Property Owners' Association
Recent News

President’s Corner

Starry Stonewort (SSW) Update – November, 2018. Click here for details.

As many are aware, it was recently determined that Starry Stonewort, a potentially dangerous new invasive species, was present in Higgins Lake.  In our fall newsletter we provided an explanation of what this invasive plant is, where it was found and what we were asking the DNR / DEQ to do to help control its spread. Many of our members took an active part in contacting various people to advise them of our situation and ask them to assist our lake.   On November 20th a very important meeting was held with the DNR in which they unveiled their plan to deal with this threat.  The HLPOA was encouraged that, to their credit, the DNR is intending to take steps to eliminate the Starry Stonewort cultures in their park launch areas and monitor and assess their success in doing so. The locations of concern that the DNR will be addressing are the navigational channels at the South Park, the North Park, the West Launch and the South Park Lagoon.

 The following is the DNR Parks and Recreation Div (PRD) work plan for 2019:

  1. January: DNR/PRD will request a DEQ permit to dredge the entire South Higgins lagoon for navigational purposes.
  2. February:  DNR/PRD will request an AIS mechanical harvest permit from the DEQ.
  3.  Pending DEQ permit approval, the DNR and a select contractor will dredge, as appropriate, the three boating access sites prior to Memorial Day weekend.
  4. June: An AIS survey at the three boating access sites will be conducted.  Pending the results, a treatment plan for the management of the AIS will be developed.  Any necessary DEQ permits will be requested.
  5. July: Best management practices for AIS control will be initiated.  This may include a multi-faceted approach involving algaecide/herbicide treatment followed by physical removal as needed.
  6. August: A post-treatment AIS survey will be conducted.
  7. September: Continuation of AIS control efforts will occur based on findings and best management practices.

The proposed dredging will be done in order to remove the plant and sediment from the locations where the dredging will take place.  In addition, the DNR intends to continue sharing information with the HLPOA about efforts being made by the DNR at the boating access sites.

This is an important first step.  The elimination of Starry Stonewort at the introduction sites still leaves us with other areas of the lake to control.  We are working with the Higgins Lake Foundation to determine how best to harvest the plant, potentially with the DASH boat that they operate on Higgins Lake for just this purpose.  Other systems available to control this plant are also being considered.

HLPOA Letter to Teresa Sherwood, DEQ, on West DNR Boat Launch

Dear HLPOA Members,
The letter to Teresa Sherwood of the DEQ, attached below, is a joint effort of the HLPOA Board and the Riparian Committee.  It requests the DEQ re-evaluate their plans for an expansion of the West DNR Launch facility in light of serious environmental and safety concerns, as well as requesting a public meeting with adequate notice.  Similar letters also have been sent by the Higgins Lake West Shore Association, Riparians on the West Shore and Ed Nellist, Supervisor of Lyon Township.
We strongly encourage you to copy the email addresses provided in the letter (repeated below) and paste them into your email service provider to express your own views.  We would ask you to comment about:
– The importance of the DEQ/DNR in helping to protect the health and safety of Higgins Lake,
– Concerns you may have about the continuous expansion of boat load and boat access on Higgins Lake by the DEQ/DNR including approval of a large marina at Amvets and the proposed West Launch expansion,
– Your views about announcing short comment periods for affected Higgins Lake Riparians in the dead of winter, and
– The need for public meetings to allow Riparians to voice concerns and get answers from the DNR/DEQ.
We also encourage you to share your views with your state legislative representatives.  Feel free to share this message with other Riparians who are not HLPOA members so they can weigh in.  Your voice matters.
Thanks for your support.
Brad Gibson
HLPOA President
Teresa Sherwood, DEQ, email: sherwoodt1@michigan.gov
Heidi Grether, DEQ Director, email: GretherH@michigan.gov
Keith Creagh, DNR Director, email: creaghk@michigan.gov

Michigan Attorney General Report Posted for HLSIO

August 18, 2016 Update

The following was recently sent to those who have contributed to the Higgins Lake Swimmer’s Itch Organization (HLSIO):

Dear 2016 HLSIO Supporters,

We are pleased to send you the attached report (below) prepared by the Office of the Michigan Attorney General covering financial information of the Higgins Lake Swimmer’s Itch Organization for the calendar year ending December 31, 2015.  Please note that the HLSIO only spent 2.01% of its income for supporting services (primarily for printing and postage) which means that 97.99% of all contributions made by our donors last year went directly to our efforts to combat swimmer’s itch.  This is extraordinary.  Most charities spend from 20% to upwards of 50%, thereby reducing the dollars available for their respective programs. The HLSIO is able to operate at minimal support service costs because of the generous volunteers who support this organization without any pay.
  
We thank you for your tax deductible contribution this year as we strive to combat swimmer’s itch at Higgins Lake.
 
Additionally, there are tickets still available for the fundraiser dinner sponsored by Fred’s of Roscommon and hosted by Jim and Laura Witt on Thursday evening, the 25th of August. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at either Fred’s or Jim’s Collision prior to the dinner.
Again, we thank you for your support this year.  If you haven’t made a contribution for 2016, please send your tax deductible contribution to:
Higgins Lake Swimmer’s Itch Organization
P.O. Drawer 665
Grayling, MI 49738