VELA Weed Committee

This is an ad hoc committee to advise Oscoda Township on matters involving invasive plants and nuisance weed control in VanEtten Lake.  Volunteer committee members must be members of the VanEtten Lake Association.  Anyone interested in serving on the Weed Committees should contact the VELA Weed Committee Chair.

Purpose, Objectives & Duties of the Committee

The general purpose of the Committee is to assist and advise the Oscoda Township Board on the eradication and control of aquatic weeds and plants in VanEtten Lake, as funded by a special assessment district.

The Committee’s responsibilities and duties shall be:

• Recommend a selection process and advise on the final selection of a Lake Manager; and review of the contract to provide services.

• Recommend as selection process and advise on the final selection of an invasive species control applicator; and review of the contract to provide services.

• Review of the annual Lake Management Plan with the goals of:

  1. Locate and aggressively treat any Eurasian Milfoil

  2. Locate and treat any other invasive species, such as Curly-Leaf Pondweed

  3. Promote native plant growth, while keeping it below nuisance levels

  4. Keep cyanobacteria blooms under control

• Recommend an annual treatment regimen based on the Lake Management Plan goals and the funds available in the special assessment district.

• Assist the Township Board in oversight of the work and evaluation of the performance of the Lake Manager and Applicator.

• Review of other reports, studies, and sampling of VanEtten Lake.

• Monitor VanEtten Lake and identify areas of concern regarding invasive species.

• Research, recommend, and evaluate new and existing invasive species control practices.

VELA Members can report weed/algae concerns by emailing velaweedcommittee@gmail.com. (This is the only way these types of concerns should be communicated by our members.)  The Weed Committee will communicate the concern to our lake management company and the concern will be looked at during the next lake survey.   Also, a member of the Weed Committee will be "on the boat" during lake surveys.    

Remember that there are regulations on how weeds and treatment for algae can be done.   For more information on aquatic plant management see: https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/water-resources/aquatic-nuisance-control/aquatic-plant-management.   Also, you will find a PDF from EGLE with great information on "what", "why", and "how" concerning aquatic plants on this webpage.