The Curlew Lake Association (CLA) is gathering information for the purpose of having a contractor come to Curlew Lake to eradicate weeds for which property owners are willing to pay for on their waterfront properties. The states cost and associated fees presented are based on $5.00 plus tax of 7.7% per lineal foot treated within the Littoral Zone (which in Curlew Lake is from the shoreline out to a depth of about 25'). A commitment of footage to be treated and dollars needs to be collected by 1/10/2015. Expected treatment timeframe would be between 6/1 and 7/31/2015. CLA is collecting names, lineal footage and money for the private ownership areas that wish to be included in this treatment process. All money collected for this project will be held by CLA with an accounting of lineal feet and money paid by each party. CLA has committed funds to treat the Outlet of the lake beginning at the county bridge on Kiwanis Road down stream to the Rail Trail. Interested owners need to mail their lineal feet to be treated along with the funds to Curlew Lake Association, PO Box 54, Republic, WA 99166 by January 10, 2015.
Anyone have any info on the permitting for this (if any)?
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Great post and thanks for the info! This could potentially be bad for all fishing. How are they conducting the weed kill? Is it by hand (pulling) or with chemicals? Also, are they only targeting invasive species or all weeds? Lots of questions and it seems rather selfish to allow the residents to potentially damage the fishery just because they don't want weeds in front of their cabins. Finally, is there a WDFW impact statement posted anywhere???
Thanks!
I've sent an email off to the local bio and am asking the same questions. If it is for noxious weeds they need a HPA at minimum. If they remove via herbicide they need a HPA and permits from the DOE and DOA. Being that land owners do not own the lake bed, I'm not sure how they can do this at all unless it is specifically for noxious weeds.
Ryan call Bruce Baker WDFW
Have you heard back from Bill Baker yet? Seems like enough time has passed since your first post.
Yes I heard back from Bill Baker and Sandra Dotts with the WDFW. After much discussion Sandra sent me this letter as their response to the CLA.
"
January 15, 2105
Curlew Lake Association
PO Box 54
Republic WA 99166
Re: Proposed aquatic weed control proposal of Curlew Lake and Curlew Creek
Dear CLA members,
Thank you for notifying the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) of
your proposal to treat the littoral zone of Curlew Lake for aquatic weeds.
We have received comments from a concerned citizen that this work my impact the
fishery, in particular tiger muskie, trout, and bass. Based on our understanding of the
proposed shoreline treatment (e.g., improved recreational access and aesthetics) and
permit conditions required by the Washington Department of Ecology under the Aquatic
Plant and Algae Management General Permit (General Permit), we do not believe that
treatment will have any significant influence on fish populations in Curlew Lake.
Concern has also been raised about impacts to red-necked grebes nesting near the
lake shoreline within the littoral zone. Red-necked grebe is a state monitor species.
Monitor species are managed by WDFW to prevent them from becoming endangered,
threatened, or sensitive. If the treatment window of July 15-October 31 is followed per
General Permit requirements, the treatment should not affect grebe reproduction.
We are concerned that the proposed treatment of the outlet (i.e., Curlew Creek) from
the lake to the rail trail crossing may pose significant impacts to several other
Washington priority habitats and species (PHS). The proposed treatment area is very
biologically diverse and native aquatic and emergent plants play an essential role in
supporting the ecology of the wetland area associated with the outlet, providing food
and habitat for fish and wildlife, stabilizing the shoreline, and contributing to nutrient
cycling. The outlet of Curlew Lake is a high priority waterfowl concentration area,
providing nesting and foraging habitat for a variety of species. The area also provides
important breeding and foraging habitat for marsh birds, songbirds, small mammals,
reptiles, and amphibians, such as the Columbia spotted frog, a state species of
concern. Removal of native aquatic and emergent vegetation in this area may result in
unintended reduction of ecological function.
From past conversations with CLA members, I understand that removal of vegetation
from the outlet is considered a solution to reducing the lake level. This is possible in
theory, but no comprehensive studies have been undertaken to assess the cause(s) of
lake level fluctuations. Removal of native vegetation at the outlet would be a
temporary solution at best that may have lasting impacts to nesting and foraging habitat
for wildlife.
We recommend that a more thorough investigation of lake level fluctuations be
conducted prior to undertaking herbicide treatment of the outlet. If it is determined that
vegetation is contributing to a high lake level, then a Vegetation Management Plan
(VMP) should be developed that considers the ecology of target species and
environmental characteristics of the site to determine appropriate control strategies.
Generally, WDFW recommends that herbicide application be restricted to those
circumstances where other weed removal or control techniques are not sufficient (as
evaluated in the VMP).
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need assistance developing
a VMP.
Sincerely,
Sandy Dotts
Habitat Biologist
Cc: Irene Whipple, Ferry County Planning Department
Jon Jennings, Washington Dept. of Ecology
Lloyd O’Dell, Ferry Conservation District
Rochelle Osborne, Ferry County Weed Board
Mark Wachtel, WDFW Habitat Program Manager
Bill Baker, WDFW District Fish Biologist
Dana Base, WDFW District Wildlife Biologist"
I also got a public notice from the DOE that the CLA is starting their permit process for the work. If you would like my whole email string with Bill send me a message with your email and I will forward it. I got to talking to him about not only the weed removal, but the invasive Perch as well.
Posted by Tom Melowitz on September 7, 2019 at 2:45pm
Posted by Eric Urstad on April 3, 2019 at 7:38pm
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