Glen Lake/Crystal River Watershed
An ordinance that would help control the spread of invasive species near Glen Arbor, Michigan is being proposed. The Glen Arbor Township Board has supported the proposal that would make it illegal to transport any non-native invasive species of aquatic plants or organism on or in watercraft entering the Glen Lake/Crystal River Watershed.
Glen Lake and nearby lakes in the watershed are still relatively free of most invasive non-native species. The exception to this is the zebra mussel, which was first discovered in the lake in 2003.
In reaction to the discovery, the association established a boat washing station at the Department of Natural Resources launch site off Day Forest Road. There, attendants ask permission to spray the exterior of vessels; blow out the motor and empty bilge and live wells, to prevent the spread of non-native species.
The ordinance would take this effort one step further by requiring all boats entering bodies of water within the watershed-Big and Little Glen, Brooks and Fisher Lakes as well as the Crystal River-to go through the inspection process before launching. This would apply to all vessels, which have been out of the water for less than 10 days.
April 25, 2007 6:41 AM | Category: Cleanup, Watershed