Milfoil Treatment for 2025. (Roll Call)

City Council Agenda Item Report FROM:

Ryan Cummins, City Manager

MEETING DATE:

March 10, 2025

SUBJECT:

Milfoil Treatment for 2025

DESCRIPTION: Eurasian Water Milfoil is an invasive aquatic plant that is present in the Kalamazoo Harbor. In 2020 the City Council formed an Eurasian Water Milfoil Advisory Committee to address the Milfoil impacts including reviewing existing documentation, consulting with appropriate agencies and experts, identifying costs and reporting its recommendations. For the last four years, the City of the Village of Douglas and the City partnered with Aquatic Doctors to treat the Milfoil. Last year, representatives from Aquatic Doctors presented at a workshop meeting that treatments have been effective and the hope is that less area will need to be treated in the future. Consensus from Council at that time was to move forward with the treatment areas shown on the attached map. Council also discussed funding of the treatments and preferred to pay for the cost out of the general fund due to greater community benefit versus special assessments to shoreline property owners. Aquatic Doctors has submitted a proposal for 2025 treatment. The proposed pricing of $74,750 is the same as last year. Aquatic Doctors advised the following: This upcoming season, we are hopeful that we will be able to reduce the total area treated in regards to the offshore area as we expect the milfoil population out there to be lessened due to previous treatment seasons. However, we should always be prepared for the worst case scenario. When dealing with a river setting and flowing water, water levels can be a concern. IF the water levels are low, it is possible to see increased growth due to sunlight penetration into areas that would usually have none due to being greater in depth. On the opposite end of that spectrum, if we have higher water, there is likely a chance of an even greater reduced treatment area due to increased water depth. At the end of the day, we are at the mercy of mother nature in this case.

BUDGET ACTION REQUIRED: Sufficient dollars were budgeted for this fiscal year. The second treatment will be included in next fiscal year’s budget proposal. LEGAL REVIEW: Legal has previously provided analysis on the process to levy special assessments and the City’s authority to treat invasive aquatic weeds. Legal previously reviewed the Aquatic Doctors agreement language. SAMPLE MOTION: Motion to approve a one-year agreement with Aquatic Doctors to treat Milfoil in the areas presented in the not to exceed amount of $74,750.

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AQUATIC DOCTORS LAKE MANAGEMENT, INC. (“Aqua Docs”) of P.O. Box 150247, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49515 and City of Saugatuck of Saugatuck, Michigan agree: Aqua Docs will provide a professional aquatic program for the control of weeds and/or algae in Kalamazoo Harbor. The program will consist of the following: May/June: Weed and Algae treatment applying restrictive products such as Navigate (2,4-D), Diquat, Triclopyr, Aquathol K, Hydrothol 191, and non-water restrictive products such as copper sulfate, Cutrine-Plus, Cutrine-Ultra, Cygnet Plus, and shade as a tracer. **3-4 weeks after initial treatmentspot treat weed beds and algae treatment. July and August: Algae treatments applying non-water restrictive products such as copper sulfate, Cutrine-Plus, Cutrine-Ultra, Cygnet Plus and shade as a tracer. Spot weed treatment for EWM and other nuisance plant growth. Cost per Acre: Navigate: Granular systemic 2,4-D herbicide to control Eurasian Watermilfoil Triclopyr: Granular systemic herbicide to control Eurasian Triclopyr: Liquid systemic herbicide to control EWM Clipper: systemic herbicide to control Starry Stonewort Harpoon: granular systemic herbicide to contro Starry Stonewort Diquat: Liquid herbicide to control EWM, Curlyleaf, and Pondweeds Aquathol K-Hydrothol 191: Liquid herbicide to control Pondweeds Algaecides: Granular products to control Chara Algaecides: Granular and liquid products to control algae Water Quality Program:

$_315.00__ $_560.00__ $_285.00__ $_575.00__ $_425.00__ $_185.00__ $_205.00__ $__50.00__ $__40.00__ $_50.00/sample

Description and Optional Services: Weed Treatment: Milfoil, Curly-leaf, Coon-tail, Chara, and various pondweed treatments applying restrictive products such as granular Navigate (2,4-D), Aquathol K, Hydrothol 191, Diquat, Triclopyr, Komeen, Glyphosate, and Cygnet Plus. Algae treatment: Non-water restrictive algaecides such as Copper Sulfate, Curtain-Plus, Cutrine-Ultra, Chelated Copper, Earthtech, Greenclean, and shade as a tracer. Treatments should occur monthly to prevent existing growth and prevent re-growth. Surrounding conditions (i.e. sunlight, temperature, nutrient concentration, etc…) may require additional treatments. Muck/Enzyme Treatment: Designed to decrease levels of organic sediment in lakes and ponds while reducing odors and improving water clarity. The pellets sink quickly, targeting 'muck' on the bottom. Mukk Busster does not contain pathogenic bacteria and it is fish and wildlife friendly. Contains 3 billion CFU/gram (Colonyforming units). Water Quality Program: Water quality program consists of lake samples taken and sent to an independent laboratory (Prein & Newhof). The samples can be tested for a variety of things including; fecal bacteria (E. coli), dissolved oxygen, conductivity, total dissovled solids, pH and alkalinity. Primarily E. coli is the focus.

Aquatic Doctors Lake Management, Inc. PO Box 150247 Grand Rapids MI 49515

Office: (616) 365 1698

Fax: (501) 647 3041

www.aquaticdoctors.com

Specific treatment dates will be set by Aqua Docs, in cooperation with City Manager. Please be aware Aqua Docs can only treat weeds and algae present at the time of treatment. We have no control over future weed or algae growth based on the current chemicals registered for aquatic use in Michigan. Unless otherwise stated in the program, all other aquatic pest control will require a separate program (i.e. cattails, duckweed, largeleaf pondweed, lily pads, purple loosestrife, watermeal, etc…)

Aqua Docs will obtain the DEQ “Aquatic Nuisance Control permit” and post restriction signs as required. Any facility or location related permits/requirements, for example, “Discharge or Retention” permits will be the responsibility of the customer, association, resident or facility. It is your association’s/group’s responsibility to notify each resident within one hundred (100) feet of the treatment area at least seven (7) days in advance of the first treatment that chemicals will be applied. This notification requirement must be provided to every property owner who has consented to have their property treated. Lake boards and townships who assess the lake property owners are exempt from individual consent documentation. The property owner is responsible for removing any restriction signs ten (10) days after the conclusion of water use restrictions. Aqua Docs carries a general liability policy of insurance for workmans comp, bodily injury and property damage with limits of $1,000,000.00 per occurrence. Certificates of insurance will be provided upon request. The State of Michigan requires a minimum fee of $75.00 and increases the fee to $1500.00 for treatment areas of 100 acres or more. Please make check to the State of Michigan. Application for the DEQ “Aquatic Nuisance Control permit” shall occur promptly after the fee is received from the customer. Special Notes & Conditions of Treatments #1 – Our office must be notified of any inlets/outlets to meet specific permit requirements with the Michigan DEQ. #2 – If the water body is being used as a source of irrigation, please notify our office prior to any treatments. #3 – To minimize the possible effects on health and the environment, the treated waters MAY be restricted for such uses as swimming, bathing, irrigation, fish consumption and/or livestock. #4 – If an access site has not been determined or established prior to services rendered, then an access site must be determined at the discretion of the applicator at the time of treatment.

Payment in full is due within fifteen (15) days of each application. Any amount remaining unpaid when due shall accrue a penalty of 1.5% per month. All materials utilized by Aqua Docs shall be of the highest quality and are registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Michigan Department of Agriculture. The accumulation of dying and decomposing plants and algae can deplete the dissolved oxygen supply in the water, which may result in fish mortality. Please note that such occurrences are minimal, however, the possibility does exist. Due to their level of sensitivity, Goldfish, Coy, and Trout are more susceptible to a treatment than other fish species. During Late Spring and Summer, many NATURAL fish kills occur due to an increase in water temperature and spawning habits, primarily. Three or five year treatment program: As an incentive to establish a multiple year agreement we will treat your lake or pond at the same price structure as 2025 for 2026! The remaining years (2027-2029) will have cost increases of three percent or less. If total chemical costs exceeds 10% from the previous year a new agreement will have to be mutually acceptable. If during the life of the contract the DNR or other regulatory agencies significantly change the approved treatment procedures or the client finds the manner in which the work is performed less than satisfactory, either party may terminate this agreement upon giving ninety (90) days advance written notice thereof.

Aquatic Doctors Lake Management, Inc. PO Box 150247 Grand Rapids MI 49515

Office: (616) 365 1698

Fax: (501) 647 3041

www.aquaticdoctors.com

Contract: Signature Page for “City of Saugatuck” Program Option for City of Saugatuck: One (1) Year Program_______ Three (3) Year Program_______ Five (5) Year Program_______ (Just initial your choice)

Aquatic Doctors Lake Management, Inc. By:

MT Ryan Schauland B.S. President _________________________ Signature

_______________ Date

For City of Saugatuck Representative: Name (Print) ____________________ Title ____________________ Address: ____________________ ____________________ Phone: (Day): ____________________ (Eve): ____________________

_________________________ Signature _______________ Date email: ____________________

Aquatic Doctors Lake Management, Inc. PO Box 150247 Grand Rapids MI 49515

Office: (616) 365 1698

Fax: (501) 647 3041

www.aquaticdoctors.com

2025 Estimates City side offshore (Green): 38 Acres @ $575/acre= $21,850/treatment City shoreline (Blue): 16.5 Acres @ $575/acre= $9487.50/treatment Adjacent shoreline (Red): 10.5 Acres @ $575/acre= $6037.50/treatment **These prices are per treatment. We do two treatments per season.