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Board outlines multi-pronged plan for algae control, canal cleanup and equipment needs
Summary
Board members discussed volunteer cleanups of the North Canal, algae and pennywort monitoring, a $50,000 state algae-control grant application (no local match required), and contractor spraying and pilot alum treatments; plans include coordinating with the parks board and Public Works, applying for harvesters, and scheduling a February cleanup.
At the meeting Speaker 3 urged the board to schedule volunteer work on the Far North Canal and to coordinate with the parks board and Public Works to remove dense vegetation, trash and pennywort. "It's gonna take both teams and some a a lot of other people to work on that," Speaker 3 said, describing heavy grass and litter across the canal.
Speaker 7 reported the board applied for an algae-control grant through the state ecology program. "I did apply for algae control grant, through ecology," Speaker 7 said, noting the application was submitted recently and the program reportedly requires no local match. Speaker 7 characterized the grant amount as about $50,000 and said the program period in the transcript text is likely a transcription error; results are pending.
Speaker 5 described available contract funds with contractor Aqua Technics and a plan to begin earlier-season spraying in spring. "We still have money left over in the contract with Aqua Technics, and his plan was to come back in the spring and use [it]," Speaker 5 said, and added they would bring an MSDS and treatment details to the next meeting.
Board members discussed options for pilot alum treatments targeted to sample canals (Fishhook and Bass Canal were mentioned as candidates) to measure effectiveness and duration before scaling up. Members also discussed aerators and harvesters, noting aerators can improve movement but do not eliminate algal growth, and past harvester contracts had performance issues that will inform future procurement. The liaison said the stormwater rate study will be presented to finance this month and could enable funding for master-plan actions.
Action items assigned included requesting an MSDS and application schedule from the contractor, coordinating with the parks board and Public Works for a February volunteer cleanup, and reporting grant outcomes and budget implications at a future meeting. The group emphasized this is a multi-year effort requiring pilot treatments, equipment purchases and continued monitoring.
