How a VT Pond Owners Association Deals with their Milfoil Problem

Recently, we were helping a new customer with the planning of the layout of their Lake Bottom Blanket order around their docks and swimming area.

They were kind enough to share with us the Guidelines their POA gives to waterfront property owners.

This is a fabulous example that all Lake POAs could follow to remain eco-friendly and still deal with their Milfoil problems without harming the environment.

Thank you Lake Hortonia for recommending Lake Bottom Blanket and sharing this with us so we may share it with our customers and Lake Associations.

LHPOA IS HERE TO HELP YOU CONTROL MILFOIL AT YOUR BEACH AND BOAT AREAS

Using a combination of management methods can assist in the community effort to control Eurasian Milfoil in Lake Hortonia and help you have a recreation friendly lake front.

Look into each of these and see what works for your lake frontage.

BOTTOM BARRIER METHOD

Bottom Barriers are a small area method for beachfronts and, if you are a member, you can have it installed FREE by following these steps:

1. Apply for a General Permit from the Vermont DEC (NOT an Individual Permit) at https://dec.vermont.gov/sites/dec/files/wsm/lakes/ANC/docs/lp_ANCGP_NOI.pdf. On the 3rd page is a link to an online application at https://anronline.vermont.gov/app/?allowAnonymous=true#/formversion/09d84d37-dcbe-4795-b5d6-04a055bf5dc4?formtag=WSMD_Intake.

a. Bottom Barriers must be installed AFTER June 30
b. Bottom Barriers must be removed BEFORE October 1
c. Area is limited to less than 1500 Square Feet
d. The General permit costs $50 and may take 4 weeks to get approval
e. Permits are valid for multiple years

2. Purchase the Bottom Barrier.

a. Vermont recommends Lake Bottom Blanket® by Derma-Safe:
b. Order Online at: https://lakebottomblanket.com
c. A standard size is 10′ x 20′ (200 Sq Ft) although other sizes are available.
(Recommendation: start small and expand next year if it is effective)

3. If you are a current 2023 member of LHPOA and would like the Association to install & remove your Bottom Barrier for FREE, you can do the following:

a. After you have 1) applied for a Permit and 2) ordered the Lake Bottom Blanket, Text xxxxxxxxx at xxxxxxxxxx the following information:
i. Your name, camp address, and contact number
ii. Your desired install and removal dates
iii. Dimensions of Bottom Barriers purchased and preferred layout
b. We will purchase and cut the 3/8” rebar needed for your installation and you can reimburse us for the rebar when it is installed.
c. After you have received the Bottom Blanket and the approved Permit, let us know that you are ready. Installation dates may be affected by number of applications as well as the weather.
d. After removal, all Bottom Barrier materials are stored at your camp

DASH (Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting) METHOD

For this summer, the Association will coordinate an arrangement where individual property owners can have DASH work done at their lakefront area, paid for individually by each property owner. With each additional property owner participating, the cost drops.

Estimated cost approximately $xxx/hour

Approximate service hours for 1,500 sq. ft. is 2-3 hours

DASH falls under the LHPOA permit (no additional permitting required!)

Targets only Eurasian Milfoil

If you would like to request an estimate for DASH work at your lakefront, contact: xxxxxxxxxxx, at xxxxxxxxxxx (text or call)

HAND PULLING METHOD

If you do your own hand pulling, collect carefully in a bag so fragments don’t float away and spread to other areas of the lake and dispose of away from the lake . Or, if you would like to hire a contractor to do it for you, contact xxxxxxxxxx (above #) and our DASH contractor can give you an estimate.

AN EXAMPLE

A property owner has 50’ of lake frontage with one dock, a raft, and a motor boat. Some dense Eurasian Milfoil has made a comeback in the last few years. The property owner selects a 10’x20’ bottom barrier to create a swimming area next to the dock and part way to the raft. This allows the grandchildren to play near the dock and swim to the raft. And, the home owner contracts with a DASH/hand pulling diver to take care of the milfoil that is growing under where the boat is moored. This way, when they use their boat, they are not getting milfoil stuck in the prop and spreading it to new locations in the lake. fo

WARNING: DO NOT CUT AND FLOAT THE MILFOIL!

THE TINIEST PIECE OF MILFOIL THAT DRIFTS AWAY CAN REROOT ITSELF AND START ANOTHER INFESTATION AREA. MAKE SURE TO GATHER AND DISPOSE OF ALL MILFOIL AWAY FROM THE LAKE. IT MAKES GOOD COMPOST!