October 2011 Newsletter

Wilson Lake Association

Newsletter October 2011

Read About A Truly Watershed Year!

WILSON LAKE ASSOCIATION MISSION STATEMENT

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The Wilson Lake Association will establish and maintain a program that will reverse any trend of degrading the water quality in Wilson Lake and result in continuous improvement in water quality.  The Association will also encourage all the Lake’s stakeholders to be involved and support a cooperative effort to reduce or eliminate the impact of contaminants on lake water quality.
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A WATERSHED YEAR FOR YOUR LAKE!!

Pardon the pun, but this truly was a remarkable year for the protection of water quality on Wilson Lake – your lake.

• WLA members were instrumental in the founding of two road associations.
• The three largest unpaved roads that ring Wilson Lake now have organizations dedicated to their maintenance.
• WLA helped 5 property owners connect with the Youth Conservation Corps.
• The Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance (AWWA) YCC worked with those 5 property owners to eliminate significant NPS pollution (Non-point Source  usually rain water run-off).

• Other WLA owners took advantage of AWWA’s Technical Assistance Program and had plans created by Dustin Johnson of AWWA for them to implement themselves.
• Wilson Lake is part of a 319 Grant written by AWWA and York County Soil and Water conservation District (YCSWCD) which was awarded by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection in August, 2011. This grant  will provide federal funds for improvement of Eagle and Hawk Roads and help eliminate NPS pollution from entering our lake. WLA has pledged funds to help the road associations complete the work.
• WLA volunteers created a website to keep the community knowledgeable about risks, opportunities and progress. Visit www.wilsonlake.net.

The Road Associations, YCC and the 319 grant can bring added focus and effort to the biggest threats to Wilson Lake’s water quality. The website is a much more flexible and expandable way for the WLA to keep you informed and in touch with your lake – whether you are nearby or a continent away.

Congratulations to the WLA membership – everyone who contributes time and/or dues supported these successes. With your continued help WLA volunteers will build on them for the future.

HAWK ROAD ASSOCIATION AND EAGLE ROAD ASSOCIATION FORMED

Residents of Hawk and Eagle Road have formed statutory road associations. The associations create a platform for ongoing maintenance of these roads – planned and funded by the road’s property owners. They also provide a legal avenue for the Town of Acton to use its resources to help, which has not been possible for many years. It was the formation of these road associations which contributed to the award of the 319 grant,, written by Linda Schier of AWWA and Joe Anderson of YCSWCD. Hawk Road’s Association President is Al Peterson. Eagle Road’s President is Dan Orino. Both associations have active priority projects and have already begun protecting Wilson Lake for everyone.

NEXT WLA BOARD MEETING

The next board meeting will be March 24, 2012 9:00AM at Jeanne Achille’s house. The meeting is open to all.

HIT US WITH YOUR BEST SHOT

Do you have a favorite photo at the Lake?  A view, family, friends?  Send a copy by email to Jeanne Achille – jach28@gmail.com.  We’ll create a slide show to run at the annual meeting and may post some on the website.

PROTECTING WILSON LAKE FROM INVASIVE PLANTS

You think – “It can’t happen here” – and then it does. That’s what happened in June 2011 at Kezar Lake. A courtesy boat inspector found a suspicious plant fragment on a boat entering Kezar Lake. When it was confirmed that the specimen was Eurasian Water Milfoil, a full court press inspection was mounted by VLMP volunteers at the lake the boat had come from – Tripp Lake in Poland. Thankfully, milfoil had not “taken root” there. Our neighbors on Balch Lake have been fighting a very costly battle to try to eliminate the milfoil which has been invading their lake.

The WLA is fortunate to have an ongoing relationship with the VLMP (Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program), and we have qualified Invasive Plant Monitors on Wilson Lake. The best defense is to tell them if you see an unusual plant around your part of the lake. VLMP also presents workshops on Invasive Plants which are free to participants and certify you to be a patroller. To learn where a workshop will be conducted and to register, contact VLMP at 207-783-7733 or vlmp@mainevlmp.org.

AWWA’S DISCOVERY CRUISE

On Sunday, July 31, 2011, seven enthusiastic Wilson Lakers participated in Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance first “Discovery Cruise” aboard Bill Pimental’s comfortable pontoon boat. The 2 hour floating classroom was conducted by Linda Schier and Chuck Hodsdon of  AWWA. The lesson began with learning how to test water temperature at .5 meter intervals to find the thermocline.  The participants used a Secchi Disc to examine the water for clarity and took samples for phosphorus and chlorophyll A testing, markers for pollution. The cruise concluded with an exploration of some of the native aquatic plants which grow in many areas of Wilson Lake. We are very fortunate that we have not been infested with any of the eleven invasive plants which have entered some of our neighboring lakes, as discussed above. Those who participated extend their “Thanks” to Linda, Chuck and Bill for donating their time and expertise on such a beautiful Sunday morning. You may view photos of the cruise on www.wilsonlake.net.

LOONS

A pair of loons nested again this year, but were unable to successfully protect their eggs. Jeanne Achille has created a loon island. The Loon Preservation Center in Moultonborough said that it may take years before the loons consider it a potential home.

WWW.WILSONLAKE.NET

Thanks to Jeanne Achille, Brian Achille and Jeff Brown, the WLA has a website. There’s a lot of great information already there and the potential exists for much more. Please contact Jeanne or Jeff with your ideas. Relevant content should be sent to Jeanne.

BOB CRONIN

The WLA extends sincere condolences to the family of Board member, Bob Cronin who died very suddenly on August 14. Bob made a host of important contributions every year. He managed the boards in the dam which control the level of the lake, gave the fish report, managed the Annual Clean-up Day, taught boat safety, and for many years took charge of the 200 foot buoys. Recently he spearheaded the temporary repair of the outlet dam on Youngs’ Ridge Road. Bob never said “No” when he knew how to help.

WLA has lost a dedicated and tireless member and a good friend.

WE LOVE OUR DUCKS!

Many of us have warm memories of times spent feeding ducks and geese and feeling that we were doing a good deed. Unfortunately, we were doing more harm than good for them and for ourselves.

Mass Audubon explains why it is not a good thing to feed wild waterfowl:

• Feeding attracts large numbers of ducks to areas that cannot naturally support them. The competition for food can cause unnecessary stress, which may weaken the birds and make them more susceptible to disease.

• Artificial feeding may allow frail birds to survive, reproduce, and diminish the population as a whole.

• Species of ducks that would not normally be found in the same location, can be artificially concentrated in small areas where an increased incidence of hybridization may occur. This can lead to a weakening of the gene pool…an increasing problem in Mallard and Black Ducks, two of the most common ducks on Wilson Lake.

• Artificial feeding encourages ducks to delay migration. They may then be unsuccessful in finding good nutrition along their migration route and may not be able to reach their wintering grounds.

• Waterfowl will defecate where they eat and create an unhealthy environment, especially for children and seniors, with increased levels of bacteria. Many areas will then be closed to swimming. Swimmer’s itch is a rash caused by ducks’ fecal matter and was experienced by several Wilson Lakers this summer!

If we truly love our ducks we will let them feed naturally and enjoy watching them from a safe distance.

BEAVERS AT WORK

This Fall has found an interesting occurrence at the dam on Young’s Ridge Road. Beavers began building their own dam when the boards were removed to lower the lake level. Dan Orino discovered this activity and removed the beavers’ work with the help of his neighbor, Drew. The beavers returned and rebuilt their dam! George Lessard and Bob Anderson began the daily ritual of tearing down what the beavers constructed during the night. Dan has spoken to our selectmen who have agreed to share the cost of beaver trapping and removal with the WLA, before the road becomes undermined and collapses. This work is to begin on Saturday, October 15. This is another example of how our dues help to fulfill our mission.

When the water level goes down, Road Commissioner, David Winchell, and his crew can then begin the necessary repair of the dam. Commissioner Winchell is consulting with Joe Anderson of YCSWCD and Chris Coppi of MEDEP for correct repair procedures.

MEMBERSHIP DUES

It is easy to forget to send in our dues for membership in the Wilson Lake Association. If you find yourself in this situation it’s not too late! Your $20 membership helps maintain our ongoing programs for water quality monitoring and protection. Your additional generous donation/contribution, if you are able, helps us further the mission. Please send your check to:

Wilson Lake Association

P.O.Box 162

Acton, ME 04001

BOAT PARADE

Many of the lake associations in our area, including Mousam, Great East and Lovell Lakes, have a boat parade on the 4th of July. It can be a fun way to celebrate with family, friends and neighbors. If this is something you’d like to see happen on Wilson Lake, please let Jeanne know, and especially indicate if you would be willing to help organize the event. (jach28@gmail.com).

WLA EXECUTIVE BOARD

Email: wilsonlakeas@gmail.com