Lake Winnebago Water Clarity and Aquatic Plant Growth During 2010 Impacts to Beneficial Uses and Aquatic Plant Management Options

Sub-Agenda Two Major Questions submitted to Senator Hoppers office Beneficial Uses Water Quality Roles of Aquatic Plants Impacts to Beneficial Uses Aquatic Plant Management (APM) Options Long Term Funding Sources Questions and Answers

Question #1 Why isn't the DNR/Corps of Engineers being held accountable for the plan on the water level?

Water Level Management

Question #2 Why can't we KILL the weeds?

Beneficial Uses of Our Waters Scenic Beauty Swimming Boating Fishing Hunting

Water Quality All water quality data collected by DNR is available to everyone. –Calumet County (2 Mi from Neenah) –Winnebago County (3 Mi from Oshkosh) –Fond du Lac (Deep Hole-South End) Or search Water quality Reports

Lake Winnebago Near Fond du Lac Water Clarity April through October

Finding Data

Water Quality Contd Data do not always reflect observations 1960s –Algae blooms 1972 Clean Water Act –Direct discharge (waste water treatment facilities) pollution targeted Industrial facilities, Governments, Municipalities, some Agricultural facilities 1980s/1990s –Urban and rural runoff targeted

The Role of Aquatic Plants Absorb wind/wave energy Maintain Clear water Oxygen production Habitat –Fish/other aquatic life –Wildlife Nutrient absorption

Submerged Aquatic Plants Typically Become Established May - June Plants require sufficient sunlight in early growth phases Occurs at depths of lake where light supports photosynthesis Turbidity can prevent light reaching aquatic plants

Recreational Response Bad for swimming and boating. Cancellation of backyard activities. Loss of revenue from anglers and other recreational users. Bad for tourism.

Fishery Response Numerous reports state this is the best fishing (bluegills and perch) that people can remember Lake-wide Fishery Assessments –Perch, bluegill and crappie numbers on the rise Near shore areas –Spawning, refuge, feeding Increase in fish numbers coincides with increased water clarity and the increase in rooted aquatic vegetation.

Fishery Response The total impact to the local economy is: $234,000,000 annually Supports 4,300 jobs

Wildlife Response Best waterfowl hunting in many years Increase in migratory waterfowl numbers coincides with increased water clarity and the increase in rooted aquatic vegetation.

Our Mission and Challenge To manage the system in a manner that considers all of our beneficial uses so we all may enjoy this great resource. –Short-term Aquatic plant management and APM permits –Long-term Lake and aquatic plant management planning –Grant Program

Aquatic Plant Management and Protection Program Manual Removal Chemical Control (NR 107 Permit) Mechanical Harvesting (NR 109 Permit)

Aquatic Plant Manual Removal Waterfront Landowner may cut, rake, and remove aquatic plants in a 30 area without a permit. Cannot use external or auxiliary power: must be a hand-held device. Vegetation must be removed from the water body.

South End Lake Winnebago- June 23 rd 2010

Same Location June 25th Following Rain Event and Wind Shift

Blue Green Algae (Shoreline)

Brighton Beach, Menasha

Filamentous Algae Accumulation West Shore Lake Winnebago- July 2010

West Shore Lake Winnebago Filamentous Algae

Navigation Relief

Chemical Treatment Millers Bay Contact Herbicides and Algaecide

Aquatic Plant Harvester

Harvester Conveyer- Loader

Aquatic Plant Chemical Control Permit Application

Aquatic Plant Management Information Chuck Fitzgibbon – Search aquatic plants on the DNR home page.

Grant Program Small Scale, Large Scale, Lake Protection, Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Qualified Sponsor –Counties, cities, villages, tribes, qualified non profit organizations Detailed information available: – –Search Lake Grants DNR home page

Grant Program Small Scale Lake Planning Grants –Education, obtain and distribute information, develop management goals –75% of project up to $3,000 –Deadlines: February 1 and August 1 Large Scale Lake Planning Grants –Conduct technical studies –Determine elements of/or complete a comprehensive Lake Management Plan –75% of project up to $10,000 –Deadlines: February 1 and August 1

Grant Program Lake Protection Grants –Land acquisition, wetland and shoreland restoration, local regulation/ordinance development –75% of project up to $200,000 Maximum amounts are dependant on specific project category

Contacts for the Grant Program For Large and Small Scale Lake Planning Grants: –Jay Schiefelbein or –Ted Johnson x3017 For AIS Grants: –Brenda Nordin

Questions/Comments