There are three parts to our plant management:
(1) machine harvesting of lily pads and at certain times, Eurasian watermilfoil
(EWMF),
(2) spot chemical (2, 4-D) treatment of EWMF and
(3) barley straw treatment of algae.
Three years ago (2004), based upon consideration from the Peppermill
Lake Advisory Group and several public meetings (as well as a special
Public Hearing on the Lake Management Plan) we modified our approach to
plant control to include a significant reduction in chemical treatment
and an increase in mechanical harvesting. The reason for this shift was
two-fold. First there has been a generally negative attitude toward chemical
treatment, which the current board supports. Second, intensive use of
chemicals to kill unwanted plants (exclusively Eurasian watermilfoil so
far) leads to a significant increase in the nutrient (fertilizer) levels
in the lake so that when those killed plants die, it encourages growth
of algae, particularly filamentous algae (pond scum) and chara (also a
form of algae). Following earlier heavy use of chemicals these forms of
algae did increase, with a reported reduction by some last year after
chemical treatment was reduced. The general observation has been that
after a year of this new approach, filamentous algae is reduced.
2. Late June (week before July 4th weekend) - Harvest lily pads and other plants, to facilitate navigation and to provide plant edges for fish habitate/increased panfish predation following approved map at Peppermill Website.
3..Mid August - Harvest lily pads and other plants, to facilitate navigation and to provide plant edges for fish habitate/increased panfish predation following approved map at Peppermill website.
4. Approximately Mid September – Harvest EWMF to a depth of one foot from bottom (will depend on density and presense of EWMF).