BRIEF HISTORY OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES (AIS) IN DUCK LAKE

Eurasian water milfoil (EWM) was first discovered in June 2005 by a biologist who was doing a survey of the lake. During that first year the following was accomplished: the Duck Lake Nuisance Aquatics Committee was formed by a few property owners. They in turn sent a letter to all property owners informing them about the problem and asking for donations toward an herbicide application, which was then done in the fall. On-water training sessions were held to teach our property owners, as well as others in our township, how to locate and identify EWM.

In the beginning, a certified biologist did a lake survey in the spring, and if warranted, a certified applicator was hired to treat affected areas the following spring.

The Duck Lake Nuisance Aquatics Committee (now called the Duck Lake Milfoil Committee) also developed the following tactics in its effort to keep EWM under control:

• The lake was divided into approximately 16 sections and property owners who volunteered were responsible for monitoring a particular section.
• EWM plants were recorded with GPS and marked with a milfoil buoy to deter boat traffic in those areas.
• One property owner was trained to become a certified scuba diver so individual plants that were found could be pulled before they multiplied.
• Property owners donated a stripped-down pontoon which was retrofitted for diving.
• Grant applications were submitted.
• We became involved with other groups concerned with invasive species: Invasive Species Control Coalition of Watersmeet (ISCCW) and the Western Upper Peninsula Cooperative Weed and Pest Management Area (WUPCWPMA). The ISCCW is an exemplary organization of volunteers in Watersmeet Township and our valued partner in this fight against EWM. They have helped offset the costs of surveys and treatments and they have done many projects to increase public awareness. In addition, they supply a biologist who helps survey our lake if requested, and they periodically station an educator and boat washer at our public access.