CLP Harvester - For harvesting Curly Leaf Pondweed and weed containment

Msy 2025 - vesting Start Date: - Curly leaf pondweed harvesting has been underway since May 3rd. - Harvesting Location: - Harvesting is focused along the shore from Wagemaker's cabin up toward where the harvester is parked. - This area is targeted due to the high density of weeds. Harvester - The harvester has a head that's five feet wide. - The machine was broken free and rotated by a storm but stayed on the shore. - It now leaks a little bit. - Pumps were installed inside of it. - There appears to be a lot of curly leaf pond weeds this year. - They have to be done harvesting by the end of June. Chemical Application (John Baumgartner) - The board decided to use the $50,000 donation toward chemical application over a five-year period, doing $10,000 a year, plus at least $10,000 out of the general fund. - 84 acres were treated with chemicals this year. - The DNR did a delineation study and found about 600 acres that could be treated or harvested. - $21,251 was spent on chemical application this year. - Areas treated: - 25 acres on the Northern Lights beach area. - 25 acres on the north/northwest side. - 34 acres on the west side, close to Park East. - Eric Katzmayer, Thomas with PLM is the chemical applicator. - Paul W. and John N. decided on the most crucial areas to apply the chemicals. - A lot of the weeds on the shore are coming from mother nature, boats, and the wind. DNR Involvement - The DNR tells them where they can treat. - "It's kind of dictated to us." - The goal isn't to kill the weeds but to get rid of their seed pods. - It takes about a five to seven year effort to really have a huge difference. - They will do one application per year for five years in the same area. - "We have to go after the same area." - The weeds that were sprayed did not float to the top. Private Treatments - PLM sent out notices and did some private treatments. - 22 owners have had their properties treated. - This is a different treatment, and they are likely going more than once. - Private owners are staying at least 150ft out from shore when doing commercial chemical treatment. - If they get in over 10ft of water, the treatment loses its effectiveness. East Side of the Lake - There are no current plans for the east side of the lake where motors are getting tangled. - They can only treat areas that the DNR allows them to. - Northern Lights beach has a lot of sago grass, which is why it looks so bad. Sago Grass - The harvester cannot effectively cut sago grass. - Last year, it wrapped around the machine and bound it up. - The grass moves so much it's hard to get it cut, and it grows back quickly. Curly Pond Weed Treatment - Treating 600 acres would cost $180,000 per year. - The DNR only allows treatment of 10-15% of total lake acres, which is roughly 300 acres. - The chemical treatment is non-selective. - The DNR only allows certain chemicals for curly pond weed and prohibits treatment for native, beneficial growth like sago grass. - Individuals can get permits from the DNR to treat their own area.

April 2025 - John B. is responsible for the harvester. - Request to include a curly leaf pondweed update from PLM. - PLM is contracted for chemical treatment areas. - The contract is worth $20,000. - John B. should check with PLM on how many individuals took them up on the offer to have their properties treated. - DNR will conduct the delineation survey soon. - There are concerns that curly leaf pondweed may be more invasive this year due to clear ice. - John B. hasn't contacted Dallenbach regarding interest in the harvester. - Weed harvester use is restricted to those who have paid their dues. - Members can contact Jerry N. to determine who has paid their dues. - There is $7,500 in grant money from the AIS task force. - The group discusses matching funds for harvest, chemicals, and harvesters, clarifying that hours spent equate to dollars, at a rate of approximately $100 per hour. - Someone offers to contribute additional hours if needed to secure funding. - The group discusses the logistics of harvesting, including potential dumping locations. - One member offered their island lot for dumping through the channel. - They acknowledge the challenges faced last year due to high winds, especially when pulling the raft across the lake.

March 2025 - One person showed interest in purchasing weed harvester in November. John B. will reach out to prospective buyer to follow up. John B. agreed to organize CLP harvesting with Weed harvester again this spring. We have $7,500 in Kandiyohi County AIS grant funds available for 2025 CLP harvesting. There will be no MN DNR grant funds available this year. We received a note from MN DNR that a CLP harvest permit needed renewal. Thomas from PLM has already gotten this permit. Motion was made by John B. to not provide weed harvesting property owner’s shoreline unless dues are paid, and then private services need to be paid in advance. 2nd by Jerry N. Carried.