Those who have been following reports from the PLIA are aware that invasive Variable Milfoil has been in the South Channel for the past two summers. Throughout this time, PLIA volunteers have been snorkeling the area to discover new growths, which they have marked so that DES divers can remove them. 
At one point, a local volunteer certified diver even donated his time to pull a lot of growth in early July.
As a result of the infestation, we have sent out notices and placed signs in the South Channel advising boaters to avoid the channel in order to minimize the possibility of fragmenting and spreading the milfoil. Currently, all known Variable Milfoil has been removed from the channel.
While it is very likely that the invasive milfoil has not been eradicated completely, the South Channel appears to be clear enough that boating can resume in the South Channel.
Consequently, the signs in the South Channel are being removed. In the spring we will resume searching the South Channel area for new infestations of milfoil and will send out notices and place the signs back in the channel if any new milfoil is found.
The PLIA would like to thank the people who went out of their way to avoid this area and recognize that their sacrifices and inconveniences played an important role in this effort. As we know, it is impossible to stop all traffic through the South Channel, but we appreciate the efforts made by many boaters to avoid using it. We also appreciate all those who answered our call to spread the word, not the milfoil!