$60,000 needed to battle Lyngbya in early stages on Lake Norman
Lyngbya in lake adjacent to the 18th hole at The Peninsula Club
Jan. 31. By Dave Yochum. Funding for the battle against Lyngbya must be in place by April 1 to stem the fast-rising tide of noxious blue-green algae in Lake Norman, local officials and concerned citizens say.
From 2022 to 2023 Lyngbya doubled in Lake Norman, with dense mats—sometimes called sludge—evident in coves around Cornelius, more so on the south side of The Peninsula.
The issue is serious enough for NC Speaker of the House Tim Moore to attend a community meeting last night that drew about 200 people to The Peninsula Club, including Mayor Pro Tem Scott Higgins, Lake Norman Marine Commission member Rick Howard, former NC Sen. Jeff Tarte and Mayor Woody Washam.
Pricetag
Meeting organizers Bob Menzel and Bob Watson said the cost to chemically address the problem now is only about $60,000, but the price tag will soar because the bloom appears to double every summer. Treatment must occur in the spring, prior to the bloom.
There’s already about $15,000 pledged, they said.
Toxins
In addition to ruining the aesthetics of the lake experience, Lyngbya can produce toxins that cause rashes; dogs should not touch it, according to the Lake Norman Marine Commission. It can also affect drinking water if it invades Charlotte Water intake areas—the lake is the primary source of our drinking water.
Background
State funding was nearly in place—it was approved by the NC House last year—but didn’t make it through the Senate by the time the Legislature closed the session Oct. 25.
Speaker Moore, who is running for the newly configured 14th Congressional District, said he expects the NC Senate to approve funding soon after the session starts this spring—after the effective period during which dormant Lyngbya can be treated. Long-term treatment beyond the quick fix in April is expected over the course of four years.
The annual cost on Lake Gaston, which has a far more serious Lyngbya problem, began at around $700,000 and escalated to $1.3 million—paid for by surrounding government entities in North Carolina and Virginia.
—During treatment, Duke Energy scientists say the water is safe to swim in.
Next steps
The good thing here, is that the Lyngbya problem here was caught in the very early stages.
The preliminary fix needs to take place in April. If it doesn’t happen, it will occur next year at a far higher cost.
The Town of Cornelius statutorily cannot fund work on the lake—its jurisdiction is limited to policing lake waters.
Private funding will have to address the issue before state assistance kicks in.
To contribute, send checks to:
Mike Elliott/escrow account
Elliott Law Firm PA
PO Box 2021
Cornelius NC 28031
Businesses are invited to contribute as well.
No Comments
Leave A Comment
Our Partners
Where is Duke on this issue?
How are the other municipalities around LKN and Duke dealing with this problem?
Shouldn’t they also contribute to the funding?
Will we have to have an HOA assessment from the various developments that surround the lake?
There are many more questions but could someone answer these.
Thank You
This isn’t hard folks. Throw up a GoFundMe page and ask everyone to pitch in a couple bucks, so we can get this work rolling.
Mr. Simpson,
Thank you for your question. The meeting Tuesday evening was a “community meeting” meaning it was not sponsored by any government or corporate entity. With that in view, Duke Energy, Charlotte Water, the Lake Norman Marine Commission, Charlotte Stormwater, and government officials (federal, state, county, and town) were present and supporting our community’s effort to eradicate this small Lyngbya Cyanobacteria population in Lake Norman before it becomes a large, difficult to manage problem.
As I think we all understand, securing funding involves a process and, while the specifics are not available today, it is my sincere belief that there will be widespread support, financial and resources, from all these stakeholders and private citizens.
Yesterday, we received dozens of calls, texts, and email from individuals expressing support and preparing to donate to the 2024 treatment program. It is a remarkable testimony from our neighbors around the lake that speaks volumes about what makes this unique part of our state, “Lake Norman”, like no other. By the way, as mentioned Tuesday evening, all donations are being held in an independent escrow account and donations not used in 2024 will be returned to the donors.
Keep reading Cornelius Today for further updates on the Lyngbya Eradication Program.
How all the towns and counties that surround Lake Norman can’t come up with $60,000 to keep the lake in great shape is an absolute joke.
Hydro BioScience, has patented, ultrasonic, algae remediation systems that have been proven affective, are chemical free, and manufactured in Tennessee. Our systems are used in the affective remediation against blue green algae, green algae, and biofilm.