Home
| | Home | | | News | | | Road Assoc/Islands | | | Merchandise | | | Meetings | | | LSLA | | | Loonacy | | | Resources | | | Contact Us | |
|
|
LSLA Summer Newsletter 2005 
Monday, June 6, 2005 Message from the President – Scott Lowell The water level is finally coming into equilibrium after what seemed like months of rain and snow melt. Time to get out and experience the lake. As you proceed with your summer activities please keep in mind the lake we all love. Give thought to your actions and how they affect the lake and its watershed. Act appropriately, get involved, and the resource will be here to enjoy for years to come. Be safe, have fun, and enjoy Over the past few years the activities of the LSLA board of directors have increased considerably. Our involvement with larger projects has required coordination with outside agencies such as Cumberland County Soil and Water, Department of Environmental Protection, Inland Fisheries, Maine Coalition of Lakes, and Maine Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants to name a few. We have sponsored meetings at the local and state level to keep residents and officials informed on the issues that affect Little Sebago and its residents. Training and certifications are being offered in sedimentation and erosion control, buffer importance, road maintenance, invasive plant removal, and water quality testing. The board is continuously researching subjects from invasive plant control to corporate structure and responsibility to be informed and proactive. We stay in contact with our state legislative representatives and discriminate information about our activities through our website, newspapers, local television stations and direct mailings. These new involvements and projects come in addition to our regular activities of water quality testing, dam maintenance, buoy placement, promotional sales, newsletters, water safety programs, and monthly meetings. As the needs increase and priorities change, time and money required to address the issues increase as well. The board has responded by changing our committee structure and requesting other lake residents to come forward and help. This has resulted in a comprehensive road association and volunteer list. We will try to include many of you that have offered your services. Additionally these new projects have changed our financial needs and expenditures. The board has changed the association’s corporate structure to a non-profit corporation to be better positioned to receive donations and apply for grants. We have presented numerous funding requests to state, county, local, and private organizations resulting in over $150,000 in pledged or received funds over the last four years. This funding in many cases requires a monetary or volunteer time match on the part of LSLA. This brings us to another new function for the board if we are to continue with watershed and invasive control programs - fundraising. We have started asking that the Little Sebago Lake Association general membership contribute more that the normal yearly dues to the association’s operations. Many of you have responded with donations to the cause for which we are all thankful. We have received about $28,000 in donations to date. We also have an offer for a financial match of up to $25,000 to any money we can raise this summer toward milfoil control efforts. Several people have offered volunteer time to operate a silent auction and lobster bake in conjunction with the annual meeting July 9th. So let’s get together, have some fun, and raise some money in the process. The Bennett’s and AIMHI have agreed to allow use of their grounds for both these events. I hear their lobster bakes are a top notch event. Many thanks go out to the Bennett’s for the decades they have let LSLA meet at their lodge and for this most recent cooperation. Take the time to look over their resort, meet the owners and say a word of thanks. Rumor has it there may even be a few openings left for the coming summer. But act fast - they fill quickly. Many thanks go out to the board for their efforts over the past year. The work involved to manage the new projects we are involved in has increased drastically and our duties have expanded it seems to fill all available time. All members of the board deserve recognition for their individual contributions to this ongoing process. • Hope to see all of you at the annual meeting. Activity Since 2004 Annual Meeting • Became a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. • Watershed sedimentation and erosion control project moved to mitigation phase. • 2004 water testing program complete with results submitted and returned from the State. • Boat launch monitoring instituted. • Comprehensive road association and volunteer lists compiled. • Collins Pond dam control mechanism rebuilt. • Numerous workshops on buffers, invasive plants, and camp road maintenance conducted. • New donations structure developed. • Several funding requests made. • Committee organization revised. • Public presentations on LSLA issues. • Reevaluation of board function and priorities in progress. Invasive Plant control Efforts 2004 - Present. • Informational brochures have been developed, printed and distributed. • $8,000 in grants received through DEP for invasive control, education and monitoring. • Milfoil notification buoys procured and set in heavily infested areas. • Donated pontoon boat is being retrofitted for milfoil control. • Suction dredge trials performed for milfoil removal. • About 4500 sq. ft. of bottom barrier constructed and placed. • Invasive plant removal workshops were held, attended by over 40 area residents. • Public informational meetings were sponsored in Windham and Gray to educate people on invasive plants and request funding. 2005-2006 Initiatives As we move into the coming year the association will continue to adjust and modify to meet the needs of the lake and watershed. We will continue with all of the normal activities of the association as we work toward accomplishing new goals. Items we will work on this coming year include: • Continue with the mitigation process of erosion and sedimentation control as outlined in the Phase I and II watershed survey reports. o Coordinate with CCSWC and DEP for the engineering and follow through of both road and private property restorations. • Determine a schedule for the potential dredging of the lower narrows depending on water flow and the extent of filling experienced. o Submit for DEP permit o Hire subcontractors o Locate disposal site o Obtain land crossing permissions • Monitor water quality and our dam operation. • Work with state agencies to have sanitation and trash facilities at the state owned boat launch. • Work on fundraising projects. o Silent auction o Lobster bake o Develop new promotional items • Develop new lines of communication with our association members, road associations, volunteers and outside organizations. Invasive Plant Control Plans - 2005 into 2006 • Finish milfoil control pontoon boat. • Develop schedule for the boat’s use this summer. • Hire paid dive team to work with volunteers using the pontoon boat for suction dredging, bottom barriers and hand removal projects. • Move existing bottom barriers to new locations • Build and deploy another 6,000 sq. ft. of bottom barrier. • Place milfoil notification buoys. (please stay out of these areas) • Monitor the state boat launch 40 hrs./week from Memorial Day-Labor Day. • Contact local colleges to develop a relationship toward milfoil control that can integrate with marine education and work study projects. • Work toward grant writing opportunities that will help fund the invasive control process. Suction Dredge is Coming Together! – Tom Williams All the parts have arrived to convert our donated 20’ pontoon boat into a mean milfoil-sucking machine. Capable of producing 500 gal/min, the system employs a simple venturi to create enough suction to fill 50 lb. disposable onion bags in a matter of minutes. A diver in the water will feed plants into a 4” hose while workers on board swap full for empty bags. Stacked on board, the bags of this noxious weed will be brought to shore for landfill disposal. Our goal is to have the dredge up and running before the plants have a chance to reach their full summer’s growth. Hopkins Dam Report - Bruce Micucci, Dam Keeper The spring of 2005 is the oddest that I have reported on in my 10 years as Dam Keeper. The Hopkins Dam was opened and the draw down to winter levels began on time October 15th, 2004. Little Sebago Lake reached a winter low of 287.3’ (-23”) on January 8th, 2005. The lake level was 287.9’ (-14”) on April 2nd, 2005 when over two feet of rapidly melting snow and heavy rain brought the water level up 26” in ten days. On April 12th, Little Sebago Lake was at a level of 290.1’ (+10” above summer high) and as of late May I am still releasing a 50 to 100% volume of water to try and get the lake to a summer high of 289.2’. I have been working with downstream dam keepers all spring to maximize the water flow from Little Sebago and, at this writing, the lake is only 2” above our summer level. The Hopkins Dam has been wide open since October 2004 with only some minor adjustments to relieve downstream flooding. The “Emergency Action Plan” has been revised and will be sent to the Maine Emergency Management Agency following a June test drill of the plan. The Hopkins Dam is currently in good mechanical condition with some leaks noted at the bottom of the draw and the riprap wall. Road Associations (RAs) – Christine Godfrey Strong Road Associations are a major link in good communication. Please either indicate your RA designation on any LSLA returned correspondence (e.g., dues bill slip) or contact an LSLA board member with this information. The list for RA contacts is on our web site. We are looking for a contact for the Campbell Shores Road Association. For those who live on town roads or for other reasons do not belong to a specific Road Association, your RA will be “No Road Association”. This category will help your LSLA with our ongoing two-way communication goals by Getting news and information quickly and efficiently to all LSLA members and Giving this “No RA” group a way to voice common concerns. We need a No Road Association contact person for our web site. The responsibilities entailed would be to keep in communication with the Membership chairperson of LSLA and to maintain a list of those people with the No Road Association designation. How can your Road Association members help make things happen? Last season some energetic members of our Road Associations constructed, placed and made plans to move benthic bottom barriers. They did this in an effort to help control the milfoil rapidly spreading and infesting our lake. Maybe they even permanently got rid of some of this noxious stuff! What is a benthic bottom barrier, you ask? Bottom barriers are black synthetic sheeting material, attached to bar/rod weights, which are laid across bottom, milfoil infested sections of the lake. They work by denying the plants sunlight necessary for photosynthesis. They typically kill plants in 1 to 2 months. Then they are relocated to cover another infestation. They are effective, inexpensive, simple to construct and offer the added bonus of not causing the fragmentation hand pulling can precipitate. Bottom barriers are best suited for “high use” infestation areas such as swimming areas, docks and boat launches. Use caution to weight barriers properly when placement is in frequent boat traffic areas as they can become tangled in propellers or fishing gear. Ok, now you know a little. How do you find out more about making and using one? Contact Scott Lowell (428-3271) or Tom Williams (892-2488) or Bill Shelley (428-3244). They will help with information on materials, construction procedure, how to place them and the very important tracking of where and when the barriers are put down. LSLA has already invested in material and it is available for your use. Living With Loons On Little Sebago - Lee Attix* Loons, one of North America’s most revered birds, are studied quite a bit, and there is wide belief that loons can’t thrive on lakes and ponds that are heavily developed. People feel that loss of adequate nesting habitat, and recreational disturbance pressures are just too great. They certainly have plenty of examples to demonstrate the validity of this thinking, but I also know the opposite to be true. The biggest key to successful co-habitation is communication and education. I believe a healthy dose of both would go a long way to helping loons breed successfully on Little Sebago, and it’s worth the effort. Your lake has some of the best breeding habitat for loons in the entire state. Before launching into a discussion of remedies, however, let me speak briefly about the concerns I have for loons on Little Sebago. I have been monitoring the breeding activities of these majestic birds on the middle basin for the last eight seasons, and I am concerned about the pressures loons are facing. There have been far too many instances of human disturbance, both intentional and unintentional, which have caused loons to abandon their nests, or lose a young chick which is too vulnerable to survive if it gets separated from its parents. If you happen to be reading this article, and you share my concerns, I hope to leave you with faith that fairly simple actions can have very positive results. I do believe that it all starts with greater communication and education of lake residents, their guests and renters, and the public that accesses the lake from the state boat launch. I encourage you to use the communication powers and influence of the lake association and private road associations, etc., to begin the process of educating people about loons. Here are a few critical pieces of information that you need to disseminate: • People need to stay clear of nesting islands during the key period of 5/15-7/15. This includes restraining pets from swimming from their boats to the islands. • Boaters and people operating personal watercraft need to be alert to loons swimming in the area where they are, especially when they are with young chicks. • Lead sinkers kill loons. All anglers with lead sinkers in their tackle boxes should be urged to get rid of them, and replace them with steel ones now readily available. Also, identify the people that are passionate about loons, and get active. Distribute educational flyers to all that own property on the lake, and ask that they post them in a prominent place. Establish teams to adopt and watch over the welfare of individual nests. Create monitoring goals, and publish the results in the newsletter. Little Sebago Lake is a spectacular resource for both loons and people to enjoy with mutual respect. It’s this authors sincere hope that both may be free to enjoy it for many generations to come. * Lee Attix is a wildlife researcher with BioDiversity Research Institute, a 501c3 non-profit group based in Gorham, Maine. If you wish to support their continued efforts of loon monitoring on Little Sebago Lake, why not Adopt A Loon. Visit their website at: www.briloon.org , or call them Toll Free 1-866-749-Loon (5666). Donations are also welcome. Water Quality Report - Bruce Micucci The Department of Environmental Protection report on the condition of Little Sebago Lake was received in April. The report is a compilation and analysis of the data collected from Little Sebago Lake in the summer of 2004. For purposes of this newsletter I will give a summary of the report and speak in detail at the annual membership meeting on July 9th. The highlight of the report was a notation that most Maine lakes experienced a decline in oxygen levels at the bottom depths. This was something that occurred on Little Sebago and was of concern. Oxygen depletion signals the beginning a shrinking habitat for most fish species and the start of a process that could result in an algal bloom. It was a relief to hear that it was not unique to Little Sebago Lake. It most likely was the result of a buildup of land based phosphorous during the drought of 2002/2003 that was washed into the lake during the above average rains in the summer of 2004. All of the other numbers for clarity and oxygen at shallow depths were consistent with past years. Officially the D.E.P. states that “Water quality in Little Sebago Lake is slightly above average, based on measures of clarity (SDT), Total Phosphorous (TP), and Chlorophyll-A (Algae level). The potential for nuisance algal bloom on Little Sebago Lake is low”. A surface phosphorous sample was collected last summer. It was sent to the D.E.P. for analysis. The result was a low count and an improvement over previous baseline tests. The work done by Little Sebago Lake homeowners to improve septic waste containment and shoreline erosion is showing positive results in the quality of water we enjoy on Little Sebago Lake. Septic System Upgrades and Replacements - Mike Deyling* Waterfront camp lots in sensitive watersheds have posed unique challenges for individuals interested in replacing or upgrading septic systems. Historically, the number of camps on a water body was limited and camps were in use for relatively short periods of time (summer). As a result, disposal of wastewater was not a significant issue. Older camps used a variety of gray water systems, outhouses, and “Mainer ingenuity” to find ways of disposing of wastewater. However, as the number of camps increased and Lot sizes became smaller, a greater focus has been placed on water quality issues and minimizing environmental impacts to sensitive water bodies. State of Maine Subsurface Waste Water Disposal Rules and local Ordinances contain a wide array of requirements for installation of septic systems. These rules appear daunting to many camp/home owners. Therefore, many individuals have struggled to keep existing systems functioning in some capacity. Furthermore, traditional perception of septic systems included the idea of clearing a large relatively flat surface to install a leach field. Given that many camp lots have been landscaped and/or developed to maintain a natural setting including large trees, vegetative buffers, and non-disturbed areas, the thought of installing a septic system was unappealing in terms of creating a large disturbance. Added to these factors was the increased cost of completing construction projects in areas with limited access and often dealing with difficult ground conditions. Over the years and with little fan-fare, The Maine Division of Health Engineering and manufacturers of septic system components have been working to address some of these unique issues associated with waterfront camp lots. The Division of Health Engineering has developed specific guidance to encourage replacement of improperly functioning systems. They realize that finding ways to deal with site constraints will result in better management of wastewater and minimize negative impacts to water bodies. Although minimum soil and site conditions must be met for approval of replacement systems, significantly greater flexibility exists to design replacement systems. Manufacturers have developed innovative treatment components that provide greater treatment of wastewater, but require less than one-half the footprint of traditional systems. In addition, these components allow greater design flexibility because of the unique configurations that can be achieved. The net result is less disturbance, less disposal field area and a better fit to existing Site conditions. These components are lighter and can be installed with smaller equipment in tight working areas. In general, cost to install is competitive with traditional systems and in some cases costs can be lower than traditional systems. Replacing failing or improperly functioning septic systems results in less environmental impact, greater peace of mind to a camp/home owner and usually significantly increases the resale value of a property. To obtain more information, contact the Maine Division of Health Engineering @ http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/eng/plumb/ or a licensed Site Evaluator. *Mike Deyling is a licensed Site Evaluator and Certified Installer. He can be reached at 795-6009. On the Political Front - Sharon Bard-Young On February 8th LSLA co-sponsored a Milfoil Forum with the Town of Gray and invited concerned citizens and waterfront homeowners to attend and learn about the extent of the infestation and details about LSLA’s management plan. It was a very well attended meeting with over 100 in attendance, including Gray’s Town Manager Mitch Berkowitz, Town Council Chairperson Pam Wilkinson, and State Representative Mark Bryant. The Lake Association disseminated information and issued a plea for volunteers and for financial help. Donations both large and small have resulted, and equally importantly on June 11 Gray’s proposed Town Budget requesting an appropriation of $10,000 for Lake Water Quality will be voted on at town meeting. While there are no guarantees at this time the exact amounts Little Sebago may receive from the appropriation, a showing of support from the membership is needed at town meeting to encourage a favorable outcome. In April, as a result of communications with Tony Plante, Windham’s Town Manager, LSLA was invited to attend a Council Budget Workshop to explain LSLA’s Milfoil Management Plan and its associated costs. At this meeting we were able to show detailed engineering plans for the construction of our own Suction Harvester and a proposed budget to support equipment and personnel needs. We were again very well received and assured that the Council recognizes the economic impact recreational facilities and waterfront property taxes contribute to the community. Once again a budget request is pending, but uncertainty remains over the level of giving until final budget votes in June. I have also provided frequent updates and pleas for assistance, both financial and otherwise, to our elected representatives at the state level. As a matter of fact, I attended a legislative breakfast just a short while ago where Senator Bill Diamond, and Representatives Mark Bryant and Gary Plummer encouraged citizens to share their concerns and issues so that their representatives can be watchful of legislation in support of, or potentially harmful to, the local constituency and act accordingly. Please use the contact information below and add your voice to ours encouraging action on Milfoil Mitigation - even a short message - it truly does help. One elected official told me that once he got 25 emails on a subject it made it to his priority list. There are 1200 LSLA members – if even one quarter makes this small effort - Augusta will take us very seriously!!! Elected Officials and Municipal Managers: John E. Baldacci, Office of The Governor, 1 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04330 email: governor@maine.gov Karl Turner, Senate Dist. 11, 16 Town Landing Road, Cumberland, ME 04110 email: kwturner@yahoo.com Bill Diamond, Senate Dist. 12, 261 Windham Center Road, Windham, ME 04062 email: senbill.diamond@legislature.maine.gov Susan Austin, House Dist. 109, 136 Yarmouth Road, Gray, ME email: none listed Mark Bryant, House Dist. 110, 166 Albion Road, Windham, ME email: repmark.bryant@legislature.maine.gov Gary Plummer, House Dist. 111, 248 Gray Road, Windham, ME email: repg.plummer@legislature.maine.gov Mitch Berkowitz, Town Manager, 6 Shaker Road, Gray, ME email: townmanager@graymaine.org Tony Plante, Town Manager, 8 School Street, Windham, ME email: atplante@town.windham.me.us CCSW Stewardship Group Award – Carol Ann Doucette Jami Fitch, of Cumberland Country Soils and Water announced that the Little Sebago Lake Association was chosen to receive its outstanding Stewardship Group Award. This award is reserved for a stewardship group that displays an unwavering commitment to protect Cumberland County’s natural resources. In a recent letter to the association, Richard Wood, Of CCSW made the following statement: “Over the past several years, the Little Sebago Lake Association has demonstrated on numerous occasions, their commitment to good stewardship. Some of their efforts include establishing a Camp Road Network to distribute pollution prevention information, speaking out at local, regional and state levels to enlist help for the removal of variable leaf milfoil and then recruiting volunteers and securing funding to begin the removal process, encouraging the use of native plants giveaway at your annual meeting, collaborating with the District and the Maine DEP to survey 13.3 square miles of the Little Sebago Lake Watershed and working with landowners, municipalities, the District and MDEP to address some of the worst polluted runoff sites in the lake’s northern watershed. None of these efforts would have been possible without the strong commitment of the LSLA Board Members and volunteers throughout the watershed. CCSW acknowledges these impressive efforts.” Want to plant a buffer and don’t have a clue where to start? Here are some on-line sites to help you. http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/2242.htm Plant Hardiness Zone Map of Maine- shows the planting zones in Maine and details some of the environmental factors that impact plant growth. http://kcswcd.org/Contact%20us.htm Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District This site has many links that are very specific about how, what and where to plant. Lots of good information and well formatted for an easy read. Little Sebago Lake Fish Stocking Reports 1994 - 2004 Fall 1994: 1000 Brown Trout 8” – 10” Fall 1995: 1000 Brown Trout 10” – 12” Spring 1996: 500 Brown Trout Fall 1996: 500 Brown Trout Fall 1997: 1500 Brown Trout 14” – 16” Spring 1998: 500 Brown Trout 10” – 12” Fall 1998: 1500 Brown Trout 14” – 16” Fall 1999: 1500 Brown Trout 14” – 16” Fall 2000: 1500 Brown Trout 10” – 12” 20 Brown Trout 6” – 8” Fall 2001: 1500 Brown Trout 12” – 14” 80 Rainbow Trout 12” – 14” Spring 2002: 18 Brown Trout 22” – 24” 22 Rainbow Trout 14” – 16” Fall 2002: 1500 Brown Trout 12” – 14” 150 Rainbow Trout 12” – 14” 30 Brown Trout 22” – 24” Fall 2003: 1500 Brown Trout 12” – 14” 150 Rainbow Trout 14” – 16” 10 Brown Trout 22” – 24” Fall 2004: 1200 Brown Trout 12” – 14” 150 Rainbow Trout 14” – 16” 75 Brown Trout 18” – 20” There will be Bass fishing tournaments on Little Sebago on July 22nd, and on August 7th & 19th. Info and updates can be found @www.mebass.com/2005_maine_bass_opens.htm Minutes for the 2004 Annual Meeting Held at AIMHI Lodge July 10th, 2004 – 10:00 AM Adjournment was at 11:45. In order to save on publishing costs, Annual Meeting minutes for 2004 will be made available on the LSLA website @ www.LittleSebagoLake.com. The minutes will be reviewed at this year’s annual meeting. Copies of the minutes can also be obtained by contacting any LSLA board member. $ $ $ $ $ $ 2005 LSLA Dues – Kim McBride This year, your dues notice looks a little different! As you know, our lake is facing unprecedented threats from invasive variable milfoil and increased surface use. In order to meet those challenges, we need to raise the funds necessary to support a number of new programs. Beginning this year, you will have the opportunity to increase your dues from $25 to a higher level. There are several categories of giving available to you. Your dues are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. As a further incentive, anything you give over $25 will be matched by a very generous supporter of our lake. For example, if you contribute $100, our anonymous donor will donate $75. Your $100 donation will result in $175 being added to the LSLA coffers! You may elect to keep your dues payment at $25, as has always been the case. But we urge you to consider a higher level of giving as we work together to preserve Little Sebago Lake for generations to come! Thank you for your continued support! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2005 LSLA Membership Levels Regular $25 No Matching Donation Supporter $50 $25 Matching Donation Caretaker $100 $75 Matching Donation Steward $500 $475 Matching Donation Champion $1000 $975 Matching Donation Benefactor Over $1000 – Your donation will be matched less $25 Make your tax deductible donation worth twice as much. Please consider a membership level higher than Regular! Make checks payable to Little Sebago Lake Association. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Financial Report and Non-Profit Status – Colin Walsh As we indicated in the fall newsletter the past year has brought a very important change to the financial status of our organization. The Board of Directors received final approval from the IRS for the Lake Association to be a nonprofit organization under federal tax law. This status, commonly referred to as 501(c)3, is a very important step in allowing future grants to be awarded for our lake and watershed. In addition, it allows contributions made by our members to be deductible on your taxes to the extent it is allowed under the law. We are extremely pleased on receiving this final acceptance and hope that you will keep the Association in your charitable giving plans. In order to fulfill our fiduciary role in utilizing the Organization’s resources in the best possible manner we are providing this financial report for 2004 as well as our budget for 2005. We are hopeful that this will provide you a detailed analysis of how we utilized funds during the year and our plans for the next year. In addition, during 2005 we have received donations and matching funds outside of our budget to be used exclusively for milfoil work. These funds are being recorded and tracked separately from membership dues in order meet the matching requirement of the donor. Any assistance the membership can give in helping to accomplish this important goal would be greatly appreciated. $ $ $ $ $ $ Little Sebago Lake Association Cash Receipts & Disbursements Summary Year Ended December 31, 2004 2004 2004 2005 Actual Budget Budget Receipts: Membership Dues 15,075.00 14,000.00 15,625 Merchandise Revenue 2,842.01 3,500.00 3,500 Grant Revenue 8,280.00 0.00 7,500 Donations 735.00 0.00 5,000 Tax Refund 1,198.00 0.00 0 Interest & Dividends 132.75 75.00 75 Miscellaneous 0.00 100.00 100 Total Revenue 28,262.76 17,675.00 31,800 Disbursements: Annual Meeting 1,120.00 1,400.00 1,400 Bank Charges 157.91 50.00 50 Dredging 0.00 0.00 0 Dues & Subscriptions 150.00 500.00 500 Insurance 540.00 750.00 2,000 Legal & Professional 3,072.73 1,500.00 1,500 Merchandise Purchases 1,204.05 3,500.00 3,500 Miscellaneous 0.00 100.00 100 Office 113.25 150.00 150 Milfoil Services 935.41 5,000.00 0 Milfoil Equipment 2,358.03 6,000.00 0 Postage 1,258.79 1,500.00 1,500 Printing 3,803.53 2,250.00 3,000 Repairs & Maintenance 0.00 250.00 250 Subcontracted Services- Warden Svcs. 0.00 3,500.00 2,750 Supplies 0.00 100.00 100 Boat Expense 1,262.57 700.00 750 Equipment Purchases 0.00 1,250.00 1,250 Watershed Survey Costs 8,812.28 5,000.00 2,500 Boat Ramp Supervision 7,460.00 0.00 10,000 Water Tests 429.00 0.00 500 Total Disbursements 32,677.55 33,500.00 31,800 Revenue> Disbursements (4,414.79) (15,825.00) 0 Cash & Money Market Balance- January 29,570.50 29,570.50 25,156 Cash & Money Market Balance- December 25,155.71 13,745.50 25,156 Little Sebago Lake Logo Items Koosies (Keep Cold Drinks Cold) - $5.00 Sweatshirt Youth……………….. - $15.00 Ladies’ V-Neck Shirt………….. - $25.00 Baseball Hat…………………….. - $10.00 Sweatshirt Adult……………….. - $20.00 Men’s Golf Shirt……………….. - $30.00 Golf Visor……………………….. - $10.00 Child T-Shirt…………………… - $10.00 Floating Key Chain…………….. - $5.00 Adult T-Shirt…………………… - $15.00 Stainless Steel Mug………………- $6.00 Tote Bag / Cooler………………. - $12.00 Ceramic Mug……………………. - $4.00 The Role of Phosphorus in the Watershed Natural inputs Phosphorus (P) is relatively sparse in natural soils and exists primarily as the phosphate molecule that tends to stick to soil as water moves through it. Therefore, in the absence of human-caused impacts, P concentrations in the surface and groundwater that flows into streams and lakes tends to be very low and so usually regulates the potential amount of algal growth in the system. In pristine parts of the world, there is also very little phosphorus in precipitation and in the dry portion of atmospheric inputs referred to as dry fallout. Human inputs Human activities lead to increased inputs of P in streams and sometimes in groundwater and even in atmospheric inputs. The most obvious sources are from municipal wastewater (sewage) treatment plants and from industry and are called point sources that are regulated by monitoring loads at the ends of their discharge pipes and setting strict limits. Non-point sources are much more difficult to measure and to control. Agricultural fertilizer-P is a major source of phosphorus pollution in streams throughout the US. The major sources of P to most urban streams and lakes are non point, are all controllable to a large extent by homeowners, and/or local community agencies and typically include: • soil-P from erosion (construction sites, road banks, shoreline disturbance, lawns & gardens) • road runoff (street sweepings of crud that accumulates between rainfalls) • roof runoff • lawn clippings • excess lawn fertilizer runoff • sewage from leaky sewer lines or from improperly constructed or maintained septic systems Lake internal inputs Over long periods of time, urban lake sediments become greatly enriched in phosphorus and then release a portion back into the water. This internal release can occur sporadically and may exceed annual inputs from surface waters. In productive, moderately deep lakes that stratify thermally in summer and become anoxic (no oxygen) in their hypolimnetic bottom waters, large amounts of this historically deposited phosphorus is released from the sediments into the water. It can then be mixed into sunlit surface waters during windstorms and fuel algal blooms. Turbulence from the wind can also resuspend high-P sediment from shallow areas, as can boat and Jet Ski wakes. This latter source is worsened when the shoreline and near shore zone submergent and emergent vegetation (weeds) have been removed since they stabilize the bottom sediment and act to dissipate wave energy. Leaving natural shoreline vegetation and the planting of buffers help to decrease lake Phosphorous and avoid algal blooms. For additional information on phosphorous impacts go to www.duluthstreams.org/understanding/impact_fertilizer.html LSLA Annual Meeting July 9th 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM AIMHI Lodge, Windham 10:00 AM Meeting called to order and introduction of officers • Jami Fitch from Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation Update of Watershed Survey mitigation programs and grants available • Stewardship award • Secretaries report July, 2004 annual meeting • Treasurer’s Report and financial information • Dam keeper and water quality report • Fundraising activities and donations • Membership and road associations • Volunteer activities • Presidents report o Board activities not previously covered o Milfoil action plan o Boat launch o New or old business 11:25 Meeting wrap up and summary 11:30 Questions 11:50 Adjournment Silent Auction 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM Check out our website for a list of some of the great items available. Make a bid and support your Association! Plant Giveaway FREE FREE FREE Add to your buffer FREE FREE FREE O'Donal's Nursery is providing us with 100 large hardy plants to help protect our lake. Come to the annual meeting and pick yours out! One per family please. The Magic of Little Sebago- Carol Ann Doucette It is another one of those beautiful summer mornings where the world has not yet begun its bustle. Off in the distance the faint hum of civilization reaches my ears and I turn away - not ready to let that world enter my consciousness. I gaze out over the lake, where the only stir in the water surface is caused by the many fish below emerging for their morning repast. Off in the distance I hear the cry of a loon and suddenly before my eyes, another appears just breaking the surface of the water. He is such an impressive creature, so beautiful with his distinctive black and white markings and that intense red eye. He looks at me, knowingly, but not in fear, and continues his morning swim, frequently going below the surface. Across the lake, one of our resident eagles surveys the area before him, preparing for his flight to bring home nourishment for his growing family. I can hear the faint screeching of the babies back in the nest. He knows what his mission is and, just as I turn away, he soars out over the lake, graceful, precise and incredibly focused in his direction. The stark white on his body and the massive wing span makes my heart beat with joy to be able to witness this when so many others never have the opportunity. As I look into the water at the end of my dock, through the mirror surface I can see the rich littoral zone which we on Little Sebago are so famous for. It is the area from the shoreline below the surface as far as can be seen until the bottom is no longer visible. Little Sebago’s littoral zone is one of the most abundant in plant life and I am speaking of the beneficial kind. There are hundreds of tiny little star like plants with beautiful translucent fish moving back in forth like they were being moved by a gentle breeze. Then, to my surprise, a beautiful large mouth bass swims quickly beneath the dock looking for his morning snack. Think of all those fisherman spending their day looking for him and here he is! I now hear the faint splashing of water and a canoeist gently rounds the end of the islands across from me, stopping frequently to absorb the beauty of this moment. The early pink and rose hues of the sunrise have disappeared and it is now time to focus back on the business of life. As the web editor for the Little Sebago Lake Association web site, I have many inquires about the condition of our lake, due to the frequent articles we as a board have put out to the news media. I always want to present the other side of the story of Little Sebago – of which this article is being written. There are people who have come here for many generations to spend their summers on Little Sebago. I have received photos and pictures from the descendents of families who summered on the lake in the late 1800’s. Their words ring true in my heart when they speak of “their beloved Little Sebago’. It is very special. That is the reason all of us are working so hard and are so dedicated to our cause. We want this lake to be here to enjoy for many generations to come. Protect it, cherish it, enjoy it and be thankful that you are a part of it. It is a place in this busy world that connects us to God’s creations and replenishes our spirit. Annual Dues and Membership A year 2005 dues statement for the Little Sebago Lake Association has been mailed to you via 1st Class Mail. The Association is a Maine State Nonprofit Corporation [501(c)3] that owns and operates Hopkins Dam. Major goals of the organization are: • To maintain and operate the outlet (Hopkins Dam) as required by state law. • To test and monitor lake water quality. • To promote public safety. • To safeguard the lake's environment. • To serve as an advocate for lake property owners. Please forward any correspondence to: Little Sebago Lake Association P.O. Box 912 Windham ME 04062-0912 Or browse our web site @ www.LittleSebagoLake.com |
Home | Road Assoc/Islands | Merchandise | Meetings | LSLA | Loonacy | Resources | Contact Us | |
| www.littleSebagoLake.com | Copyright© 2011 - Little Sebago Lake Association |