What
is Eurasian watermilfoil?
Eurasian
watermilfoil is a submerged invasive aquatic plant that
can quickly form thick mats in shallow areas of lakes and
rivers. These mats can interfere with swimming and entangle
propellers thereby hindering boating and fishing. Heavy
infestations may reduce property values of shoreline properties.
Since
it was discovered in North America in the 1940s, Eurasian
watermilfoil has invaded nearly every state in the United
States and has also reached Canada . Milfoil spreads when
plant pieces break off floating on water currents to new
locations where the plant takes root. It can spread to new
water bodies by clinging to personal watercraft, powerboats,
sailboats, motors, trailers, and fishing gear. As these
watercraft and equipment are introduced to new lakes, the
milfoil is released and quickly takes root.
How
did it get into Lake Cadillac?
Infestations
of Eurasian watermilfoil were observed in Lake Cadillac
during the 2005 summer season. Approximately 300 acres,
roughly 26 percent of the lake’s total area, were found
to contain significant levels of the milfoil. This compares
to virtually no indication of the invasive plant in prior
years. The quick onset of the milfoil remains something
of a mystery but is thought to be linked to a combination
of factors including the plant’s introduction by visiting
watercraft, unseasonably warm water temperatures, and low
water levels experienced during the 2005 season. During
the same timeframe, many other lakes in Northern Michigan,
such as nearby Missaukee Lake and Rose Lake , also experienced
milfoil infestations.
What
is being done?
Not
wishing to experience a similar situation in 2006, the Cadillac
Visitor’s Bureau facilitated the creation of an informal
organization comprised of approximately 75 shoreline property
owners, city staff, and other interested parties. The group,
referred to as the Lake Cadillac Association, was brought
together to plan treatment and funding strategies for the
control of the milfoil. From Association representatives
a 14-member sub-committee was formed to tackle the specifics
of a comprehensive treatment program and to explore and
recommend a funding mechanism to cover treatment costs.
Progressive A/E, a consulting firm specializing in lake
and watershed management, assisted the sub-committee. Progressive
has extensive experience in the control Eurasian watermilfoil.
The firm has served as a lake management consultant to the
City of Cadillac and the Lake Mitchell Association for many
years.
What
is the proposed treatment plan?
After
an extensive analysis of treatment alternatives, the sub-committee
recommended an integrated treatment approach combining chemical
and biological methods at a combined annual cost of approximately
$109,000. Approximately 250 acres will be treated with 2,4-D,
a selective herbicide to be applied in granular form. The
chemical is designed to quickly and effectively target milfoil
while avoiding other important aquatic plants important
to the lake’s ecological balance. Approximately 50 acres
will be treated with a small native aquatic beetle commonly
referred to as the Milfoil weevil. The beetles feed and
multiple on the stem of the Eurasian watermilfoil, ultimately
reducing the top portion of the weed below problematic levels.
The potential impact of the weevil on the milfoil is unknown
at this time. A review of other lakes using the weevil for
milfoil control indicates success levels ranging from fair
to excellent. The sub-committee is hopeful the weevil will
prove successful and eventually spread to other parts of
the lake thereby reducing future needs for additional chemical
treatment.
The
sub-committee also completed a broad review of funding options.
In addition to searching for possible state and federal
grants, donations, and foundation funds, lake management
associations located throughout Michigan were contacted
to help identify funding programs used for lake treatment
efforts. This research demonstrated that the most effective,
and most common, means of funding a treatment program was
through the use of a special assessment program with the
funds specifically targeted to the treatment of the milfoil.
The sub-committee found that a majority of the assessment
programs were oriented to properties possessing shoreline
frontage, lake access, and direct lake views. Typically,
commercial properties such as marinas and resorts were assessed
at rates somewhat higher than residential properties.
After
extensive analysis the sub-committee determined that a special
assessment was necessary in order to secure funds essential
to the treatment effort. A special assessment formula was
prepared as noted in the following table. Private properties
with shoreline frontage, lake access, and direct lake views
were included in the assessment program. Similar properties
owned by the City of Cadillac were also added. Unfortunately,
one of the difficulties faced by the sub-committee in preparing
the assessment formula and spreading potential costs was
the large amount of shoreline property owned by the State
of Michigan and not subject to an assessment program. These
included lands occupied by the Mitchell State Park and the
Michigan Department of Transportation. The removal of these
lands from the assessment process meant that program costs
would have to be spread among the remaining property owners.
In preparing the assessment formula it was the goal of the
sub-committee to create a fair and equitable program. The
special assessment program is anticipated to be in effect
for the 2006 to 2008 period.
TABLE
1
PROPERTY
ASSESSMENT FORMULA
LAKE
CADILLAC TREATMENT PROGRAM PRELIMINARY
1
RAU = $275.00
Single-Family
Residential – RAU Assessment Formula
| Location
|
RAU
|
| With
Shoreline Frontage |
1
RAU per lot |
| With
Lake Access But Separated From The Lake By A Street
|
0.75
RAU per lot |
| Lake
View
Only |
0.50
RAU per lot |
Residential
Condominiums and Apartments – RAU Assessment Formula
| Location
|
RAU
|
| With
Shoreline Frontage
·
Condominiums
·
Apartments |
·
1 RAU plus 0.75 RAU per each
condo unit
·
1 RAU plus 0.50 RAU per each
apartment |
| With
Lake Access But Separated From The Lake By A Street
·
Condominiums
·
Apartments |
·
1 RAU plus 0.60 RAU per each
condo unit
·
1 RAU plus 0.40 RAU per each
apartment |
| Lake
View
Only
·
Condominiums
·
Apartments |
·
1 RAU plus 0.40 RAU per each
condo unit
·
1 RAU plus 0.20 RAU per each
apartment |
| Harbor
View Senior Apartments |
1
RAU plus 0.10 RAU per each apartment |
| Lake
Street Condos (under construction) |
1
RAU |
Commercial
- RAU Assessment Formula*
| Use
|
Frontage
|
Lake
Access |
View
Only |
| Office/Personal
Services |
2
|
1.5
|
1
|
| Lodge/Meeting
Hall |
2
|
1.5
|
1
|
| Retail
|
2
|
1.5
|
1
|
| Hotel/Motel/Cabins/Camp
Sites |
1
per each 6 rooms/cabins/sites** |
0.75
per each 6 rooms/cabins/sites** |
0.50
per each 6 rooms/cabins/sites** |
|
Resort
Condominiums |
1
per each 3 units** |
0.75
per each 3 units** |
0.50
per each 3 units** |
| Restaurant/Lounge/Bar
·
No slips/docks
·
With slips/docks |
2
3
|
1.5
2.5
|
1
N.A.
|
| Commercial
Recreation Slips |
2
+ 1 per each 10 slips** |
1
+ 0.75 per each 10 slips** |
N.A.
|
| Industrial
Slips (Non-Public) |
2
+ 1 per each 2 slips** |
2
+ 0.75 per each 2 slips** |
N.A.
|
| Other/Vacant
|
2
|
1.5
|
1
|
| *Commercial
facilities with multiple uses shall be assessed the
RAU rate reflecting the primary business use. A minimum
of 1 RAU is assessed for all commercial properties.
**Including
the fractional portion thereof. |
City
of Cadillac – RAU Assessment Formula
| Property
Type |
RAU
|
| With
Shoreline Frontage (Approximately 10,429 feet) |
1
RAU per each 97 feet |
| With
Lake Access But Separated From The Lake By A Street
(None) |
0.75
RAU per each 97 feet |
| Lake
View
(Approximately 2,267 feet) |
0.50
RAU per each 97 feet |
The
Lake Cadillac treatment program and special assessment formula
will be discussed at an informational workshop to be held
at the Cadillac High School Auditorium on March 8, 2006.
The workshop begins at 6:30 p.m. The Cadillac City Council
will conduct a public hearing on the special assessment
at the regular Council meeting scheduled for March 20, 2006.
Additional
information on Eurasian watermilfoil and the Lake Cadillac
Association may be found at the Wexford
County MSU Extension website.
