WAUPACA CHAIN O'LAKES PUBLIC INLAND LAKE P&R: Waupaca Chain O' Lakes - 2023 SSW Early Detection and Response

The Waupaca Chain O' Lakes District is sponsoring a project to respond to starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa), an NR40 prohibited species, that was documented in Miner Lake in 2022. In alignment with the Department\2019s current strategy for this species, the District will lead monitoring within the lake and throughout the Chain. Manual removal will be implemented if conditions warrant and will be coordinated with the Department through the APM permitting process.

Deliverables: all data collected and final report including: 1) PI spreadsheet, 2) if applicable: NR109 harvesting reports for each removal event describing the implementation of the removal project, problems encountered, maps showing locations of removal, and a summary of quantities of starry stonewort (SSW) and non-target plants removed, 3) photos and locations of educational signage, 4) locations and density of any AIS encountered during meander survey, and 5) comprehensive report including data analysis of aquatic plant surveys, aquatic plant mapping, and aquatic plant recommendations.

Activities: 1) Whole-lake point intercept aquatic plant survey of Miner Lake, 2) Targeted DASH or Hand-Pulling to remove to areas of starry stonewort growth in Miner Lake (if applicable) and obtaining permit, 3) Installation of educational signage about starry stonewort and AIS prevention at all Waupaca Chain

o' Lakes boat access sites, 4) Late-season starry stonewort early detection meander survey throughout entire chain, and 5) drafting of a comprehensive project summary report.

Special Conditions: 1) All deliverables should be submitted as one final report document with the exception of the PI spreadsheet(s).

This scope summarizes the project detail provided in the application and does not negate tasks/deliverables described therein. Data, records, and reports, including GIS-based maps, and digital images, must be submitted to the Department in a format specified by the regional Lake Biologist.