06-09-2025 - Agenda Packet City Council - regular meeting

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• BWT programs have been around for decades on Lake Minnetonka, to address infestations of Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM or "milfoil") and, subsequently, Curly Leaf Pondweed (CLP). These two AIS "lake weeds" are highly invasive, damage the eco-system, and they are non- native to Lake Minnetonka. EWM was first detected on the lake in 1987. More AIS types are undoubtedly coming to Lake Minnetonka (e.g., Starry Stonewart, Flowering Rush, , Spiny Water Flea, Zebra Mussels). • AIS (aka "invasives") are extremely problematic and can be treated professionally on a bay wide basis per DNR regulations, without compromising water quality and aquatic life. o AIS infestations choke out native plants and damage the fish populations that thrive in native vegetation. They spread rapidly from and to other lakes by floating through channels, and being transported by boats and trailers. o If AIS weren't so damaging, we wouldn't need BWT programs... or LIDs. "Native" plants can also be problematic. Certain native plants and invasives can be treated (DIY by the homeowner or professionally) at the individual property level. o Natives cannot be treated bay wide. Some plants are protected and cannot be treated at all. Native plants are vital to a Jake's health. o Unfortunately — or fortunately, depending on how you look at things, we have an (over) abundance of native plants. o Shorter winters with less ice coverage and warmer temps make native and AIS plants increasingly more prolific. • AIS can render a bay or lake unusable for recreation because of how thick they get if allowed to propagate without mitigation. o This was the case 35 years ago on many bays of L. Mtka before herbicide treatments were scientifically proven and became more effective at treating AIS. Eventually, nearly all bays were infested with EWM. o Sailing, kayaking, boating and water-skiing through EWM and CLP are virtually impossible once they takeover a bay or Jake's shallower areas (<20' deep —the Littoral zone of a lake). Swimming can be dangerous. o Other treatments including cutting, pulling, and weed -rolling have been tried but these treatments are more costly and sometimes more ineffective. Harvesting (cutting) treatments actually spread the EWM more quickly throughout the lake making AIS infestations worse. o We can remember not being able to leave our docks on North Arm Bay with our boats because propellors became so tangled. Steering was impossible. Engines could overheat when water intakes became clogged and props became wrapped with weeds. o I (Cindy) also remember sailboat racing 32 years ago on Lower Lake and having to be mindful of avoiding the weed patches due to potential boat entrapment. We 267