Asylum Lake Policy & Management Council Meeting

Thursday, 12 October 2006

7:30 p.m.

Gibbs House

4503 Parkview Ave

The recorded comments below are expressions of council members

and are not approved policy until voted on. The statements

were not recorded verbatim and cannot be used as quotes.

AGENDA:

I. Call to Order

Meeting was called to order at 7:30p.m.

II. Roll Call

a. Sign-In Roster

Council Members Present: Tom Edmonds, Pat Klein, Bill Steinmann, Bob Nagler, Tim Holysz, Chuck Ide, Mark Hoffman, Steve Kohler, Paul MacNellis, Tyler Bassett, Duane Hampton, Cari DeLong (A.L. Council Coordinator)

Guests Present: Carla Koretsky, Danielle Hunt, Melanie Haveman, George G. Daves, Kay Chase (rep. for Tyler Bassett)

III. Adoption of Agenda

Tom Edmonds moved to adopt the 12 October 2006 meeting agenda. Pat Klein seconded. All in favor. None opposed.

IV. Approval of 13 July 2006 Meeting Minutes

Mark Hoffman moved to approve the 13 July 2006 meeting minutes. Bob Nagler seconded. All in favor. None opposed.

Bob Nagler suggested Cari DeLong be given a title. The Council agreed on Asylum Lake Council Coordinator.

V. Old Business

Asylum Lake Water Quality Study

Chuck Ide

A description of both Dr. Koretsky’s and Kieser’s preliminary results for August sampling was given out. Dr. Carla Koretsky and Melanie Haveman explained their work. Water samples were analyzed filtered and unfiltered for each of the elements indicated. Most elements were at levels they expected to see. However, cadmium levels were high throughout sample sites when compared to EPA drinking water standards. Would like to collect more samples and repeat with ICP MS which could measure more accurately. Possible causes of high cadmium levels, taken from the EPA website, include corrosion of galvanized pipes, erosion of natural deposits, discharge from metal refineries, runoff from waste batteries and paints. Don’t know if a danger to people swimming or if these levels are different than other lakes.

Sediment sampling included a 3 step extraction to target labile forms of elements. When levels were compared to literature, none of the levels raised concern. However it is important to keep in mind that this method does not overestimate and there is argument about what constitutes toxicity in the sediment.

Dr. Ide brought up a paper written by the EPA in 2000 on ecotoxicity. When comparing the levels considered ecologically toxic by this paper and the levels found at Asylum Lakes, Pb and Zn were of concern. Both were high at sampling site AL-2.

Dr. Koretsky also noted that Little Asylum was different from Asylum Lake for Mg, Ni, Co, Cr, Zn and Fe. However, levels might be due to the fact that the lake had just been treated for algae. Possible contributions to the higher levels could be that there are at least 2 outfalls that drain into Asylum Lake and, according to the lake bathymetry, there is a structure below the water on the west side.

The Water Quality Committee will meet to decide on the direction for further testing.

VI. New Business

None.

VII. Project/Special Committee Reports

a. Research/Education Committee

None.

b. Operations Committee

Kay Chase reported for the Operations Committee. The Committee met in July and is now being notified through email of the research proposals. Chad Avery would like to meet with researchers before they begin in order to establish contact.

VIII. Public Comments

a. Gibbs House Operation and History

Danielle Hunt, Gibbs House Coordinator

Danielle gave an overview of the Gibbs House. It was built in 1860 and acquired by WMU about 50 years ago. In 2002 it came under the leadership of the Environmental Institute, Dr Ide (Director of Env. Inst.) and Jason Weeby (program founder). The program provides undergrads with hands on research experience. Students in any major can submit proposals for year long projects that improve the sustainability of the house or property and include a community outreach component. This program has been going on for 4 years with 13 students and thousands of dollars in grant moneys. This year projects include a community research room, organic vegetable garden, waste management project, and a structural energy audit.

Paul added that the University is interested in improving the landscape and making it easier to maintain. Bob O’Boyle is currently working on a landscape design.

IX. Council/Staff Comments

Paul passed out an update of the dog patrol at Asylum Lake. Eight citations and zero warnings were handed out from Aug 12, 2006 to Sept. 9, 2006. Paul requested that the Council decide whether or not to continue patrols by animal control during the winter. There was general consensus from the Council to continue patrols through the winter. The money for the patrols is taken out of the maintenance fund. Maintenance fund will be reported on next time.

X. Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 8:29p.m.