The April 19 public meeting was a great step forward for LMPA. We, the board, shared what we have learned, what we are doing and what we hope to do.  Elizabeth Herron, program coordinator of the URI Watershed Watch, gave an overview of maintaining a healthy watershed and the importance of educating the public. Products used on our lawns and in our septic systems end up in our lake. The drainage system along our roadways runs into our lake. There are many sources of pollution which endanger watersheds, and we must remain ever vigilant. Developers want to build; engineers want water off the roads. Neither profession is strongly inclined to give much weight to the long-term needs of the environment; we need to pay attention.

Marc Bellaud from Aquatic Control Technology (ACT), gave a Power Point presentation which examined alternatives for treating weed infestation. His presentation included “before and after” pictures of Tiogue Lake, which was treated by ACT.  By the time Marc finished and questions were asked, there was general agreement that chemical treatment for variable watermilfoil and water lilies was the only safe and feasible solution at this time.  Likely, it will take three years to gain control of the weeds, and further treatments may be necessary after that. Non-chemical treatments and other chemical treatments are under study, but at this time "Reward" is the best choice for our fragile situation. Reward is safe and targets the variable watermilfoil. It does not kill at the root, but starves it over time.

Jeff Hakanson, president of the Tiogue Lake Association, discussed his many years of experience confronting the weed infestation and pollution of his neighborhood’s lake.  As Jeff’s example shows, keeping a healthy lake for now and future generations takes hard work. There are many obstacles. Jeff, a passionate and articulate speaker on behalf of environmental causes, was pleased to endorse the work done by ACT on Tiogue Lake.

About 40 people signed up to work for our cause, and several of those specifically mentioned fundraising. We will be in touch with those people.  We need more than $8,000 by June and more than $20,000 over a three-year period. 

We extend our thanks to our guests and to everyone who came to the meeting—with special thanks to those who made contributions.  Please remember to mark May 15 on your calendars, when we hold our fundraising dinner at the Barn. We will contact those people who said they want to help our organization.