Just one month ago, the Long Lake Area Association (Hubbard County) Inc provided all Long Lake shoreland property owners a letter highlighting LLAA’s mission which includes education and communication. We also explained in that letter and at the LLAA annual meeting that a professional aquatic vegetation survey is planned for the entire lake every 5 years with 2023 being our next planned survey year.
On Sunday morning, 8/13/23, during the aquatic vegetation survey, the team from vendor Aquatic Survey Professionals detected an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) called Starry Stonewort (SSW) in about a 5 foot diameter bright green patch underwater at a depth of about 10 feet. The SSW was confirmed by a DNR Invasive Species Specialist on 8/14/23.
Actions Underway:
- The LLAA Ready Response to AIS team is currently working with the DNR Invasive Species Specialist and potential AIS management vendors for treatment and control to prevent further spread.
- We will also reach out to the UMN Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) to determine if current and past projects information or a pilot could be helpful.
Check often for updates on this website (www.longlakeliving.org) and the Long Lake Living Facebook page.
To learn more about Starry Stonewort, visit https://maisrc.umn.edu/starry-stonewort
If you have questions, please email Sharon Natzel, our LLAA AIS Prevention Coordinator at longlakeliving@gmail.com
Learn More Here:
- DNR News Release:
- Starry Stonewort Information from University of MN:
5 Things You Can Do:
- Donate what you can to the LLAA Foundation. http://llaafoundation.blogspot.com/p/llaa-foundation-donate-electronically.html
- Decontaminate your watercraft and other aquatic equipment every time you move to another lake. (call 218 616 1631 to make your free appointment)
- Educate yourself on how to identify aquatic plants and animals. (see AIS Identification tab above this post: https://www.longlakeliving.org/p/ais-identification.html)
- Volunteer for the shoreline monitoring teams watching for AIS.
- Be alert and contact longlakeliving@gmail.com if you suspect an AIS.