Marine Patrol Presentation

2023_marine_patrol_presentation.pdf |
CLAPA MEETING MINUTES
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Annual Meeting, August 5, 2023, 4:00PM, Woodbound Playbarn
42 members in attendance.
Welcome from President Frank Battaglia.
NH Marine Patrol / Boating Safety: Frank presented the information sent by Marine Patrol as their designee to make the Marine Patrol presentation was unable to attend. Marine Patrol is short staffed. See link above to view the presentation.
Mission Statement: Frank presented this to remind members as to our mission.
Our Mission
CLAPA’s common goal or mission is to protect the environment and well-being of Contoocook Lake and its’ watershed including:
We accomplish this by partnering with NHDES. In addition, we work with Aqualogic for invasive plant control. The VLAP (NHDES) program, NH Lakes organization, the Loon Preservation Committee, and Marine Patrol are key collaborators for water quality and environmental education to preserve and restore our lake.
Membership Review: As of the annual meeting we have 127 active members in CLAPA, contributing annual dues YTD of $8,740.00.
Financials: As of July 31, 2023 our financial balance sheet has a total equity value of $123,488. Funds include $114,934 in our Edward Jones investment account and $ 8554 in our TD Bank checking account. Total net income YTD for 2023 is $9820; operating expenses at $6979. Copies of our Balance Sheet and Income Statement are available to members by emailing a request to [email protected]. Based on current level of annual membership income and investments; the board has decided to maintain our CLAPA membership dues for 2023-2024 at $55 per individual member.
Invasive Weed control: In 2022 we had a survey done by NHDES on 6/1/2022 which indicated the presence of a small amount of variable milfoil in a few locations. We used Aqualogic and its DASH dive team for 5 days to harvest milfoil at a cost of $1400/day. The total weed control costs were $7100 and our NHDES grant covered 50%, resulting in a net cost to CLAPA of $3500. In 2023 YTD, the NHDES survey was done on 5/31/2023 which indicated a significant increase of identified variable milfoil. We have used Aqualogic and its DASH dive team again at a cost of $1540/day. We have had them in for 3 days so far at a total cost of $4620. We will have another NHDES survey done shortly and anticipate some additional days of Aqualogic harvesting. We expect a 50% reimbursement from NHDES again this year.
As a point of reference, we used the Procellacor treatment for variable milfoil in September 2018 and continue to hold off further treatment.
Resources:
NHDES Services – We have recently forwarded bulletins from NHDES on Water Quality Issues After Heavy Rainfall which covers:
NH Lakes – Among many programs and legislative efforts, NH Lakes produces the ‘Lake Smart’ booklet to help homeowners protect the lake. More information is available at www.nhlakes.org. NH Lakes is also currently involved in promoting legislation to limit wake boats in smaller lakes and ponds as the wake action causes erosion of shoreline and disturbance of the water to fish and birds. Any wake boat issues experienced by our members should be reported to NH Lakes.
VLAP: Carolyn West – “The CLAPA VLAP team has just completed its final sampling day for 2023. It will be very interesting to compare the results from June, July and August because the weather preceding each sampling was so variable. Samples taken in July after heavy rains will be especially interesting. When we get the complete results for August we will inform the membership if anything especially remarkable shows up.
As of now, the one significant change from 2022 and this June 2023 is a marked increase of phosphorus levels at several inlets, most notably the “Squantum inlet”. The summer of 2022 was very dry. The significant increase was most likely due to storm water flowing into the lake after heavy rain in 2023.
Phosphorus stimulates growth of lake weeds, algae, and cyanobacteria. It enters the lake naturally from decaying plant material but a more significant source is human activity. Phosphorus is found in lawn fertilizers and some soaps and detergents. This and other chemicals enter the lake from ground water and direct runoff from lawns into feeder streams and the lake itself. The “Squantum inlet” and the “Townline inlet” have historically had high phosphorus levels and are probably a source of nutrients for the recent regrowth of milfoil in that area of our lake.
We will post the sampling results for all three months sometime this fall. The state review will not be available until 2024, but if there are significant negative results we will contact Sara Steiner at VLAP (NH DES).
The biggest takeaway from all the recent lake sampling results is that stormwater runoff, from feeder streams and across our beaches and landscaped areas gets into the lake and has a negative impact on water quality. This water carries road salt, silt and phosphorus from fertilizers for our lawns and gardens. The lake community must make stronger efforts to prevent these pollutants from entering the lake.”
Loon Preservation Committee (www.lpc.org): The Loon Preservation Committee works to preserve loons and their habitats in NH through monitoring, research, management, and education. CLAPA has donated $250 to them this year. In 2022, a loon died on Contoocook Lake, which enabled us to work with LPC to further support favorable loon activity on Contoocook Lake. Mike Golibersuch, our director who interfaces with LPC, has worked this year with John Cooley, an LPC Senior Biologist to set up a loon raft for nesting. An article appeared earlier in the summer in the Monadnock Ledger Transcript regarding this effort. LPC provided us with the raft and helped us to install it. Although we have not been successful this year with getting a loon pair interested in the nest, we will try again next year in a different location. (A loon did show up one day to check the raft out, but that was the extent of it.)
Fundraiser/CLAPA Logo Attire: We continue to offer T-shirts and Sweatshirts for sale. There are only a few yellow items left. All new inventory will only be available in Carolina Blue. Our website has been updated with the revised order form. www.contoocooklake.org
Lake Lowering: We have confirmed with the Jaffrey DPW that the commencing of lake lowering for Contoocook Lake will begin on Friday, October 20, 2023.
Board of Directors Slate: The following slate of board of directors and officers for 2023/2024 was proposed, seconded, and approved as follows:
President Frank Battaglia
Vice President Michael Douglas
Secretary Joan Lathrop
Treasurer Karin Goldstein
Other Directors: Frank Belfsky, Jean Stokinger, Carolyn West, Russell Phillips, Gregory Covert, Wendy Bruneau, Mike Golibersuch.
Committee Directors:
Communications Joan Lathrop
Finance Karin Goldstein
Fundraising Wendy Bruneau
Invasive Weed Control Frank Battaglia
Lake Host Program (Needed)
LPC Mike Golibersuch
NH Lakes (Needed)
Outreach Michael Douglas
VLAP Carolyn West
Meeting Adjourned at 5:20 PM followed by a member social.
Submitted by Joan Lathrop, September 6, 2023
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Annual Meeting, August 5, 2023, 4:00PM, Woodbound Playbarn
42 members in attendance.
Welcome from President Frank Battaglia.
NH Marine Patrol / Boating Safety: Frank presented the information sent by Marine Patrol as their designee to make the Marine Patrol presentation was unable to attend. Marine Patrol is short staffed. See link above to view the presentation.
Mission Statement: Frank presented this to remind members as to our mission.
Our Mission
CLAPA’s common goal or mission is to protect the environment and well-being of Contoocook Lake and its’ watershed including:
- Reduce and eliminate the spread of the invasive aquatic plant, variable milfoil.
- Preservation of water quality.
- Provide education for safe lake use to all residents, members and visitors.
- Work with NHDES to help sustain a high quality of life for all citizens by protecting and restoring the environment and public health in New Hampshire.
We accomplish this by partnering with NHDES. In addition, we work with Aqualogic for invasive plant control. The VLAP (NHDES) program, NH Lakes organization, the Loon Preservation Committee, and Marine Patrol are key collaborators for water quality and environmental education to preserve and restore our lake.
Membership Review: As of the annual meeting we have 127 active members in CLAPA, contributing annual dues YTD of $8,740.00.
Financials: As of July 31, 2023 our financial balance sheet has a total equity value of $123,488. Funds include $114,934 in our Edward Jones investment account and $ 8554 in our TD Bank checking account. Total net income YTD for 2023 is $9820; operating expenses at $6979. Copies of our Balance Sheet and Income Statement are available to members by emailing a request to [email protected]. Based on current level of annual membership income and investments; the board has decided to maintain our CLAPA membership dues for 2023-2024 at $55 per individual member.
Invasive Weed control: In 2022 we had a survey done by NHDES on 6/1/2022 which indicated the presence of a small amount of variable milfoil in a few locations. We used Aqualogic and its DASH dive team for 5 days to harvest milfoil at a cost of $1400/day. The total weed control costs were $7100 and our NHDES grant covered 50%, resulting in a net cost to CLAPA of $3500. In 2023 YTD, the NHDES survey was done on 5/31/2023 which indicated a significant increase of identified variable milfoil. We have used Aqualogic and its DASH dive team again at a cost of $1540/day. We have had them in for 3 days so far at a total cost of $4620. We will have another NHDES survey done shortly and anticipate some additional days of Aqualogic harvesting. We expect a 50% reimbursement from NHDES again this year.
As a point of reference, we used the Procellacor treatment for variable milfoil in September 2018 and continue to hold off further treatment.
Resources:
NHDES Services – We have recently forwarded bulletins from NHDES on Water Quality Issues After Heavy Rainfall which covers:
- Elevated bacteria
- Cyanobacteria blooms
- Drinking Water Wells
- Septic Systems
NH Lakes – Among many programs and legislative efforts, NH Lakes produces the ‘Lake Smart’ booklet to help homeowners protect the lake. More information is available at www.nhlakes.org. NH Lakes is also currently involved in promoting legislation to limit wake boats in smaller lakes and ponds as the wake action causes erosion of shoreline and disturbance of the water to fish and birds. Any wake boat issues experienced by our members should be reported to NH Lakes.
VLAP: Carolyn West – “The CLAPA VLAP team has just completed its final sampling day for 2023. It will be very interesting to compare the results from June, July and August because the weather preceding each sampling was so variable. Samples taken in July after heavy rains will be especially interesting. When we get the complete results for August we will inform the membership if anything especially remarkable shows up.
As of now, the one significant change from 2022 and this June 2023 is a marked increase of phosphorus levels at several inlets, most notably the “Squantum inlet”. The summer of 2022 was very dry. The significant increase was most likely due to storm water flowing into the lake after heavy rain in 2023.
Phosphorus stimulates growth of lake weeds, algae, and cyanobacteria. It enters the lake naturally from decaying plant material but a more significant source is human activity. Phosphorus is found in lawn fertilizers and some soaps and detergents. This and other chemicals enter the lake from ground water and direct runoff from lawns into feeder streams and the lake itself. The “Squantum inlet” and the “Townline inlet” have historically had high phosphorus levels and are probably a source of nutrients for the recent regrowth of milfoil in that area of our lake.
We will post the sampling results for all three months sometime this fall. The state review will not be available until 2024, but if there are significant negative results we will contact Sara Steiner at VLAP (NH DES).
The biggest takeaway from all the recent lake sampling results is that stormwater runoff, from feeder streams and across our beaches and landscaped areas gets into the lake and has a negative impact on water quality. This water carries road salt, silt and phosphorus from fertilizers for our lawns and gardens. The lake community must make stronger efforts to prevent these pollutants from entering the lake.”
Loon Preservation Committee (www.lpc.org): The Loon Preservation Committee works to preserve loons and their habitats in NH through monitoring, research, management, and education. CLAPA has donated $250 to them this year. In 2022, a loon died on Contoocook Lake, which enabled us to work with LPC to further support favorable loon activity on Contoocook Lake. Mike Golibersuch, our director who interfaces with LPC, has worked this year with John Cooley, an LPC Senior Biologist to set up a loon raft for nesting. An article appeared earlier in the summer in the Monadnock Ledger Transcript regarding this effort. LPC provided us with the raft and helped us to install it. Although we have not been successful this year with getting a loon pair interested in the nest, we will try again next year in a different location. (A loon did show up one day to check the raft out, but that was the extent of it.)
Fundraiser/CLAPA Logo Attire: We continue to offer T-shirts and Sweatshirts for sale. There are only a few yellow items left. All new inventory will only be available in Carolina Blue. Our website has been updated with the revised order form. www.contoocooklake.org
Lake Lowering: We have confirmed with the Jaffrey DPW that the commencing of lake lowering for Contoocook Lake will begin on Friday, October 20, 2023.
Board of Directors Slate: The following slate of board of directors and officers for 2023/2024 was proposed, seconded, and approved as follows:
President Frank Battaglia
Vice President Michael Douglas
Secretary Joan Lathrop
Treasurer Karin Goldstein
Other Directors: Frank Belfsky, Jean Stokinger, Carolyn West, Russell Phillips, Gregory Covert, Wendy Bruneau, Mike Golibersuch.
Committee Directors:
Communications Joan Lathrop
Finance Karin Goldstein
Fundraising Wendy Bruneau
Invasive Weed Control Frank Battaglia
Lake Host Program (Needed)
LPC Mike Golibersuch
NH Lakes (Needed)
Outreach Michael Douglas
VLAP Carolyn West
Meeting Adjourned at 5:20 PM followed by a member social.
Submitted by Joan Lathrop, September 6, 2023