January 10, 2010

Dear Little Green property owners,

During the 2009 summer season the Board of the Little Green Protection and Rehabilitation District established a four person subcommittee of property owners to help find, gather and present information that will help the Board with issues of invasive plant control on Little Green Lake. While the subcommittee does not make any direct decisions on what can and will happen with the plants in 2010, the committee does have four major topics of research. They are the lake management plan, chemical control (spraying), mechanical harvesting and communication/updates to all property owners.

The lake management plan is by far the most complicated and important issue for the sub committee. The lakes current plan is ten years old and needs to be updated. A lake plan encompasses everything about the lake. It is a vital component in receiving grant money. It also helps establish a line of communication between the DNR and Lake District. A company will be contracted by the Board to make our new/updated plan. With help from the DNR the sub committee as five or six companies that make lake plans in this state. The Board is in the process of getting bids and making a timeline for its completion.

Chemical control of exotic plants has several different parts. First are invasive plants (those that don't belong in the lake). The sub committee is working with the DNR to determine where the invasive plants are, how many acres can be sprayed and what company to use. Second is native plant control. These are referred to as good plants. These plants put oxygen into the water, keep algae down and help sustain a healthy lake. But these plants can also become overabundant around piers, docks and waterways. Once again the sub committee will be working with the DNR to address the problems of 2009.

Chemical control of exotics costs money. In the past the Lake Board has received grants to help with the cost. Once again the Board has submitted applications for these grants but will not know until February if we received the grant money. At that point we will know how much of the lake can be sprayed to control the weeds.

Mechanical harvesting (weed cutter) is a vital part to keeping our lake navigable during the summer months. The committee is working with the DNR on a new harvesting permit that stays in the boundaries of the law but also makes the most sense for our lake. It will be included in the new lake management plan.

Finally, getting information of what the sub committee has learned to the property owners. The committee will be meeting on a monthly basis. Once meeting minutes are approved by the Lake Board they will be posted on the Little Green website; www.littlegreenlake.com.

This letter is just a small overview of issues and concerns the sub committee is working on. In the next few months more questions will be answered about weed control on Little Green Lake.

Please check the website for updates.

Sincerely Little Green Sub Committee,

Dick Schneider - Chairman

Mike Boeselager

Todd Schulz

Dave Chroust