Property Owners' Association of Deep Creek Lake
 
  Notes From January PRB Meeting 
 
February 2, 2016

 
Folks,
 
I want to share several Items from the PRB meeting on January 25 th which matter to POA members:
 
  1. Kevin Null, County Administrator, sitting in for Commissioner Paul Edwards, reminded everyone of the Public Hearing concerning the Watershed Management Plan (WMP)scheduled for Thursday evening, January 28th, in Room 224 at Garrett College. The public is invited to attend and make comments concerning the WMP or, if unable to attend in person, one is welcome to send comments to the Garrett County Commissioners. Please note that comments will be received through February 5th, 2016.
  2. Bruce Michael, Director, Resource Assessment Service, DNR, provided an update regarding Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) for Deep Creek Lake (DCL) and stated that the Hydrilla control project for 2015 was composed of four treatments administered to known Hydrilla locations, all of which were successful. In addition, a newly found location of Hydrilla was spot treated in Green Glade Cove. Overall, Hydrilla is successfully being controlled but doing so is a long term, multi-year effort. Another AIS called Curly Pond Weed was found in a small patch and was removed by hand. The location will be checked later this year to see if all of the plant was removed. Lastly, the AIS named Eurasian Watermilfoil which is another AIS that has been monitored since discovered in DCL, appears to be dying back to some degree but the reasons are unknown at this time.
    The DNR AIS Final Report required by the 2015 MD AIS Bill can be found here.
  3. The results of the Resident Canada Geese hunt conducted prior to Thanksgiving last year were provided. No shots were fired by the nine permitted participants, no geese killed, and no complaints were made. There was some discussion about taking another step this year in addition to addling eggs in an attempt to further control the geese population in the DCL area.
  4. The issue of removing the day/time restrictions for the use of Personal Watercraft (Jet Skis) on DCL was discussed to a limited degree. Chairman Greg Snook established a committee composed of board members Jim Bailey, Bob Browning, and Marta Schroyer as well as a representative from a PWC business on the lake (probably Parker or Carol Jacobs, The Aquatic Center).   This committee will review the history of the restrictions and the reason for initiating them in the first place as well as other factors bearing on their use such as safety and make recommendations back to the PRB at the April 2016 meeting.
  5. DNR provided current information as to how one can obtain an Off Road Vehicle sticker for calendar year 2016 which is required for such vehicles as snowmobiles that intend to use state trails or operate on DCL. Stickers must be requested online via the DNR website; this can be done locally at the Camping Headquarters at the State Park or the Discovery Center (which is open Saturdays and Sundays during the winter). In addition, one can also go to Bill's Marine Service on Rt. 219 where the sticker can be requested as well. Lastly, the Chamber of Commerce will assist those attempting to obtain the sticker at the Visitors Center in McHenry. In each instance, the sticker is paid for when application is made and a receipt will be rendered that the applicant should keep with them while snowmobiling as it will serve as proof the sticker has been ordered should the Natural Resources Police request proof the sticker has been requested. Applicants should receive the sticker in the mail in roughly nine days.

Cheers,
 
Bob Hoffmann
President
   
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