Friends of the Flat Hear from Second Water Management Provider

The nonprofit Lowell Friends of the Flat held a meeting on Monday night at Lowell City Hall. All board members were present except Secretary Mike DeVore. The meeting was also attended by several members of the public as well as Rich Perry, regional sales manager of Solitude Lake Management.

Perry was there to provide a presentation about how his company would address the issue of invasive weeds in the Flat River. Solitude Lake Management is the second of three companies that the Lowell Friends of the Flat expect to hear from.

During his Monday’s presentation, Perry covered much of the same material that he presented to Lowell City Council last summer. His estimate for shoreline treatment pricing was $13,668, and he noted that offshore treatment could not occur after June 15 each summer, per state rules intended to protect aquatic species.

Since this would be the first treatment of the Flat River in recent years, the state would also require a full fisheries review of the species in the river. “We will pay for it,” Perry added.

Perry also said that his company could apply the treatment in a variety of ways, including backpack applicators for targeting spraying. The herbicides target plant roots and are deemed safe for birds and other animals. However, after application, people are encouraged to avoid using the river for 48 hours to give the chemicals time to adhere to the weeds.

After Perry’s presentation, Friends of the Flat President Craig Fonger provided some additional updates. He noted that a draft of the group’s bylaws had been sent to board members, and there was a brief discussion about how to thank donors.

Fonger shared that the group had joined the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, and he suggested it become a member of the Lowell Rotary Club as well. “It’s an excellent marketing opportunity and networking opportunity,” Fonger said.

However, when they heard membership dues would be $850 annually, most board members appeared to agree with Annette Ritzema who said, “We’ve got bigger fish to fry, in my opinion.”

For the latest updates from the group, follow the Lowell Friends of the Flat Facebook page.

Editor’s Note: A representative of the Lowell Rotary Club shared that a business membership gives organizations the option to rotate who attends the weekly Rotary meetings. An individual membership is $600. However, with either membership level, new members get half off for their first year.