On Jun 22, 2021, at 3:23 PM, Merry, Colin <> wrote:
I've come up with a few questions on the watermilfoil issue. If some seem obvious it is because I don't want to assume.
1. What is the name of your organization, and how many people are involved?
We are a group of concerned riparians, 5 families / North Shore property owners currently. We have a website www.CrystalLake.community. Call us by our complete website name, please.
2. Are you still opposed to the treatment of Eurasian milfoil with herbicide, and if so, why? What do you base your objections on?
Yes, I am opposed.
There are legacy environmental challenges for Crystal Lake that are not being addressed. For example, every municipality around Crystal Lake could collaborate to help Beulah clean up Cold Creek. Suburban style lawns and failing septic systems flow nutrients and toxins into our lake. To compound these problems by deliberately adding aquatic herbicides makes no sense to me.
Poisons are hazardous to human health. 2,4-D and Triclopyr, look them up.
Other lake associations around Michigan and the USA with a longer history of EWM (Eurasian Water Milfoil) have discontinued the use of poisons. They have transitioned to non chemical means of management, such as DASH or Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting. Benthic barriers are another option, but they appear to be tougher to permit in Michigan. These methods are initially more expensive than applying herbicides. Since EWM is going to be a feature of Crystal Lake going forward, we should be planning for the long term. Herbicides are a quick fix with hidden costs for human and environmental health.
A small percentage of riperians and land owner in the Crystal Lake watershed are members of CLWA. Yet the CLWA is acting unilaterally to alter our shared waters. That might be ok if the health impact is zero, like relocating Mergansers to remove swimmers itch. Application of herbicides in contrast is a big deal. An open exchange of views in a public forum needs to take place before this proceeds. Extensive outreach is needed to establish broad consent or opposition. I am glad the BRP is taking an interest in this issue, because everyone should be informed.
3. Is there anything you are doing to prevent the treatment of the lake with herbicide, such as a threatened lawsuit, or is it still in the conversation stage? There seemed to be some debate last time I wrote about this on whether or not what was being done amounted to threat of legal action, or not.
In 2020, I had asked my environmental attorney Jeff Jocks to review the issue. He informed CLWA's attorney that he was involved. Legal action was not initiated. The CLWA decided to postpone in 2020 and reschedule the application this year for reasons not known to me. Here’s the letter I got from President Dave Wynne. https://crystallake.community/2020/08/13/on-hold-indefinitely/
Anne Rogers and I met with three board members including president Dave Wynne on June 5, 2021 to review the matter. After discussion, we learned that application of herbicide was the extent of CLWA’s plan. Anne and I suggested that if the CLWA could pass a resolution outlining a long term plan including allocation of funds for non chemical remediation, we might be open to a compromise. I sent Dave Wynne suggestions for the resolution the next day, We heard nothing back for 2 weeks, and the resolution that CLWA passed did not include a substantial long term plan. https://crystallake.community/2021/06/23/june-2021-clwa-emails/
Litigation is a waste of community resources. However, without a long term plan, I don’t see how herbicides make any sense. We’ve established a Crystal Lake Defense Fund, the goal is to raise $100k, we have about $20k so far. Contributions are welcome! This will be used to stop herbicide application or preferably, to support a long term plan to remediate EWM non toxically.
4. Are there any treatments you are suggesting or not? If so, why do you believe that treatment would work better, and are you looking to help the Crystal Lake & Watershed Assocation with your chosen method?
If there was a long term plan, I would personally help with logistics, outreach and fundraising. I am an experienced scuba diver and offered CLWA to spend time on a DASH operation to advise CLWA about how this could work for Crystal Lake. Some lakes have purchased or built their own DASH boats, and that might be the most cost effective solution for Crystal Lake going forward. We won’t know unless we schedule a DASH operation.
5. It seems you want more than just lakefront property owners to be involved in the discussion. Who are these other people and how are you reaching out to them?
Anyone who wants to be involved can visit www.CrystalLake.Community or (shorter) Benzie.blue.
6. You mentioned some inaccuracies on your website in my story revolving around how many people originally met with the CLCBA when the treatment was first postponed. Could you clear that up for me? Is there anything else in the stories that was inaccurate?
I guessing you mean CLWA. Three concerned riparians and attorney Jeff Jocks met with the CLWA board in 2020 via zoom. The CLWA characterized this meeting as just me. Is that what you mean? You might have reported based on CLWA's narrative, which was inaccurate. Here’s the link https://crystallake.community/2021/06/02/clwa-mirror-06-02-21/ If there is something else on the site you are referring to, send me a link.
7. Feel free to make any comment you want on the situation.
Thanks for taking the time to consider these questions.