Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Aquatic Vegetation Treatment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Advisory board reviews spring survey, recommends limited milfoil treatment and confirms LMD funds
Summary
The American Lake Management District advisory committee reviewed Aqua Technics’ June survey recommending treatment of roughly 5.84 acres in LMD waters and 19.5 acres on JBLM property, confirmed about $61,101 in carryover funds (and $8,367 remaining from a DOE grant) and agreed to authorize a follow‑up survey and possible second treatment this summer if needed.
The American Lake Management District advisory committee on July 9 reviewed a spring survey by Aqua Technics and discussed a narrowly targeted herbicide treatment for Eurasian watermilfoil this summer.
City staff told the committee that Aqua Technics conducted three site visits (June 18, 23 and 28) and used biobased mapping plus visual inspection to map vegetation. Staff and the consultant found most LMD zones largely clear of milfoil, with pockets of milfoil and broader stands of native pondweeds and filamentous algae, particularly along the south shore. Aqua Technics’ recommended treatment map listed 5.84 acres within the LMD and Camp Murray waters and 19.5 acres on JBLM property.
Katie Foster, the city staff member presenting the survey, said an addendum to Aqua Technics’ work lists a treatment price of $950 per acre; using that figure, the LMD portion would cost about $5,548. Foster also confirmed budget figures discussed at an earlier June meeting, saying the LMD fund carryover balance is approximately $61,101.75 and that about $8,367 remains available from a Department of Ecology (DOE) grant.
Board members pressed the consultant’s recommendation for a resurvey of areas not initially listed for treatment. Several residents and committee members said they observed significant milfoil around some docks (Bridal Boathouse and parts of Eagle Point) that the spring map did not fully represent. City staff and members noted Terry McNabb of Aqua Technics had recommended a follow‑up survey in the spring report; staff said the work plan and current budget include funds to pay for an additional survey and that the board could authorize a second survey and treatment this year if needed and if it falls within the LMD budget.
Todd Zukowski, representing Joint Base Lewis‑McChord (JBLM), told the committee that JBLM’s fiscal constraints may limit paying for treatment of the full surveyed acreage this fiscal year and that the base will “seek to pay what is surveyed for” but could adjust its coverage. Staff explained that DOE grant funds can be applied to the JBLM portion because the grant covers treatment in American Lake generally and that JBLM would reimburse the city dollar‑for‑dollar for work performed on federal property when applicable.
The committee did not take a formal vote on a contract amendment during the meeting. Members said the practical path for 2026 is to proceed with the consultant’s initial recommendations for milfoil, authorize a follow‑up survey after the initial treatment, and hold a possible second treatment if the follow‑up shows additional milfoil. Any amendment to the 2026 work plan or to Aqua Technics’ contract would require council review if it changes contract totals above the council’s threshold.
The board asked staff to confirm with Aqua Technics whether the consultant can return for a second survey and whether a second treatment could be scheduled within the treatment window this summer. Staff said they would follow up and report back.
The committee also discussed other aquatic plants—nyad, yellow flag iris and purple loosestrife—noting that some shore‑edge plants are better addressed by education and resident removal rather than contractor lakewide treatments. Members agreed those topics can be examined for 2027 planning.
