It was a busy summer and so much was
accomplished. The Demonstration Project, started almost three years ago,
has ended. An extension was granted until September 30 to repair damages
sustained last winter to the Fernald Road area. Two families, the
Mooneys and the Clarks, took advantage of this extra time to request
technical assistance. In all, technical assistance was given to __ and a
total of seven Demonstration projects were completed. Not bad for a
small lake!
One more project has been allowed, We hope to erect a new sign at the
Public Beach which will include a map of the lake as well as caveats.
We’ll work on the design over the winter and credit will be given to
Section 319 of the Clean Water Act which provided funding for the
Project.
We’re indeed grateful for the guidance and assistance given us
these past few years by Phoebe Hardesty and Kay Nickel of the
Androscoggin Soil & Water Conservation District, Karen Hahnel (DEP),
Scott Williams and Cynthia Kuhns (Land & Water Resource Management
Associates), engineer Scott McLaren, Americorps volunteer Susan Redmond
and a host of others. As this project winds down, we’re planning the
next step, "where to go from here." A long-range lake
management plan is needed to provide continuous education, assistance
and supervision.
We’ve been approached by the Sabbathday and Range Ponds
Associations to entertain the idea of common projects, some of which
might be done more inexpensively, and perhaps better, by a larger group.
John Laskey and I attended an Oct. 11 meeting at the Ricker Library to
hear Peter Lowell of the Lakes Environmental Association speak on what
his group has accomplished. LEA comprises 38 lakes in the Bridgeton
area, conducts its own water testing program and provides numerous
educational projects for its members. Its current focus is milfoil
prevention, something that concerns us all. Washing stations for
boats, guardians at boat launches, sticker programs and an appointment
at the State level to supervise activities were among his suggestions. The
next scheduled meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m.,at the Shaker
Library in New Gloucester. We invite all interested members to join us.
We also plan to meet with Scott Williams, Phoebe Hardesty and Cynthia
Kuhns in the next month to explore other avenues: whether or not to
pursue another grant or to "do it on our own." We need all the
help we can get join us. . Please join us. The time and place will be
announced.
We can be proud of all we’ve accomplished! In the past six years,
we’ve more than doubled our membership, raised more monies that ever
before, completed our first-ever Watershed Survey/Demonstration Project
and received recognition…a District award for our outstanding work. We
must keep the momentum going, and continue all activities to protect and
preserve Tripp Lake.
‘Til next spring, when warmer weather signals green leaves, flowers
and ants, dream of summertime and all you can do to help TLIA.