About the LBLMA
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In the several years leading up to 2006, an increasing number of complaints had been expressed about hydrilla expanding in Lake Brantley. Hydrilla is a very aggressive invasive plant that can ultimately displace beneficial native plants and disrupt recreational use of our lake. (See “Hydrilla” in the Informational Links section of this website.)
A similar situation had occurred in Lake Brantley in 1985. Working with Dr. John Osborne, a UCF lake biologist, and Dean Barber, a biologist with the Florida Department of Natural Resources, Lake Brantley residents raised funds and stocked Lake Brantley with Triploid Grass Carp. 
These fish are sterile, vegetarians, have a voracious appetite and have a preference for hydrilla above other plants. (See “Triploid Grass Carp” in the Informational Links section of this website) This method of biological control worked well in Lake Brantley and hydrilla only began coming back after the Triploid Grass Carp population died off. Unfortunately, there was no lake-wide organization to continuously monitor and manage the lake.
This reappearance of hydrilla was the impetus of forming a lake-wide association, the Board of Directors of which was made up of a representative from each Civic or Homeowners’ Association properly registered with the State and having legal access to Lake Brantley. This new association will be on-going to monitor Lake Brantley and appropriately address any problems that might be a detriment to water quality.
The initial meeting of the Board was held on October 26, 2006. (See “Minutes of the October 26, 2006 Board” in the Bylaws and Minutes section of this website.) The Board chose the name, Lake Brantley Lake Management Association, which was then registered as a non-profit corporation with the State of Florida. On July 3, 2007, Lake Brantley Lake Management Association, Inc. was designated a 501(c)(3) tax exempt charitable corporation, by the Internal Revenue Service. The LBLMA has received strong financial support from those who have a keen interest in preserving the quality of Lake Brantley for recreational enjoyment and to maintain property values. (See the Financial Reports under the Financial section of this website). To date, the LBLMA Association has stocked Lake Brantley, including Lake Rena and all of the canals accessing Lake Brantley with 6,700 Triploid Grass Carp permitted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. 
A barrier has been placed at Lake Brantley’s outflow to contain fish during periods of high water levels. (See “Outflow Barrier” in Photo section of this website.)
Signs calling attention to the stocking have been placed at every boat ramp accessing Lake Brantley. (See “Information Sign” in the Photo section of this website.)
Monitoring is an ongoing process.
Lake Brantley Lake Management Association, Inc. is dedicated to preserving the quality of Lake Brantley though monitoring, treatment, and education. This includes support for the efforts of others working to better our lake, such as the annual S.E.R.V. (Seminole Education, Restoration, Volunteer) effort to remove Channeled Apple Snails and their eggs and conduct shoreline revegitaion of native aquatic plants. Lake Brantley has benefitted from a cooperative working relationship between the L.B.L.M.A., Seminole County's Lake Management Program, Florida LakeWatch, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Our work has just begun! We invite all interested parties to support this effort to preserve the beauty and quality of Lake Brantley with your personal and financial participation. Each adult who has legal access to Lake Brantley is encouraged to become a member of the LBLMA. Dues Dues are $25 per year payable in January. Membership is welcome anytime during the year, but dues are not pro-ratable. Sustaining Contributors Please consider supporting the LBLMA with a major business or personal contribution beyond or unrelated to membership fees. Such generous contributions are the financial backbone of our organization. In our last fiscal year, contributions totaled almost $50,000 and ranged in amounts from $25 to $5,000.00.We are now designated a 501(c)(3) charity and your contributions will be tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to: Lake Brantley Lake Management Association, Inc. (LBLMA) P.O. Box 916534 Longwood, FL 32791 For further information, contact: Fred Streetman at 407-256-7296 Or e-mail fstreetman@aol.com |