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McLeod County approves $8,638.87 from AIS fund to treat curlyleaf pondweed on Winstead Lake
Summary
The county board voted to distribute up to $8,638.87 from the McLeod County Aquatic Invasive Species Fund to the Winstead Lake Association to treat 21.6 acres of curlyleaf pondweed identified in an April DNR survey; the association will cover a portion of the project cost.
The McLeod County Board of Commissioners voted to approve distribution of up to $8,638.87 from the county—s Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Fund to the Winstead Lake Association for treatment of curlyleaf pondweed, the board decided at its meeting at the McLeod County Government Center.
County staff told the board the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources surveyed Winstead Lake on April 17, 2025, and identified 21.6 acres for treatment in map areas 1, 2 and 3. The total project cost for the Aquathol K treatment is $9,598.75, and the Winstead Lake Association "would be responsible for 10% of that cost," staff said. Funds would come from AIS account number 25694 and be distributed when provided to McLeod County.
The board—s action approves the request by the Winstead Lake Association to distribute up to $8,638.87 from the McLeod County Aquatic Invasive Species Fund for the treatment. "This has been an ongoing effort with the Winstead Lake Association," a county presenter said, noting previous years had identified multiple sites and the association is now down to three treatment areas. The presenter also described the funding mechanism as state grant money distributed by formula, including dollars from a constitutional amendment dedicated to AIS work.
Commissioner Schmaltz, who moved approval, said the county must continue fighting invasive aquatic species. "This is kind of a battle that doesn't go away," Schmaltz said. The board chair added support for the program: "I think it's a great program that we've used on several lakes in the county," the chair said.
Motion to approve the distribution was moved by Commissioner Schmaltz and seconded by Commissioner Krueger; the board voted in favor and the motion carried. The record shows the county will disburse the AIS funds to the association once McLeod County receives the grant funding.
The treatment uses Aquathol K and is described in the DNR survey referenced during the meeting. The county did not set a schedule for treatment in the meeting record; staff said the funds would be distributed at the time they are provided to McLeod County.
The item was handled as part of the consent/regular agenda; no additional conditions or amendments were recorded in the meeting minutes.
