Aquatic Plant Management Committee Plans Public Meetings

June 28, 2006
Sue Jones 224-3764
Land & Water Resources

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 28, 2006 Contact: Sue Jones, 224-3764 Dane County Aquatic Plant Management Committee Announces July 6 and July 18 Public Information and Input Meetings Meetings to be held in Town of Dunn and City of Middleton The Dane County Aquatic Plant Management Committee has scheduled two public information and input sessions regarding development of aquatic plant management plans for several waterbodies in Dane County. The meetings will be held on Thursday July 6 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Town of Dunn Hall (4156 County Road B), and Tuesday July 18 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the City of Middleton Library (7425 Hubbard Avenue). Each of the two meetings will provide an overview of the ecological value of aquatic plants, describe the field and other work underway for plan development, provide background information on options for management of nuisance aquatic plants, and invite public questions and comments. Aquatic plant management plans provide an inventory of existing plants in a lake or stream, and describe how the vegetation, especially native plants, will be protected for their role as the foundation of healthy lake ecosystems, while controlling nuisance non-native species and providing access for recreational use of the waters. These plans are required by the DNR in order for Dane County’s permits to mechanically harvest aquatic vegetation to be reissued. Dane County and its consultant, Underwater Habitat Investigations, are currently preparing aquatic plant management plans for Lake Mendota, Lake Kegonsa, Lake Wingra, Indian Lake, Fish and Crystal Lakes, and Lower Mud Lake. DNR has already approved aquatic plant management plans for Lakes Monona and Waubesa. For the meeting at the Middleton Library on July 18, attendees should avoid parking in the west lot (just adjacent to the library), as this area is used primarily by library patrons. There is plenty of parking in other lots and on the streets. The Office of Lakes and Watersheds web site has additional information on the Committee’s work: www.danewaters.com/management/AquaticPlantManagement.aspx # # #