Committee Chair is Dan Larson
Aquatic Invasive Species
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) in MN lakes have become a huge concern for anyone who spends time on the water. They are especially concerning to lake residents in that property values can be greatly affected by AIS. This is why residents along with any lake users need to be aware of and do everything possible to prevent the spread of any species that threatens the health of a lake. Left unchecked some AIS can literally choke off a lake and render areas unusable for boating or fishing.
September, 29, 2021
Documents related to Eurasian Watermilfoil Lake Treatment by Professional Lake Management (PLM) on September 27th, 2021.
Click on links below to view.
Pesticide Application Record
PLM Invoice
GPS Treatment Tracks
September 9th, 2021
Hello, Residents of White Sand Lake!
This letter is being mailed to you due to the extreme importance of this update. Also, many of you do not have an email on file with the White Sand Lake Association (WSLA) so the board decided to use the US mail service so everyone gets a copy of this letter.
Simply put, this summer has been a “perfect storm” (dry/hot sunny weather) for the spread of eurasian watermilfoil. This is an invasive species and must be controlled for the health and usability of our lake. In some areas, boating has become impossible. If you have been on the lake this summer you have noticed an explosion in the amount of eurasian watermilfoil taking over around the entire lake. It spreads very quickly when conditions are right. Recreational activities on the lake also help the spread. Frankly, if our lake association does not get control of this invasive species we will see less and less usable surface area and your property values will decline. A matted weedy lake is not a desirable lake to buy a house. Unchecked and out of control milfoil is a huge concern.
What will the DNR allow the lake association to do about this problem?
Chemical treatment of the lake targeted to kill the milfoil is allowed for up to 15% of the littoral area (Where sunlight penetrates enough to allow weeds to grow). Since our lake is roughly 368 acres in total size we can treat up to 38.4 acres/year within the littoral zone. The WSLA board has agreed to a contract with Professional Lake Management (PLM) for treatment this fall and to create a three-year plan where almost all of the shoreline gets treated. Treatment is highly suggested to be completed in the fall when the native weeds have gone dormant. Milfoil is the last species to go dormant, making fall the ideal time for effective treatment.
What does the treatment plan look like on a map?
A high-resolution and color version of all maps in this letter can be accessed on the WSLA website at whitesandlakemn.org. PLM determined which areas around the lake are of the highest milfoil density after completing a two-day survey. (map 1) This plan was also reviewed and approved by a majority of the WSLA board members. Many homeowners have wanted to see a long-range plan and this is a good one if we can afford it!
What does treatment cost and where are the dollars coming from?
Treatment varies a bit but is roughly $600/acre. We currently do not have enough money in our treasury to treat the maximum allowed by the DNR for 2021. We have enough to treat 26.7 acres. (map 2)
What can you do to help?
Become a member. Membership is set at $50/year but many of you have paid much more than that. Thank you! If you are a paid 2021 member you have a WSLA sign on your fire number post and a “21” orange sticker as well. If you don’t see that sticker and think you have paid please contact us. If you are not comfortable being a member you can still donate.
How much money does the association need?
Doing the math we have about 150 residential homes on the lake or that have access to the lake. At $50/year per household that brings in $7,500 if all residents are paid members. Sadly that would be about 1⁄3 of what we will need for the next few years to treat our maximum allowed. (In 2021 we have 83 paid memberships) Therefore, if you can afford to up your membership amount paid to $200/year the association could move forward with a plan that in 3 years brings the milfoil spread under control. Smaller spotty areas will always need to be treated but the huge matted islands of it should disappear. The cost to maintain the lake at that point would significantly be reduced. We know this is a huge ask of all residents for a few years but this is a very serious situation and we must gain the upper hand on the eurasian watermilfoil. We should all want to keep our lake usable and healthy while also sustaining property values for years to come. (Map 3)
Should you pay more this year even if you paid already?
Yes, it would be most helpful if everyone could bring their membership payment up to $200 for this year. We have a short window of time before fall treatment occurs. Payments can be submitted in two ways. Online at whitesandlakemn.org or by mailing a check to:
White Sand Lake Association
P.O. Box 2552
Baxter, MN 56425
How do you pay more this year if you have already paid for membership?
Same as above. Either send a check in the mail or use the website’s main page.
Click on the “Additional 2021 Donation” button and enter an amount.
What else can you do?
An individual property owner can contract with PLM for a two-treatment schedule next summer for areas around your dock. Contact PLM directly if you are interested in more information and a price range. A significant reduction in cost will apply if multiple houses sign up for this plan.
Contact PLM at (218) 270-3338. You can ask for Kristy or Drew. Tell them you live on White Sand and want to hear more about their individual treatment program for White Sand Lake.
Thank you for taking the time to read through this letter!
We hope you will consider participating in this effort to take control over the milfoil for the next few years. In 2-3 years we should see a significant positive difference in the appearance and usable area of our lake. Please contact us through email with any questions or concerns at info@whitesandlakemn.org.
Keep in mind that even though your shoreline may not be on the schedule for treatment this year, it will be soon and we need the entire association to help out financially for a couple of years. If we can raise the funds, two years from now we will be able to say we have treated the entire lake for this crazy invasive species! This is your lake and I feel confident we can make this happen together!
(map 4)
Brian Wallace
WSLA President
Board Members: Dan Larson, Jennifer Pedersen, Matt Pecharich, Bob Nelson, Bill Samardich, Loren Beilke, Mike Bialka
The included maps are as follows:
1. A full lake survey to show the highest densities of milfoil.
2. Proposed treatment for 2021 to stay within existing WSLA funds.
3. Proposed max area treatment for 2021 if enough funds are generated quickly.
4. Proposed long-range treatment map.
July 11th, 2020
Lake Survey for A.I.S. conducted by Central Minnesota Aquatics, Inc.
Click Here to Review
July 12th, 2020 White Sand Lake Eurasian Milfoil Clean up.
June 28th, 2020 WSLA Watermilfoil Removal.
Another resource we have that was provided by Golden Sands Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc. is a Quick Guide on Eurasian Watermilfoil.
Please Click the Image Below To View.
The video below discusses the hand removal of Eurasian Watermilfoil. Worth the time to watch.
What is WSLA doing in 2020 to help stop the spread of Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM)?
MArch 16th, 2020
What follows is an excerpt from Dan Larson, committee chair for AIS of the WSLA.
Inspection hours at the public access for this summer:
The inspection hours at the White Sand Lake access will increase from 300 hours to 520 in 2020. Landings that received 520 hours had to meet a criteria of at least 2 average inspections per hour.
Treatment Control Plan to treat Eurasian watermilfoil in 2020:
Surveying of White Sand Lake was performed on August 22 and September 4, 2019. This survey was very extensive and five areas were identified where larger patches of Milfoil were found. These areas were treated with herbicide on September 19, 2019. Mr. Ron Duy of Central Minnesota Aquatics, Inc. performed the treatment. Mr. Duy reported, “the conditions were perfect on September 19 as it was a bright sunny day with no wind.” Mr. Duy felt that the treatment went well and he expects a good treatment outcome. I talked to Mr. Duy on 1/28/20, about plans for treatment of Eurasian watermilfoil in 2020. He stated,“we should do another survey this summer to check out the areas that were treated and also to see if any new areas on the lake developed Eurasian watermilfoil.”Mr. Duy did not think we needed as an extensive survey as last year.
It should be noted that the survey last year showed a lot of sporadic Eurasian watermilfoil plants which were situated within 150 feet of the shoreline. Since these plants are not bunched together in one large group spraying is not recommended. Approximately 60 to 70 per cent of our shoreline has single random plants and small clusters of milfoil plants. If it is not recommended to spray these plants, the only other alternative we have is to hand pull these plants.
On 1/28/20, I talked to Tim Plude, Invasive Species Specialist regarding hand pulling of Eurasian watermilfoil plants in White Sand Lake. Mr. Plude thought that training volunteer divers to pull Eurasian watermilfoil would be a more sustainable way of removing milfoil from White Sand Lake. Mr. Plude did offer to help train certified volunteer divers to help remove Eurasian watermilfoil plants from White Sand Lake. Our treatment/control plan for 2020 is as follows:
1. Conduct survey of White Sand Lake to help identify areas where Eurasian Watermilfoil has been observed to be growing. Survey will also help evaluate treatment effectiveness.
2. Send out information through quarterly newsletter, White Sand Lake facebook page, Emails, etc. regarding the need for certified volunteer divers to help with hand pulling Eurasian milfoil plants on White Sand Lake. We will also need support volunteers to help operate boats, help assist with loading and hauling discarded plants, meals and snacks to help support the workers. We will also try to get other members of the community involved in helping with this project.
3. Work with Tim Plude to organize inservice training sessions for diving volunteers.
4. Upon divers meeting training requirements, schedule volunteers for specific work days to hand pull Eurasian watermilfoil.
5. On 3/13/20, I talked to Nicole Erickson about how grant money could be used to help pay for expenses when using volunteer divers. She will be talking to Tim Plude to review how this could be set up e.g., pay for expenses such as oxygen, rental equipment, and time that volunteers are working based on a specific criteria.
6. Obtain approval from each property owner to remove Eurasian watermilfoil that is situated within 150 feet of the shoreline of each residence. Set up a signature page which property owners could sign which would indicate that they are giving permission to remove milfoil in front of their property.
7. The goal for 2020 is to get a volunteer diving program established and remove most or all Eurasian watermilfoil plants within 150 feet of the shoreline.