Glen Arbor and Empire Townships were honored for their Lake Friendly Protection Strategies. Both enacted Aquatic Nuisance ordinances this year aimed at helping prevent the spread of non-native invasive species of plant, animals and micro-organisms in the watershed. Ordinance signage has been posted at road ends and at the Glen Lake Boat Launch.The GLA performs the following services to prevent/control the spread Zebra Mussels and other exotic species into the lake, which could cause damage to the ecosystem.
Boat Washing:
Boat washing is preformed by paid summer help and supervised by GLA volunteers. An inspection and/or power spray operation is performed on boats being launched into Glen Lake at the DNR public launch on Little Glen Lake to prevent the intrusion of invasive species and further spread of zebra mussels. We wash down boats and trailers as well as flush outboard motors and out drives. Invasive species educational information is offered and made available to all.
Key Benefits:
- Helps prevent further infestation of Zebra Mussels
- Helps prevent infestation of Eurasian water milfoil
- Helps prevent infestation of other unwanted species
Plant Surveys:
Plant surveys are conducted by the Water Quality Committee in conjunction with the Zebra Mussel Committee to ascertain the make up of plant life in the lakes. To date all plant life found in our lakes have been found to be either beneficial or neutral to the ecosystem in our water. Plant samples are collected at one, four, and eight foot depths at even intervals around the perimeter of the lakes. All plants are identified, counted by species, and results are documented . These findings are then reported to our Michigan State University consultant for evaluation.
Purposes are to:
- Search for exotic invaders, particularly Eurasian watermilfoil
- Produce and aquatic plant map of the lake
- Identify and quantify the aquatic plants of Glen Lake
- Collect, dry, and press samples of each species of aquatic plant found to share with the Glen Lake Association and homeowners
- Recognize future shifts in the number and density of the aquatic plant populations of Glen Lake
- Cautiously use the information obtained related to species and their densities for the management of aquatic plants
Key Benefits:
- Provides assessment of the lakes plant life, good or bad
- Provides historical information to plant life trends
- Allows for assessing necessary corrective action, if and when, invasive species are found.
Click here to see the 2006 Aquatic Plant Survey for Big and Little Glen Lake.
For excellent general information and images of Invasive Species, click here to go
to the Great Lakes, US EPA website.
Aquatic Nuisance ordinances
It is now unlawful for any person to launch any watercraft/trailer or related equipment into any water body in the Glen Lake-Crystal River Watershed in Glen Arbor and/or Empire township unless such watercraft has been washed in such a manner so as to clear it of any aquatic nuisances (invasive, non-native plants or organisms); watercraft/trailer or related equipment which has been out of any water bodies for the ten days immediately preceding such launching do not have to be washed before launching into a township water body so long as any live wells and bilges have been cleaned and water has been blown out of the engine of any such watercraft.
A violation of this ordinance is a municipal civil infraction and any person or firm found responsible for such violation shall be subject to a maximum civil fine of $500.00 plus costs. Commencing thirty days after receiving notice of a violation, unless said violation is abated, each day the violation continues shall constitute a separate violation of this ordinance.
