In the summer of 1985 Ginny Bachman was appointed Weed Control Committee Chairperson by the North Lake Protection Association President, Ralph Rumsey. For the next two years she gathered information, explored various lake quality control efforts, and consulted with government and professional experts.
In 1988 Ginny’s husband, Jerry, agreed to co-chair the committee. Together with then president of NLPA Mary Lou Frendt and others, a questionnaire was distributed to learn the concerns and actions supported by residents.
The NLPA Lake Study/Weed Control Committee was formed with Sheridan Springer frequently adding his help in his related role as leader of the Lake Development Task Force. By now it was clear that the primary problem had surfaced in the form of an increasing lake infestation of Eurasian Milfoil.
The first treatment was done in 1989. For many years the program was funded on a voluntary contribution basis. New invasive species and hybrid milfoil made the volunteer approach impractical; we needed more expertise and better funding to deal with the growing problems.
In 2007, under the guidance and hard work of then President Dan Kruse, a Special Assessment District administered by Washtenaw County was approved. In 2008 weed treatments were done under this program.
Through the Special Assessment District the county contracts with a consultant firm to assess the problematic weeds. They then contract with a licensed contractor to do the applications within the EPA and MI DEQ regulations.
