The Greater Jefferson German Lakes Association

Published on behalf of Bob Sutter. Please reply to him at <jeepster21@mchsi.com>. Thank you.

June 24, 2009

Robert Sutter
24641 Irish Lane
(East Jefferson Lake)
Cleveland, MN 56017


Studies, consultants, fly-overs, lectures from the CRWP, that have all cost the Jefferson-
German Lake Association fund dollars, have not gotten rid of the weed problem in our lakes. The milfoil problem continues to grow, but even that pales in comparison to this year’s (spring ’09) curly-leaf infestation. Which has to be as bad as it’s ever been in the past. Then on 6/21 the curly-leaf finally drops down off East Jefferson and on the next day the accompanying decay of the curly-leaf leaves a blue-green-brown scummy, foul smelling residue along the north shoreline that is the most uninviting mess I have ever seen or smelled. This should not be a consequence of lake living. This can and should be prevented.

I am not an expert on water quality but in my opinion this unsightly mess is the result of the water warming up and the tea-bag like piles of weed decomposing under the water along with the algae blooming. I would hope other residents and users of Big Jeff should be appalled and up in arms, willing to do what it takes immediately to fix this problem

As the Board of Directors of the Jefferson-German Lakes Association please do something soon. This cannot wait for a 2 or 3 year study. Our friends on Lake Washington have chemically treated the weeds for years and they don’t have the weed problem we do. Could the answer be they stand together and have aggressively dealt with these invasive weeds? Yes, Lake Washington recently got a sewer pipe, but a sewer pipe does not eliminate weeds. Chemicals and hard work do that. Your association membership pay dues and let’s put that money to address the number one problem in Big Jeff – weeds (curly-leaf and milfoil). If there is a phosphorous run off polluting the lake and stimulating weed growth, then identify the source(s) and stop it. To me these invasive weed species are like dandy lions, if you don’t do something every year they take over.

We need to do something now. The DNR needs to provide some help and guidance as well. But thinking, “it’s somebody else’s problem” or “wait till next year, maybe it will get better”, won’t help. We have the ability, the means, and it’s certainly a necessity. So please, before it gets worse let’s do everything possible to protect and restore out beautiful and precious resource.

I look forward to a response. Thank you for your time and consideration.



Sincerely,
Bob Sutter
Concerned Lake Resident

C.C. Board of Directors