QUINNESEC — The Breitung Township Board and Dickinson County Board on Monday contributed $3,000 each to the Lake Antoine Association for herbicide used to combat the spread of Eurasian watermilfoil in Lake Antoine.

The amount is twice what the township contributed in 2020, as the cost of the herbicide has increased, Breitung Township Superintendent Steve Mulka said.

“Like everything else this last year, there are shortages,” Mulka said, a reference to how the pandemic has affected supply.

Eurasian watermilfoil is an aquatic invasive plant. The LAA will use the money to treat 5.15 acres of milfoil beds in Lake Antoine with two herbicides to compare effectiveness, according to a memorandum from LAA Secretary-Treasurer Jeff Jayne.

Trustee Ben Peterson voted against the contribution, saying he preferred manual extrication to herbicide.

Dickinson County’s $3,000 contribution was approved in a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner John Degenaer Jr. saying the county shouldn’t limit its milfoil aid to Lake Antoine.

Chairman Henry Wender endorsed the county’s participation as a one-time donation, since most of the area to be treated is near the county’s boat landing at Lake Antoine Park.

Dickinson County last contributed $1,500 to the Lake Antoine Association in 2019 but otherwise hasn’t participated since 2014, when it gave $2,500.

The September 2020 milfoil survey showed roughly 68 acres of potential treatment area but most of that was deemed “highly scattered” by the applicator and surveyor, Carson & Associates of Berlin, Wis.

Commissioner Joe Stevens emphasized that boater education needs to be part of the effort.

Lake Antoine Park Partners is contributing $500 to milfoil control and will enhance the “Clean Boat Clean Waters” signage on a refurbished kiosk at the boat landing and encourage greater presence of the portable boat wash unit provided by the Wild Rivers Invasive Species Coalition, said Ann Hruska, LAPP treasurer.

The city of Iron Mountain, which has given $1,500 the past two years, also will be asked for a $3,000 contribution.

in other business at the Breitung Township Board meeting Monday, members passed a resolution supporting May as National Bike Month and Bicycle Safety Month, joining the League of Michigan Bicyclists, the Dickinson Trail Network and other organizations in highlighting the benefits of cycling.

During a special meeting April 12, the board hired Justin Murawski as Breitung Township’s deputy assessor and deputy zoning administrator starting at $57,500 a year.

Brian Christensen can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 229, or bchristensen@ironmountaindailynews.com. News editor Jim Anderson contributed to this report.