12/4/12 - After weeks of conspiracy theories and controversies, the Genoa Township Board voted 4-2 Monday night to levy a special assessment district for weed control on East and West Crooked Lakes. Board members Jim Mortenson and Linda Rowell voted against the resolution, saying they were unhappy with the SAD process and felt new petitions should be circulated and signed with very specific language as to how the weeds should be controlled. Other members felt the language was clarified sufficiently and hope the district provides the association with the needed mechanism to handle weed control. Some residents have been up in arms over the proposed use of chemicals to control an invasive weed species taking over the lakes, the formation of the new East and West Crooked Lakes Riparian Association and the entire SAD process. Others say there is no perfect solution to the problem but the SAD is a first step to alleviating the degradation of the lakes. The invasive Eurasian Milfoil species is said to be very aggressive and many agree it needs to be addressed but how to do so has been a battle between those affected. Members of the newly formed East and West Crooked Lakes Riparian Association say the matter was thoroughly investigated with the goal being to provide weed control through various methods, noting that chemicals are not the sole solution. The special assessment district levy includes anyone deemed to receive a benefit and will cost around $55 per year for five years, generating roughly $100,000 total for aquatic weed control. (JM)
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