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Updated: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 11:44 AM Branch Pond
Association Newsletters Home
Message From The President I would like to thank the Executive Committee for the honor of being elected to serve as President of the BPA for the next year. The committee must deal with many issues this year: 1. Public Boat Launch Sincerely, On 09/16/96, the BPA Road Committee met with the City of Ellsworth Road Committee to discuss issues unresolved or unsatisfactory. A new, very simple and hopefully acceptable version of the deeded easement was presented to the City Road Committee and requests for clarification of ditching. The City felt it would be about 2 weeks before they could respond to both issues. The need for a public boat ramp was discussed and the City denied the rumor that Sandy Beach recently had been give to them from the State of Maine. I am planning to contact the State about the possibility of a public boat launch in the Sandy Beach area.
Completed by Gloria & Peter DeAngelis, Doris Johnston, and Gay Flanagan. Acct. Balance, 9/17/96 = $11,884. Highlights Of The Annual Meeting On July 19, 1996 Web Pearsall, EPA biologist for the state did an excellent presentation of slides, graphics and talk on water quality reports. The association appreciated the terminology of water quality reporting in laymen terms. It gave us a better understanding of our environment and the importance of being more informed on lake issues and how they will effect our lake's future, the most exciting news from Mr. Pearsall is that Branch Lake is in excellent condition at this time. BPA has 90 members to date and 10-15 boats participate in the regatta. The City of Ellsworth has approved $300,000 in road repair or construction surrounding Branch Pond. New members were elected to the Executive
Committee: 1. Do you favor restrictions of vehicles on the ice over the 1,000 pounds? The annual conference of COLA (Congress of Lake Associations) was held in Auburn on July 20. Delegates applauded President Yvonne Damborg for taking the organization to a new level of professionalism. COLA appointed an Executive Director this year who holds advanced degrees in Marine Environmental Science and Public Policy and Management. Since COLA is the only organization in the state which is dedicated exclusively to lake water quality, it's role has expanded to fill the gaps left when the DEP discontinued it's Lake Program. To support the expanded educational and advocacy efforts, the delegates voted to increase dues to $2.00 per Lake Association member. The keynote speaker was Martha Kirkpatrick, Director of the DEP Land and Water Quality Bureau. She emphasized that while water quality on Maine's rivers and bays has improved due to earlier regulations and educational efforts, lake water quality is declining overall. Lake water quality problems are subtle changes, recognized only by those who use and live on the lakes rather than obvious attention-grabbing symptoms like brown foam on the rivers or garbage and sewage in Casco Bay. The problems are also diffuse. There is no single "Bad Guy" to go after. Municipalities, developers, and private landowners are all contributing to phosphorus loading in Maine lakes. The resulting impact is seen by -fisherman in a decrease of cold-water species such as salmon and trout, by swimmers who notice more algae blooms, which suddenly cloud the water, and landowners who see an increase in plant growth in the shallow water along the shore. Diminishing water quality affects the wildlife, drinking water supplies, and the property values of landowners. We will all be learning more about this problem, which is referred to as "Non Point Source Pollution". The State Legislature passed two laws in '96 to regulate development and educate the public about the problem. The goal is to save Maine's surface water supplies and recreational lakes without expensive and often ineffectual lake cleanup operations. Many lakes in southern Maine have already experienced cleanup attempts. We are lucky to have a chance to prevent serious damage to Branch Lake. Studies have shown that 85% of phosphorus
loading can be attributed to roads; more specifically, poorly designed and maintained
roads in a rainstorm. There were several workshops at the conference on road construction
and maintenance, and planting or maintenance of natural vegetative buffer strips to filter
storm water runoff. Since phosphorous attaches to dirt and sand particles it seems to be
critical for water quality, and our road maintenance budgets, to keep the gravel on the
roads. Several helpful brochures were available at the conference. Three that I recommend
are: All are available at no charge from the Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District at 667-8663. We are also -fortunate to have a trained expert, who is also very realistic, at the Hancock County SWCD. He is Roland Dupuis. He will work with any road association or private landowner. He can help prioritize roadwork projects so as to minimize future maintenance costs and protect the lake at the same time. He will also advise landowners how to landscape buffers strips to filter runoff from roads and driveways and minimize leaching of yard fertilizers. You can invite him by calling 667-8643. The most popular session at the COLA conference was a report from the Great Ponds Task Force, which was appointed by the Governor to make recommendations to the Legislature on issues of lake water quality and surface use (jet ski and boating regulations). The preliminary recommendations are reported in this newsletter with a survey and comment form enclosed, we have until September 30th to get our opinion included in the -final document, so ACT NOW! Anne Hayes Great Pond Task Force 1. Should a Lakes Program be established within Maine State Government at the Department
of Environmental Protection to focus on maintaining clean lake water? The estimated cost
is about $400,000/year). |
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