April 2021 Newsletter

Help Us Prevent E. coli
April is Goose Egg & Nest Removal Month

Please help us find the specific locations for geese eggs & nests during this month of April. Often they nest in the same place each year. Watch for geese or a single goose consistently hanging out near shore. The female will stay low to hide and blend into the surroundings. That is where the nest will be.

When you contact us, please give us the specific address and description of where you think the nest is. Licensed agency called Goose Busters, will attain the DNR permit, and be on the lake two different days in April; one day between April 15- 22 and then two weeks later. Goose Busters will be approaching the reported areas from the lake so as you describe the area, include details such as house color and other landmarks.

Removal efforts have reduced our goose population from over 100 to under 40. Once eggs hatch, we cannot remove the hatchlings and unfortunately, they often return each year and repeat the sequence. Geese droppings cause E.coli outbreaks on the lake.

A Goose Free Yard - Lessen E. coli, Because You Asked… Read More

Help Us Prevent Weed & Algae Growth
No Fertilizer Ordinance in effect until May 1st

• October 1 to May 1 - No lawn fertilizer and never fertilize within 50 feet of any water’s edge

• Observe the West Bloomfield Township “Manufactured Fertilizer Ordinance” Sec. 14.5.

• Please Inform your lawn contractors about these limitations.

Annual Meeting Set For
May 6, 2021, 7:00 pm on ZOOM

Invitations will be emailed to 2020 dues paid members in good standing from our community of Riparians, designated HOA Presidents, Property Managers and the Marina and Country Club representative. If you miss the meeting, a recording will be posted on the website later. Not sure if you paid your dues? Contact Us.

Keeping our Lake Healthy
Two Weed Treatments Planned for This Summer

Last summer, mother nature gave us a run for our money!

Due to the low water level, we saw the return of healthy native lake weeds in part because we lessened the invasive weed beds, with our Licensed Savin herbicide treatments. This created space for the native weeds to return. However, too much of any kind of weed is not good on our all sports lake. There was no way to predict and plan for the weather that brought excessive weeds last summer.

Here’s what happened:

1. Spring showers brought high lake water. By mid-June, our water level dropped and reached the the John Hartwig weir collar set-level, and the flow of water out of the lake ceased.

2. Little Summer Rain – Our area somehow dodged summer showers while all around us, numerous lakes and properties in Michigan continued to suffer from high water levels from summer rainfall.

3. Photosynthesis – We experienced mega hot, beautiful sunny days and during COVID, how lucky and blessed we were to have such beautiful days. Natural photosynthesis grew more weeds.

4. Hot, sunny & windy days brought water evaporation. Through evaporation, the water continued to drop throughout the rest of the summer thus revealing the newly grown native weeds.

2021 - In preparation to control lake weeds, we will be piloting a second weed treatment in June in addition to the 2-4-D treatment of previous years. Both treatments should be completed in June. Watch the website and emailed communications on this, we will advise of any No boating/swimming days.

GOAL - use Savin again this summer to reduce the invasive Eurasian Milfoil beds with 2-4-D and keep native weeds low in the water with a second treatment so members can enjoy our private all sports lake.

New Sergeant on the Lake

Starting May 30, Sgt Brian Burwell will be in charge of Oakland County Sheriff Marine Division. PLPOA hires the Marine Sheriff to patrol our lake periodically. If you have any concerns you can email Sheriff Burwell at burwellB@oakgov.com or call 248-858-1664.

Safety is our highest priority on our 400 acre lake, which had 482 motorized boats last summer, an all time high. Please review the Pine Lake Rules & Etiquette with your friends and family. Consider taking a safety class for your newest boaters.
To reserve an Oakland County online class call 248-858-7831 - Read More HERE
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers online classes - Read More HERE

THANK and frequent our generous GOLD Sponsors

(Click icons to visit their websites)

In Case of Emergency

If you witness an emergency or a violation taking place - take pictures, a video and get details such as time, boat type, color, MC#, location on the lake, and call the appropriate number below. You can ask for a jump boat that may be available to quickly launch if our Sheriff boat is off duty.

• Non-Emergency, Violation or Complaint (248) 975-9200 (West Bloomfield)

• Emergency - 911

• General issues - submit suggestions to PLPOA through our Contact Form

A Multi Function Website

We have worked hard to provided you with fingertip facts about your investment in Pine Lake; Lake Rules & Etiquette, the Lake Management Plan, Contact-Us, Pay Dues Online, Board Projects, Annual Meetings, stored newsletters, Historical Pine Lake, Facts About Pine Lake, as well as many other topics.
You can look forward to receiving a comprehensive newsletter the first Saturday of each month-March through November. Each year, in late May, annual dues notices are sent through email and can be paid on the website. Check out our website.

• Riparian’s and HOA/Business Treasurers can pay their annual dues online.

• Would you, your association, club or your business like to become a Sponsor?

• Would you like to donate? Visit our website, contact us.

THANK and frequent our generous SILVER Sponsors

(Click icons to visit their websites)

Protecting the Waterway Rain Garden Part 2

All water from your garden hose, roof top, rainfall, snow melt, etc., ends up in a watershed. A rain garden can solve multiple problems. A rain garden can be planted anywhere that water slopes toward a lake, river or canal. It protects shoreline from erosion and it purifies water run off.

Rain gardens can be planted in your yard, shoreline, or where ever there is a potential for contaminated water to run into the lake. In essence, you are building a filter to purify the water. Native plants make a perfect Rain Garden because they need less care, attract butterflies and birds, and with a long root system easily absorb water.

Looking forward to a safe and fun summer while promoting good lake stewardship to protect our lake!

CONTACT US

PLPOA Website