LAKE GENEVA -- A Williams Bay based environmental group is taking a proactive approach when it comes to stopping the spread of an invasive plant found in Geneva Lake. The Geneva Lake Environmental Agency says Starry stonewort has been found in a small lagoon located inside the Trinke Estates subdivision in the Town of Linn. They are currently exploring options for how to deal with the issue before it spreads to other parts of the lake.
“It actually can grow to be very thick. It looks very long and stringy it can be crunchy because of the type of water it can be found in.” says Ted Peters, President of the Geneva Lake Environmental Agency.
Peters worries that if left untreated, it could grow out of control and impact the fish population. It is why he hopes the group can take a proactive approach.
“I think that maybe gives us a chance to maybe eradicate this plant at least in this lake.” Says Peters
Multiple options exist for dealing with the invasive plant. The one Peters says is most likely to be successful is dredging the lagoon in the spring. The plan comes with a hefty price tag, estimated to cost over $100,000. Peters says options for funding the project include grants from the State of Wisconsin as well as possible use of crowd funding sites like Go Fund Me.
If funding for the dredging project is secured, it could mean some residents at Trinke Estates could lose access to their boat launch for part of the summer. Peters plans to work with the Trinke Homeowners Association to coordinate the logistics of a dredging project.