LAKE BENTON — Supporters of lakeshore preservation and economic development at Lake Benton are continuing a generation-long battle against an invasive species known as Curly Leaf Pond Weed.

The Lincoln County Board and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are in the process of deciding on a pond weed control plan for 2019. They’re looking at three different options that include whole lake chemical treatment, spot chemical treatment on portions of Lake Benton, or weed harvesting after the weeds become visible.

Lincoln County Commissioners discussed control options during a regular board meeting with Lincoln County Environmental Officer Robert Olsen.

They expressed a preference for a whole lake treatment along the lines of what took place 10 years ago.

Olsen told the board that the harvesting and spot treatment options haven’t been nearly as effective in the past 25 years.

“The weeds grow right back,” Olsen said. “The pond weed is worst on the western and eastern shores. With spot treatment we’re likely to just have a rotation where the weeds get treated in one place and just migrate to another part of the lake.”

Lincoln County Commissioner Mic VanDeViere said weed harvesting has been effective only to the point of creating channels into weed-free areas near the center of Lake Benton.

VanDeViere’s commissioner district is centered around the city of Tyler. The easternmost point of Lake Benton is located at Stony Point Park, which is closer to Tyler than the Lake Benton city limits.

“Harvesting alone wouldn’t be enough,’ VanDeViere said. “By the time the weeds are harvested, they’ve already started to go to seed.”

The Curly Leaf Pond Weed first became an issue at Lake Benton in the early 1990s. It coincided with a variety of proposals to enhance local tourism.

Among the ideas were a resort-style motel, a wind energy visitor’s center, a micro-brewery at the former Lake Benton creamery on the western shore of the lake, and expanded downhill skiing at Hole in the Mountain County Park. With the exception of the wind energy center, those proposals remain on the drawing board.

Initial locally-based public information efforts included a pontoon tour of the lake with a guest list featuring former State Sen. Arlene Lesewski of Marshall, former State Rep. Richard Mulder of Ivanhoe and their DFL election-year challengers Randi Kirschner of Marshall and Andy Steensma of Luverne.

VanDeViere said decisions made in 2019 could become an important step toward a long range control strategy.

“We need to communicate our ideas to the DNR (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)” VanDeViere said. “Lake Benton is an important resource for Lincoln County and for the region.”

Marshall-based DNR hydrologist Lucas Youngsma said the DNR welcomes input from local concerned citizens.

An updated control plan will be needed later this winter to allow time for a 2019 control strategy before the spring ice-out on the lake. Plans should be set in motion as soon as possible after the ice-out.

“It will be carefully evaluated with input from invasive species and fisheries specialists and also feedback from the public,” Youngsma said. “It’s possible that we might recommend a combination of more than one option.”