I could attend only the first hour of the meeting, I'll try to get some of my free lance reporters to fill in the gaps.
Zebra Mussels
The discussion has been ongoing on how to prevent an invasion of our lake. Hopefully you read the material in the last issue of WLL. Two pathways to contamination, members who use watercraft in other bodies of water and fail to properly clean their boats and/or trespassers who "visit" with watercraft that are contaminated. This past season the chains across the ramps were put in place to deal with trespassers. The problem of lock security prompted the board to review and revise their approach. Here is how it looks like it will change, members will be notified when final and prior to being put in place"
- New high security locks with individual keys that are serial numbered. Members desiring ramp access will have to pay a $10 refundable deposit. Members will have to sign acknowledgment of proper zebra control measures.
- Get tough policy. According to current rules/regs a warning will be given members on first violation, followed by $250 penalty for second violation. Realistically this would apply to members who fail to keep ramp secure. Trespassers will be prosecuted for trespassing along with appropriate laws if found to have not followed proper zebra prevention measures.
Next post financials.
13 comments:
I feel the lock might be a good idea. However it would be very inconvient for residents. Say you are older and get someone to help you put your boat in. Oh wait it's 5 minutes after WLIC closed, now how do I go check out a key. What about the fact that lots of 1st tier homes can launch a boat right of their driveway. Doesn't seem fair that I would have to wait til someone is in the WLIC to "let" me check out a key to a lake I am an owner of. Just my 2 cents worth
Sorry if I wasn't clear, they will have ample keys for all that need access to ramps. Those members who believe they have a need will have to sign a form noting responsibilities for security and zebra mussels. You will keep the key in your possession. The $10 charge will be refunded if/when a key is turned back in. Each key is unique and cannot be duplicated at your local key making spots.
I'vd always been confused by the status of zebra mussels. Do you have an infestation?
No, I'm not infested but I did get the crabs from a toilet seat once...sorry couldn't help myself. Short answer...NO. Here is what WIKIP has to say:
"Zebra mussels are filter feeders. When in the water, they open their shells to admit detritus.
Zebra mussels are a great nuisance to people. Since colonizing the Great Lakes, they have covered the undersides of docks, boats, and anchors. They have also spread into streams and rivers nationwide. In some areas they completely cover the substrate, sometimes covering other freshwater mussels. They can grow so densely that they block pipelines, clogging water intakes of municipal water supplies and hydroelectric companies.
Also, as their shells are very sharp, they are known for cutting people's feet, resulting in the need to wear water shoes.
Zebra mussels are also believed to be the source of deadly avian botulism poisoning that has killed tens of thousands of birds in the Great Lakes since the late 1990s. [2]
However, zebra mussels and other non-native species are credited with the increased population and size of smallmouth bass in Lake Erie [3] and yellow perch in Lake St. Claire. [4]. They cleanse the waters of inland lakes, resulting in increased sunlight penetration and growth of native algae at greater depths. This proves beneficial for fish most of the time, helping the fish live in better conditions. This cleansing also increases water visibility and filters out pollutants.
Mike,
Thank you for explaining the keys. That sounds MUCH better. I will be honest, I may not always agree with or like you but you do tell us what is going on around here. For that THANK YOU MIKE!!!...
Mike, I was with you all the way on your very informative explanation until you got to the last paragraph. You almost make it sound like zebras would not be such a bad thing. From what I have read, that is not the case. Studies show that the ecosystems of the great lakes have been completely changed, and not for the good.If zebras got into our lake I don't know if it would still be usable. Certainly not to the extent we enjoy it today.
I think zebra mussels would be bad for the lake, the info I cut and pasted came from Wikipedia(WIKIP)so I cannot tell if the author(s) were trying to put a happy face on a bad situation or goofy or both.
I cannot believe people are worrying about this stuff. For years and years we have had zero control and now all of the sudden this is a huge problem. Comon.. How about just putting up a sign and forget about the locks and chains and such. I am sure that people will take care of their own lake. Do we really need the police for stuff like this?!!?
Here ya go..we have all three in Weatherby..
There are a number of natural predators of zebra mussel. Zebra mussels have high nutritional value (Walz, 1979) and are consumed in large quantities by crayfish, waterfowl and in smaller quantities by muskrats. The nutritional value changes seasonally, particularly in terms of protein and carbonate content.
Crayfish could have a significant impact on the densities of 1 to 5 mm long zebra mussels. An adult crayfish consumes an average of nearly 105 zebra mussels everyday, or in all about 6000 mussels in a season. Predation rates are significantly reduced at cooler water temperatures.
Several species of fish consume zebra mussels. Of these, roach seems to have the most significant impact on mussel densities. In some Polish lakes the diet of the roach consists almost exclusively (~95%) of zebra mussels (Stanczykowska, 1957). Despite all this, it seems that fish do not limit the densities of zebra mussels in European lakes.
Wow. To not be worried about the protection of our own lake is a big problem. We have a lot at stake and to minimize it says you have no concern for the property value and welfare of every other owner at Weatherby Lake! This kind of ignorance will ruin it for all. Get educated on what's going on.
January 22, 2009 1:25 PM....let me share a story I am very ashamed of, but is a true account of why we need to be vigilant. May i first say that my guilt (practically every time i pass the spot) has forced me to now be extra verbal when i see something amiss. It's been a few years, but.......
U-cove mid-day. Stopped to use the land power. As I was pulling up, a non-resident was getting out of his truck w/ a HUGE catfish....prob close to three feet long. Said he caught in Mo river and left his camera at home so he put it in the cooler, stopped at his house and to be humane was "letting him free" [in Weatherby].
Who knows what that fish could have introduced into our lake. Hence my guilt.
I knew better, but had a brief moment of "don't rock the boat" because i was by myself.....I'm sure I'm not a unique resident vs. the other 830 or so WL households. One look the other way x 800 could catch up with us.
It's not just ourselves we have to police, it's trespassers.
My neighbor asked me for the combination to the lock to let a non- resident friend put a boat in to fish.
I said I didnt know it instead of saying that you are putting our lake at risk
Next time I will have the difficult coversation as to why that was a bad idea for many reasons including Zebra mussels
This summer there was a similar situation at the lake - a resident let a non-resident friend put his boat in the lake. The friend was fined for tresspassing. So not only are people like your neighbor putting our lake at risk by letting non-residents put their boats in our lake - it's also against the law because we are a private lake. You should probably remind your neigbor of that, too.
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