Category: Herbicide

LYLPS Work Plan Review and 2023 Plan

The LYLPS Board has reviewed the work plan for 2022 and developed a plan for 2023. We believe our efforts to control milfoil have been successful, though we observed some new growth in several portions of the lake. 

With the control of milfoil, native species have returned in full force. In 2023 we intend to spend significant efforts to manage these in areas where they impact recreational use. 

Here is the summary of our 2023 work plan:

  • Monitoring
    • Monitor the lake through CSLAP
    • Expand the monitoring by developing a macrophyte monitoring program with Soil and Water (SWCD)
    • Develop a HABs monitoring program
    • Support C-OFOKLA flood rapid-response program
  • Prevention
    • Continuing support, through C-OFOKLA, of the boat steward program, CCStoptheInvasion.org and including support of the boat decontamination station.
    • Provide content for public outreach, both directly and through C-OFOKLA.
  • Treatments
    • Treat recurring VLM with ProcellaCOR
    • Treat starry stonewort, pondweed, and nuisance natives through weed harvesting
  • Management
    • Support SWCD shorescaping program
    • Continue support of septic education program
    • Participate in the Tioughnioga River LWRP Update project
  • Organizational
    • Continue to build community
    • Maintain the lake management plan
    • Explore establishing a “dredging” fund

You can read the full plan (as a PDF) here. The 2022 review is here.

2022 Work Plan

Our 2022 work plan is available here. In addition to other activities, the association is proposing to continue our treatment efforts to help manage the weeds.

We are planning to continue our campaign against milfoil with another, smaller, ProcellaCOR treatment primarily focused on the “seed” areas: the mouth of the stream in Dwyer Park and the channel from Goodale Lake.

This year we are moving away from other chemical treatments to focus on mechanical harvesting of starry stonewort and pondweeds. Our goal is to have two weeks of harvesting (not consecutive). We have one confirmed for the last week of June and are still working to secure a second week of harvesting.

Starry Stonewort Treatment 7/26

Solitude Lake Management will complete our third and final treatment of the season on Monday, July 26th. We will be applying Captain XTR which is the same product we applied last year. The only restrictions are for domestic and potable water use. Please refrain from these uses until we report that testing has been completed.

See the poster below for details. This same poster will be posted along the affected waterfront.

Work Plan Review 2020

In spite of Covid restrictions, 2020 was a very active season for LYLPS. We completed most of the items in our work plan (published here) including successful treatments of variable leaf milfoil and starry stonewort.

The following table shows our results vs our plan:

Plan

Results

·       Prevention

o   Support the installation and roll-out of the boat decontamination station at Dwyer Park

o   Continuing support, through C-OFOKLA, of the boat steward program, CCStoptheInvasion.org

·       The boat station was successfully installed and operated. The boat steward program was operational through the year.

·       Community educational programs were put on hold due to pandemic restrictions.

·       Monitoring

o   Monitor the lake through CSLAP

o   Conduct regional CSLAP training on May 8th

o   Expand the monitoring by joining the Finger Lakes PRISM macrophyte program

 

·       We successfully conducted our 8 CSLAP sessions, reporting data to the state-wide program.

·       We were unable to conduct regional training due to the pandemic.

·       Similarly, the PRISM macrophyte program was put on hold. However, we were able to conduct a macrophyte survey in conjunction with SWCD.

·       Treatments

o   Treat variable leaf milfoil (VLM) in previously untreated areas

o   Test treating starry stonewort (SSW)

 

·       We successfully treated VLM in previously untreated areas and conducted a test treatment of starry stonewort. VLM treatment went very well and the 2019 treatment seems to have had a lasting effect.

·       SSW treatment seemed positive and we will learn more next summer.

·       Management

o   Support new drawdown permit process

o   Establish shorescaping program in collaboration with SWCD

o   Continue support of septic education program

 

·       A new drawdown permit was issued and implemented in the fall. We have supported monitoring of the lake levels to assist compliance with the permit.

·       We did not make progress on the shorescaping program.

·       Septic workshops are not feasible under pandemic restrictions.

·       Organizational

o   Continue to build community

o   Maintain the lake management plan

·       We have continued to develop community and engage volunteers including with a Zoom social hour and several community Zoom meetings.

·       We are actively referencing the lake management plan as we move forward to next year.

Treatment begins 6/18 at 10 a.m.

Signs are posted and the weather looks good for the first of our planned lake treatments. On Thursday morning we are treating the variable leaf milfoil. Treatment is scheduled to begin at approximately 10 a.m. and should take a few hours.

While there are minimal water use restrictions, we are asking boaters to stay off the lake during the treatment period. 

Check back here and we will post when the treatment is completed.

Community Q&A on 5/20

As mentioned in our last email, we are planning a community Q&A session on Wednesday, May 20th at 7 p.m. Due to ongoing restrictions we will hold the meeting using a Zoom call. 

Please register for the meeting by clicking here. Note, we will send the Zoom invitation to registrants at 5 p.m. on the 20th. This invitation will include a phone number if you prefer to listen.

We continue to make progress on collecting donations and preparing for our treatment, but we need all the support we can get. If you haven’t already, please visit littleyorklake.com/beattheweeds and make your donation today.

Chip in and Beat the Weeds

We hope everyone in your household is safe and sound during this pandemic.

Our lake association board has continued to work on the planned summer treatment program during the NYS on Pause and this post is intended to give you an update and ask for your donation.

We are planning to treat new areas for variable leaf milfoil and begin treatment for Starry Stonewort, the green mat-like plant that covers large stretches of the lake. For details click here.

In mid-March we submitted our permit applications to DEC and mailed notification letters to all riparian owners in the affected area. If you are a property owner at the lake or downstream to Cortland you should have received the notification letter which explains the treatment and the potential water use impacts.

It is important to continue this work even during the pandemic. The “weeds” are still growing and there will be life after we figure out this virus.
Please send your donation by check to LYLPS, P.O. Box 56, Little York NY 13087 or donate online at littleyorklake.com/beattheweeds no later than May 10th.