combination of visual boat survey, underwater video and diver observations to record the location and extent of Eurasian Milfoil Colonies in Lake Stevens.  DGPS data loggers were used to map the boundaries of these plant communities and put them into ArcGIS mapping software.  The map document shown here provides an overview of the locations and extent of the dense plant communities that will be targeted when approved by the City.

There is a public notification process that will go forward in the near future.  The Department of Ecology permit requires that all residents and businesses along the shoreline receive information on treatment dates and the products to be used.  This information will be delivered in the very near future to the community.

Check this site on a regular basis for updates.  The application dates are tentatively set for the week of July 11th weather permitting.

Mid May Survey Completed

Early season growth of Eurasian Milfoil from Lake Stevens

Aquatechnex biologists conducted the first on the water surveys at Lake Stevens to support the implementation of the Integrated Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan targeting Eurasian Milfoil this week.

 

The team spent the bulk of the time on the water looking at the 2010 survey mapped areas that were noted as dense milfoil communities.  We noted some expansion from areas mapped as “sparse” to “moderate”.  We also determined that the underwater survey would should be performed early in June.  Many areas noted with dense populations in the 2010 survey were not yet exhibiting signs of Eurasian Milfoil presence.  This information has been reported to the City and we will be coordinating with the City on the next underwater phase of the survey during early June.  Recommendations for treatment with accompanying maps will be presented to the City shortly after the completion of that effort.