General                                  

1. What was your motivation to start the Indian Lake Advocacy Group (AG) now and not a year ago when the weeds were becoming a problem? Like many, the group was uninformed on the solutions to our problem. We looked to ODNR to get us out of the situation.  After greater expansion of the problem, a group of concerned residents began looking for options to educate themselves. This group realized a need for creating local advocacy group to share information and create consensus and clarity on what is possible. The residents have no jurisdiction over the lake, despite most of it being privately owned.

 

2. Does the AG have a mission statement and how will this group “empower” the community?  The objective is to create a single voice of clarity on what is possible for the lake through a unified voice. This unified voice will utilize resources to create a clear expectation on what and when the residents would like to restore the lake to a balanced ecosystem by putting the appropriate pressure and working in collaboration with the ODNR. In absence of purchasing authority, the AG will bring people, information, and private and public industry together to protect and restore Indian Lake, because everybody deserves clean, safe, and enjoyable water.

 

3. What is meant by “get our lake back”? I’ve been coming to the lake since 2018, so I don’t know what this means when folks post about growing up here on the lake.  Indian Lake is a man-made lake that serves a multitude of functions: various types of recreation, feeds the canal system, and supports local businesses. The Indian Lake Advocacy Group believes that the lake needs to continue to support all functions because everybody deserves clean, safe, and enjoyable water.

  

4. What do you hope to accomplish as a group in terms of weeds, dredging, and invasive birds?
     a. Short term: Fix the immediate water quality detriment that is threatening all aspects of life by removing the invasive weeds (Eurasian watermilfoil, possibly curly-leaf pondweed).

     b. Long-term: Help promote a healthy ecosystem balance of native aquatic plant species, good water quality, and thus habitat for fish and wildlife.  AG will support any objectives that will promote and maintain a healthy ecosystem.

 

5. What is the difference between the Indian Lake Watershed Project’s objectives and the AG’s? While the Indian Lake Watershed Group is focused on the important external sources that impact the lake, the Advocacy Group is focused on internal threats to lake ecosystem balance.

     a. What are the similarities? Both groups have interest in ensuring the lake is sustainable now and into the future by addressing both internal and external inputs into the lake.

     b. Are there topics/objectives the two groups are working on together?

     c. If someone is currently a member of the WS, why should they join this group?

     d. Some say that the slogan “Save Our Lake” represented a committee within the WS that formed last year and garnered support for state funding for the harvesters. The AG uses the same slogan but says the Watershed and the Chamber haven’t done anything for the last few years…is the AG trying to take credit for what these two groups have done?
 

6. Is this just a lobbyist group collecting money for legal suits? We have no plans to initiate litigation. We are working towards an amicable and effective solution.
 

7. What exactly is this group (specific actions) taking to achieve the objectives for the weeds, dredging, and the geese?   See Above
     a. How are these actions being measured and reported back to the members on the progress?

     b. Does this line up with how the group is spending the money collected from fees and donations? 
 

8. In the slides from the meeting the one that was supposed to explain what this group IS about, described that the group is a non-profit organization, and the members are passionate about the lake and its well-being, but didn’t really explain what the group IS about. See comments about objectives above: This Advocacy Group supports all integrated pest management solutions that will protect and restore Indian Lake. It will promote all solutions that are scientifically based and deliver the objectives in a timely manner where feasible. This group will not be focused on reinventing lake management, nor will it risk the lake’s health by attempting unproven approaches.

      a.  Is the group about chemical treatments, environmental conservancy, water quality, or recreational boating?Addressed above. 

9. What are the funds collected as membership fees or donations being used for or going to be used for? a. Been told that the fees are going toward the start-up costs for the group, but after those are covered, then what?
 

10. Heard that this group will pay for the additional spraying if we get ODNR’s approval for more acres, is that what my membership fees will be used for? If yes, can I be held liable for use of ProcellaCOR in the future if found harmful? We do not have any current plans to pay for spraying but we do encourage responsible lake treatment including herbicide application at professional recommendations.
 

11. Is this group paying for Dr. Jones? One of our members is responsible for getting Dr Jones here but she is not currently working for ILAG.
 

12. Comments on the AG FB group state that there is a potential class action suit being considered, will the membership funds be used to pay for legal fees to retain an attorney or legal firm? There are no present plans to initiate litigation.
 

13. Other comments on social media have mentioned that a group of lobbyists is being consulted, are the membership fees going to be used to pay lobbyists and if so, what would be the position being lobbied? It may be necessary to retain professional assistance but no plans have been made yet.

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14. Are these funds being used to support the “relationships with State Reps and Politicians? Working with ODNR and Others? ILAG is an IRS 501c3 organization and its expenditures are subject to federal law.

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15. The slides presented at the last meeting indicated that the AG is “not connected to the State of Ohio, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources” nor the Logan County Commissioners” If true, how does this group intend to work with ODNR if not through a working partnership since ODNR has authority over the lake? See above comments.

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16. The Chamber, Indian Lake Development Corporation (ILDC), and the ILWP have had long standing partnerships with a variety of projects working with ODNR, as such is this group going to stand against these other groups that have these relationships with the State and try to pressure ODNR and other State Agencies through “proper motivation”? We will work with all governmental stakeholders on addressing lake conditions.

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17. What is considered by this group as “proper credentials”? Federal, state, or local agencies, and private industry that has documented cases of lake management or resolving a lake issue threatening the health of a lake.

 

Vegetation Details

1. Can this group or its credentialed resources cite any case study where the invasive macrophytes found in Indian Lake have been eradicated? How about Dreissenid mussels?   There are two invasive species described in Indian Lake: Curly-leaf Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) and Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum). While there are limited documentation of any eradication programs targeting these two species, there are only a handful of states that seek eradication. Most aquatic plant programs goals are to manage these species rather than eradicate them. The AG is seeking to have a balance of native species with as low of a level of invasive species. The goal is to prevent, by the way of a proactive program, the spread of these weeds.

 

2. How much of the lake has Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) vs. Coontail? We are not the experts. That information will be included the plan presented by Dr Jones.

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3. What is the plan to get rid of the coontail, since it has been said that ProcellaCOR doesn’t work on coontail? Coontail is a native species that grows at a much slower rate and typically does not become a nuisance. If Coontail is determined to be a nuisance, than a management program would be developed to keep below nuisance level. An example of a nuisance level is greater than 50% of the water column in more than 100 acres.

 

 4. The analogy to being diagnosed with cancer has been made to our weeds by several people in this group. If we followed the scientific steps presented at the meeting last week, then would it go like this: “Observation” is a lump, “Question” is whether this is cancer, “Form a hypothesis” - If not treated in 45 days, I will die, “Make a prediction based on that hypothesis” - I am going to die. Test the prediction (???) Did I die? That is what “we must spray xxx acres by September 15th or the lake will die” sounds to me. Is this what they are saying? I don’t know but if I was diagnosed with cancer, I sure hope my doctor gives me a comprehensive treatment plan before I start any treatment and depending on what stage I am in, I may even want 2nd or 3rd opinions. Is this group getting 2nd and 3rd professional opinions? Herbicide Treatment(s) 5. What is the hurry to spray before September 15th? 6. How many acres does the AG want to spray with ProcellaCOR?

The question on timing is related to plant growth and optimal timing to manage aquatic weeds. Milfoil is a mid to late season weed. Most milfoil will be fully germinated and growing by June and July. Secondarily, there is a desire to mitigate or limit the potential for Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) on the lake. While there are no guarantees and already a history of algae blooms and cyanobacteria on Indian lake, management in the late season, prior to the lake conditions changing and no longer favoring HABs, gives Indian Lake the best chance of delivering on all desired outcomes.  Indian Lake will need an adaptive management plan. Step one is to remove the majority of the problem, Eurasian watermilfoil. Because mother nature abhors a vacuum, other weeds will grow in place. Defining a management objective that triggers actions based on thresholds is the approach we support.

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7. Are there other chemicals in the plan for the coontail and other invasive plants? AG will look at all options, once the fast-growing milfoil is under control or reset, it is our hope that a combination of harvesting and spraying is utilized according to an action threshold.

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8. Has the AG considered the downstream effect of chemicals applied to the lake? All chemistries used are EPA registered and uses are described on the label. Any restrictions are required by law to be followed.

 

9. Should people on well systems be concerned about any of the chemicals that would treat the weeds leeching into the aquifers and/or affecting drinking water if residents are not on city water systems? Some wells are shallow around the lake.  See answer to labels. Example: there are no drinking water restrictions for ProcellaCOR.

 

10. Rumors have been going around for the past few years that Bud had found AquaDoc and got a bunch of private residents to contract with them to spray their channels, then early this year he went around telling us up here on the north side, that he’s got ODNR to hire them to spray the whole lake. Why have you changed your mind on them? 

 

11. What will this group do with the petition? The petition demonstrates community support for proper and timely treatment of the lake.

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12. If ODNR says the test results are inconclusive as to whether it is safe to continue spraying, what happens to all those signatures collected?

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13. Will the State verify the signatures on the petitions by county? No

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14. Will my private information get out as a result of signing the petitions? We will share the petitions with appropriate governmental representatives.

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15. I signed the sign in sheet when I attended the meeting last week, but after hearing the presentations decided this group was not for me, will by name show up on a petition, even though I don’t support the cause? There was no sign in sheet. Participation is voluntary.

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16. Can we get ODNR fired with the petition? Will it piss them off so they move even slower with helping out lake?

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17. How does the AG plan on reducing the geese? I would argue that the goose issue be resolved by the Watershed Group, it is an external source.

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18. Is the AG working with any other organizations or divisions with the State of Ohio on this topic?  We are ready and willing to work with all governmental stakeholders.

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19. Is it the birds that are a problem or their excrement, feathers, nests, or what? News Coverage and ODNR reports

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20. In the past week different news channels have acknowledged the hard work by the different organizations over the summer to regain use of 75% of the lake, and ODNR has provided weekly updates on vegetation removal from not only the ODNR harvesters but also the privately owned companies that pitched in to remove the weeds this summer. ODNR also approved 500 acres with two applications of ProcellaCOR. What makes anyone think that ODNR hasn’t taken action or that other groups such as the Watershed or others such as Shoreline haven’t done anything? The need for lake advocacy is directly correlated to the current size of the problem and a better understanding we did not need to have a lake with 1000s of acres of an invasive weed. The current solutions have not helped us gain ground. It was not until a small group of advocates began asking about other options, outside harvesting that led to real progress in the acres of milfoil being removed.

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While nobody believes the work is finished, is this advocacy group a little too late to support the cause?