Bass Lake

News & Notes

The Bass Lake Improvement Association board of directors has been working diligently to get a plan in place to manage the invasive Eurasian water milfoil that we now have in the lake.

This is a long email, with great detail, please read it completely.

The milfoil in the lake will always be present, there is no way to permanently remove it, the best option is to develop a plan, both short and long term to try and control its presence. We are very fortunate to have identified it early, within the first 5 years, allowing us to apply for an Early Detection and Response grant from the DNR. If we do not act now we will miss the opportunity to get this grant, and funding becomes very difficult to obtain.

Onterra, a lake management company based in DePere, was hired in fall, 2024 to start the process. A survey was conducted in the fall to identify the areas of the lake affected by milfoil and the concentrations in each area. In December, Onterra did a presentation to the board explaining in great detail how the milfoil grows and spreads, and presented a plan to contain the milfoil in our lake. The main cause of spread is by the plants maturing and releasing new shoots which float in the lake, sink and start new plants.

It is also spread when disturbed by boat motors or wave action which also causes pieces of the plant to float, eventually sink, and start new plants.

The plan Onterra presented is to chemically treat the entire north bay and the clump in front of the boat landing. The spot in front of the boat landing will be surrounded by a barrier to keep the chemicals concentrated on the milfoil. The barrier will be in place for several days, boat traffic must be allowed but hopefully it will be during the week with minimal boat traffic. It is the Association’s responsibility to purchase the materials needed for the barrier and to provide volunteers to construct the barrier.

The treatments will be applied in early June after any fingerling fish have grown to a size that will not be affected. The chemical that will be used is specifically designed to affect milfoil so no other type of vegetation or wild life should be affected. There will be monitoring of the water quality around both treated areas for several days to assess concentration levels and effectiveness. We will need volunteers to help collect these water quality samples.

There will also be several days of Diver Assisted Surface Harvesting (DASH) on additional areas of concentrated milfoil. A company will bring in a large boat equipped with suction equipment, divers go to the lake bottom and remove the plants by digging up the root system and they are sucked into the boat.

Both of these methods have been used on nearby lakes effectively by the same companies that we will be using.

The estimated cost of the project for 2025 - 2026 is $37,780. This covers the cost of work to date, the planning, the treatments, diver harvesting and a survey in each fall to assess effectiveness.

The Association is applying for an Early Detection and Response grant from the DNR for $25,000 to cover the majority of the cost of the project. The Association must contribute at least 25% of the grant value - an amount equal to $6,250. In addition, the Association must contribute the remainder of the project cost above $25,000 for a total of $12,780. Conversations with the DNR indicate that we will receive the grant funds. We have also received grants from Oconto County Lakes and Waterways Association (OCLAWA) for $1,000, and Oconto County for $454 which can be used to cover some of our portion.

This makes our total required contribution for the 2025 - 2026 project to be $11,326 based on estimates ($37,780 - $25,000 - $1,000 - $454).

Our biggest challenge is that the DNR grant will be paid after the project is completed, but providers of the services will require payment before we receive the grant funds. Partial payment from the DNR will hopefully be done in late June but is not guaranteed to cover some of the costs.

The quality of our lake, and the value of your property is greatly affected by the milfoil presence, it is in everyone’s best financial interest to help us implement this plan.

The Association has a goal to raise $25,000. This will be used to cover the cost of services as they are being provided this summer, and to provide funds for future treatments. As stated earlier, this will be an on-going process of treatment and monitoring to keep the milfoil from spreading as much as possible.

Another option is to secure a loan from a bank which could be difficult because we have no collateral.

The Association understands that everyone’s financial situation is different and some may not be in a position to assist us in this fundraising effort. We are asking for a donation from each property owner of $300 which will get us to our goal. Knowing not everyone will be able to contribute, if you’re able to contribute additional funds it will greatly increase our chances of success. The amount of each individual’s contribution will not be known to anyone except our treasurer who will be depositing the checks. If you prefer to remain completely anonymous you can stop at any Loana State Bank location, Lakewood, Townsend or Laona, and drop off checks made out to Bass Lake Improvement Association.

We will also need volunteers to build the containment barrier before application, and to collect water samples. We are required to also contribute a minimum of 40 hours of our time to fulfil the grant requirement.

Please remember the quality of our lake and the value of your property is greatly dependent upon the successful implementation of this plan and developing a long-term plan.

Please contribute what you can.

If you can volunteer to help build the barrier in May please add a note to your donation or contact me directly at: wwyngaard32@gmail.com

Donations can be made by sending a check made out to;

“Bass Lake Improvement Association”

Sent to:
BLIA
Attn: Amy Mager
510 Walton Place
Madison, Wi. 53704

Or stopping in at:
Laona State Bank location in:
• Lakewood
• Townsend
• Laona

Thank you,
Bass Lake Improvement Association
Board of Directors
02/27/2025

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