The Reston Association board has formally committed to the full hydrilla cleanup and the establishment of a long-term water management plan. We achieved the necessary policy reversal through consistent pressure and will now monitor the execution of these site maintenance contracts to ensure the work is completed as promised.
October 22, 2020
Final supporters
Since 1970, Lake Thoreau has been a vibrant and important watershed for the Reston community. It brings functional value as a storm-water management tool, enriches the environment, provides a habitat for wildlife, a recreational space for residents and a public arts venue, among many other valuable forms of enriching the community.
Since 2015, the lake has had various issues beginning with shallow coves in need of dredging to maintain the lakes storm-water management function, and even since that was addressed in 2018, the lake has experienced various blooms of algae issues and infestations of hydrilla.
The community has been patient allowing the Reston Association time to fix the issues and create a long term plan, but the community, after many attempts to become educated and informed, offering assistance and support and trying to engage in a two-way dialog with Reston Association staff, can no longer wait while we see our wildlife die, the lake develop into a dangerous place for the citizens and as we become increasingly concerned about it's long term health and mismanagement.
Join others in the community on our quest to return Lake Thoreau to a vibrant, thriving, functional and recreational community facility.
Ask the RA Board to immediately:
- Appropriate funds to clean up the dying hydrilla from the lake this week
- Setup a community meeting before the end of the month to address our additional concerns
- Establish a public and transparent Working Group for Lake Thoreau
- Take responsibility and hold people accountable for the mismanagement of this important community resource.
Updates
August 18, 2020
I have sent a formal letter to the Reston Association board requesting a detailed breakdown of their current maintenance budget. Representatives from a local news outlet reached out today to discuss the ongoing hydrilla infestation and the lack of a long-term management plan.
August 18, 2020
The growth of this petition shows the board that the community expects professional management of the watershed. Our next step is formally presenting the list of signatories during the upcoming RA board cycle to demand immediate action on the hydrilla removal.
Reached 100 supporters
August 18, 2020
56 Comments
I just purchased home on water this month, only to be met with a green Lagoon and floating seaweed all around. Not a great first 10 days of home ownership at Lake Thoreau... From a water quality perspective. My kids want to paddleboard but are afraid if falling into the slimy water!
I’ve lived on the lake for 11 years and never remember it so bad. The noxious fumes caused by the chemical dump are overwhelming. Please clean up the lake and find a non-chemical solution to prevent this from recurring.
In addition to the other concerns raised in this petition, there is a decidedly negative economic impact on property values. RA must act now.
I ASK the RA Board to: Appropriate funds to clean up the dying hydrilla from the lake Hold a community meeting before the end of the month to address community concerns Establish process with persistent accountability for lake management that is public/transparent to community
Where are the RA experts? Hydrilla has been handled before using Carp - and not herbicides. This beautiful lake, and those who live on it, deserve better!
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The Reston Association board has formally committed to the full hydrilla cleanup and the establishment of a long-term water management plan. We achieved the necessary policy reversal through consistent pressure and will now monitor the execution of these site maintenance contracts to ensure the work is completed as promised.
October 22, 2020
Final supporters
Since 1970, Lake Thoreau has been a vibrant and important watershed for the Reston community. It brings functional value as a storm-water management tool, enriches the environment, provides a habitat for wildlife, a recreational space for residents and a public arts venue, among many other valuable forms of enriching the community.
Since 2015, the lake has had various issues beginning with shallow coves in need of dredging to maintain the lakes storm-water management function, and even since that was addressed in 2018, the lake has experienced various blooms of algae issues and infestations of hydrilla.
The community has been patient allowing the Reston Association time to fix the issues and create a long term plan, but the community, after many attempts to become educated and informed, offering assistance and support and trying to engage in a two-way dialog with Reston Association staff, can no longer wait while we see our wildlife die, the lake develop into a dangerous place for the citizens and as we become increasingly concerned about it's long term health and mismanagement.
Join others in the community on our quest to return Lake Thoreau to a vibrant, thriving, functional and recreational community facility.
Ask the RA Board to immediately:
- Appropriate funds to clean up the dying hydrilla from the lake this week
- Setup a community meeting before the end of the month to address our additional concerns
- Establish a public and transparent Working Group for Lake Thoreau
- Take responsibility and hold people accountable for the mismanagement of this important community resource.
Updates
August 18, 2020
I have sent a formal letter to the Reston Association board requesting a detailed breakdown of their current maintenance budget. Representatives from a local news outlet reached out today to discuss the ongoing hydrilla infestation and the lack of a long-term management plan.
August 18, 2020
The growth of this petition shows the board that the community expects professional management of the watershed. Our next step is formally presenting the list of signatories during the upcoming RA board cycle to demand immediate action on the hydrilla removal.
Reached 100 supporters
August 18, 2020
56 Comments
I walked there today and saw a turtle struggling to escape a tangle of dead hydrilla. It was too far out for me to help. Get this stuff out of the lake. It’s hurting out wildlife!!
I just purchased home on water this month, only to be met with a green Lagoon and floating seaweed all around. Not a great first 10 days of home ownership at Lake Thoreau... From a water quality perspective. My kids want to paddleboard but are afraid if falling into the slimy water!
I’ve lived on the lake for 11 years and never remember it so bad. The noxious fumes caused by the chemical dump are overwhelming. Please clean up the lake and find a non-chemical solution to prevent this from recurring.
In addition to the other concerns raised in this petition, there is a decidedly negative economic impact on property values. RA must act now.
I ASK the RA Board to: Appropriate funds to clean up the dying hydrilla from the lake Hold a community meeting before the end of the month to address community concerns Establish process with persistent accountability for lake management that is public/transparent to community
Where are the RA experts? Hydrilla has been handled before using Carp - and not herbicides. This beautiful lake, and those who live on it, deserve better!
zcudIejnDvNA
caZBskwxh
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I walked there today and saw a turtle struggling to escape a tangle of dead hydrilla. It was too far out for me to help. Get this stuff out of the lake. It’s hurting out wildlife!!