June 2013 Newsletter Facebook: BPILA @ Facebook

Board Members
President Jennifer Medema 691-7057 Vice President/ Treasurer Scott Demeyer 304-4249 Secretary Lisa Zigmont 691-7995 Lake Improvement Rep Dan Bailey 691-7995 Newsletter Community Effort Go to facebook.com Big-Pine-Island-LakeAssocation
P.O. Box 125 Belmont, MI 49306

BPILA

Note from the President

Greetings Big Pine Island Lake Residents! Lovely lake breezes are finally here its time to welcome back swimming and boating season on beautiful Big Pine Island Lake! The heavy rains of April caused some concern with algae and dead fish. But according to the PLM Environmental Scientist, any fish die offs observed so far would be attributable to normal winter stress from long winter ice cover. 100+ would be cause for concern. Also the first treatment for Eurasian milfoil was conducted recently, it is a slow acting herbicide and may take a few weeks for the plant to die back. Two people the BPILA owes gratitude and thanks to for their contribution to our organization, are Paul Mulheisen and Pat Talbott. Paul for keeping the treasury organized and growing our balance as if by magic and Pat who graciously took command of our newsletter and who never missed a deadline, we will miss you! Luckily we have people on our board willing to step up to the tasks of treasurer and newsletter editor, at least for the time being.we thank them too! Scott DeMeyer has generously offered to assume the treasurers position. Extra thanks to Scott and Andrea! July 3rd is the annual Independence Day fireworks extravaganza sponsored by residents

DAT E S TO REMEMBER! Remember, any member can post a classified ad on our BPILA Facebook site.

BPILA Fishing Contest June 8th BPILA Fireworks July 3rd Summer BPILA Meeting TBD - before July 3rd Fall BPILA Annual Meeting October 17th

of Big Pine Island Lake. The show starts around 10 PM and you should bring the bug spray. Please do your part to make it happen again this year. Mail your donation and membership dues to our new address at BPILA PO Box 125, Belmont MI 49306. We can also accept cc payments through Paypal, send it to bpilapresident1@gmail.com. Anyone can join the BPILA email service for timely announcements and useful web links to our facebook page and paypal portal. Send it to the president at bpilapresident1@gmail.com Your privacy is ensured and you can opt out anytime. Please visit your townships website grattantownship.org for new and updated regulatory and zoning information, best to consult the regulations first before planning the fence, dock etc. Good Luck 2013 Graduates!

Member Classifieds

Mobility Scooter for sale - $500 Like new Rascal scooter with large baskets front and rear (batteries not included). This scooter includes an electric lift to mount in your trunk or van to lift the unit in and out of your vehicle. Unit was rarely used and is in excellent condition. 616 560 7547 Jim Ohanesian

Need a pet sitter? I have experience with dogs, cats, and bunnies, and completed training at Humane Society of West Michigan. Also looking for experience babysitting, preschool age and older. 616 691 7057 August Medema

Have Questions or Concerns?

Contact your BPILA President at bpilapresident1@gmail.com or call her at (616) 691-7057

Angler tips for fish health 2013

Eurasian Milfoil

From MDEQ 7-26-2012

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There are a few things anglers can do to keep fish healthy while out on the water in these high temperatures: 1. Be extra careful when handling and unhooking fish that are to be immediately released. This will keep stress to a minimum. 2. Do not keep fish that you intend to release in live wells for very long. 3. Avoid fishing during the hottest parts of the day. Fishing in the early morning is least stressful for fish and provides the coolest water temperatures. If you have information regarding a fish kill, please email DNR-FISH-Report-Fish-Kills@michigan.gov. If you suspect a fish kill is caused by non-natural causes, please call your nearest DNR office or Michigans Pollution Emergency Alert System at 1-800-292-4706.

Although an overabundance of aquatic plants can limit enjoyment of a lake, it is important to realize that aquatic plants are a vital component of aquatic ecosystems. They produce oxygen during photosynthesis, provide food and habitat for fish and other organisms, and help to stabilize shoreline and bottom sediments. The objective of a sound aquatic plant control program is to only remove plants from problem areas where excessive growth is occurring. Under NO circumstances should an attempt be made to remove all plants from the lake. Eurasian milfoil is the primary nuisance plant species targeted for control in Big Pine Island Lake. This species is especially problematic in that it can spread rapidly by a process called vegetative propagation in which pieces of the plant break off, take root, and grow. It usually becomes established early in the growing season and will often grow to greater depths than most plants. The plant tends to form a thick canopy at the water surface that shades out more desirable plant species and interferes with recreational activities such as swimming and fishing. If Eurasian milfoil growth is left unchecked, the plant has the ability to become the dominant plant species in the lake. Because of its ability to spread by fragmentation, mechanical harvesting is generally not recommended to control Eurasian milfoil in that it can actually promote the spread of the plant. Most often, Eurasian milfoil is controlled via the application of a systemic herbicide. Systemic herbicides kill the entire plant, unlike contact herbicides that leave the roots intact. This spring, a whole-lake treatment was conducted with a herbicide called fluridone (trade name Sonar). Fluridone is a systemic herbicide that, at low doses, selectively controls Eurasian milfoil while not significantly impacting desirable native plant species. Fluridone was used previously in Big Pine Island Lake in 1996, 1999, 2002, 2006 and 2010. In accordance with Michigan

Department of Natural Resources and Environment (MDNRE) permit requirements, fluridone is applied in what is called a 6bump-6 treatment. This years initial fluridone was applied on May 9, 2013. At the low dose rates permitted, fluridone is slow acting. It takes several weeks for the Eurasian milfoil to be noticeably impacted. Although the response to fluridone is initially slow, Eurasian milfoil is generally controlled the entire year of treatment and is greatly reduced the following year as well. Often, in the year fluridone is used, mechanical harvesting of vegetation is not required, though small treatments may be needed to control nuisance algae. Biologists from Progressive AE will conduct post-treatment plant surveys to evaluate treatment effectiveness. As required in the original MDNRE permit for the fluridone treatment, a detailed plant survey of the entire lake will be conducted in late summer of this year and again next year. Enjoy the summer at Big Pine Island Dan Bailey Cooperative Lake Monitoring Volunteer and Lake Improvement Representative

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Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend! With all of the family activities, Pure Michigan Events, and everything else in our busy lives, its easy to forget the meaning of why we actually have a Memorial Day. It was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Civil War Soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery. After World War 1, Memorial Day was extended to include all men and women who died in any war or military action. After World War 2, it was called what it is today, as prior it was known as Decoration Day. Unofficially the kickoff of summer, the last Monday in May, Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1971. Whether family, friend, or complete stranger, in your own way I hope you had an opportunity to show your respect for the fallen. Now that summer is upon us, even with our busy schedules, we are never busy enough to say thank you to all of Military Men and Women and their families for the sacrifices they have made or are currently making to allow us to enjoy everything life has to offer in this Great Nation. See all of you on the lake. Have a wonderful and safe summer. Scott De Meyer BPILA Vice President/Treasurer

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REMEMBER TO PAY YOUR 2013 BPILA Dues!!

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REAL ESTATE CONSULTANTS

J T Henderson & Associates LLC (616) 364-4441

& Associates LLC (616) 364-4441

RESIDENT OF BIG PINE ISLAND LAKE!

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AMOUNT DUE: $20.00 Please make checks payable to B.P.I.L.A., and remit to the following address: BPILA, PO Box # 125, Belmont, MI 49306 (We accept Pay Pal payments - Go to facebook.com Big-Pine-Island-Lake-Association)

BPILA FISHING CONTEST - Sat. June 8th

Tom Manikowski presenting the First Place Childrens Division Prize of $50 to Hadley Pearce for her 8.5 bluegill.

Tom Manikowski presenting the First Place Adult Division Prize of $100 to Kelly McNally for his 16.5 large mouth bass.

Big Pine Island Lake Association will be hosting the annual BPILA Fishing Contest which is free to all BPILA Members and includes free hot dogs and pop.

You may pay for your $20 membership at time of registration. We will have an adult category and a childrens category. First prize in the adult category is $100 for the largest Bass or the largest fish proportional to its specie. First prize in the Childrens category is $50 for the largest fish proportional to its specie. Last year Kelly McNally hooked first prize in the adult category with a 16.5 Largemouth bass while Hadley Pearce bobbered for first prize in the childrens category with a 8.5 Bluegill. Registration opens at 7:30 AM, and check in is 11:30 AM at the Big Pine Island Lake public access site. The contest date is on the State of Michigan Free Fishing Weekend so you do not need a fishing license to participate. Hotdogs by our Grill Master Dan Bailey will be provided alo ng with chips and beverages. Even if you dont fish, stop by for a pop and one of Dans hotdogs. If you have any questions, please send an email to Tom at tman12027@gmail.com.

BPILA FIREWORKS - Wed. July 3rd!

Paid for by donations- see PayPal link below or local volunteers coming door to door for donations!
As always, the fireworks display will be held on Wednesday, July 3rd down at the south end of the lake. Long-time residents know the drill....we will be out soon collecting donations to cover the $5,000 cost of the show. New residents are in for a treat as everyone gathers in their boats or on their lakefronts to enjoy fantastic show. Freedom Fireworks will be providing the show with about 600 shells. We have been extremely fortunate that the cost of the display has remained the same for a number of years. We are also extremely grateful to the residents and guests of Big Pine Island Lake for their generosity and helpfulness in donating their time and money to bring this display to the lake. That being said...we rely on you again to make this event happen. It will cost us $5,000 and we need every donation we can possibly collect! PLEASE take time to donate when someone comes around to collect this year. Judging from past years, we have a large number of people who love to bring friends and family out to enjoy the holiday and see the fireworks. Its an amazing thing to see so many boats, all of the lights and all the activity around the lake. Keep it safe, keep it fun and keep it happening...and dont forget to donate! Paypal link: Go to facebook.com Big-Pine-Island-Lake-Association