Month: May 2017

The ESHA board approved to allocate $1,000 again this year toward fish stocking (bluegill, crappie, perch, and bass).  Several years ago, we increased the fish stocking budget because of back to back years of severe fish winter kills.  We’ve had a few years of mild winters now, which helps limit winter kill.  The fish will also help to keep snail populations down by eating the small snails.  If you fish in our ponds, please be sure to practice catch and release.  This will help maintain healthy fish populations for all residents to enjoy fishing our ponds for years to come.  We also don’t recommend eating the fish from our ponds due to storm water runoff, and the potential for various chemicals to enter the ponds from our streets and yards.

–Jim Wilkinson, Pond Treatment Coordinator

In 2017, the MN DNR made a decision to move to an online application process for the permits required to treat our weeds.  Because of this, the board made every effort to wrap up collections and turn in our signature forms ahead of schedule to buy us some extra time to process the permits.  The treatment company we contract with handles the permit application process on our behalf.  Due to the changes this year, there was a lot of confusion with the new on-line process between the DNR and our treatment company.  After being proactive and taking the initiative on the matter, we are happy to report we should have our permits on time, and there should not be any delay in our first scheduled treatment.  The first treatment is currently scheduled for the week of May 22^nd, which is in line with prior years, depending on weather.  The second treatment is usually right around the 4^th of July holiday.

–Jim Wilkinson, Pond Treatment Coordinator