Loon Lake, Steuben County, NY

Some folks have asked the Alliance if they could give a memorial gift that would be placed at the Loon Lake Preserve. Some Memorial benches and trees have already been donated. If you visit the Preserve, you will see these gifts labeled with a plaque designating the person or family that is recognized by the memorial.

We have done some research on donation of trees. Our research is not complete, but it looks like a memorial tree donation would cost in the range of $225 to $500. This cost includes some long term maintenance and a plaque with an inscription designated by the donor.

Benches and chairs are always welcome memorials:

A bench could be donated for $900. This amount includes a plaque, delivery and some long term maintenance.

A chair could be donated for $580. Again, this amount includes a plaque, delivery and some long term maintenance.

Someone suggested that since some folks walk their dogs at the Preserve that installing one or more doggy “poop” stations might make sense.

If someone wanted to donate one of these (maybe not as a memorial), a high-end station could be donated for $660. This amount does take account that there would be an ongoing cost to replenish the “poop” bags. (photo below)

A mid-range station could be donated for $480. (photo below)

If you would like to donate something to the Preserve, contact Bob Reynolds at 585-213-4226 or at rerhere@hotmail.com and we’ll work out the details.

Hunt Engineering presented their latest information on the Loon Lake sewer study implementation that they have been working on for some time. Much new information was presented.

See below for the full Presentation.

MULTI-GENERATIONAL LOON LAKE RESIDENT LOOKING TO RENT THEIR GUEST COTTAGE

Family and Work-friendly guest cottage available for rent from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day Weekend for Summer 2023. THREE bedrooms sleeps FIVE people privately. Welcoming friends and family members who appreciate this amazing lake environment, its neighbors, water quality and safety. Perfect for Loon Lake family and friends overflow. Serious inquiries only at 303-905-3978. 

The main bridge structure was placed by Kevin Kilbourne’s Rogers and Tenbrook’s employees in early December of 2022. Kevin then followed up with steps at each end. See photos below.

One of the messages discussed at the Western New York Federation of Lakes Regional Conference was the importance of small-lake stories.  Small lakes such as ours, often go unnoticed because these lakes are not water sources, nor impaired enough to warrant grant awards large enough to fund preventive management techniques. However, many of our small-lake neighbors are achieving great things, and NYSFOLA would like to highlight these projects or stories.

            So began our journey to the regional conference to present and stand mighty among the larger lake projects.  The Water Quality Committee members, as well as a large group from our two associations were present to add to a storyline, that included all the past and present lake improvement projects. These projects fill our toolbox with techniques and knowledge that bring us closer to developing an appropriate “diet” for our small lake.

            Of special interest was an update on the Aeration Pilot Program that included the study of deep-water storing of phosphorous, and how it impacts hazardous bloom activity. We also highlighted how and at what level the diffused aerators in our pilot cove have impacted water quality/HABS/ and the decrease of loose muck.

            The pilot program has operated for one and a half seasons. We will operate again next season to complete our pilot. The committee will be reviewing the results, mid-study, to formulate 2023 objectives. Some of the results that will influence our objectives are:

• Accumulation of nutrients and phosphorus in the deep water that increase as the summer progresses
• Early set up of the low oxygen level and the accumulation of algae abundance at this mid-depth level
• How the two processes above increase the likelihood of HABS
• Do indicators of slightly higher dissolved oxygen and pH, changes in nutrient patterns due to the aerator circulation, and minimal loose muck impact, create a positive enough effect to warrant operation of the aerators at our shorelines

            We appreciated the opportunity to share our journey at this conference.  A full copy of the PowerPoint will be posted with this article on the Loon Lake website. You may also check out the website for future updates on this project as we move toward completion in 2023.

            Let’s create more stories to tell about our lake!

Loon Lake Water Quality Committee

Joe Carlson

Doris Gross

Maureen Morsch

Alice Publow

Cathy Saxton

Bernie and Paula Thoma

Brockport Environmental Studies Friends

If you would like a copy of the Powerpoint presentation, contact Paula Thoma at PaulaThoma@yahoo.com

Loon Lake is meant to be enjoyed, however, we ask all residents and visitors to realize that a lot of residents live here every day, 365 days a year. Loon Lake is NOT a resort community like Cancun, Mexico! Residents have jobs, children, pets etc. and have to get up early for work, daycare, pet care, medical appointments…the list goes on. We are not all on vacation; we are living our DAILY LIVES.

If you rent your Loon Lake property or if you are a renter or guest to our area or if you are a cottage owner and resident of Loon Lake, please take the time to read the following list of Irksome Issues. The points listed below were contributed by Loon Lake residents.

1. New York State requires a boater’s license for anyone 14 years old and up. Younger children should NOT be driving a boat or jet ski. https://parks.ny.gov/boating/education.aspx
2. New York State requires boat registration. https://dmv.ny.gov/registration/register-boat Jet skis also require registration!
3. Loon Lake has a no wake zone of 100 feet from shore. Jet skis should follow that distance as well! Jet skis have been seen flying into our various coves at high speeds very, very close to shore and swimmers. Jet skis have been seen playing tag/racing with each other. We have video! Many feel it is just a matter of time before someone gets injured or worse. Please review boater safety with your family members as well as your short term renters! Please keep an eye on your teen jet ski operators.
4. Loon Lake has a proud history and culture of fishing. (The Loon Lake Association has had a well funded fish fund for years!) Please do not be rude to the fishermen by racing around their canoes or boats on jet skis.
5. Bonfires or campfires are never to be left unattended. Our cottages are very close together in spots. One spark (even from a cigarette) can start a fire that will burn down one or more cottages. Drown your fire before leaving the property or retiring inside for the night; do not leave any live fire unattended.
6. Keep the noise down! Late night parties and loud music interfere with residents’ daily lives and responsibilities. Again for those in the back: Loon Lake is NOT a resort community. We expect the July 4th holiday to be noisy with fireworks. (We even pay for a fireworks display on the 4th.) However, private fireworks on any other evening is disruptive and rude. Please be considerate.
7. Please keep your speed down while driving. Many of us walk on our narrow, curvy roads. Children ride bikes and scooters. Dog walkers are numerous. Strollers abound. PLEASE keep your speed down.
8. Please do not wash your dog(s) or shave your human legs and other body parts in the lake. Don’t empty your half filled beer or soda cans into the lake. Don’t dispose of your cigarettes in the lake. We can see you!
9. Pick up after your dog(s). The Town of Wayland has a leash law as well.
10. Please do not burn your garbage (plastic, etc.) in your fire pit or barrel. It is against New York State law.https://cceschuyler.org/resources/new-york-state-open-burning-laws We do not want to inhale toxic fumes. If you have renters, you should be providing garbage receptacles or the like. You can report polluters by calling the DEC hotline at 1-844-332-3267.
11. Please inform your guests and/or short term renters where they should park their cars. Many residents report their own parking spots being used by others. If you are expecting a large crowd, make sure you consider where your guests will park. Blocking the road(s) is not an option.

The Loon Lake Association has no power to regulate what homeowners do. If you have a problem with a neighbor, please speak directly to them about it. Have a problem with a short term renter? Speak to the cottage owner about it. Do you have the phone numbers of your neighbors?

As listed in the Annual Loon Lake Association Directory, the New York State Police in Wayland can be reached at 585-728-2200. The Steuben County Sheriff in Bath, New York can be reached at 800-252-0820. 911 is the number for all immediate emergencies. The Town of Wayland website can be found at http://www.townofwayland.org You can find elected officials’ contact information there.

If you would like to add anything to the Irksome Issues list, please email loonlake14826@yahoo.com You just can’t make this stuff up.

~Maryalice Kilbourne 9/22

Tick Talk—It’s Just a Matter of Time

Lyme Disease is caused by the transmission of a bacteria called Borellia burgdorferi from a bite from an infected black legged tick, also known as a deer tick. Lyme can also be transmitted by the Western black legged tick, found predominantly in California, Oregon and Washington State. The tick must be attached for at least 24 hours before transmission can occur. While most cases of transmission occur after 36 hours of attachment, it can take up to 72 hours for a tick to transmit the bacteria responsible for Lyme Disease.

In contrast to Lyme, another tick-borne disease, Powassan virus (POWV) which causes encephalitis and meningitis, can be transmitted in as little as 15 minutes. Although rare, cases have been increasing in northeastern states, including New York, and those in the Great Lakes region. It is not within the scope of this article to discuss POWV. More information can be obtained at https://www.cdc.gov/powassan/faqs.html#what-is.

The incidence of Lyme Disease in the United States has more than doubled over the last two decades and continues to rise as ticks spread throughout New York State and migrate further west. Ninety five percent of U.S. cases are reported from fifteen states in the Northeast and the District of Columbia, New York among them. Although Lyme Disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the U.S., Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Babesiosis, Tularemia, Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis are also carried by ticks.

The size of the tick depends upon their life stage and varies accordingly, from the size of a grain of sand (larva) to the size of an apple seed (adult). The nymph and the adult female are the usual culprits of spreading disease. Whereas transmission can occur anytime during the year, the months of June and July are the most threatening months for disease transmission by the nymph. The adult tick is more likely to infect during the cooler months and is more easily detected on the human body due to its larger size.

From left to right: larva, nymph, adult male, adult female placed on a dime for reference of relative size

Ticks do not fall from trees, they do not fly or jump. Ticks possess eight legs that they use for “questing”. Strategically positioning themselves on commonly used paths, ticks sense body heat, moisture and odors and simply climb onto the body and latch on.

Its back legs attach to the tips of grasses or shrubs and lie in wait, while the front legs extend outward waiting for an animal or human to brush up against them.

Ticks usually wander from the site of attachment up higher on the body where wild or domesticated animals find it difficult to swat them off. In humans, they settle in several common locations where the skin is thinner which facilitates puncture. In and around the hair and ears, under the arms, inside the belly button, around the waist, between the legs and in back of the knees are favorite hideouts where ticks can remain unnoticed, especially if they are in the smaller nymph stage of development—the size of a poppy seed or the tip of a new crayon. After puncturing the skin, they insert a feeding tube from their mouths. Barbs on the feeding tube and secretions of saliva which contain a cement-like substance assures a firm attachment. The saliva also contains an anesthetic which prevents the host from feeling the presence of the tick. Typically, tick bites do not itch or cause pain.

The tick requires a new host from which to acquire a blood meal during each of the four stages of its lives in order to survive. As the tick feeds and becomes engorged on the blood of the host, small amounts of the tick’s saliva enter the host and pass on a pathogen if the tick is infected. Estimates vary on the percentage of ticks that are reported to be infected. Some sources state that only 33% of ticks are infected, while other estimates range from less than 1% to up to 50%, depending on the geographic location of the tick.

Awareness and timeliness is the key. Ticks can be found in your own backyard and hang out in dead leaves, tall grass, shrubs, wooded trees and shaded vegetation. They don’t like short grass in open sun. There are many reasons for the annual increase of tick bites and Lyme Disease, including range expansion and increasing numbers of ticks. With climate change causing mild winters and early springs, we’ve given ticks the gift of time. Take it back! Do a thorough body check after you’ve been outside. Rather than wait to see a medical professional for removal, immediately remove the tick yourself and then seek medical care.

To remove a tick, use a fine tipped tweezers and grab the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull straight upward with steady even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick. Wash the area with soap and water or alcohol. Then wash your hands. Safely bring the tick with you to the Emergency Department or to your medical provider’s office so that it can be identified. Your provider will ask you a number of questions including where the tick bite occurred, when it was removed, and whether the tick was flat or engorged with blood. Determination will be made as to whether the bite was from a black legged tick and whether doxycycline is appropriate and safe for you to take. There are a number of considerations to be made before a decision is made to treat prophylactically.

Prophylaxis after exposure to a tick bite and treatment for a diagnosed infection of Lyme Disease are two separate processes.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) with preventative antibiotics has only been shown to be effective against Lyme Disease and only if administered shortly after removal. Since most tick bites are not infectious, routine PEP is not recommended. Current clinical guidelines recommend preventing Lyme with a one time dose of doxycycline.

Treatment for Lyme Disease can be prescribed if a positive diagnosis is determined. Regardless of prophylaxis or treatment, return to your provider if fever, rash or malaise (discomfort, unease) occurs within days or a month after a bite. The most common manifestation of a tick bite is a rash (sometimes in the form of a “bull’s eye”) in the first month after a bite, but about half of those with early disseminated Lyme Disease do not have a rash or don’t recall being bitten.

Perhaps it should be noted that there is controversy regarding the prophylaxis and treatment of Lyme Disease. Some “Lyme literate” physicians contend that the 2020 Clinical Practice Guidelines adopted by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, American Academy of Neurology, and American College of Rheumatology for the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Lyme Disease may be inadequate. It should also be noted that the decision to provide unnecessary prophylaxis has much to do with antibiotic resistance, adverse drug reactions and an increase in healthcare costs.

Furthermore, despite treatment with a 2-4 week course of antibiotics for an infection which cures most cases of Lyme disease, some patients can develop Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome which can cause pain, fatigue or difficulty thinking that lasts more than 6 months. Neurological and arthritic complications can also occur. Continued antibiotic treatment is not indicated and poses serious health risks in these cases.

A vaccine for Lyme Disease is not currently available. In 2002, LYMERix®, a previous vaccine for Lyme disease, was taken off the market by the manufacturer due to a lack of consumer interest. A new vaccine, VLA15, is in Phase 3 clinical (human) trials of study. In addition, a monoclonal antibody injection is scheduled to begin human trials soon which would provide seasonal prophylaxis annually against Lyme disease.

Avoiding tick habitat, staying on a central mowed path, performing daily tick checks, bathing within two hours of being outdoors, washing clothes after coming indoors in hot water or drying them on high heat for ten minutes, using EPA recommended insect repellants and managing one’s yard will serve you well to prevent tick bites.

Identifying an insect repellant that is appropriate for your needs is easy with a tool provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), available at https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you. In addition, permethrin-factory treated clothing is available on-line which is ideal for camping. Permethrin spray is also available for treating clothing and shoes but should never be used on the body. DEET in a concentration of no greater than 25%, Picardin, IR 3535 and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus are safe alternatives for topical application. Consult the EPA tool for products available under proprietary names for purchase at stores or on-line.

There are a number of helpful images available on the CDC website regarding how to remove ticks, where to conduct tick checks on the body, an image of ticks on a poppy seed muffin for size comparison, as well as many others available at https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/gallery/.

In summary, if you have encountered a tick, don’t panic! Simply being aware of the facts buys you plenty of time to prevent an infection of Lyme Disease. Be informed. Know how to prevent and take action if you get bit. Be prepared. Have a fine tipped tweezers available in a first aid kit in your cottage. Above all, continue to safely enjoy the outdoors and the multitude gifts nature has to offer!

Karen Spinelli Davidson, PharmD

References Available Upon Request

On Thursday afternoon, November 4, 2021, Michael Chislock, Ecology Professor for SUNY Brockport, brought a class of 17 students to collect samples and take recordings on Loon Lake. The students will, in the lab, compare the biology and chemistry with samples they took at other near by lakes such as Conesus and Silver Lakes. Groups had different assignments and gave a quick report before they left. Loon Lake faired well in comparison in water clarity, and in amount, verity and size of zooplancton (beneficial critters). Thanks to neighbors who loaned watercraft and Allums for use of their shoreline for launching.

Newer Septic Field Product Uses 1/3 the Space

This summer was decision time for our aging septic system on the lake side of Laf-a-Lot Road.  The septic field was failing from tree roots and other issues.  Any re-working of the septic field would be too close to the lake to be permitted.

Fortunately we had been able to purchase land across the road 20 years ago.  This allowed us to go under the road to a new septic field with gray water effluent from a two-part septic tank pumped uphill to where the new field would be installed.

Here’s where a newer product was helpful.  By using Eljen Company filters underground we were able to install 64 feet of trenching versus 200 feet of traditional trenching.  This allowed us to preserve trees and most of a parking area.  These super-absorbent filters quickly absorb the liquid then release it slowly into surrounding sand.  The installation is completely level and fine for foot traffic and field sports.

At least one local excavation contractor installs this product, which was recommended and approved by the environmental engineer on contract with the Town of Wayland.  There was additional cost for the filters, partially offset by lower excavation costs.

I believe this is a good space-saving solution that will work well for us and will be better for the lake.  The installation is at 117 Laf-A-Lot Rd.  I am willing to share technical and cost information with folks via cell phone 614-330-1219. [See photo below]

    -Eric Busch