County adds another lake to roster

For years, homeowners tried to control the hydrilla on Lake August. Over the years, the Placid Lakes Home and Property Owners Association spent $32,000 to kill the leafy submerged plants.

Chemicals were tried twice. That didn't work.

"The alternative ended up being sterile carp," said Sam Bliss, president of the homeowners association. About 15,000 grass carp were dropped in the 50-acre lake, in combination of chemicals. The toothy fish were supposed to eat the hydrilla roots.

"That didn't work either," said Bliss, who moved to Placid Lakes in 2004. Instead, alligators, eagles and otter ate the carp.

Hydrilla kept growing in the shallow center of the lake, and it's expanding to the shore. The invasive plant is robbing the lake of oxygen, which causes problems for fish and other aquatics.

Out of options

Although there was resistance to a county takeover among Placid Lakes and Lake August homeowners, Bliss said, "they certainly didn't want to pay the money to take care of the lake themselves. It was depleting our funds, and we wanted to do other things."

There are 57 homes on the lake and 86 on canals.

Their last chance, Bliss and the board felt, was ask Highlands County to solve the problem. They worked with Lakes Manager Clell Ford, Parks and Recreation Manager Vicki Pontius, and Community Services Director June Fisher.

"They've tried to do things right, and we appreciate this," said Highlands County Commissioner Don Bates of Lake Placid. He warned that Lake August drains into Lake June, a 3,500-acre lake which currently isn't infested.

On Tuesday, Pontius asked all five commissioners for permission to build a public boat ramp. Although they voted 5-0 to build a public boat ramp and therefore to maintain the lake, commissioners Guy Maxcy and Barbara Stewart warned Bliss and two others with him in the audience.

"Be careful what you ask for," Maxcy said.

Stewart avoided saying, "Lake Denton," but advised Bliss's group they don't want the problems other of lake residents, where visitors congregate in public areas, drink and party loudly.

"They're very aware of the bad that comes with it," Pontius said.

"It's the only way to have a decent looking lake," said Eugene Longo, a resident.