PRESIDENT’S INTRODUCTION and OVERVIEW
Dean Williams presented an overview of MLIF and its activities in 2020 and 2021. MLIF has managed and maintained Mamanasco Lake for 50 years. MLIF works to preserve the lake, educate the watershed community and undertake new projects and/or techniques to reach these goals. Mamanasco Lake is a shallow lake with an average depth of 7 feet. Run-off from the watershed brings silt and nutrients to the lake that disrupt its balanced ecosystem. These nutrients feed excessive aquatic weeds and algae.
Dean highlighted recent projects including:
– Fundraising efforts
– Newsletter mailings
– Welcoming new residents to the watershed
– Three recent grant applications
– Updating of our organization’s bylaws
– New lake brochure
– Earth Day poster contest
– Local business mailing
– New sign at State boat ramp
Lake Management
Barb Hartman, Vice President, is now heading up lake management. Dean Williams reported on herbicide and algaecide treatments in 2020 and 2021. He spoke of methods to create a healthier lake that had been studied by the Board including water aeration, applications of Phoslock, application of new herbicide to reduce Curly-Leaf Pondweed, and Phragmites reduction.
For 2021 MLIF, in conjunction with Pond and Lake Connection, is working toward a balanced lake ecology. The approach includes careful monitoring, a pre-planned treatment schedule, proactive Canada Goose egg addling (please let us know if you see a goose nest), and Phragmites reduction (depending on approval of a grant application.)
Finance
Rosemary Hawkins Sposito is the MLIF Treasurer and Nancy Jacobowitz heads the fundraising team. Dean Williams gave the financial summary. We had 120 donors in 2020.
Pond and Lake Connection Report
Dean introduced our guest speaker Nick McMahon from Pond and Lake Connection (PLC).
Nick McMahon has handled our lake treatments for the last several years and will continue in this capacity. Nick is into this sixth year with PLC, having previously worked with the CT DEEP Fisheries Division and as well as the DEEP in Massachusetts. PLC has been our lake management company for the past five years. Also attending was Zach from PLC.
Our treatment permits for 2021 were submitted in early January, and by early May we had not yet received an approval. This is the beginning of a new three-year cycle of the permits. Problems stemming from a new employee of DEEP working from home created a significant delay. Barb Hartman contacted our state legislators who moved the process immediately. Shortly after receiving the permit in mid-May, PLC applied the first herbicide and algaecide treatments. This usually takes place in early April to catch the early growth of Curly-Leaf Pondweed.
The lake is shallow, eutrophic and prone to nuisance vegetation. The lake has high levels of phosphorus which is the main cause of algae blooms. Phosphorous comes from both external and internal loading (in the sediment.) Our main invasive weed is Curly-Leaf Pondweed (CLP). It begins growing in March and needs to be treated early in its reproductive cycle. Last year the lake had a big resurgence of CLP after several years of reduction.
PLC’s main goal has been to reduce/prevent the chance of algae blooms. Filamentous algae blooms are a large problem. There is not a good preventative method to reduce filamentous algae. It is treated as it appears. One method is to decrease the Phosphorus in the lake with application of Phoslock to large areas. This has been too expensive for MLIF. A grant was usd to treat one acre of the lake. An aeration system can break the cycle of filamentous algae.
Additionally, we have the native plant Coontail. In areas of excessive growth, Coontail can be treated in a targeted manner. PLC tries for a balance of good and bad aquatic plants.
Audience Questions
Questions were asked about:
– Lily Pads – not a problem unless excessive growth
– Leaves in the lake – Emphasize to yard workers not to deposit leaves in or near the lake.
– North cove issues – shallow lake and prevailing winds creating lakeside not usable for boating
– Lowering of lake level – in the past, the lake level had been lowered two feet for dock repair and removal of lake-bottom biomass. It has been 4-5 years, why can’t we continue to do this? Dean noted that best practice is not to do this too frequently.
Dean thanked Nick and Zach for their work and expertise.
MLIF BUSINESS MEETING
2021 Major Initiatives
– Lake Treatment Plan – lake treatments are scheduled through August.
– Zebra Mussel monitoring stations – MLIF is putting cement blocks at four sites to provide an easy way to check for Zebra Mussels.
– Celebration of MLIF’s 50th year on August 7.
– Increased collaboration with Mamanasco Beach Club (MBC) – Amy Roy informed the group of the resurgence of the MBC. There are now six very active leaders and over 100 members. To join, look at Mamanasco.com for membership information.
– Educating shoreline and nearby property owners on Inland Wetlands regulations and best practices
– Digitizing MLIF’s historic files and documents
Election of 2021 Officers and Directors
Mimi Dalbey, Chair of the Nominating Committee, presented the slate of Officers and Directors. The Committee’s recommendation was as follows:
President Dean Williams
Vice-President Barb Hartman
Secretary Kitty Fischer
Treasurer Rosemary Hawkins Sposito
Directors Barbara Cmiel
Margie Collora
Mimi Dalbey
Nancy Jacobowitz
Amy Roy
Liz Ryan
Al Sanchirico
Kitty Fischer moved, and Barb Hartman seconded a motion to approve the above slate of MLIF Officers and Directors. The motion passed unanimously.
