The Mail-Journal, Volume 13, Number 21, Milford, Kosciusko County, 16 June 1976 — Page 10

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., June 16,1976

10

Study Fund to rid lake algae

By DAVID STOOPS President Os Lake Study Fund Thursday, June 10. area officials and representatives from various interest groups received a presentation of immediate area concern and interest. Local lake algae found uncontrollable. In the summer of 1973 a coarse algae was first noticed in the channel between the lakes, massing at the railroad bridge, by the Syracuse Lake Association. The first summer it appeared and left within such a short span of time, that the association was not able to take any action. In the summer of 1974. the algae appeared again in a much larger mass and began creating problems by clogging boat engine water-intakes. The Syracuse Lake Association then brought in professional applicators to treat the site . . . Without results In 1975. the algae appeared again, again much larger in size. The Syracuse Lake Association monitored the channel site throughout the growing season, and treated the site several times with up to 10 times the normal recommended rate of weed killer - again, without results. Alarmed with their lack of ability to control the strange algae, the Syracuse Lake Association approached the Wawasee Property Owners with the recommen dation that the Lake Study Fund Organization, originally founded in 1971 as a joint effort organization between the two. be re-organized and expanded to gain control of the algae La ma re Stoops drafted a proposal which would do this, it was then accepted by the two associations Expanded, the Lake Study Fund Organization became Composed of Bill Spurgeon, president of the Wawasee Association, two other representatives, Dick Ruddell and Gordon Medlock, plus representatives from the Syracuse Lake Association —- Gair Mohler, president, and Frank Putt and Dave Stoops The new Study Fund Committee then approached Purdue university, to analyze the problem Following an initial survey of Lakes Wawasee and Syracuse, the ‘■maverick'’ algae was found now growing throughout Wawasee channels as well as Syracuse Moreover — the algae was identified as Pithphora. an algae which is one of the least known types erf aquatic plants, and most disturbing is that it is one of the few plants known which modem herbicides

At Th* Milford Christian Church l! ELDON WILSON Minister THOUGHT OF THE WEEK Th* fhtot* t» o v*ry p*r»onol book It i* written for Mt All its warnings against *«n ar* addressed to Mt He ascended into heaven and sitt*th at the right hand of God for Mt Th* Bible offers Ml o personal salvation if | ever see th* inside of h*av*n its teachings and preachings must be accepted by M. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL CONTINUES June 17-18 Everyone Invited To Closing Program At 7:30 p.m. On Friday, June 18 — Busses running every Sunday in Milford o*wart Lak* Syracuse and Nappanee areas —- Bible school hour — 9 30 a m — Morning Worship Service — 10:30 a.m. — Primary beginner junior and high school and college oge worship services at 10:30 a.m. — Sunday evening s*enc*s at 7 p m — Family night Bibl* study Wednesday a* 7 p.m. MILFORD CHRISTIAN CHURCH Phone 658-9151 Or 658 4305

have little or no effect on. The problem as presented then is that it is a possible threat to the area, for if it keeps growing at its current rate, which apparently has been doubling each growing season, it may begin to close the channels and eventually even foul the lakes. A very similar type of plant, by the name of Wolffia, is also found in Lake Papakeechie and is causing similar problems there As a result the study fund expanded to include Papakeechie represented by David Keller and John Nemeth The thing that makes both plants hard to kill, is that both build a “shell” around themselves as well as the spore they grow from. This “shell’’ cannot be penetrated by current chemicals and to be killed, they must be killed at the moment they germinate. The Lake Study Fund, in concern for the total areas economy, requested that Purdue develop a plan of attack which would solve the problem of the lakes once and for all. The plan, as developed by Purdue university, under the guidance of Dr Carole Lembi, plant pathologist, and Dr Anne Spacie. Umnolgist ( lake sciences >, shows that our problem is not simple — it is complex. One. we need to try to learn more about these particular algae as they grow in our particular waters, and find out how to control them. Two, even more important, is to find out why they are growing as they are in the first place, and identify and find a control for this cause Stoops reported that the only thing we do know it is that they are growing because of the nutrients now in the water that they feed on. Phosphates and nitrogens from many sources, come into the water and load the lake systems in increasing amounts every year An unusual algae growth is generally an acceptable warning sign of a high and growing nutrient content in the water — and that consequently the increasing growth of other nuisance lake weeds is coming next The supply of nutrients — the sources, must then be found and brought under control The Lake Study Fund feels that the area must heed this warning sign This area is a lake economy. The current people, business and industry are here primarily due to the presence of the lakes Future people and business will come because of the lakes. They feel it is the responsibility of this township and all of its various interest groups to preserve its economy — its lakes The Lade Study Fund, speaking for the Lake Associations says that the Lake Associations cannot do it alone — it will take the support of all. As stated, the program recommended by Purdue, is not simple — it is complex The thing that makes it complex, is that to solve our problems requires that almost all living things in our lakes and that the chemistry of the water, and the surrounding area be studied in detail. The reason is that nature operates with a very complex “chain" —a chain in which each living thing — clink". in the chain has a distinct relationship to another thing or link in the chain. When one link in the chain is disturbed, the others suffer too The problem in the three lakes is simple — something (a nutrient source) is causing a link in the chain to grow exceptionally fast the algae) other links (other weeds) will be effected too. Normally this happens slowly — over years In our case though, the algae happens to be one that grows extremely fast and there is no known control for it — yet nothing is known about it 3 Year Plan The proposal is a three year plan designed to study’ and hopefully develop controls for the algae More importantly, it will study the entire Wawasee water shed of lakes Papakeechie. Syracuse and Wawasee identifying the various sources of nutrients .. Both man made and natural. It will find ways to control the amounts of nutrients coming into the water (note, septic systems are not the onlycause — there are many others. This area will also investigate subjects such as area development — even wet lands and marshes will be included because they help keep the water clean).

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All aquatic plants will be studied. The lake bottoms will be mapped, through the services of NASA with aerial photography, which will show actual plant locations and allow us to track their growth and change. This will help identify lake weed problems and help us find controls for them. While designed to study the lakes and control their current and future problems, the information gained from studying the particular area in-depth, will be directly helpful to the township overall in areas of: 1. Zoning and land use planning — 2. Economic development—--3 Local government — 4. Utilities planning — 5. Wet lands conservation — 6. Most important overall. . . The lakes and the land surrounding them are directlyrelated. It is only by finding out the true facts about the things that make up a water shed that we can know what we must do or not do in areas of land use planning - lake weed control - wet land development, etc. This study will then establish the facts and substantiate them so all decisions made by various officials in the area can be made for the real best interest of all. Two things in the study are of special interest. Besides the veryinvolved study associated with soil and water chemistry and plant life, NASA will be requested to photographly map the area with aerial photography. The program involves black and white and color photography, plus infra-red photography and a new type of photography that “sees" underwater. These latter two are of immense help in finding pollution sources — establishing the actual shore line — even in marsh areas where the human eye cannot see the water line . . . And in identifying the aquatic plants and the areas where they actually grow so they can be effectively controlled and their growth patterns monitored. This area of the study provides a tremendous aid. of course, to zoning and land use planning as well as lake management. In addition, the program is designed to feed all information to the Purdue computer system modeling a program found highly successful in Canada. The computer then tells us how to manage and use our lakes and surrounding area. In short, we have all wondered "what happens if'? Should we do this? Should we do that — if we do this — what is the effect on that? The program will then tell us so we know factually how to manage our land and water for the betterment of all. Costs of the program . The plan will cost approximately $19,000 the first year, which will primarily consist of gathering all the basic data on our water quality and control testing and monitoring the algae. The second and third years of the plan will be fess expensive respectively, with the second year maintaining the first year tests and beginning to experiment with the control of nutrients and plant growth. The third year will actually get into establishing lake and land management programs with the computer system. The high school’s outstanding ecology program plus the help of interested local people is also considered in the plan to hold expenses to a minimum. The Syracuse and Wawasee property owners association, through the Lake Study Fund, because of the urgency to control the algae, and faced with the further destruction of wet lands have started the program and agreed to initially fund the effort with $5,000. (Papakeechie was excluded financially this first year due to the heavy expense they incurred with their current weed control program). The lake associations feel though that the balance of first year funding — $14,000 —

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should really come from the others in the township, town, and county . . . Because it is a program that would benefit the entire township, all should contribute financially in support of the effort. Government funds would also be solicited. If support cannot be gained, the program will have to be stopped. Already, the Bishop Wawasee Boat Company has donated the use of a boat and motor to the Purdue survey people. Still yet to be found is adequate lodging for the several team members who will require lodging several days each week. Seek Donations As established, the Lake Study Fund may receive donations — donations that are taxdeductible. This provision was made so that support of the effort would be easier and personally beneficial to donors. Donations may be sent to the attention of the State Bank of Syracuse and to the attention of the “Lakes Study Fund." The Lake Study Fund Organization which currently includes representatives from Lakes Wawasee. Syracuse and Papakeechie hopes that other interested governing groups and civic organizations will join with them in support of this effort which by its very nature must be broad and will benefit the overall township, more than just the lakes. As has been stated, the problem is not so much the algae, which is apparently growing out of control, but is actually finding the reason why it’s growing in the first place — the source of nutrient, which is letting it grow wild. These nutrients come from not only water sources but land sources as well. The problem is one then which must be faced by both those concerned with the land and water. Is not local government concerned with both land and water interests? Is not the township zoning effort a concern to both interests? The real question is then, how do these land and water interests come together meaningfully? One area, not too far from Turkey Creek township, that has been able to bring the two interests together successfully is in Wisconsin, and is known as the Geneva Lake Water Shed Environmental Agency This group, a state recognized organization, who having been founded under a Wisconsin state statute, does indeed pull the various interest of land and water together efficiently for the betterment of their area. Stoops suggested to the group that some interested organization or government unit should investigate the Geneva group to see how the same result might be accomplished within Turkey Creek township. He offered further information to individuals who might be interested in finding out more about this organization. Later, discussion showed that Bill Beamer, zoning head and Jim Tranter, president of the town board, found real interest in the prospect. The Summary Os The Problem In summary form the problem is simply this. The sudden appearance and spreading outgrowth of an uncontrollable algae in our waters — an algae we know nothing about, except that it does pose a threat to our economy, has fostered the development of a plan, which, because of the broad nature of the problem, as it pertains to both land and water interest, is complex and expensive. It is though a plan which it is felt is beneficial to the area — the entire township. It is hoped that the various interest groups, communities and officials of the area will support such a plan, which by virtue of its broad nature necessary to solve the problem, will help solve a number of other area problems as well. Such a plan will offer

guidance to the leadership of the area, not only in the near future, but in the distant future. The plan though, by its nature, must have the support of both land and water interests if it is to succeed. The point is then, of the various interests in the community and the township and the county, do these interests really want to pull together in support of a program of benefit to the entire township — and if they are interested, can they work together to do it? Only time will tell! But the time it should begin to happen, is now. .. And only the time and sweat of a hand-full of interested people, working together, will be able to get the job done — not only for the good of the lakes but for the good of many other concerns throughout the area, on both the land and the water. Dr. Lembi and Purdue have received a federal three-year grant to study and hopefully find controls for both “pithphora" and “wolffia.” The study does cover the entire state and was granted this spring. It will benefit the state, not just a particular area. While the Lake Study Fund feels this will be helpful, it does not guarantee results, nor will it by itself, help in the township s overall need, nor will it help us now. The group feels that the federal study will help its program because the two would be working concurrently in similar directions. The township would then derive more benefits than if it were trying to operate by itself. Persons offering to help, or needing further information should contact Frank Putt. Dave Stoops or Bill Spurgeon. To enlarge Doug Pilcher Shoe Store Doug Pilcher, well known Syracuse shoe store owner, has purchased the 22 x 44 building adjacent on the north to his store at 106 South Huntington street, Syracuse, and is remodeling it as part of his retail facility. The building was purchased from Reed and Hearn, attorneys, who moved their offices to newly remodeled quarters at 122 West Main street. Syracuse.

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** ** Ifr I li 1 -- - - ~ wWwSßwil ILLINOIS RESIDENTS INJURED — Two men from Calumet City. 111., were taken to the Kosciusko Community hospital where they were treated and released following a car-train wreck last Saturday afternoon. The car in which they were riding was struck by a slow moving train at the intersection of old state road 15 and CR 1150 N, south of Milford. The car pulled onto the tracks in front of the train and was struck broadside. Clifford C. Braun, 19. told officers he did not see the approaching train. Braun received scalp and facial lacerations. A passenger. Dewane McKesson. 17. received facial lacerations. Charles E. Do wing was engineer of the Consolidated Rail Corp, train of Fort Wayne. Witnesses said the engineer was blowing the train whistle at the time of the accident Investigating officers were county police Lt. Richard Mikel, patrolman Gerry Moser and Milford marshal, Melvin Jordan. Jordan is shown as he assists in removing Braun and McKesson from the car.

•MISS ALFRAN’ — The Alfran nursing home of r 9 Columbia City is sponsoring Debra A. Lock of r 3 Churubusco as “Miss Alfran" in the 1976 “Queen of Lakes” contest. Debra is 17 and has blonde hair, green eyes, weighs 120 pounds and stan Is five feet, one inch tall. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Lock. Her hobbies include bike riding, swimming and sewing.

Bible school program to be Friday at Christian church

Youngsters who are attending vacation Bible school at the Milford Christian church will be presenting their closing program this Friday night at 7:30. The program will be held in the church’s activities center and will take on the form of a political rally as the youngsters present “Let’s vote for Jesus!” Everyone is invited to attend. After the program parents and friends are invited to visit the youngsters’ classrooms and to join others in the church’s

■■■■ Jim Moore Motors, Inc. |||L Formerly Stahly-Stillson, Inc. ■ 4 * US 6 —Nappanee 8/ “ w f THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL 1974 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Dork blue with half white top, low mileage ■MB SM has all th* fight equipment. DON STOREY COMt Mt ANO Sft Hours: Mon., Wed.. Fri. 4to 6 Phone 773-4171 Tues., Thurs. 4 to 8 —Saturday 8 to 4:30 Home Phone 457-4320 Kissable Kar Karr Representative

fellowship room for refreshments. Picnic Thursday A picnic will be held after school on Thursday with practice for the program to follow.

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