Potamogetons*
Spring 2000

*(Po-ta-mo-gee-tons) a family of mostly native pondweeds

A Letter from our Founder... "For the past thirty years Allied Biological has been an important part of my life. It started with a few lakes in 1969 and expanded to more than 2000. In 1998 I entered into an agreement to sell the firm and step back from active management. All those great Allied Biological employees are still here and doing very well without me. Those thirty years of dealing with productive lakes and messy wetlands provided me with many challenges, a few failures, but mostly gratifying experiences. I'm still involved both as a Special Projects Consultant for Allied Biological and in organizing and leading the Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society. But now there is more time available to spend with my granddaughter and pursue other interests such as fly fishing and some travel. My thanks go out to all those clients, employees and colleagues who made those thirty years a very special part of my life." Charles Gilbert Kin-buc Wetland Restoration Site entering fourth successful year Three years ago the Kin-buc Wetland Restoration site was a 12 acre tidal marsh of phragmites (common reed) monoculture. Today, phragmites covers less than 15% of the site and coexists with numerous other wetland species. This restoration came about as a mitigation project for other wetland areas developed by the site owner, Waste Management of New Jersey. Under the direction of the Army Corps of Engineers and consultants Shisler Environmental and Blasland, Bouck & Lee, a program of fall and spring herbicide applications and mechanical cutting was conducted by Allied Biological to reduce phragmites biomass.       Initially, the herbicide application covered all 12 acres and required Allied Biological's amphibious, tracked vehicle for a broadcast spray. Cutting was accomplished with specialized low ground pressure equipment outfitted with a brush hog and required a temporary bridge built to access the site. Herbicide applications are now limited to hand spraying or swabbing and cutting is easily completed with a hand held brush cutter. Each successive year the program has showed reduction in phragmites range and an increase in species diversity on the site. Geese Facts: Geese defecate 28 times per day! 1 goose = 4 properly working septic systems! 1 goose contributes 1/2 lb. of phosphorus to a lake per year

Watersheds and IMPs The management of surface waters in New Jersey and other states has taken a new direction. The focus on wetlands as cleansers of our surface waters which grew in favor in the eighties, has matured into a concern for watersheds on the whole. Watershed management is now a primary goal of the EPA and the environmental agencies of most states. What does watershed management mean to you? Every lake, pond, reservoir and wetland which water flows through is part of a greater watershed system. A small pond in a mountain top development may feed a trout stream and several larger lakes before emptying out into a major river system. Therefore what you or your community put into the water can have a significant influence on downstream ecosystems and users.       Similar to New York and California, New Jersey takes a proactive role in its protection of the environment. At a recent meeting with the NJDEP, Pesticide Control Program (PCP) Director Ralph Smith discussed his department's future plans to emphasize watershed monitoring and protection. A primary goal of watershed management will be to establish limits for various nutrients and other chemical parameters in surface waters. Therefore, part of the PCP's plans include integrated pest management(IPM) for individual lake, pond, reservoir or wetland management plans.       Although most people associate the term IPM with bugs, it covers a much broader range of activities. IPM suggests using a variety of mechanical, chemical, biological and cultural methods to achieve control of exotic or nuisance plants. Water bodies traditionally managed with only one type of activity may eventually need to incorporate several techniques into their management plan. Allied Biological recommends several management practices to all of its clients, and many pond and lake owners already practice some type of cultural activities to benefit their water body. These include: Restrict lawn fertilizer and pesticide usage near the water. Discourage domestic animals or geese from overusing the water or adjacent areas. Keep storm drains which feed the water cleaned out and never dump wastes of any type down them. Maintain a properly contained and functional septic system. Set up a monitoring program to protect your water quality.

"It has been a weapon in the human arsenal at least since the ancient Egyptians turned their cats loose on rats raiding the grain bins. It was wielded with lethal impact in 1889 by American Farmers, who brought the vedalia beetle from Australia to crush a foreign insect's assault on California's citrus industry. And now, at the close of the 20th century, biological control - the deliberate pitting of living organisms against humankind's pests- is being sent to new battlegrounds, from its agricultural roots to the arena of nature conservation.

In parks and preserves across North America, at a time when invading plants and animals have come to light as the second leading threat to the nation's native species, biodiversity's defenders are enlisting allies from the field of biological control. Natural-born killers, mainly from the ranks of insects, are emerging as 'green' alternatives to pesticides, as blessed relief in the hand-to-hand labors against weed and pest. Upon release, the living weapons carry the potential to consume the opposition, and the capability to perpetuate themselves and pursue their targets without supervision.       And therein lies the paradox of biological control. Behind the benevolent bug-in-shining-armor lurks an alter ego, whose aim sometimes falls upon innocent species, whose attack once begun can seldom be called off. For the defenders of native species, biocontrol has become the double agent too potent to dismiss, too prickly too embrace."

From the July/August 1999 issue of Nature Conservancy by Science Editor William Stolzenburg.

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Nutrient Reduction at Mountain Lake boasts 5 years of success! In the early 1990's, the Borough of Mountain Lakes' main lake had serious algae problems. After reviewing the results of an extensive nutrient study of the watershed, the Borough initiated a two pronged attack to improve its lake water quality. The Community improved its stormwater management by increasing maintenance of catch basins and rerouting certain storm drains away from the lake. It also enacted and began enforcing ordinances prohibiting the use of phosphorus based fertilizers and the feeding of waterfowl.       To address in-lake nutrient recycling, a nutrient inactivation program employing the application of aluminum sulfate (alum) was begun by Allied Biological, the Borough's Lake Management Consultants. Beginning with two low-dose applications in the first year, dramatic results were immediately apparent. Average water clarity during the season almost doubled, and algae growth was reduced by over 80%. Through the next four seasons, the amount and frequency of alum treatments steadily declined, and desirable lake conditions were easily maintained with minimal or no algae control necessary. Beginning this sixth season after these nutrient reduction measures were initiated, Allied Biological and the Community expect to maintain the outstanding lake conditions of the past five seasons while foregoing another alum application. Clearly, the combined efforts of the Community, Borough Manager, Lakes Committee and Allied Biological have been a great success in restoring this lake. Swimmers Itch Swimmers' itch has been known to exist for more than a century. It is a condition that results when larval parasites (small worms) penetrate a person's skin causing an allergic reaction. Usually small red spots appear and reach maximum size in about 24 hours. In most cases, the area will itch intensely for several days before subsiding, and after a week or more will disappear. In more sensitive individuals, swimmers itch can cause a fever, nausea and several sleepless nights. Not everyone gets swimmers itch. Approximately 30-40%* of those persons contacting the parasite show sensitivity to it. The parasites originate from snails, but are generally associated with a carrier such as grackles, blackbirds, ducks, geese and swans, or rodents, including voles or muskrats. Not every lake gets swimmers itch. Some lakes get it only occasionally or not at all. It usually appears during the first warm weather in May or June and may last for a few days or a couple months. The chance of getting swimmer's itch in your lake can be reduced by discouraging birds, muskrats and snails from using the area of the lake where you swim. If it does occur, contact Allied Biological for a copper sulfate application which can significantly reduce or eliminate the outbreak. *Hope College, Holland, Michigan Lake Community profile: Highland Lakes  One of the most desirable recreational, family-oriented lake communities in New Jersey. Located in Vernon Twp., Sussex County,NJ between Mountain Creek Ski Resort and Wawayanda State Park. Membership - private ~ 2000 homes, mostly year-round. Five lakes, from 2 to 334 acres (Non-powered boats only) 7 beaches! Competitive Swim Team and Sailboat races. Excellent fishing for bass, pickerel and muskies. Large clubhouse with game and meeting rooms and new Lakeside Cafe overlooking the main lake and swim lanes! See more at www.hlcc.org Windmill Pond Restoration under way When geese can walk halfway across your pond without getting their feet wet, you know you have a problem. This is what faced the Windmill Pond Townhome Association and their management company, Integra Management. The pond, which was supposed to be a focal point of the upscale townhome community on the edge of Morristown, was a frequent eyesore. Both the Association and Integra knew it was time to act before the pond turned into a wetland. Integra directed their lake and pond management consultant, Allied Biological, to pursue a dredging permit from the State of New Jersey. Once the permit was obtained in November 1999, the community held several meetings and finally approved funding to conduct dredging operations. After obtaining competitive bids, the Association hired Chatham Main Contractors of Chatham to remove some 7700 cubic yards of material from the pond.       With Allied Biological overseeing the operation and relocating the pond's gamefish, Chatham Main got underway in early March. Several days were spent preparing the site including installation of soil erosion control measures, laying pipe to reroute the inlet stream and building a road down the middle of the pond for the machines to work from. Actual removal of the sediment is now well under way and, assuming the weather cooperates, the dredging operation should be completed sometime in late April and on schedule. However, the project isn't finished there. The Association has contracted Allied Biological to install bioengineering measures along the entire pond shoreline. The combination of coir fiber logs and native wetland plants will not only provide stabilization of the pond banks, but will also act as a nutrient and sediment filter of runoff from the surrounding landscape. The Association will then turn on their three floating fountains to provide aeration and circulation in the pond during the warm season, completing a truly integrated approach to their pond restoration and management. Both the Windmill Pond Townhome Association and Integra Management should be commended for their commitment and foresight in reversing the sedimentation and degradation of Windmill Pond. Employee Profile: Ralston Bartholomew Senior Biologist Certified Lake Manager Rally joined the firm in 1994 as an aquatic biologist. He holds both a B.S. in Environmental Studies and an M.S. in Biology from East Stroudsburg University and has earned doctoral credits from West Virginia University in Fisheries Ecology. Before joining ABI, Rally worked for Aquatic Resource Consulting in Pennsylvania and as ranger at Beltzville State Park. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Warren County Community College. Rally's outside interests include canoeing, skiing, photography and travel. Some of his recent destinations include skiing in Austria, photography in Kenya and back-country hiking in Death Valley. Rally hails from Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

Water Chestnut Trapa natans Long a serious problem in coastal inland areas from New York to Massachusetts, this floating plant spreads rapidly by its sturdy nut. Already identified in Franklin, NJ, it continues to spread southward clogging recreational and navigable water bodies.. Fisheries Case Study: Tuxedo Lake, New York In the early 1970's, a Preliminary Biological Survey of Tuxedo Lake, Orange County, New York was conducted (Bath & Heffner, 1973 and Bath, et al., 1974). This study established a baseline of water quality and limnological conditions, and evaluated the fishery in this 292-acre lake. Progressive environmental awareness of the community and changes in the composition of fish species caught by anglers initiated a comparative study and corresponding lake and fishery management plan which Allied Biological was chosen to conduct. The sampling regime consisted of monthly water chemistry and limnological analyses, and a comprehensive fishery study using techniques that would both duplicate the earlier sampling effort and incorporate modern fishery science. In autumn, trap netting was used to sample the open water habitat of the shallow inlet region. Gill netting collected fish from deeper open waters. Electrofishing of the shorelines and drop-offs completed the field effort. Plankton was collected across the growing season to evaluate the forage base.       The study showed excellent hold-over brown trout that were stocked in Tuxedo Lake and growth rates of several inches per year. A shift in dominance from yellow perch to sunfish over the 22-year period was also noted. This shift was attributed to competition between the perch and trout for alewife, the open water forage species in the lake. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass were collected and largemouth were found to reach catchable size one year later than the smallmouth. Upon reaching catchable size a change in diet caused growth rates to increase in both species. Given the results of the study, Allied Biological praised the condition of the lake's fishery and recommended that Best Management Practices continue to be used in the watershed. . Snyders Lake milfoil control - 2 years and counting! Snyders Lake is a 114 acre lake in North Greenbush, New York. For several years, use of the lake was severely impaired by extensive weed growth along the entire shoreline. The primary problem species was Eurasian Watermilfoil, although Curlyleaf Pondweed was also growing to the lake surface. In 1998, the Snyders Lake Association coordinated with the Town of North Greenbush and the NYDEC to secure a permit to treat the lake with the aquatic herbicide Sonar. The Association then entered into a two year agreement with Allied Biological to conduct the lake treatment. With the Association and biologists from the NYDEC looking on, Allied Biological applied Sonar at 10 parts per billion in mid-May, 1998 to control milfoil and other nuisance weeds throughout the lake. The goal of the application was not to limit control to milfoil exclusively, but to achieve two-season control of this particular species.       Control of milfoil and other problem weeds was an outstanding success in the first season and many residents reported the best season on the lake in more than ten years. As Allied Biological expected, control of milfoil carried throughout the 1999 season as well, although other plant species such as white water lilies reinhabited their traditional areas. Based on over fifteen years experience using Sonar, Allied Biological predicts that control of milfoil should extend into the 2000 summer season, and plans to monitor the weed population throughout the season. back to top Algae - Did you know.... ...that the plankton community in lakes and ponds changes across the growing season. Diatoms are usually present in the spring, often giving the water a brown cast. Green algae replace these organisms in early summer. In July and August, the greens are replaced by blue-green algae, which are often the most problematic and can produce a "pea-soup" coloration and offensive odor. As fall arrives, diatoms return. To eliminate algae, one must eliminate nutrients or periodically kill off the algal cells with an approved aquatic algicide. Algae are a natural and necessary part of any aquatic ecosystem. It is only when they become overabundant in response to high nutrient levels that they become a nuisance.       When contacting Allied Biological to treat your pond, remember that treatment dates are determined by conditions within the pond, not by the calendar. These treatments are not preventative, nor are they miracle cures. Treatments should be requested when algae problems begin to appear for the best results. Algae grow and reproduce in response to nutrient concentrations in the water and may require regularly scheduled, multiple applications in more productive ponds for season long control. Also remember that the best defense is a good offense. Use phosphorus free fertilizers near your pond, discourage geese from using the pond or surrounding lawn, and don't let grass clippings fall into the pond. For long term improvements, consider having Allied Biological aquascape the pond shoreline or install a floating or submersed aeration system. back to top Pond Check A water quality test kit for pond owners or lakefront residents. Now at the introductory price of $95.00 Welcome! In our first issue, Allied Biological would like to welcome our 1999 and 2000 new clients. Cannonball Lake Anello Pond Garrison Pond Alexander Park Alpine Cove Acorn Hill Lake Heritage Lakes Bori Pond Sunset Valley GC Carter Pond Flanders Valley GC Lake Champion Lake Good Turn King Road Pond Watson's Mill Lake Longview Pond Whatmores Lake Marlu Lake Hedden Park Pond Silver Lake Scarsdale Country Club Pinch Brook GC McGowan's Pond Raritan Canal Princeton Park Pond Points of View Pond Rappaport Pond Dallenbach Lake Matthews Lake Perkowsky Pond

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