Lac Lavon Neighborhood Organization

Friends, Neighbors, Lac Lavonians, a great idea comes forth!¹

The weeds in Lac Lavon are harassing us.  No More.  Here’s a simple plan to cut and remove the weeds in the passageway between the northern bay (adjacent to the public floating dock) and the main bay.

ADVANTAGES:

1. FREE!  Just a little sweat equity between 0800 and 1200 September 4, 2010 (Saturday, rain or shine
2. No government intervention.
3. Asian Milfoil removal from the lake.  (An excellent source of mulch and compost)²
4. Excess milfoil harvested as organic³ and sold or given to gardeners desiring phosphorous rich mulch.
5. No dying plants falling to the bottom of the lake each winter and adding to the phosphorous layer.
6. Reduced risk of algae bloom.
7. Community Esprit de Corps (Spirit).  Meet your neighbors, new and old.  Check out their boats.
8. Improved pontoon boat cruising, canoeing, kayaking, rowing, swimming, sailing, floating, and of course paddle boating.

DISADVANTAGES:

1. (fill in the blank and send to Mayor Mary Hamann-Rolan  info@ci.apple-valley.mn.us)  cc :Peter Mecklenburg pmeckymobile@gmail.com
2. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

THE PLAN⁴:

1. Outfit the barge Nerfiti ⁵ with piano wire⁶ attached to two metal poles 12 feet apart.  The Nerfiti is then towed by two or more powered pontoon boats through the weeds.⁷ 
2. The piano wire will cut the weeds which will float to the surface.  The weeds will then be tossed onto the Nerfiti by the volunteers and offloaded at the Mecklenburgs, Smith-Bochek point or to any other party desiring the weeds for mulch.  Any residual drifting weeds will have to be raked and disposed by the lake residents on their beaches.
3. The wire will be cleaned periodically from weeds.  It will also be adjusted for depth.

WHEN:            Saturday morning, September 4^th, 2010, 0800-1200 hours

WHERE:          Meet at the congested weed area by boat.

NEEDED:

1. Volunteers:  the more people, the quicker the weeds get cut and hauled.
2. Powered Pontoon boats: At least two but the more the better.
3. A cooler of beer, wine, and water will be provided.
4. Goodwill.
5. Bring pitchforks, shovels, gloves, etc.
6. Email Peter for questions, attendance, etc.

^Notes:

^{1As recently proposed by Rob Kesselring (rob@robkesselring.com)}

^{2 One neighbor (Rob again) recently raked his beach and reported that the asian milfoil he placed around his pine trees caused the pine trees to “really take off.”}

^{3 Thought to be organic (no herbicides or pesticides added) but not verified in any scientific way.}

^{4 Modified from a tried and true method used annually at Lake Alimagnet for the past ten years.  (Source: Jim Kushkan, resident on Lake Alimagnet.)}

^{5 Commonly known as the floating cocktail dock at Peter Mecklenburg and Kris Wright’s house.  You know, where the fish seeking golden retriever hangs out.}

^{6 Generously donated by Peter Mecklenburg. The two poles are already in place and are adjustable for different depths.}

^{7 Peter Mecklenburg towed the swimming dock from the Kesselrings to the Turners with nothing more than a 12 foot rowboat and two oars.  Two or more pontoon boats will make short work of the weeds.}