VIEW MAP OF APPLE CANYON LAKE

For detailed maps of each neighborhood section go to the DIRECTIONS button on the homepage and click on SUBDIVISIONS at the top of the page to view specific subdivisions.

Work orders must be filled out and submitted to the general manager at the Association office.

DOWNLOAD A WORK ORDER.

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) confirmed in Illinois; Help keep it out of our ACL community

Illinois Department of Agriculture activates state response plan to eradicate the exotic pest; urges public to learn the signs of EAB infestation and promptly report suspected cases

GENEVA, Ill. - A destructive, non-native pest that feasts on ash trees has been detected in northern Illinois. The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced today that a beetle found in the yard of a Kane County home east of Lily Lake is an emerald ash borer (EAB).

"A coalition of local, state and federal agencies, including the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Forest Service and Illinois Department of Agriculture, has been preparing for this day the past two years," Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke said. "Now that the emerald ash borer has been confirmed within our borders, we'll activate our response plan and begin the task of eradicating it. The first step is to conduct an extensive survey of ash trees in the area to determine the extent of damage. The findings will help establish boundaries for a quarantine that will stop the movement of potentially contaminated wood and nursery products out of the area and prevent the spread of this pest."

The emerald ash borer is a small, metallic-green beetle native to Asia. Its larvae burrow into the bark of ash trees, causing the trees to starve and eventually die. While the beetle does not pose any direct risk to public health, it does threaten the tree population. Since the emerald ash borer was first confirmed in the Midwest in the summer of 2002, more than 20 million ash trees are dead or dying.

"We've had tremendous success identifying invasive species through public awareness and education," Warren Goetsch, IDOA division manager of Natural Resources, said. "Nearly every sighting of the Asian Long-horned beetle in Chicago was reported by a citizen. With that kind of assistance here, I'm optimistic we can contain this pest and save ash trees."

The homeowner discovered the beetle and alerted the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Illinois field office, which sent the bug to its lab in Romulus, Mich., for identification and notified IDOA nursery inspectors.

 Inspectors visited the residence in "The Windings" subdivision where the beetle was found and discovered several infested ash trees. They also canvassed the neighborhood and uncovered at least six additional infested trees within five-blocks of the residence, as well as evidence of an infestation in an adjacent subdivision to the north.

"The diversity of the landscaping in this neighborhood will help our eradication efforts," Goetsch added. "Only about 5 percent of the trees are ash varieties."

Inspectors have not determined how the beetle arrived in Illinois, but suspect it may have been transported here in contaminated firewood from a quarantined area in Michigan. Michigan and Illinois are two of the five states where EAB infestations have been confirmed. The others are Indiana, Ohio and Maryland.  

The emerald ash borer typically moves only short distances by flying, but can survive long distances in transit on ash nursery stock, ash logs, branches and firewood. To avoid the accidental introduction of the beetle to new areas, people are advised to purchase only locally-grown nursery stock and locally-cut firewood.



 The emerald ash borer is difficult to detect in newly-infested trees. Signs of infestation include the presence of metallic-green beetles about half the diameter of a penny on or around ash trees, thinning and yellowing leaves, D-shaped holes in the bark of the trunk or branches and shoots growing from the base of the tree. Anyone who suspects a tree has been infested is urged to first contact their county Extension office. The Illinois Department of Agriculture also will offer a toll-free hotline at 800-641-3934 for extension-confirmed infestations.

Options for treating infested trees are limited. In most instances, they must be removed.

SEE MAP OF EAB INFESTED AREAS

Emerald Ash Borer: What YOU Can Do

Editor's note:  The following article is a press release of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). Although it refers to regions in Wisconsin, our timber stands in northern Illinois are equally at risk. The WDNR is at the forefront of conservation issues and the information they provide is just as pertinent for those of us in Illinois.

Early detection and isolation of any current and future emerald ash borer infestations is vital to saving the ash trees in Wisconsin's forestlands and urban areas. The emerald ash borer will attack and kill every ash tree in Wisconsin if given the chance. Thus, it is crucial that we reduce our risk of emerald ash borer spread by taking the following precautions:

1. Purchase and use local firewood. When camping, leave firewood at home and purchase aged firewood near your campsite location. Many parks offer firewood for sale at reasonable prices. Firewood is also often available from private sellers just outside the parks.

2. Firewood purchased at or near your destination should be used during your camping trip. Don't leave any unused wood behind and don't take it with you to another destination.

3. When buying firewood, make sure you receive pieces that are dry and either have no bark or loose bark (a sign that wood is very dry). Not only will this reduce the chance of spreading disease, but your fire will also start more easily.

4. Reduce your need for open fire by cooking over gas or charcoal. Instead of an evening campfire, explore new night-time activities like star-gazing or viewing wildlife by flashlight.

5. For woodland owners, the Department of Natural Resources and other scientists have completed ash management guidelines for Wisconsin. These guidelines aim to minimize the impact of emerald ash borer on our forests.

6. Maintain vigor of yard trees by watering during times of drought. Ash trees are highly sensitive to drought conditions and require adequate moisture throughout the growing season. Please note, though, that the emerald ash borer infests healthy trees as well as stressed ones.

7. Be on the lookout for this pest! Be familiar with the signs and symptoms ash trees display when infested by emerald ash borer. Also, know emerald ash borer identification and other pests that are look-alikes.

8. Report any suspected emerald ash borer infestations (if two or more symptoms or signs are present) to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection by calling the Emerald Ash Borer Hotline at 1-800-462-2803.

9. Learn more by visiting Wisconsin's Emerald Ash Borer Resource.

ACL is in need of committee members. Do you have a little time to help make your community better? Can't make it to the lake for every meeting? Then call in! We have a conference phone!

Your Association needs you! ACL committees are in need of new members. There are many important issues facing ACLPOA and it takes different views and opinions before the best solutions can be reached. 

Do you want the same few volunteers making all the recommendations and decisions at Apple Canyon Lake? Now is your chance to get involved with your Association and help determine the future of Apple Canyon Lake.

New members are sorely needed for Rules and Regulations, Legislative Action Committee, Campground, Deer Survey, Maintenance, and more. 

Download, complete and submit your Committee application today!

Protect Apple Canyon Lake - TAKE VHS WARNINGS SERIOUSLY!
Cynthia Carton
See photos below

The possible presence of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) at Apple Canyon Lake is of grave concern to all of us. We ask that you please inform yourself of the dangers to area lakes and rivers brought about by this disease.

IF this disease should make its way to Apple Canyon Lake and result in a fish kill, our beautiful lake (and your investment) could become nothing but a body of water which could turn into a mud hole. No longer would you find the bass, walleye, crappie, blue gill or northern you fish from this lake every day. Please take the time to read all signs and postings with updated information about new state regulations, and ways you can help keep the lake free of not only VHS, but all invasive species as well.

RECOGNIZE THE SYMPTOMS
The following symptoms could apply to many different fish diseases, therefore, VHS must be confirmed by lab tests. Additionally, some infected fish may not show any signs and transporting these fish to new locations could spread the disease to new waters. If you catch a diseased fish or observe a fish kill, contact security and the DNR immediately.
 • Hemorrhaging (bleeding)
 • Bulging eyes
 • Unusual behavior
 • Anemia
 • Bloated abdomens
 • Rapid onset of death

ALWAYS DO THE FOLLOWING
 The DNR (and ACL as well) is asking the public to take precautions similar to those used in stopping the spread of invasive species on all waters:
  • Inspect your boat, trailer and equipment and remove visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud.
  • Drain water from your boat, motor, bilge, live wells, and bait containers.
  • Do not move live fish from one water to another.
  • Dispose of leftover bait in the trash, not in the water or on land.
  • Buy your minnows from certified bait dealers or catch your own and use it to fish the water you caught it from.
  • Wash your boat and equipment with high pressure or hot water, or let it dry for five days.

LEARN MORE -- How VHS spreads and environmental factors
Infected fish shed the virus in their urine and reproductive fluids. The virus can survive in water for at least 14 days. Virus particles in the water infect gill tissue first, and then move to the internal organs and the blood vessels. The blood vessels become weak, causing hemorrhages in the internal organs, muscle and skin. Fish can also be infected when they eat an infected fish. Fish that survive the infection will develop antibodies to the virus. Antibodies will protect the fish against new VHS virus infections for some time. However, the concentration of antibodies in the fish will drop over time and the fish may start shedding virus again. This may create a cycle of fish kills that occurs on a regular basis.
The virus grows best in fish when water temperatures are 37-54°F. Most infected fish will die when water temperatures are 37- 41°F, and rarely die above 59 °F. Stress is an important factor in VHS outbreaks. Stress suppresses the immune system, causing infected fish to become diseased. Stressors include spawning hormones, poor water quality, lack of food, or excessive handling of fish.
The Wisconsin DNR has an informative website that will help you become familiar with this disease. Log onto www.dnr.wi.gov/fish/vhs/


Example of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS).


Example of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) Showing External Hemorrhaging.



Example of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS)


 

 

Boaters, sailors, anglers, paddlers…every time you leave a launch:

• Inspect your boat, trailer and equipment and remove visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud.

• Drain water from your boat, motor, bilge, live wells, and bait containers.

• Dispose of leftover bait in the trash, not in the water or on land. Never move live fish, including minnows, from one water to another.

• Buy your minnows from licensed Illinois bait dealers.

• Wash your boat and equipment with high pressure or hot water, OR let it dry for 5 days  before putting it in other waters

Campers:

• Leave firewood at home. Buy it within a 50-mile radius of your campsite.

• Burn all wood during your trip.

• Inspect clothing and equipment for seeds, insects, etc. before leaving your camping area.

Landowners and gardeners:

• Use native plant species whenever possible.

• Dispose of seeds in the trash.

• Be on the lookout for invasive species.

• Leave native trees and plants alone; natural landscapes offer the best defense.

Hikers, bikers, ATV riders, and other recreational users:

• Clean your clothes, bicycles, ATV's, etc before leaving a site that is infested with invasive plants.

Cleaning boats and equipment before leaving the landing is an important step that citizens can take to prevent the spread of invasive species.

Everyone deserves to enjoy the great outdoors. Our lakes, woods, prairies and wetlands are part of our legacy. Whether you take to the woods or the waters—or just enjoy your own backyard—there are some simple steps that you can take to prevent the spread of invasive species. Please do your part to help protect our natural treasures!
For more information on how to prevent the spread of invasives during specific activities, contact your local DNR office.
 

The Apple Core is published by the ACLPOA for the benefit of its Members - to keep them informed about developments with respect to the lake, facilities, activities and finances; to report Board decisions; to provide a handy reference about rules, fees and coming events; and to afford a means of communication on questions and issues of importance to property owners.

ACCEPTANCE OF MATERIAL FOR THE APPLE CORE

The Editorial Review Committee shall consist of a member of the Board, who shall be the Chair, the General Manager, who shall be Vice Chair, the Editor of The Apple Core, who shall be the Secretary and such other members as the Board may appoint from time to time. This Committee shall prepare policies for the acceptance of material to be printed in The Apple Core, including but not limited to letters to the editor and policies for advertising material printed, which policies shall be submitted to the Board for approval annually. 

The General Manager is responsible for having the paper produced.  The Communications Director is the Editor.  Any and all editorial material (copy other than paid advertising) must be submitted to the Editor’s office.

The Editorial Review Committee will determine whether or not letters, advertising material or any other material submitted for publication should be rejected.  If material is rejected, property owners will be notified and told cause of rejection.
 
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

1) Letters from Property Owners are welcome.

2) Letters to the Editor must be:
     a) Submitted and signed by a Property Owner.
     b) Received by the 15th of the month prior to publication.
     c) Confined to 250 words or less.

3) The following guidelines for treatment of letters have been adopted for the purpose of encouraging expression of views with the focus on discussion of issues not people.  Publication of letters does not necessarily imply agreement or endorsement by the Association or the Board of Directors.
     a) Whenever possible, letters expressing views on both sides of an issue will be     published at the same time.
     b) Constructive criticism will be accepted. Positive suggestions for improvement are encouraged.
     c) Letters must be in good taste. Those containing offensive or derogatory language, libelous statements or expressing personal grievances or conflicts will not be published.
     d) Nothing in these guidelines should be construed to prohibit references to people so long as an issue of importance is the focus of the letter.
     e) Editorial comments will be limited to factual clarification or update on the matter at issue. No point of view will be expressed.
     f) With respect to Board Elections:
         1) Candidates will be presented in the February issue.
         2) A special section for questions regarding candidates will be included in the February issue of The Apple Core. Questions regarding candidates must be received thirteen days prior to copy deadline in order to provide the candidates with the opportunity to respond in the same edition. Candidate responses must be received two (2) days prior to copy deadlines.

Adopted: May 16, 1998
Amended: April 21, 2001
Amended: September 20, 2001
Reviewed: November 15, 2008
Amended: November 19, 2011