| |||
Summertime in the BelgradesContentsfor Printing
Article Summaries |
East Pond Association Reports Progress
"How fortunate we all are to have this beautiful lake when there's so much down in the world," commented President Cindy Reese in calling the East Pond Association Annual Meeting to order. The meeting was held on August 6 at Brickett Point, off the East Pond Road in Oakland. Following a brief re-cap of last year's Minutes and Treasurer's Report, the various task force reports were presented. Lee Lenfest, reporting on Milfoil Prevention, described that the boat landing is patrolled by paid monitors Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 8 am to 4 pm and Monday 8 am to noon. To cover the remaining days/hours, volunteers are needed. Volunteer time or money is the best solution to plant patrol, Lenfest pointed out, adding that those who volunteer time "get a really neat t-shirt." In giving the Dam Management report, Rob Jones quoted the extraordinary high water levels in recent months as challenging to the dam control. Last winter was one of the snowiest in the past century and the spring rain was nine inches above normal. On a lighter note, he observed that as a selectman in Smithfield he can accurately be referred to as that dam selectman. An encouraging total, thirty-two families around the lake, took advantage of the Buffer Program this year, reported Sally Harwood. Unclaimed buffer plants were given to Brickett Point. The Roads Report by Ed and Edie Cornwall emphasized, "Drainage, drainage, drainage!" They also pointed out that West Nile Virus is a threat in Maine and that if anyone sees a dead bird please notify the authorities. The 2005 recipient of the East Pond Association's Distinguished Service Award was Esther Perne, Editor of Summertime in the Belgrades. Following a cordial introduction by Dick Seaman, Perne received a plaque that described her as a "Distinguished journalist, principled professional, gifted writer, talented businesswoman, enlightened environmentalist, devoted naturalist, and wise steward of the Belgrades." She also received a gift of loon bookends. In thanking the East Pond Association, Perne remarked that as a writer she is only as good as her sources — and that East Pond is an excellent source. The generosity in sharing information is especially helpful for other lakes since East Pond is at the leading edge of many unique research and remediation projects.
For the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance report Conservation Corps Director Jason Bulay outlined the current season projects and activities, Executive Director Mike Little gave an explanation of grant money available for East Pond, and Chairman Jerry Tipper talked about the approaching Tenth Anniversary Celebration Golf Tournament and Dinner. The Conservation Corps is already lining up projects for 2006 — including landowners further up the watershed. The report everyone was waiting for, Water Quality, was given by Chuck Andrews. "The water is blue out there," he announced referring to the lateness of the season (August 6) and still no algae bloom as in recent summers. The latest Secchi reading was 4.3 meters, 13-14 feet. Melissa Evers updated the Biomanipulation Project, a collaborative effort among state agencies to manipulate the food web structure, by reducing the population of white perch the species responsible for overeating the zooplankton, which are needed to eat the algae. "Thanks to Colby for all its work," stated Jerry Tipper, head of the task force on the Development of Lake Remediation Strategies. Tipper introduced Dr. Whitney King who is studying lake bottom oxygen and phosphorus levels and Dr. Jen Shosha whose work involves the interaction of the lake, the land, and the bog in the Serpentine. Student Chris Russoniello explained his work on the Serpentine — the study of the water flow, and the bottom sediments (up to 30 feet of peat, the study has revealed). And finally, student Katie Curtis addressed her work on "Climate Data and The Belgrades", which to date includes identifying six distinct seasons. All the Colby studies are ongoing. For more information, see "The Colby Advantage" in last week's issue. Following audience comments and questions, the meeting adjourned to a cookout. | ||
