Letter from the Chair - Spring 2025
Dear Half Moon Lake District Members,
As summer approaches and the days grow longer, I want to thank you for your continued care and commitment to Half Moon Lake. Whether you're here year-round or returning for the season, this is a special time of year to reconnect with the lake and each other.
Over the past year, your Board has been working steadily on behalf of the District, and I'd like to share some key updates. We partnered with Barr Engineering, Aquatic Plant Management (APM), and Endangered Resource Services (ERS) to submit an application to the Wisconsin DNR for a permit to treat the aquatic invasive plant Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) using an herbicide. The permit application was sent to WDNR on June 3. We are required by WDNR to notify all riparian owners in writing that the permit application has been submitted for herbicide treatment of EWM in the lake. The permit is available to read on our website at halfmoonlake.net. We published the legal notification of possible herbicide treatment in the Inter County Leader newspaper on May 28.
In tandem with that application, we also worked with Barr Engineering to update the Aquatic Plant Management Plan (APMP) - a requirement of the WDNR for any type of water/plant manipulation, including herbicide treatment applications. The updated plan (a 53-page document for those interested in the details!) is also available on our website.
We remain committed to managing aquatic invasive species responsibly while protecting the native health of our lake ecosystem. To further support this effort, we have hired ERS to conduct lake plant bed mapping surveys in July and October, which will include complex data analysis to better inform our long-term management strategies.
In other news, Polk County has hired an additional recreational officer, expanding lake coverage and safety resources. The officer is now available for water patrol on Half Moon Lake for a fee. If you're interested in learning more, please reach out to the board directly. Our neighbor, Balsam Lake, has recently discovered EWM in their lake. Their harvesters are currently being used for Curly Leaf Pondweed (CLP).
The I-LIDS (Internet Landing Installed Device Sensor) camera at the landing has received a software update to reduce videos triggered by non-informative movements such as grass or branches. Polk County has implemented a new violations report form that will be used by the I-LIDS staff and sent directly to the sheriff's department. We are copied on violation reports sent to the sheriff.
The Polk County Lake and River Organization monthly meeting was held on May 29. Lake leaders from the area are welcome to attend to share information about their lake issues. Please read the linked email and associated documents about the details of that meeting.
More updates:
Please visit the website for 4th of July event information.
Half Moon Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District - Annual Meeting
The meeting is now held on the first Saturday of August - this year on August 2nd at 10:00 AM at the public beach pavilion. We'll be gathering as a community to share updates and make decisions for the future of our lake.
Two Commissioners - Jim Benike and Steve Schatz - are finishing their terms on the Board, so we will hold an election to vote in two new Commissioners. Please consider your time and talents. Please contact any Board member with questions.
Budget: Check our website in mid-July for the agenda and proposed budget, which will be posted in advance of the meeting.
Free lunch and ice cream will be provided for you and your families - we'd love to see you there!
Wishing you a safe, enjoyable, and connected lake season.
Warm regards,
Ellen Butler, Chair
Half Moon Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District