Our mission is to protect and maintain our lakes and
surrounding environs through education, conservation, pollution
monitoring, research, and invasive species control. We are committed to
waste reduction, recycling and the use of best land-use practices to
ensure that our lakes remain quality habitats for fish, wildlife, and
human recreational use.
The Save the Dunes Group provided VCW with a dozen purple loosestrife plants infected (intentionally) with gallerucella beetles which were propagated by prisoners at the Westville Correctional Center. George Smolka and Walt Breitinger, with the help of VHS student, Kyle Frey released the beetles at the Griffith Isaak Walton League site and the Jay Costas property at the north end of Valpo’s Long Lake. Both sites are showing defoliation from previous releases demonstrating continued evidence that biological control may, indeed, hold promise as a practical method of controlling this alien, invasive weed.
Submitted by Dorothy Graden, Friends of Silver Lake
The Friends of Silver Lake are pleased to announce that IDEM will be conducting a public hearing concerning the proposed Vale Park Extension in Valparaiso. The date and time has not been announced so watch the papers for more information.
United States Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service has stated: “The impact of the roadway on wetlands and Silver Lake would extend much beyond the immediate footprint of the proposed fill. Of particular concern to us is the use of roadside ditches for drainage. The Public Notice does not provide any information on the depths or discharge points of these ditches, whether into a water retention basin for some treatment, directly into the adjacent wetlands and Silver Lake, or into the city storm water system. These ditches could discharge storm water containing sediments, oil and grease, and other roadway pollutants into the wetlands and ultimately Silver Lake. They could also facilitate either the drainage of the wetlands or surges of additional water into the wetlands, thus affecting their water quality and hydrology. Additional information is needed from the applicant and agent concerning these roadside ditches and their impacts on wetland and Silver Lake water quality.”
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service believes that every effort has not been made to lessen adverse impacts to wetlands by the proposed project….Alternatives to open roadside ditches are also necessary, and roadway drainage facility designs must guarantee that the wetlands will not be drained by them. Storm water must not be discharged into either the wetlands or Silver Lake and means of addressing the quality of the storm water discharged to any body of water much be addressed. The effects of a roadway on water levels in Silver Lake and adjacent wetlands, and effects downstream along Heinold-Listenberger Drain and Flint Lake, must be addressed, including an analysis of possible flooding or excessive drainage of properties south of the proposed roadway between Valparaiso and Campbell Streets and possible increased flooding in the Flint Lake area. Mitigation of any remaining adverse impacts to wetlands will be necessary.”
The Friends of Silver Lake urge you to attend the public hearing and help us protect this natural area from certain damage and/or destruction.
Dorothy Graden
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Minutes of May 16th
Meeting
Bonnie Swarner, M.Murdock, Susan Swarner, Jane Fryer, Dick Fryer, Rich Herr, Ed Spanopolous, Eric Biddinger, Jim Rowe, Walt Breitinger, Ed Seykowski, Don Sella, Patricia Sella, Jon Schoer, Warren Webb, George Smolka, Tom Banaszak, Bryant Mitol, Kevin Breitzke, Ron Bedwell, Gary Hicks present
Dick Fryer moved that Bonnie Swarner be permitted to mail (one time) announcements of the open house and dedication to the Moraine Ridge Nature Preserve Center. The motion was seconded and approved.
Minutes of previous meeting were read and approved.
Warren Webb read the treasurer’s report: beginning balance $ 5,056, ending balance
$ 4431. R. Bedwell moved & Breitzke 2nd, motion passed to approve report.
Sewer on Long Lake and erosion on Rt. 130 were discussed. Tom Banaszak expressed concern about fertilizer, run-off, pollution causing algae problem in Flint Lake. Kevin emphasized need for more education.
Phil Doolittle has made new signs for the Rogers Lakewood native vegetative planting site and Jim Rowe and Mike DeSt.Jean have installed them. Thanks!
The plan for secchi dish readings was announced which will supplement the V.U. students water monitoring project (see pamphlet enclosed). Jon Schoer provided an update on the project and thank you letters.
Ron Bedwell, V.P. of the Indiana Lakes Management Society and Lakes Manager of Lakes of the Four Seasons presented a highly informative and colorful power point presentation regarding watershed management, erosion control, native plant restoration, wildlife control, and fisheries management. “When you fertilize your lawn, you’re fertilizing the algae too… Sea walls speed up wave action and sediment ….. native aquatic and shoreline plants are better…”
Rich Herr provided and update on Silver Lake (see article above) and encouraged our members to write to Marty Maupin of IDEM. Tom Banaszak encouraged writing to Don Reinke of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He noted that run-off from the road will head downstream into Flint Lake and will cause pollution and worse flooding.
Ed Seykowski provided questions and comments on the Long Lake Road sewer project.
Bryant Mitol summarized a recent lecture by world famous botanist Gregory Wilhelm:
Reconstructing the wetlands at Silver Lake is fruitless. It is like re-arranging the chairs on the deck of the Titanic. It will be hard to stop the road but attempts at remediation will be a dismal failure. We should not allow stormwater to leave that site. Any new roads or parking should be made permeable and politicians should show more respect for the critical role of soil and plants.
George Smolka ended the meeting with an edifying description of his proposal for optimizing the growth of loosestrife and gallerucella beetles and beetle storage.
Dick Fryer quipped that the conversation was driving him buggy and proposed adjournment.
Next meeting in September
Details to be announced. May include pot-luck picnic or banquet
A: Much of the
phosphorus (phosphate) you apply actually runs off the lawn
before penetrating the soil. That means it gets into the lake causing
problems. What's more, increased boating traffic keeps phosphorus
stirred, preventing natural elimination. Some states now ban use of
fertilizer containing phosphorus near lakes, streams or ponds.
A: Check the second number on the package formula. 15--0--10, for example, means zero
phosphate. These are always listed in this order.
A: No. In this region, most soil
provides all the phosphorus your established lawn needs. Actually,
adding nitrogen promotes a thick, health lawn and decreases run-off
because it decreases soil erosion. Two benefits in one.
A: Phosphorus encourages a
heavier algae bloom and stimulates other aquatic plants, especially
unwanted varieties like Eurasian Water milfoil that can choke a lake,
and, is quite difficult to eradicate. So, if your lake has a noticeably
heavier "weed" growth it's likely due to too much phosphorus from
run-off.
A: Follow the instructions
on the package, and, don't be afraid to use somewhat LESS than is
recommended. Because instructions are meant for a wide variety of
conditions, it's usually not necessary to use more than 75% of the
application rate.
A: Try using a schedule
based upon major holidays: 1) Memorial Day. 2) July 4th. 3) Labor Day.
4) Halloween.
NOTE: The above is
presented in general terms. For more specific information, consult your
local landscape or soil conservation professional.