2017

water quality - recreation - safety - habitat

Mission StatementThe purpose of the Lake

Management District is to evaluate, direct and implement aquatic programs that improve water quality, recreation, safety and wildlife habitat on Long Lake.

IN THIS ISSUE

SUMMER

A Letter from Doug

Community Meeting Review

Weed Management Plan

Algae Control

Joining the Steering Committee

Communications Focus

Nutrient Runoff

Greetings from your Long Lake Management District Steering Committee!By Doug Karman, President

2017 is presenting new opportunities and new challenges. In May, divers looked for a noxious weed, Brazilian Elodea, in the south end of the lake. The good news is that after three years of work, no Elodea plants were found. A grant from the Department of Ecology in 2015 when County divers first discovered the plants is still paying for this important work. However, another invasive species, Curly Leaf Pondweed, continues to spread throughout the lake, and we are all hoping that last year’s major outbreak of water nymph does not repeat itself. Please see the weed article on page 4.

A New Prescription

Between September 2015 and February 2017, we worked extensively with County staff to write a new Prescription for nuisance aquatic plants in Long Lake. It is based on depth profiles and plant densities in all control areas of the lake, and includes specific recommendations for use of herbicides. After careful review, the Pest and Vegetation advisory committee recommended that the

County Commissioners adopt it as policy.

The new prescription will improve our management options by describing lake conditions in a uniform manner, different methods of controlling plants, herbicides, and changes treatment acres to those permitted by the State Dept. of Ecology. This means that out of 330 acres, we could potentially treat up to 90 acres in the weed growing zone annually. Should another major problem like last year’s outbreak of Nyads arise, we could respond to the situation fully. We could not afford to do this every year, nor would we want to: plants are essential to our enjoyment of the lake and its health.

In addition to the acreage changes, approval was given to use a contact herbicide. Contact herbicides work rapidly, affecting only the leaves and stems that they actually touch. They need to be applied when plant growth is well underway. This can be useful for both annual and perennial plants. Nyads, the weeds we had big problems with last year, are annuals. They were

Long Lake News

Continued on page 2

Doug...

Afflerbaugh Island Brian Bouton 789-1191 Ken Moller, Vice Pres 456-4144

Holmes Island John Woodford 491-2253 Andy Anderson, Recorder 485-3110

Lake Forest Michelle & Keith Underwood 754-2163 *vacant position

Lakeridge/Panorama Point Jim Dunn 459-3260 *vacant position

Long Lake Drive North *vacant position*vacant position

Long Lake Drive South/Arbors *vacant position *vacant position

Mayes Road Ken Kanikeberg, Vice Pres. 951-1336 Eric Moore 425-372-6930

Timberlake Jerry Bennett 491-2981 *vacant position

Reflection Point/20th Ave. Rod Egolf 456-2291 Greg Tippetts 493-0707

Shorewood Villa/Carpenter Road*vacant position*vacant position

Walthew Drive/Kyro Road Doug Karman, Pres. 491-5152Susan Draper 539-1820

County Staff Janie Civille 786-5830 civillj@co.thurston.wa.us

*Italics: Vacant Positions

LMD Steering CommitteeWe meet the fourth Tuesday of each month from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Ave. S.E.

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C o n t i n u e d from page 1

treated back in 2007, and didn’t reappear until 2015-2016. Nyads grow rapidly and break off into large mats that carry flowers and thousands of seeds with them to other parts of the lake. Breaking this seed cycle, while removing rooted plants and mats will let us make headway on controlling this weed.

We usually treat perennials with a systemic herbicide, but Curly Leaf Pondweed produces hundreds of tiny shoots that break off and sprout, acting like seeds. Treating this plant before the shoots develop would help reduce its presence in the lake. Monthly tours of the lake will inspect treatment areas, mapping species, densities, and how close they are to the surface. These areas are prioritized so control options can be discussed and decisions on herbicide treatments and harvesting can be made. Not all areas can be addressed due to budget limitations.

High Water

High water levels in Long Lake have continued during the winter, spring, and now summer months. A beaver dam was discovered in the outlet of the lake which the City of Lacey breached, while trapping and removing one beaver. This helped, water is still high and we have new reports of beaver activity. Water has covered many docks, encroached on lawns, and threatens some homes that are close to the lake or built on low ground. While there is still debris that could be removed from the outlet, please remember that the water table is very high and directly affects the levels in Long Lake. The water in the well at the Lacey Park is 4 ft higher than normal. With these

high water levels in the winter and spring, the wakes from the new "Wakeboard Boats" with bladders can cause significant damage to docks and bulkheads. Some of these waves are 3 feet high when they hit the docks. Also, now that Long Lake is a year round fishing lake we have boats on the lake during the high water times of the year. We ask all our members to be aware of the damage their wakes can cause. Be observant. Until the water is below the docks on piers please observe a “No-Wake” restriction when boating within 300 feet of the shore.

I hope you will let your neighborhood representative know how much you appreciate their work on your Long Lake Management District Steering Committee. They are all interested in and work hard to manage and make a better Long Lake for today and the future. I appreciate each and every one of them.

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Long Lake Management District Community MeetingBy Doug Karman, President

1. A lot of large snails have ap-peared on our shoreline. These snails have come and gone over the years, they aren’t an indica-tion of a change in lake quality. However, if you step on them they can cut your feet. When my grandchildren are here we do a shore patrol and remove the snails. We also wear beach shoes when in the lake.

2. When we use herbicides, how do they work? Are they harmful to humans? The products we use are designed to target and dis-rupt specific enzymes in plants. Animals, including humans, simply don’t have those same enzymes. Please read more about herbicides in the Weed article on Page 4.

3. What happened in 2016? Was there a difference in our plan and what actually happened? In 2016 we expected Nyads would be a problem, so we planned on using a contact herbicide for its rapid effect, rather than a slow-acting systemic herbicide. Al-though contact herbicides were covered in our prescription, additional review and approval was required. This would have caused unacceptable delays, so the harvest contract was greatly increased. Nearly $90,000 was spent to remove 260,000 lbs of weeds in two sessions during the summer. Even with that quantity of harvesting many members still had unacceptable weed issues

The Long Lake Management District Community meeting was held on January 24th with about 45 members in at-tendance. If you missed the meeting you can find a copy of the PowerPoint presentation at www.whatsuplonglake.com or on the Long Lake page of the Dept of Public Works web site. See the Communications article for more spe-cifics. This was a good meeting with many excellent questions. We were honored to have County Commissioner Gary Edwards at the meeting. He had many good comments and questions for us.Here are answers to some of the questions we received:

in front of their property. You are, of course, free to hire our contractor after the LMD’s work is finished to harvest those areas around your dock.

4. Why did homeowners have to clean up plants and debris left by the harvester? We know this is aggravating, but we simply can’t afford to pay the harvester to clean up all material that breaks free. Last year Nyads covered the bottom of the lake and reached the surface, even in areas up to 14 feet deep. They normally break loose from the bottom and float throughout the lake. The harvester also breaks up the plants. They try to collect it all, but if all loose material was chased down and collected, far fewer acres would have been har-vested and even fewer properties would have received services. Remember, over 260,000 lbs were removed from the lake last year.

5. Why do we wait until late June to harvest weeds? Harvesting starts in late June for a couple of reasons. Getting the harvester out on the lake is expensive, and since we pay by the acre we wait until plants grow enough to make it financially viable. While you might think the weeds are terrible in front of your property in May and early June, the whole lake needs to be considered. Sec-ond, we want to cut just before the 4th of July. That’s when lake usage really kicks up and you

all have friends and relatives over for time on the water. This schedule makes the holiday more enjoyable for everyone.

6. We had algae in the lake from early August through Septem-ber. What can we do about it? We don’t know why we had the algae issue this year, but our unusually warm winter tempera-tures, a hot spring and summer, fertilizers, and leaking septic systems can all trigger its growth. Please read the Planning for an Alum Treatment article on Page 5 for more information.

7. Can the LLMD help make the North Basin fireworks barge bigger? This is outside the scope of the LLMD. We can-not use District funds to do this. However, we encourage neigh-bors to pool resources to put on North and South basin shows. With the dollars spent by every-one around the lake, the shows would rival the City of Lacey’s!

a. The contact for the North basin for donations is: Mike Wolf, 360-701-8439 or send donations to Diane Stanger, 7409 20th Ave SE, Lacey WA 98503

b. We do not have a coordinator for the South basin. If you would like to coordinate this please let us know and our board members on the south basin will do what we can to assist you.

Weed Management Plan 2017www.WhatsUpLongLake.comBy Susan Draper, Weed Committee Chair

Homeowners who enjoy access for recreation or waterfront on Long Lake should be aware that in 2017, our weed management plan will include continued targeting of Noxious Brazilian Elodea, Fragrant Waterlily, and Curly Pondweed and various nuisance weeds includ-ing native Waterweed, Nyads (to maintain continuity with Doug’s ar-ticles), and other Pondweed species. These weeds all have a propensity to reach density levels that reduce our ability to enjoy the recreational use of our lake and further degrade wildlife habitat. It is the goal of the Weed Subcommittee to work in an advisory capacity with Thurston County to continue to define an ac-tion plan that curbs the invasion of any plant species.

It is not the goal of the LMD or Weed Subcommittee to create a lake that is as pristine as a swim-ming pool. It is our focus to create a habitat that works for wildlife and homeowners alike.

Thurston County Public Works has already issued and contracted for service providers to carry out the Long LMD’s vegetation manage-ment projects outlined in the 2017 Work Plan. We have received deliv-ery of the treatment notice which was sent out on April 6th. The projects outlined for 2017 are sup-ported by Thurston County, are vital to the long term health of Long Lake, and have been considered in detail by the sub-groups of the Long Lake Management District Weed Steering Committee.

The County is required to follow strict guideline for solicitation of potential contractors, contractor se-lection and contractor development including legal review, and con-tractor oversight. This is the sole responsibility of Thurston County Public Works, who enters the agree-ments, and bears the responsibility for liability.

The 2017 plan involves the use of herbicide treatment and mechanical harvesting. The notices delivered outline the list of possible herbi-cides that will be used in 2017. If your home is within 400 ft proxim-ity to a treatment area you will see a posting on your lakeside. Those signs will describe any water use restrictions or advisories.We are very careful in how and where we use herbicides. Those we use target enzymes found in plants. Some stop plant growth, others degrade pigments that shield green chlorophyll from too much sun, like tiny umbrellas or sunscreen. Chlo-rophyll is scorched easily, stopping the plant’s ability to make food for itself. Systemic herbicides are taken up into the plant, and slowly kill the plants down and their roots. Contact herbicides work rapidly, killing leaves or stems they touch, and can interrupt seed production and remove plant mass quickly. Washington State has some of the most stringent criteria for aquatic herbicides in the Country, and Thurston County’s are even more protective. All the products we use have passed the County Environ-mental Health’s Risk Assessment,

which takes into account human, wildlife, fish, insect, and water quality impacts.

The Weed Subcommittee volunteers are ready to begin monthly moni-toring of weed density and advising on the target areas for treatment. Clear calm mornings are best and member participation can be at a premium due to work schedules.We encourage you to help us to identify target areas by posting comments on facebook at www.whatsuplonglake.com, by reporting sightings of weeds to your neigh-borhood representative or by call-ing me directly, 360-402-2343.

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Blue-green algae (blue-greens) belong in healthy lakes, but when they bloom, they are difficult to control or manage. Blooms occur when blue-greens exponentially increase in number, coloring the water lime green, then creating odors and scum as they begin to die off. They may also begin producing toxins with little warning. We know that warm winter temperatures, summer heat, long days, and high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen encourage blooms, but despite on-going world-wide research we still can’t predict when blooms will happen or if they are toxic without testing. Stormwater runoff, improper use of lawn fertilizers, and failure to maintain septic systems add even more nutrients to the water and further stimulate blue-green

The Management District is divided into 11 neighborhoods, with two representatives each for a total of 22 members on the Committee. Following this meeting, two volunteers offered to serve. We’ve recently had members move away, leaving more positions open, so please consider joining us. Contact Doug Karman (doug.karman@comcast.net) or Janie Civille (civillj@co.thurston.wa.us) for questions or to volunteer.

a. Lake Forest: 1 vacancy

b. Lakeridge & Panorama Point: 1 vacancy

c. Long Lake Drive: 2 vacancies

d. Long Lake Drive So & Arbors: 2 vacancies

e. Shorewood Villa & Carpenter Rd: 2 vacancies

Your representatives are listed on Page 2 of the newsletter.

growth. Long Lake has naturally high levels of phosphorus, favoring the blue-greens over other algae and plants. In 2008, the lake was treated with alum (aluminum sulfate) which stripped phosphorus from the water, then settled to the lake’s bottom as an inert mineral. Blue-green densities and blooms were reduced, water clarity improved. As we responded to the Member Meeting questions about blue-green algae, it became clear that we needed to begin planning for any future alum applications. These are costly and money needs to be set aside annually to help pay for the work. One basin cost $300,000 in 2008 and a $225,000 grant from the State paid for much of the project. We expect alum for both basins will be at least $600,000, not including

inflation. Grant money continues to dry up, and state dollars may not be available when we need it. The water quality testing program for the lake may also need to be expanded. Currently, Thurston County’s Stormwater Utility pays for monthly testing at the centers of the south and north basins. Total phosphorus and nitrogen are measured at each site, but only some of the phosphorus can be used by plants. Additional tests can tell us just how much of this phosphorus there is. It will be important to learn more about what is going on chemically in the lake to plan future water quality improvements.Help on proper lawn care and maintaining septic systems can be found on page 7 of this newsletter.

Blue-Green Algae ControlBy Doug Karman, President

How Can I Get on the Steering Committee?

Communicate with us and get involved in current County planning efforts that affect your property.

1. Your neighborhood represen-tatives.These are your first contacts for questions, concerns, and input. Their names and contact informa-tion are listed in this newsletter. Write them down or add them to your contacts list.

2. facebook.com/whatsu-plonglakeWe’ll be using our Facebook page to post evolving issues and con-cerns, and minutes from the Steer-ing Committee meetings. The

PowerPoint presentation from January’s Community Meeting is also posted here. Please like our page and join the conversations with other LMD members and the steering committee.

3. www.co.thurston.wa.us/tc-weeds/lakes/lakes-long_nw.htmlThis is the County’s website for the Long Lake Management District. You can find January’s Community Meeting presenta-tion, along with recent newslet-ters, and a Resolution & Ordi-nance for LMD No. 22.

4. www.trpc.org/regionalplanning/publications/pages/shorelinemas-terprogramthurstonregion.aspx

The Shoreline Master Program (SMP) was scheduled for updat-ing in 2014. You can get informa-tion and the current draft docu-ment at this web site. The SMP currently impacts all property within 200 ft of the shoreline.

5. www.thurstonplanning.orgWeb site for the Thurston County Planning Commission.

6. deffoba@thurston.wa.usSend an email to this address to be placed on the Planning Com-mission’s meeting notification list.

Communication: A Focus in 2017By Doug Karman, President

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Communicate with us and get involved in current County planning efforts that affect your property.

1. Your neighborhood represen-tatives.These are your first contacts forquestions, concerns, and input.Their names and contact informa-tion are listed in this newsletter.Write them down or add them toyour contacts list.

2. facebook.com/whatsu-plonglakeWe’ll be using our Facebook pageto post evolving issues and con-cerns, and minutes from the Steer-ing Committee meetings. The

PowerPoint presentation from January’s Community Meeting is also posted here. Please like our page and join the conversations with other LMD members and the steering committee.

3. www.co.thurston.wa.us/tc-weeds/lakes/lakes-long_nw.htmlThis is the County’s website forthe Long Lake ManagementDistrict. You can find January’sCommunity Meeting presenta-tion, along with recent newslet-ters, and a Resolution & Ordi-nance for LMD No. 22.

4. www.trpc.org/regionalplanning/publications/pages/shorelinemas-terprogramthurstonregion.aspx

The Shoreline Master Program (SMP) was scheduled for updat-ing in 2014. You can get informa-tion and the current draft docu-ment at this web site. The SMP currently impacts all property within 200 ft of the shoreline.

5. www.thurstonplanning.orgWeb site for the Thurston CountyPlanning Commission.

6. deffoba@thurston.wa.usSend an email to this address tobe placed on the Planning Com-mission’s meeting notification list.

Communication: A Focus in 2017By Doug Karman, President

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By now, most of us living in Wash-ington State know that stormwater runoff and high nutrient levels in our lakes cause water quality problems like dense plant and algae growth, lower oxygen levels in the water, unpleasant odors, and water unfit to swim in due to gasoline spills and pollutants from our streets and driveways. High nutri-ent levels, especially phosphorus, trigger high densities of blue-green algae (blooms), which may produce toxic compounds. All of these prob-lems degrade fish, bird, and wildlife habitat, impede and prevent recre-ational uses of lakes, and generally create conditions that are anything but enjoyable to be around.

What can you do about this? Con-sider these easy ways to reduce the stormwater runoff, nutrients, and other pollutants from your yards and driveways from reaching Long Lake.

• Use a mulching lawnmower: those grass clippings are free fer-tilizers and improve your soil

• Don’t blow grass clippings or debris from your yard and drive-ways into the lake

• Use slow-release, phosphate-free fertilizer on your lawn, if needed

• Take a look at your landscaping. Consider adding raingardens or add a buffer between your grass and the shoreline. The diagram below is from 12,000 Rain Gar-dens, a cooperative effort to build ... you guessed it ... 12,000 gardens around Puget Sound.

Timberlake is the only neighbor-hood with sewer connections, all other parcels in the Long LMD use septic systems. All efforts to

keep those systems running at peak efficiency can really help your lake.

• Maintain and pump your septic system: overloaded tanks and drainfields add nutrients to the lake.

• Put food scraps in a compost or worm bin, your septic systems isn’t a garbage disposal.

• Every Dog, Every Doo, Every Time!! Pick it up, bag it up, and put it in your garbage, not in com-post or into your septic system. Dog waste has high ash content, and can rapidly clog your drain-field.

Keeping Nutrients and Runoffin Your Yard and Out of Your Lake!

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By now, most of us living in Wash-ington State know that stormwater runoff and high nutrient levels in our lakes cause water quality problems like dense plant and algae growth, lower oxygen levels in the water, unpleasant odors, and water unfit to swim in due to gasoline spills and pollutants from our streets and driveways. High nutri-ent levels, especially phosphorus, trigger high densities of blue-green algae (blooms), which may produce toxic compounds. All of these prob-lems degrade fish, bird, and wildlife habitat, impede and prevent recre-ational uses of lakes, and generally create conditions that are anything but enjoyable to be around.

What can you do about this? Con-sider these easy ways to reduce the stormwater runoff, nutrients, and other pollutants from your yards and driveways from reaching Long Lake.

• Use a mulching lawnmower:those grass clippings are free fer-tilizers and improve your soil

• Don’t blow grass clippings ordebris from your yard and drive-ways into the lake

• Use slow-release, phosphate-freefertilizer on your lawn, if needed

• Take a look at your landscaping. Consider adding raingardens or add a buffer between your grass and the shoreline. The diagram below is from 12,000 Rain Gardens a cooperative effort to build ... you guessed it: ... 12,000 gardens around Puget Sound.

Timberlake is the only neighbor-hood with sewer connections, all other parcels in the Long LMD use septic systems.

All efforts to keep those systems running at peak efficiency can really help your lake.

• Maintain and pump your septicsystem: overloaded tanks anddrainfields add nutrients to thelake.

• Put food scraps in a compost orworm bin, your septic systemsisn’t a garbage disposal.

• Every Dog, Every Doo, EveryTime!! Pick it up, bag it up, andput it in your garbage, not in com-post or into your septic system.Dog waste has high ash content,and can rapidly clog your drain-field.

Keeping Nutrients and Runoffin Your Yard and Out of Your Lake!

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Thurston County Public Works Department Noxious Weed & Lake Management 11834 Tilley Road SOlympia, WA 98512

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Long Lake News is published by the Thurston County Public Works Department on behalf

of the Long Lake Management District.

water quality - recreation - safety - habitat

Long Lake News PRESORTEDFIRST CLASSU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDOLYMPIA, WA

PERMIT NO. 167

This is Curly Pondweed, a noxious weed found in Long Lake. Its finger-sized leaves look like little bronze-colored lasagna noodles The plants get quite bushy, and tend to stay below the water's surface instead of "topping out."

PRESORTEDFIRST CLASSUS POSTAGE

PAIDOLYMPIA, WAPERMIT #107