As Autumn, 2000, marked the end of our Demonstration Project, so it marked the beginning of the Tripp Lake Watershed Management Plan Development, an incipient idea for maintaining and improving the quality of our lake.

November 28, 2000: a small group of involved TLIA members met at Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation offices with Phoebe Hardesty (AVSWCD), Karen Hahnel (DEP) and Scott Williams (Land and Water Resource Management Associates) to discuss the proposed project. It was unanimously decided to apply for a grant which would enable us to conduct surveys and public meetings. If the monies are granted and the proper steps taken, we can forge ahead, drafting dreams into reality. Those attending this first meeting were Jacqueline Misenheimer, Marion LaFlamme, A. Barry MacMillan, Ron and Claudie Getchell, John Laskey, Charlie and Nancy Rodway and Babs Shapiro. April 24, 2001: The Board of Directors also gave the go-ahead for grant application. Those in attendance were Rick Lundstedt, Richard Harris, Charlie Rodway, Jacqueline Misenheimer and Barbara Shapiro. Prior approval had been received from Paula Smith and Ed Hinkley.

The application will be written by Phoebe Hardesty and our sponsor, AVSWCD. If accepted, we’ll be notified by early July. Scott Williams and Cynthia Kuhns, leaders of Demonstration Project #319, would also assist us in drafting this project. The possibility that we are approved by the DEP/EPA is "iffy." In the past, only larger lakes have won these grants because of limited funds. Should we not get it this year, we shall re-apply next year.

The power of positive thinking keeps us going. If the application is approved, the actual processes wouldn’t begin until April, 2002 and would last almost 2 years. It would involve setting up a Steering Committee to guide the project and Subcommittees to assist with surveys, public meetings and a draft plan. It will be necessary to organize goals and strategies for achieving them. The actual implementation of the plan would take another 3 years. We must have dedicated people involved in this vision and the Town must be involved. It can be a fluid, living document, with NPS (non-point source pollution) as the primary focus. It can be based upon ideas described in other lake plans, such as Damariscotta’s and Thompson’s.

Repayment of this grant would be similar to methods in Project #319. A portion, approximately $2500, would be a cash match; about $11,000 would be in-kind services. This portion would be met by attendance at meetings and administrative tasks.

We’ll need your involvement when the project begins. Will let you know the decision as soon as we’re notified. Please say "yes" when called upon to help.