PRESIDENT’S INTRODUCTION and OVERVIEW
Dean Williams presented an overview of MLIF and its activities in 2022. MLIF has managed and maintained Mamanasco Lake for 50 years. MLIF works to preserve the lake, educate the watershed community and undergo new projects 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:
– 50th Anniversary of MLIF and Party, with excellent press coverage
– Floating Island removed
– Zebra Mussels three monitoring stations – none discovered thus far
– Trash removed from lake – positive press coverage
– Fundraising and email system, updated using program “Little Green Light”
with Liz Ryan managing it.
– Pot holes filled at state boat ramp
Pond and Lake Connection Report
Dean introduced our guest speaker, Zach Davis, from Pond and Lake Connection (PLC). Zach handled our lake treatments this year and has been part of the PLC team at our lake for several years.
In 2021, the lake was the clearest it has been in the past four years. 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.
Native plants are the “lungs of the lake” and use nutrients that would otherwise nurture nuisance algae. We need to balance the need for native plants with the desire for fewer invasive aquatic plants. Phoslock or similar product would reduce the phosphorus in the lake that nurtures invasive plants. Pond and Lake wants to be proactive not reactive.
The invasive plant Phragmites is being treated this week. This is a three-year process to rid the lake of this plant that is filling in shallow areas.
PLC’s main goal has been to reduce/prevent the prevelance of algae blooms. Filamentous algae blooms are a large problem. There is not a good preventative method for Filamentous algae. It is treated as it appears.
The treatment schedule for planktonic algae and the native plant Coontail will be similar to past years with an emphasis on early summer. In areas of excessive growth Coontail can be treated in a targeted manner. PLC tries for a balance of native aquatic plants and algae. Diatom is a zooplankton that turns the water a muddy brown. It is not attractive but does not allow sun to reach into the lake and grow so much algae.
Zack suggests a project using Nutrisorb from SePro (replacement for Phoslock) that is a system for sequestering phosphorus, the nutrient that promotes the growth aquatic weeds and algae.
The CT State office that handles permits for lake treatments has been revised, and Zach hopes the new system will improve timely permit approvals.
MLIF BUSINESS MEETING
Major Initiatives for 2022/2023
– Lake treatment plan is in place
– Three grant applications (Richardson, DEEP Aquatic Invasive Species, Thrift
Shop) have been submitted. The full Thrift Shop grant was awarded and has
been received.
– The town Community Grant of $6,000 was approved.
– New fundraising software will allow for new systems and increased use of
electronic donations such as Pay-Pal. Venmo will be reviewed.
– Social Media engagement is an area for improvement. We don’t post often
enough.
– Increase shoreline owner education to understand the responsibilities of
living in a watershed.
– Mechanical Spillway Exploration Project. This project was undertaken ten
or more years ago, but cost and owner pushback did not allow the project
to move forward. Now is the time to continue this effort.
Election of 2022 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.
Monthly Meeting Schedule
The next meeting is Thursday, July 7 at 7:30 p.m. There will be no meeting in August unless the Executive Board needs to call a Special Meeting. September, October and November resume with our regular board meeting held on the first Thursday of the month.
