Aquatic Conservation Taskforce - ACT!
Lake Luzerne has been invaded - Here are answers to some of your questions:
Probably not. Regardless of matting, hand harvesting, herbicides, weevils, etc., the best we can hope for is to control it. An area matted in 2007 will likely be re-infested within 3 or 4 years. The effect of herbicides are similar. It is unknown whether the population of weevils will rise and fall over the years to create a natural balance. The Town must have in place an ongoing effort to control Milfoil just as it equips itself for the ongoing struggle with snow plowing, road maintenance, etc.
Can I hand-harvest in front of my house?
Is there any idea when will herbicides be approved in the AdirondackPark?
Why was there less milfoil in 2007?
How can I volunteer? Do you still need volunteers?
Can we ever eliminate Milfoil entirely?
Has the APA seen our work?
No one knows. ACT's contact at the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) feels that the "powers that be" will prevent the introduction
of herbicides for as long as possible. In his words "It will take a lake with a lot more money that Lake Luzerne to fight
this battle."
Can I buy my own Lake Bottom Blankets and put them down myself?
Yes they have. In accordance with the terms of the permit issued to the Town by the APA, the Pirates, and now ACT, must act
to the letter, and within the letter, of the permit. The APA has observed the Pirates and ACT in action, and says that we mave
met the requirements of the permit in an exemplary fashion.
How can I get a Pirates sticker for my car?
ACT absolutely needs volunteers, people who can help pick up fragments, people who can snorkel, people who can scuba, etc. Volunteers
are very, very important to us. Please Email your name, phone number and when we can reach you.
Yes you can hand-harvest up to 1,000 sruare feet in front of your house. But please have someone from ACT show you how it should
be done. You must get your hands in the muck, under the roots, and pull out the complete plant. You also must pick up
and fragments that break off. Fragments and plants should be taken ashore and put in the garbage. Pieces left in
the water will just re-root!
You can buy them, but they can only be deployed under the direction of the Project Manager, Richard King. This is mandated under
our permit from the APA and must be followed to the letter. If you buy Lake Blankets and donate them to ACT, we will try to
place a comparable number of mats where you suggest.
All volunteers in 2008 will receive a Pirates 2008 sticker. This sticker will entitle you to free parking in the school parking
lot by Nick's Beach when school is not is session.
The mats made by voulunteers and Pirates last year are too heavy and time consuming to deploy and to re-locate. We will remove
the rebar from these mats and re-use the rebar in the Lake Bottom Blankets in 2008.
What will happen to the mats we made last year?
No one knows. There are several theories, but that's all they are. Scientists tell us to expect it to come roaring back
in 2008 or 2009. The plan developed by the Pirates and carried forward by ACT is designed to establish lomg term control,
so that in the future every year will be as good or better than was 2007!