Services
Our Mission is to build long term business relationships based on quality and trust while keeping the environment and ecological health of the area at the forefront of our process. Our trained professional staff and state-of-the-art equipment and techniques insure that we are capable of attacking complex projects in a productive and safe manner.
Aquatic Services:
Terrestrial Services:
Equipment List
Aquatic Services
Point Intercept Surveys
Point Intercept Surveys yield a wealth of information, including data that aids in the development of management plans, use maps, and trend analysis. Prior to performing a survey, a survey plan/scope is outlined in coordination with the project manager to include the frequency of the points to be surveyed and the desired format for the results.
The survey is performed by first obtaining an orthophotograph of the area and loading it into Manifold System 8.0 (GIS). An outline of the area is digitized and used to create survey points at the pre-determined intervals. Navigational maps are generated for the field crew, and points are loaded into several Garmin GPS units.
The survey is conducted using an Airboat and a 2-3 person crew. The pilot navigates to each survey location using the pre-loaded GPS units and a rake sample is collected. The rake is thrown twice at each location. The contents of each rake sample are recorded on a data sheet for the presence or absence of all aquatic plants. Depth, percent cover, density, sediment type, and surface observations near the shoreline can also be noted if requested. The resulting data is compiled and logged into Manifold System 8.0 (GIS) and used to create distribution and density maps for the purpose of documentation, planning, and treatment.
Herbicide Treatments
Permits/Treatment Plan
Each state has its own regulatory requirements regarding the application of herbicides to waterways. Before applying herbicides, LRS reviews all applicable state, federal, and label requirements, applying for permits when necessary.
Herbicide treatments can be an effective control method for aquatic invasive plants. Our application systems have been used effectively for Eurasian Watermilfoil control in Idaho and Washington since 1999 and are continuously undergoing improvements as new technology, techniques, and ideas based on project experience become available.
Prior to performing any aquatic herbicide treatment, a treatment plan/scope is outlined in coordination with the project manager including the posting/notification program, treatment methodology, monitoring techniques to be used, herbicide delivery and storage protocols, treatment schedule, and format required for all final reports.
Application
Applications are accomplished using a nurse boat and airboats using the following methodology:
A skid steer with pallet forks is used to load the herbicide onto a tractor trailer. Each load is tied down and transported to a location close to the loading site.
Herbicide is manually loaded into a nurse boat from its on-shore storage location and delivered directly to the application boat, which remains in the target area throughout the day, insuring a contiguous application. The nurseboat is operated by a two-person crew; a pilot and a loader. Both are responsible for loading the product from the trailer to the boat and delivering it to the application boat. Herbicide is inventoried each time the nurse boat delivers it to the application boat to insure the correct amount of herbicide is applied to each area. Each load is documented. Empty bags/containers (containers triple-rinsed and rendered incapable of holding liquid) are retrieved by the nurse boat to be taken to a landfill or presented for recycling.
Airboats (equipped with a GPS and a bottom finder unit) are used to apply the herbicide to the application site. Each airboat is manned by a three-person crew. One crew member navigates the airboat, GPS units, and applies the product. The remaining two crew members open the bag/containers and add the product to the concentrate tank or granular spreader.
Liquid herbicides are applied from an airboat. A system of hoses is put into the water from the front of the boat, which are attached to a tank inside the boat. The tank is filled with the herbicide and water from the lake and/or river is sucked into the tank, mixing it with the herbicide, and injecting it underwater to where the noxious weeds are located.
The granular herbicide is applied from a rotary spreader mounted to the front of the airboat. With a large, open container that is filled from the top, the spreader distributes the granular herbicide across the surface of the water in a wide sweep. The pellets sink to the bottom where the aquatic noxious weeds are located, sticking to the leaves.
Monitoring
The entire treatment is monitored with the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. Each application vessel is equipped with two GPS devices. By using two GPS devices, the applicator is able to monitor their progress within the treatment area from multiple perspectives. In addition, using two devices insures that no loss of data will occur.
GPS tracks are downloaded to Manifold System 8.0 GIS at the end of each treatment day. Tracks are analyzed for thoroughness of the treatment and are available for review by the Project Manager at the end of each day at the project site.
When required by permit, or at the request of the appointed project manager, water samples are collected and tested for herbicide residues. This activity is planned based on the distribution of treatment areas around the water body.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) is necessary for life in a water body. Dissolved oxygen is the concentration of oxygen dissolved in water, expressed in milligrams per liter (mg/l)‡. Dissolved oxygen gets into the water by diffusion from the atmosphere, aeration of the water as it tumbles over falls and rapids, and as a waste product of photosynthesis. Dissolved oxygen levels can range from 0 mg/l to a maximum of 18 mg/l.
Large daily fluctuations in DO are characteristic of bodies of water with lots of plant growth; DO levels rise from morning through the afternoon as a result of photosynthesis, reaching a peak in late afternoon. Photosynthesis stops at night, but plants and animals continue to respire and consume oxygen. As a result, DO levels fall to a low point just before dawn. Dissolved oxygen levels may dip below 4 mg/l in such waters - the minimum amount needed to sustain warm water fish like bluegill, bass, and pike†.
‡from www.biologyonline.org/dictionary
†from http://www.water-research.net/Watershed/dissolvedoxygen.htm
Public Outreach
Public and educational outreach is an important part of any aquatic herbicide application. Public meetings, public service announcements, the internet, and being accessible via e-mail and phone are all an integral part of good customer service and public outreach.
LRS uses the following educational tools during aquatic herbicide application projects:
- Internet: A LRS website project page is posted on our website dedicated specifically to the project waterway. The page includes information about how the project will proceed, what the public can expect in the way of restrictions, the kind of herbicide being used, and maps of the waterbody showing where herbicide treatment will occur. Lakeland staff posts regular updates on the project page detailing the status of the project and applicable restrictions.
- Email: An email contact address is available via the website, giving the public a means to ask questions directly of the contractor and project manager. These emails are routed to directly to a LRS representative that returns the answer via email or phone call if requested.
- Phone: A toll-free, dedicated phone line is available which gives the public pre-recorded information about the project of their choice. LRS staff records daily restriction updates as the job is progressing. The number also allows customers to leave a message, and a return call is made by a LRS representative to answer any questions or concerns.
- Public meetings: LRS representatives are available for public meetings pre- and post-project, describing the project plus answering questions and concerns.
- Media: Public Service announcements can be sent to local radio stations and newspapers at the request of the project manager containing a summary of the project and where residents can go to find more information.
Final Reports
For all projects, a Final Report is compiled at the completion of the project outlining the tasks performed and any requested information including but not limited to: treatment recommendations, survey or treatment results, herbicide amounts, maps, and other related data as required by law.
Terrestrial Services
Identification & Surveying
Our survey technicians will find and identify both the noxious weeds and the desirable plants on your property or in your water body. A property survey can be accomplished using a variety of techniques. Plant locations are logged using GPS technology. GPS information is uploaded into our mapping software to allow us to constantly monitor the progress of the survey. Once complete, the data is used to create maps for our customer showing the locations of the plants, the size of any noxious weed infestations and data on the terrain.
Based on the results of the survey, recommendations can be made for the control of any undesirable plants.
Control
Control of noxious weeds is performed by using Integrated Pest Management practices. Every tool in the toolbox is considered including cultural, physical, mechanical, biological, and where needed, chemical. When herbicides are chosen, care is taken to target only the noxious plants in an effort to leave native non-noxious plants to re-inhabit the area. Application equipment is calibrated to insure that the products are applied precisely on the target area. GPS information is uploaded into our mapping software and used to create maps of the treatment to communicate the process to customers and demonstrate the thoroughness of the applications.
Monitoring
After an application, the area will be surveyed again to document the effectiveness of the application.
Final Reports
For all projects, a Final Report is compiled at the completion of the project outlining the tasks performed and any requested information including but not limited to: treatment recommendations, survey or treatment results, herbicide amounts, maps, and other related data as required by law.
Equipment List
- 20-foot, Airboat with 572 ci 800-hp motor capable of carrying 3,500-lb payload
- 18-foot, Airboat with 364 ci 550-hp motor capable of carrying 2,500-lb payload
- 16-foot, Airboat with 364 ci 550-hp motor capable of carrying 2,500-lb payload
- 16-foot, Airboat with 454 Chev 425-hp motor capable of carrying 2,000-lb payload
- 20-foot Hewescraft with 130-hp Honda motor, capable of 1,800-lb payload
- 14-foot boat with 15-hp motor used for shoreline posting and water quality monitoring
- Liquid injection system with 25-gallon tank and 5-foot subsurface injection nozzles
- Three (3) 350-lb Herd seeders for granular application
- Granular Airblower unit w/ twin 50cc Husqvarna commercial blowers
- Garmin GPS equipment for tracking sample locations and to plot and track treatments
- Manifold System 8.0 GIS to provide a means to map treatment areas and analyze results
- GEHL Skid Steer and Bobcat Skid Steer for moving pallets of herbicide product
- Two (2) 18-foot tractor trailers for moving product
- Two (2) sets of diving equipment for staff
- 2008 Ford F350 used to haul equipment
- 2004 Toyota Tacoma used to haul supplies
- 1996 Dodge Ram used to haul equipment and supplies