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Webster
Lake Association Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 10th at 7:00 P.M.
A Presentation
by Geosyntec Consultants on the Lake Management Project
Paul
LaFramboise introduced the GeoSyntec consultants and made the
point that our lake is not as bad as others throughout the state
and that we are fortunate to be addressing the needs now rather
than later when the costs would be much greater.
Aquatic
Vegetation Survey – Bob Hartzell of GeoSyntec proposes to conduct
a survey of the aquatic vegetation in Webster Lake in late July,
to provide baseline information on the current aquatic plant
community within the lake
Aquatic
vegetation will be sampled from a boat
Plant species
will be identified both by visual inspection and by using an
aquatic vegetation grappling hook to sample submerged vegetation
All aquatic
plant species identified within Webster Lake will be recorded on a
tally sheet that will be provided as part of a report prepared for
the Webster Lake Association
An aquatic
vegetation map of Webster Lake will be and include
Particular
emphasis during the vegetation survey will be also placed on
documenting the location and dominance of invasive, non-native
plants such as Eurasian milfoil and Fanwort
Information from
the vegetation survey will:
Aquatic
vegetation survey information is especially important for Webster
Lake, given the known presence of invasive, non-native species
such as Fanwort and the severe impacts that these species can have
on lake ecosystem health, recreational uses, and property values
Short and
long-term plant management recommendations will be provided
Baseline In-lake
and Tributary Water Quality Assessment - GeoSyntec proposes to
conduct water quality monitoring to provide updated baseline data
on overall lake and tributary conditions.
Water quality
will be analyzed with a Hydrolab multi-parameter sampler and grab
samples will be taken to a Massachusetts-certified laboratory for
nutrient analysis.
Appropriate
quality assurance/quality control will be provided for all in-situ
and lab analysis.
Sampling is
proposed for five (5) in-lake locations, including the “deep-hole”
of each of the Lake’s three major basins and two other “deep”
locations
The Lake’s two
primary surface water tributaries (Sucker Brook and Brown Brook)
will be sampled (as well as any additional tributaries that are
flowing at the time of the field survey).
The Hydrolab
will be used to establish a water quality profile for each in-lake
sampling location.
Nutrient samples
will be taken at the surface, middle and bottom of the water
column at each in-lake station.
An analysis and
tabular listing of all water quality sampling results will be
included in the final report. The following 9 parameters will be
measured:
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pH - measures
water acidity
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Temperature
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Dissolved
oxygen - decomposition sucks oxygen out of the water (stresses
fish out)
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Specific
conductance - measures ions in the water (salt)
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Total
phosphorus – measures growth nutrient
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Ammonia
nitrogen - indicates problems areas (septic)
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Chlorophyll-a
- measures algal biomass
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Turbidity -
measures sunlight in the water (clarity)
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Water clarity
(Secchi disk)
Deliverables:
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All field data
will be presented in tabular or graphic formats in a report,
along with a GIS map identifying all sampling locations.
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GeoSyntec’s
assessment of Webster Lake’s trophic status (biological
productivity)
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Potential
impairments
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Identify
future follow-up monitoring priorities.
Preparation of
WebGIS Maps - GeoSyntec proposes to develop an interactive GIS
map-based product of Webster Lake and its watershed that can be
posted on the Webster Lake Association website and/or run off a
CD-ROM.
Aquatic
vegetation survey, water quality monitoring data, available
watershed non-point source data, nutrient loading information and
select other GIS features will be clickable, allowing any user to
easily access lake information without any software or GIS
training required.
The interactive
GIS-based map could be used as a powerful public education tool to
inform local residents and visitors about the Webster Lake
watershed, threats to water resources, and how to help minimize
water quality impacts.
Stormwater
Management and Sedimentation Control
Steve Roy gave a
presentation on potential future environmental projects for
Webster Lake focused on stormwater management and sedimentation
control
He emphasized
the need for low impact development, which creates innovative
ecosystem based approaches to land development and stormwater
management
We need to slow
the water down and let it infiltrate to avoid cleansers,
fertilizers, pesticides, and pet waste from being washed into the
lake
Currently the
forested (east) side of the lake has a 3% surface runoff. But the
developed (west) side has a 30% runoff
The State of
Massachusetts has new regulatory controls coming – Stormwater
Phase 2 which includes:
Principles of
Low Impact Development include:
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Conservation
of natural areas
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Minimized
development
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Maintaining
site runoff
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Small-scale
projects
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Rain Gardens –
which are land depressions scooped out, filled with permeable
materials and planted to allow rain to infiltrate
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Bioretention
cells – highly engineered for parking lots and large areas
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Pollution
Prevention – homeowners, industry and businesses, chemicals,
non-toxic alternatives, preventative and routine maintenance.
Paul LaFramboise
stated that as a lake association, we have to work with the town
administration and the Conservation Committee to put controls in
place. Otherwise we’ll continue to have problems. He added that
as a group we need to force the issues and we’re big enough to do
it. We’ve offered our assistance to Conservation Committee and
will continue our efforts to work with them. We’re writing to the
Office of Environmental Affairs to pursue the grant bestowed on
Webster Lake for sedimentation control. We need to run for offices
in the town to make a difference.
A member of the
audience asked about short term solutions to weed control. Bob
Hartzell mentioned mechanical harvesting, hydroraking, herbicides
(which is cost prohibitive) and weevils. He added that selecting
which technique is best depends on the plant. For instance water
lilies harvest well but its bad for milfoil as it spreads out.
All
contributions to the Lake Management Project can be sent to: WLA,
PO Box 156, Webster, MA 01570. We need to raise a lot of money
fast. Your generosity and support are appreciated.
FUN-draisers Committee Report
Boat Parade -
Saturday, July 5th, 11am to 1pm. Get Creative! Have some fun
decorating your boats! We’ll be meeting at the docks in front of
Point Breeze and touring the lake. A great family event that will
be sure to give us plenty of Kodak moments! Entry fee is $5.00 per
boat. Trophies will be awarded to the top three boats.
Happy Birthday
WLA! - Join us on Saturday, August 2nd at Indian Ranch for a big
bash to celebrate the first year of the WLA. Phew, a lot has been
accomplished since we started! There will be entertainment for all
ages, a Chicken Bar-B-Que and plenty of surprises! Tickets will be
sold soon.
Photography
Contest - The Photography Contest is in full swing - start taking
those photos of the lake now! We will be collecting your entries
on July 7th to hang at Point Breeze. The thirteen
winning photos will be in our Webster Lake Association 2004
Calendar and will be voted on by our members at our August
Meeting. Photos can be submitted by anyone and must be a 'lake'
theme. A list of rules and 'how to prepare' the photos, can be
found on our website or call Jeanne Rossetti 508.943.1553 or
Rebecca Leonard at 508.943.7061.
Membership
Information:
We currently
have:
We are now
accepting new application and renewals for the 2003 – 2004 Season.
Please remember that it is $20 per person for this upcoming year.
Dock Update:
At the town
meeting on Monday, June 16th there will be a vote to suspend this
program for this year. The BOS looks forward to our input into
this program as they attempt to review and refine it for the
following year. There is also an effort underway to see about
omitting freshwater lakes from this program entirely.
Congratulations to all the folks who worked on this project and we
encourage you to stay involved as it rolls forward.
Secretary’s
Report:
The August
Newsletter will be put together during the month of July. We are
looking for sponsors – the cost is $200 for a half page ad. And
anyone who would like to contribute to this newsletter, please let
me know – all input welcome!
We have just a
few WLA T-shirts available and these will be brought to our August
Meeting
The WLA Flags
are now in production. We have 50 on order and there is some
remaining. They are a 3x5 white Flag with the WLA Logo in the
center. They are $70 each.
We put together
a deal with Land’s End where you can all order your own WLA
Merchandise:
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You can order
them on line at www.landsend.com. Click on the Business
Outfitters logo at the bottom of the page
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If you order
one item at a time the price is $11 per logo. However if you can
get some family and friends to order similar merchandise, an
order of 6 pieces reduces the cost to $5.50 per logo.
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The quality is
outstanding and the prices are very reasonable.
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Our Logo
Reference # is: 0333332
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The WLA may
organize some orders down the road, but as our cash is now
allocated to the Lake Management Project, we’d like people to
order their own for now.
Announcements
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Don’t forget
the Town Meeting on Monday June 16th.
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The next
Webster Lake Association Meeting will be Tuesday, August 12th at
7:00 at Point Breeze
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We have a
small amount of people doing a large amount of work and we
welcome additional members to all of the committees.
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We’re looking
for a new Chairperson for the Safety Committee if anyone is
interested.
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50/50 Raffle
was won by Bob Craver
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