Borough of Mountain Lakes

Lakes Management Advisory Committee Issues December 2003

The Committee discussed the Mountain Lakes Web site and the Lakes Management section.

— Purpose of site: Aimed at Mountain Lakes residents. What do they want, what do they need?

— Committee discussed functions that could be handled through the site. Listing beach closings for example.

— Also discussed databases that could be put up on the site.

The Borough Manager and the Committee discussed the Lakes Cleaning project in 2003. The Manager presented a spreadsheet showing all years of the current cycle of cleaning.

Allied Biological, Mountain Lakes’ lakes service provider, discussed the highlights of the year-end report:

— The cold Winter and rainy Spring delayed growth of algae and initial treatment.

— But a heavier nutrient load due to runoff, and less ability to use alum due to rain, equaled more algae during the year.

— There were fewer fecal coliform closings in 2003 vs. 2002

— Eurasian Milfoil is back in Mountain Lake.

— Coordinating alum treatments to affect nutrients in the entire lake system offers a chance for better control.

— There will be a need for more active treatment in 2004 with some invasive species reappearing.

The Committee discussed the Lakes Management budget and bids after Allied Biological left the meeting.

— Discussion of costs in context of overall budget direction by Council.

— Recommendation by Committee that Council accept Allied Biological’s bid.

There was discussion of potential goals for 2004:

Education

— Focus on the Web site.

— Add the year-end report to the site.

— Education on goose control, riparian buffers, nutrient sinks

— Education on invasive species.

Planning

— Assess completed 5-year plan.

— Create new 5-year plan.

— Create quality assessment process.

Encourage membership.

Create database of lakeside residents.

Continue to oversee the lake treatment program.