Our recent Big Lake Mary Community Meeting held on February 19th, 2024 at the Lake Mary Community Center was well attended. Thank you for all of you who attended to support the mission of the association. Below is a recap of the meeting and here is information requested at the meeting as well.
If you have a boat or jet ski that you take to other lakes or bodies of water please clean your boat/trailer before you re-enter it into the lake. Other types of weeds or invasive species can be introduced into our lake this way.
If you are interested in shoreline maintenance. Sorkos Services will be able to help with any questions you may have. 407-878-4492
Big Lake Mary Association is donation based. This is not an HOA where we have dues that are required by homeowners. We are volunteer homeowners who care to preserve and maintain the lake back to its beauty. We have asked if you can donate $300 annually; however, if you can't afford the $300 we ask you to donate what you can. Every little bit helps fund our goals for the lake.
Each of us owns a portion of this lake so it is our duty to take care of it.
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
Darryl
Big Lake Mary Association Community Meeting – February 19 th , 2024 5:30pm
Lake Mary Community Center 140 Wilbur Avenue Lake Mary, FL 32746
The meeting of the Big Lake Mary Association was held to provide all BLM residents with
an update on the recent Community Lake Meeting held including important discussions,
a recap of last year’s achievements, and it was an opportunity to address upcoming
plans to ensure the continued health of our lake.
Lake Testing Committee Report
Darryl Good opened the meeting and introduced David Avgikos, who reported on the Big Lake
Mary testing committee. Seven couples make up the volunteer committee, and their efforts
involve sending lake water and notes to the state for recording. Testing is done on a monthly
basis and includes measuring the depth, clarity, and health of the water. If anyone is interested
in joining the lake testing committee, here is the link with more information about volunteers;
https://lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/for-volunteers/ . You may contact Darryl and she will notify the
head of the committee. The data compiled of Big Lake Mary testing spans over 40 years,
beginning in 1972. To learn more about the health of our lake you may find that information
here: https://seminole.wateratlas.usf.edu/waterbodies/lakes/7611/big-lake-mary.
Organization’s Origin and Progress
Darryl shared the organization’s beginnings, emphasizing the lake’s changes over the years,
from a clear and sandy bottom to an overgrown state with milfoil. The organization was formed
by engaging community members, and last year marked the first year of successful lake
treatment.
Lake Treatment Progress and Plans
In the past year, Lake Doctors treated the lake monthly, focusing on different sections each
time. Despite some challenges and initial concerns from residents about the lack of weed
reduction near their shorelines, progress was made treating the whole of the lake where it was
needed most. This year, the plan is to continue comprehensive lake treatment with Sorkos,
targeting specific areas and introducing carp to control overgrown underwater vegetation. The
organization has been approved for 150 carp, understanding that we may lose up to 20% due to
natural attrition.
Carp Introduction for Lake Health
Darryl addressed concerns about carp, clarifying that they are sterile and won’t reproduce. The
introduction of carp by Lake Doctors, sometime in the next 30-60 days we believe, is expected
to enhance lake health by reducing the need for chemicals and controlling specific vegetation.
Efforts to secure a permit included adding a grate to the east end pipe which was required to
grant the carp permit.
Budget and Community Participation
Budget considerations were discussed, highlighting the need for increased dues from $150
annually in 2023 to $300 annually in 2024. The budget covers various expenses including the
introduction of carp, chemical treatments, insurance, the website maintenance, and bank fees.
The hope is for increased community participation, and plans are underway to explore county
involvement in lake maintenance.
County Involvement and Future Plans
Mike McGrew discussed the possibility of Seminole county taking over lake maintenance, with
efforts already initiated to move the process forward. Even if the county assumes control,
collaboration with the community is expected. Mike noted if anyone has any affiliation with the
county to please feel free to contribute by making contact with them to move the efforts forward.
Funding and Community Involvement
Efforts to secure funding include raising dues and encouraging community participation.
Suggestions for door-to-door outreach or mailed envelopes with pre-stamped letters were
discussed. While we must avoid direct treatment of individual shoreline property treatment due
to cost-effectiveness concerns our goal is maintaining the health of the lake overall; having
everyone in the community participate in the association is the driving force to achieving this
goal. Darryl encouraged residents to engage their neighbors, both new and current, and to
direct them to the organization’s website for more information.
Chemical Treatment Update
Currently we are contracted with Lake Doctors who will also be stocking the lake with carp.
Sorkos was reported as a more cost-effective option compared to Lake Doctors moving forward,
with plans to transition to spot treatments within 6-8 months. Sorkos endorsed the addition of
carp for improved lake health and will begin treatments through a new contract in April 2024.
Carp and Bass Interaction
Concerns about carp affecting bass were addressed, assuring residents that carp only feed on
vegetation and won’t impact bass.
Vegetation and Algae Concerns
Questions about underwater vegetation and algae blooms were raised. Residents were
encouraged to take pictures for Sorkos to address, sending the pictures to Darryl, and plans
were discussed to educate boat owners about preventing the introduction of milfoil by ensuring
their boats are clean prior to reentering Big lake Mary.
Community Engagement and Safety
Concerns about adding buoys for safety were discussed, with a decision not to add them due to
liability issues. The associations only goal is to focus on the health of the lake.
Upcoming Actions
Lake Doctors will be given another two weeks before an update is sought, and efforts to engage
neighbors and add more information to the website will continue.
Checks Received
During the meeting, checks were received from Hawkins and Logan for $300 each.
Thank you for your continued support in maintaining the health and beauty of our community
lake. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to Darryl Good at
biglakemaryassociation@gmail.com.
