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Third Lake delays invasive-plant treatment until Illinois EPA permit is approved; Mill Creek fixes planned to reduce nutrient input
Summary
Village officials said invasive-plant treatment for Third Lake is pending Illinois EPA approval and outlined ongoing oxygen monitoring, diver repairs to aerators, weekly nutrient testing and a Stormwater Commission plan to improve Mill Creek to reduce nutrient loads entering the lake.
Mayor Rodney Buckley told the Board that Third Lake has not been treated for invasive plants because the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has not yet approved the required permit; a treatment plan is in place for next spring. He said a Wisconsin firm will identify locations of invasive plants and propose a treatment limited to those invasives.
Buckley also reported that divers elevated the east aerator, found no holes and cleaned the diffuser; they patched holes on the west aerator. "O2 monitoring shows that oxygen levels increased after the repairs," the minutes say. The village conducts weekly oxygen monitoring and weekly nutrient-load testing at five sites; those data have been shared with the Lake County Health Department and engineers working on Mill Creek improvements.
Buckley said the Stormwater Commission is moving forward with Mill Creek improvements intended to filter nutrients before they reach Third Lake and that the Lake County Forest Preserve plans to create an aquatic nursery as part of the project. He said the village is working on funding for the project and that more detailed plans are not yet finalized.
