Rice Lake Management Plan Summary Improvements necessary for lake water quality to be healthy and a sufficient habitat to support fishin= g, and other recreational water activities

Rice Lake Management Plan Summary Improvements necessary = for lake water quality to be healthy and a sufficient habitat to support fish= ing, and other recreational water activities	Accomplishment of RLAA Action Plan will significantly improve the water quality and address the intensity and frequency of algae bloom
	Activi= ties	Outcom= es	Resour= ces
Phase = I 2010	Begin efforts to reduce the carp population to acceptable levels for establishment of necessary vegetation	Expect= ed outcome of Phase I
	1a.	- Set up Carp Enclosure test= areas	- Demonstrate that the absen= ce of carp allow native plants to reestablish	RLAA build two (2) test plots in Spring 2010
	1b.	- Conduct Rough Fish removal (Carp) by Spring 2010 (including possible Winter 2009-2010 removal)	- 75% reduction in existing = carp population -- 1st year	Commercial Fishermen and RLAA volunteers
	1c.	- Zooplankton monitoring to determine capability for improving water clarity and young fish survival<= /span>	- Begin benchmark for plankt= on levels during and after rough fish removal	RLAA with FSS
	1d.	- Once carp population reduc= tion is showing signs success, undertake bullhead campaign	- At least a 30% reduction in bullhead population -- 1st year	Commercial Fishermen and RLAA volunteers
	1e.	- Repeat carp and bullhead a= nnual remediation activities as necessary to sustain acceptable level for vegetation planting and growth	-	Conduct Fish Survey in late summer of 2010
	1f.	- Review the fall '09 Charra planting test for survivability	- Charra will be able to thr= ive and grow	RLAA volunteers
	1g.	- Conduct Aquatic Plant Surv= ey to measure the impact on plants after rough fish removal	- Establish a benchmark to m= easure against	Conduct Aquatic Plant Survey in late summer of 2010<= /p>
Phase II 2011	Undertake efforts to establish the necessary critical lake bottom vegetation for a sustainable game fish habitat	Expect= ed outcome of Phase II
	2a.	- Gain DNR approval to move/transplant some native plants from W. Bay to Eastern shore of Main Basin	- Transplanting from West to= Main successful	RLAA with FSS
	2b.	- Undertake efforts to plant Charra in Tristan Bay to confirm te= st planting outcome	- Charra will be able to thr= ive and grow	Conduct Aquatic Plant Survey in 2011
	2c.	- Review water quality by monitoring Zooplankton and Dissolved Oxygen levels to determine the succe= ss of efforts to engage in a fish stocking project	- Achieve acceptable levels = for some fish habitat	RLAA with City and FSS
	2d.	- As water quality levels are acceptable begin effort to stock game fish	- Stocking choices thrive in sufficient numbers	RLAA with DNR
	2e.	- Repeat of rough fish reduc= tion activities focusing on species that need attention	- Repeat of Phase I rough fi= sh reduction activity	Conduct Fish Survey in 2011 to verify rough fish con= trol

Phase = III 2012

Assess water quality level achieved and evaluate = the sustainable balance of actions taken to benefit achieved

Expect= ed outcome of Phase III

3a.

- Repeat continuing efforts = to establish vegetation in critical areas to address water quality issues

- Potentially be able to exp= and on stocking choices

Conduct Aquatic Plant Survey in 2011

3b.

- Repeat of rough fish reduc= tion activities focusing on species that need attention

- Repeat of Phase I rough fi= sh reduction activity

Commercial Fishermen and RLAA volunteers

		Activi= ties	Outcom= es	Resour= ces
Phase IV₁ » 2013 J - J	Review water quality = level achieved and the sustainable balance of a healthy game fish habitat	Expect= ed outcome of Phase IV₁
	4a.	- Look at TMDL data for Rice Lake and assess needed adjustment in	- See visible benefits from efforts thus far	RLAA with City and ECWMC
	4b.	- Review existing needs and = assess the adjustment needed	- May need tweaking to achie= ve desired improvement	RLAA with City and ECWMC
	4c.	- Evaluate the benefit of us= ing a chemical treatment to address some problem areas	- Look for best case scenario before undertaking risk	RLAA with City
	4d.	- Evaluate the need to tweak= Phase I & II efforts to achieve water quality improvement to benefit Phase = III outcome	-
	4e.	- Analyze the results taking= into account the impact of outside climatic factors (rain, temperature, etc.)<= /span>	- Look for more than a strong correlation in data analysis
Phase = IV₂ » 2013 J= - D	Update Action Plans for the next 5 years based to= the past 3 years of activity and the results realized	Expect= ed outcome of Phase IV₂
	4a.	- Establish carp and bullhead remediation schedule needs for next 5 years based on past outcomes=	- Overall outcomes were in t= he positive direction	Conduct Fish Survey in 2013 to verify rough fish con= trol
	4b.	- Establish vegetation plant= needs and species selection for next 5 years based on past outcomes	- Overall outcomes were in t= he positive direction	Conduct Aquatic Plant Survey in 2013
Phase = V » 2= 014	Formally prepare the = updates for next 5 Year Plan	Expected outcome of Phase V

Last Updated 2/15/2010