WHAT IS EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL?

EWM is an extremely aggressive invasive aquatic plant that forms thick underwater stands of tangled stems and dense floating mats of vegetation. It is an invasive aquatic plant native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. It was first documented in North America in 1942 in the District of Columbia. It was most likely brought to this continent in the ballast of a ship and has since spread to almost every continental state and throughout Canada. To identify it, click here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/eurasian-water-milfoil

WHY IS IT A PROBLEM? 

If we don't do something soon, it's not a question of IF milfoil will take over our lake. Research shows that if action is not taken, milfoil can take over a lake in just a few years. If that happens, make no mistake, it will affect everyone in our community as follows: 

• Ecological issues: The lake’s ecosystem will be altered. EWM will displace important native plants thus harming fish and wildlife habitat. Dense floating vegetation becomes breeding habitat for mosquitoes. Stagnant oxygen-depleted conditions are often found in association with dense beds of EWM. Sudden nutrient release caused by late-season die-back of extensive plant beds may cause nuisance algae blooms.
• Recreational issues: Recreational activities such as boating, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and swimming are impeded by dense growth at or near the surface, to name a few
• Economical issues:  Due to the above ecological and recreational issues, EWM choked shorelines can depress real estate values up to 20%; and our local tourist-dependent economies will suffer from declined visitor rates. Costs to manage EWM growth are borne by either local citizens, lake management organizations, and/or local governments

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WHEN YOU SEE MILFOIL?

Please leave it alone and avoid any disturbance. You can carefully remove plants immediately around the area of your dock. But you need to know how to properly remove it, because if you break the plant up, it will just create more plants and do more harm than good. Take pictures, coordinates of the findings and notify the MPOA board as soon as possible for guidance and/or help. 

WHERE IS IT LOCATED IN LAKE MAZINAW? 

It is in many areas on our lake already! It has been found in the Upper Lake at Barber Bay. In the lower Lake the largest patch is south of the swimming area at Bon Echo Park. There are several other patches in Buck Bay, interspersed throughout the west and east shoreline. The Board is investigating options to delineate large infestations with markers and ropes to stop traffic, (TBD subject to permitting requirements). Mapping is also underway and will be distributed so that people know which areas to avoid. 

HOW DOES MILFOIL SPREAD? 

The primary way milfoil spreads is through vegetative reproduction/fragmentation. Plant tips easily break off and form new roots in days. With fragmentation, even a very small piece of this aquatic plant can float away, re-root and begin a new colony. It travels around, within and between lakes by currents, boats, and paddles etc.

WHAT IS MPOA BOARD DOING ABOUT IT?

The MPOA Board (led by our Lake Steward) is currently advancing the following, in the coming month alone: 

1. FORMULATING AN ACTION PLAN: Through the Mazinaw Blue Lakes Committee (a eco program by Watershed Canada) we are refining our short and long term Action Plan in consultation with the lead biologist of the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, the Manager of BonEcho Provincial Park, leadership of the Federation of Ontario Cottagers Association and the North Frontenac Lake Association. 
2. GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION: Once the above consultation is generally completed, we will seek input from all levels of elected officials once we understand our asks of the local Township/County. Furthermore, since Mazinaw is designated a National Historic Site of Canada, there may be Federal departments to consult with re funds for various control measures. 
3. RESEARCH RE CONTROL MEASURES AND COSTS: We are researching the fastest and most effective control measures to employ; which will inform a costing exercise once we have the short list of options.. The costing exercise will inform what funding is needed in 2023 and every year thereafter to manage the issue. These are not easy jobs as most control measures are very complicated, require special grants, licensing, boats, equipment and environmental permits that take months to approve. Because the plant easily breaks off and re-roots nearby, that means every year we need to monitor and manage it's growth. 
4. COMMUNICATION: On a monthly basis, we will be communicating updates as this situation evolves.