This report summarizes WDNR ACEI-150-14 grant activities for aquatic invasive species (AIS) management from 2014 to 2018 and serves as the final grant deliverable. Though sponsored by the Lac Vieux Desert Lake Association (LVDLA), additional funds from a WDNR AEPP54618 grant (LVDLA sponsored), and a USDA Secure Rural Schools Title II project (herein referred to as RAC) #14-PA-11090700-011 sponsored by the Invasive Species Control Coalition (ISCCW) contributed to this project. In addition, partner match (local-share) includes the ISCCW, USFS – Ottawa National Forest and Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC).

List of invasive species and priority of mapping and treatment.

Meeting minutes from the Lac Vieux Desert Annual Meetings for 2014, 2016, and 2017.

The Lac Vieux Desert Lake Association solicited the services of Many Waters, LLC to use Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) to manage for Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) on Lac Vieux Desert, located in Vilas County Wisconsin and Gogebic County Michigan. DASH is a mechanical process and requires a mechanical harvesting permit (Form 3200-113 (R 3/04)) from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 2018 WDNR Permit ID number is NO-2018-64-0154M.

The Lac Vieux Desert Lake Association solicited the services of Many Waters, LLC to use Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) to manage for Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) on Lac Vieux Desert, located in Vilas County Wisconsin and Gogebic County Michigan. DASH is a mechanical process and requires a mechanical harvesting permit (Form 3200-113 (R 3/04)) from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). The 2017 Permit ID is NO-2017-64-71M.

This report is a summary of AIS activities completed in 2017 and includes work funded by the WDNR Aquatic Invasive Species Grant # ACEI-150-14 and a USDA Secure Rural Schools Title II project (herein referred to as RAC) sponsored by the Invasive Species Control Coalition and the Lac Vieux Desert Lake Association (LVDLA). Generally, Gogebic County RAC projects shall provide specific benefit to USFS lands and adjacent lands. The LVD RAC project is primary focused on Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) monitoring and management, however includes mapping nearshore terrestrial and wetland invasive species with emphasis on USFS Ottawa NF high priority and new invader/high priority plant species.

The Lac Vieux Desert Lake Association solicited the services of Many Waters, LLC to use Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) to manage for Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) on Lac Vieux Desert, located in Vilas County Wisconsin and Gogebic County Michigan. DASH is a mechanical process and requires a mechanical harvesting permit (Form 3200-113 (R 3/04)) from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). The 2016 Permit ID is NO-2016-64-60M.

The Lac Vieux Desert Lake Association solicited the services of Many Waters, LLC to use Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) to manage for Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) on Lac Vieux Desert, located in Vilas County Wisconsin and Gogebic County Michigan. DASH is a mechanical process and requires a mechanical harvesting permit (Form 3200-113 (R 3/04)) from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). The 2015 Permit ID is NO-2015-64-90M.

eDNA results for testing for a list of invasive species.

The Lac Vieux Desert Lake Association (LVDLA) solicited the services of Many Waters, LLC to utilize their Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) system to manage for Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) on Lac Vieux Desert (LVD), located approximately four miles east of Land O lakes, WI. DASH is a mechanical process and requires a mechanical harvesting permit (Form 3200-113 (R 3/04)) from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). In July of 2014, Many Waters, LLC on the behalf of the LVDLA received a Mechanical Harvesting Permit from the WDNR to use DASH (Permit ID # MNOR-64-14-04, WBIC: 1631900).

In 2014, the Lac Vieux Desert Lake Association (LVDLA) received a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Aquatic Invasive Species Established Population Control Grant to manage for Eurasian water milfoil (EWM) on Lac Vieux Desert. These funds will assist in management efforts for the proposed project period from 2014 to 2017. This report is an annual update of progress and work completed as detailed under the proposed project scope for 2014. Specifically this report is a synthesis of (1) aquatic invasive species (AIS) monitoring efforts and findings, (2) management strategies and efforts, (3) and summary of lake stewardship and AIS prevention activities. Through dialog amongst stakeholders, the foremost shared concern with the traditional management of EWM using aquatic herbicides are unknown non-target impacts to wild rice (Zizania palustris). At this time, there is a mutual understanding that to provide added protection to wild rice, the management of aquatic invasive species on Lac Vieux Desert will not include the use of aquatic herbicides. The chosen strategy discussed and favored by stakeholders is to manage EWM on Lac Vieux Desert with hand removal. This strategy is selective at removing the target species and is consistent with options that would provide the desired level of protection to wild rice at this time. Hand removal includes two methods: the use of divers alone and the use of divers with Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting equipment. Hand removal alone, does not require a permit from the State of Wisconsin, however requires a joint MDEQ/USACE permit from the State of Michigan. The use of DASH requires a joint MDEQ/USACE permit from the State of Michigan and a Mechanical Harvesting permit from the State of Wisconsin.

AIS Education and Prevention, ex. boat washing

Manual removal and DASH Removal of EWM

Annual Report

Final Report

Map EWM and CLP

wild rice mapping