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Kim Patterson urges village to coordinate lake weed-harvesting after heavy algae returns
Summary
At the July 14 Wauconda Village Board meeting, Kim Patterson, a Lake Point association board member, urged the village to clarify permitting and coordination for weed-harvesting after persistent surface algae and heavy weeds made waterfront areas unusable; staff said a permit is not required and referred the issue to Natural Resources.
Kim Patterson, a Lake Point association board member, told the Wauconda Village Board during public comment on July 14 that heavy weed growth and surface algae along her association’s seawall and fishing pier have made the waterfront difficult to use.
"I'm Kim Patterson from Lake Point. I'm on the board there," Patterson said, and described reaching out to the Fox Waterway Agency for a vendor list and having a harvester provide a quote for localized removal. She said the harvester's preliminary estimate for treating the association’s shoreline was about "$4,000." Patterson added that the work would not be a permanent fix, but that harvesting could make the waterfront usable while longer-term solutions are explored.
Patterson asked whether a village permit is required when the association owns the lake bottom in the area to be worked. Village staff answered that the village does not require a permit for the association’s localized work but advised Patterson to share dates with the village so officials can be aware of on-lake activity. The mayor said the matter will be discussed by the Natural Resources Committee.
The comment noted several practical choices discussed with vendors: some offer chemical treatments and others mechanical harvesting; Patterson said the association is trying to avoid chemicals where possible and is seeking multiple quotes. She also reported that one of three contacted vendors had not responded.
The board did not take formal action during public comment; staff committed to follow up through the Natural Resources Committee. The record shows the Fox Waterway Agency was consulted for vendor information and that Patterson plans to check with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources as well.
Next steps: the Natural Resources Committee will consider whether village-level coordination or a broader lake-harvesting plan is appropriate, and Patterson said she will provide vendor dates and quotes to village staff for coordination.
