May 15: Wausau Daily Herald, “Lake groups, state slog through battle with invasives”

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011105150471

May 18-19: WXPR, 91.6 Public Radio

Announcer: “Next on Morning Edition we hear from Paul Shain…President of the Tomahawk Lake Association. The popular lake has nearly 34 hundred acres and is located between Rhinelander and Minocqua. The lake association is reporting a nearly 78 percent reduction in aquatic invasive Eurasian Water Milfoil in treated areas, or roughly 62 acres. Shain says EWM was discovered in 2004….”

CLICK HERE for Shain Audio Clip

Announcer Close: ”Paul Shain says last year, in cooperation with the state’s “Clean Boats-Clean Waters” campaign,  Lake Tomahawk  volunteers inspected 4,000 watercraft and spoke with more than 10,000 people about invasives.”

June 11: Lakeland Times, “Positive outlook for Eurasian Watermilfoil management project; New techniques are showing results”

http://www.lakelandtimes.com/main.asp?ArticleID=13295&SectionID=13&SubSectionID=13

As many of you know, the North Woods has experienced a relatively late spring this year. Our ice out date was a full month later than last year and, as a result, much of the spring time activity around the lake has been pushed back.

As in the past several years, the Tomahawk Lake Association will address the Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) infestation in the lake, using the two-tiered approach of chemically treating areas of larger EWM infestation and manually removing smaller and new sites of EWM with our innovative Hydraulic Conveyor System. We have mailed a notice concerning our intent to treat to shoreline owners with properties in close proximity to treatment sites. In addition, we wanted to alert the entire TLA member base.

Our chemical treatments are made using a very low dosage of the aquatic herbicide 2,4-D. This herbicide has been used for a number of decades. It has been shown to be a very safe chemical herbicide that dissipates in concentration to virtually nothing within the first 24-48 hours (dependant upon factors such as current and wind action).  It should be noted that 2,4-D is not harmful to grass, however property owners are asked to turn off sprinkler systems that draw from the lake during our treatment time to avoid removing the 2,4-D from the lake until it has a chance to work on the EWM.

We are currently monitoring water temperatures weekly to make sure that we schedule the treatments at times when the optimal water temperature has been achieved. Our intent of course is to maximize the treatment effectiveness.

We are anticipating that our chemical application will be made during the last week in May, or possibly in the first week of June, dependant upon water temperatures.

When the final treatment dates have been finalized, we will alert you via email.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call TLA Executive Director, Ned Greedy at (715) 358-7896.

The TLA has planned a full roster of activities for July 23. Mark your calendar to join us for a day of learning, meeting neighbors and fun for the whole family.

10 – Noon a.m.             TLA Town Hall – Meet lake neighbors and learn more about the TLA and Tomahawk Lake. Hear an overview of the Association’s scope, board membership and strategies for battling AIS. An open Q&A will end the session.

Noon – 1 p.m.              Picnic -            Back by popular demand! Anyone who has contributed their Fair Share receives FREE lunch. Your Fair Share donation of $270 for 2011 may be made at the picnic.

1 p.m. – 5 p.m.             Lake Fair – There will be fun for the whole family at the Lake Fair. Activities include arts and crafts, educational presentations and wilderness fun including birds of prey, a live eagle on site, loon watch, try your hand at kayaking, Min-Aqua Bat ski boat rides and much more. Food and refreshments will be available on site

 Come by boat or car. A water taxi will be available to anchor your boat and ride to shore. See you there!

As a part of the TLA’s ongoing education activities, the association actively pursues PR strategies to gain media coverage. On May 15, the Wausau Daily Herald ran a story on the TLA’s efforts. Check it out! http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011105150471

Get information and network with lake neighbors on the TLA’s Group Facebook page. It’s a great way to see what is going on, meet new friends and learn what neighbors are talking about.

 Simply search for Tomahawk Lake Association Group within Facebook’s search function and join the group! Join now! http://www. facebook.com

Due to the numerous spring rains, the water level of Tomahawk Lake, as well as other area lakes, has risen nicely.  We are only about 6-8 inches lower than last fall’s high.

As part of our State grant approval, we must provide several hours of volunteer time.  Please give an hour or two this summer to help defray our out-of-pocket costs.  Call one of the people below to ask how you can help.

Sentinels: Roger Cote , 715-356-6118, mcote@gmail.com

CBCW: Sunday Hoppe, 608-381-8880, hoppesunday@yahoo.com

Lake Fair: Ned Greedy, 715-358-7896, edgreedy@gmail.com

July 4th Parade: Margo Oppenheim, 715-356-3722, mmoppy@deerrunstone.com, Rebecca Bortner, 414-397-9064, rdb1974@gmail.com