In this issue:

Text Box: Text Box: 	The process for establishing the Special Assessment Districts (SAD) that would fund the Lake Preservation Program for Lake Templene  continues. The dredging project portion of  the Lake Preservation Program will begin when sufficient funds are raised through the property tax billing authorized by establishment of the SAD.  This process is dependent upon Nottawa and Sherman Townships approving signed petitions from the involved property owners totaling 51% of property owners agreeing to the establishment of the SAD. The Board along with volunteers worked hard for many months to obtain the necessary petition signatures which were submitted to both townships.   
	The petition submissions have had good results and less than desirable results.  Nottawa Township has accepted the petitions and moved the Text Box: LTPOA Board President Jack Rote’s Message:  Dredging Update
Text Box: Aquatic Plant Management - Summary for 2011
Text Box: 	The good news is that we have been able to keep the whole lake open and navigable throughout the summer.  Each year is a battle. Each battle is a little different as from year to year the mix of aquatic nuisance plants changes. This year we have treated the lake 6 times at 3 week intervals. Previous years we have typically had 4 treatments. With a new treatment schedule the Board adjusted its budget for 2011 to reflect the added focus on Starry Stonewort. We reviewed our 2010 cost of $96,000 for aquatic plant management and budgeted $114,000 for the 2011 season. Actual costs for the 2011 season ran $122,000.
	With the appearance of Starry Stonewort in 2010, we have had to adjust our strategies. Starry Stonewort, extremely aggressive and fast spreading algae, has required more frequent treatments than previous years.  Stonewort has behaved as we were cautioned it would. It has covered large areas of the lake bottom, spread rapidly and displaced other nuisance plants. Aquatic Services Inc. promised to control Starry Stonewort and has done so. However, all sources have told us that at this time there is no treatment or product that will eliminate it. We continue to be vigilant for new products and strategies.
Another newcomer, naiad, has appeared this year.  Though not a difficult plant to control, naiad cuttings have mixed with other floaters as a binder creating floating masses that are more difficult to boat through and that form accumulations on waterfronts.  As an annual plant, it is difficult to predict naiad’s Text Box: appearance and proliferation for next year.   
	The floaters, created largely by boat prop-cuttings, become a second aquatic plant issue for property owners. A Weed Floater Committee composed of property owners and board members has met several times relative to this concern. More information is available in an additional article.  
	The Board continues to work throughout the year to address the aquatic plant problems on Lake Templene. The Board will meet through the fall and winter with Progressive AE, Aquatic Services Inc., property owners and other appropriate sources to search, research and plan for the 2012 season. Our first 2012 planning session was held on September 28, 2011. No definitive strategy was defined; however, several ideas were discussed. We will meet again through the off season.
                    Article and Photo By Dennis Nemeth

Fall 2011

Lake Templene News

www.laketemplene.org

process into the approval stage.  Sherman Township has rejected our petitions basically because the officials thought the language was not specific enough, even though both townships approved the language before the signature process started.

                 A new petition for Sherman Township was drafted which contains the additional specificity that  the township required. The petition was reviewed by the LTPOA attorney and submitted again for approval by Sherman Township. They recently approved the petition format and the re-signing process has started. Hopefully, the signing will be completed within a few weeks with the cooperation of the homeowners residing in the Sherman Township portion of Lake Templene. Please sign the new petitions when contacted.                     By Jack Rote

                                         2011

President’s Message

Dredging Update

 

Aquatic Plant

Management 2011

 

1

 

 

1

Announcements:

Event Dates

 

Lawn Care

Management

2

 

 

2

Lawn Care

Management

 

Directory Final

Update Request

 

Website Tips

3

 

 

3

 

 

3

 

Nottawa Bridge

Launch Site

 

Floating Weeds

Committee Report

 

4

 

 

4

 

 

LTPOA Picnic

 

Lake Appreciation

 

Lake Drawdown

5

 

5

 

5

Shore Captains

 

Cows on Parade?

 

 

6

 

6

LTPOA Board

 

Yard Waste Site

7

 

7

Newsletter Editor:

Dolly Padgurskis

 

Newsletter Staff:

Susan Leist

Sandy Rote

Leslie Van Gelder

 

Photo by Howard Overbeek