Watchic Lake Association Annual Meeting

Standish Town Hall

July 7, 2018

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This is Why I am Here!

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Watchic Lake Association recognized as one of the top two lake associations in Maine.

Due to our educational outreach, water quality testing, LakeSmart success, invasive species work, and more.

June 2018, Farmington ME.

Great News

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Thank You!

Thank you for your support in 2017/2018:• Members, business sponsors, and

other supportersWe are making progress on our 2016-2020 goals:• Focusing on key concerns• Maintaining water quality and

invasive free habitat• Executing against a long term planOur biggest challenges:• Lots of small things, and

development around the lakeincrease algal bloom risk

• Funds to cover potentialremediation work

• Engaging new members

So a bit of dirt runs into the lake when it rains, and I cut

down a few trees… what can it hurt?

Yeah, I get it.Hey is this water turning green?

• New dam gate installed in 2015 and continues to operate well.

• Spring goal: raise the water level fairly quickly after ice-out to protect loon nests and eggs from flooding.

• Fall goal: lower water level to help protect the shoreline and docks.

• 2017/2018 weather relatively normal – we are managing water within 2” of full pond.

Dam Update

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Eutrophication - excessive nutrients reduce oxygen and harm the lake

• East Pond algal blooms due to increased phosphorus from storm water runoff. Work by the lake association to stop the runoff have failed to correct the problem.

• East Pond property owners and the town have donated $1,000,000 needed to treat the lake with aluminum phosphate in order to clear the water.

• PLEASE encourage your neighbors to eliminate runoff into the lake!

Eutrophication Leads to Algal Blooms

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North and East Ponds shows how algal blooms impact water quality.

Highland Lake in Windham often not usable due to algal blooms.

North PondClear

East PondYucky

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Water Quality

2017 was the second full year of advanced testing techniques. Same techniques in 2018, but transition to volunteer testers.

Previous Year - 2016 Latest - 2017

ALL DATA (2016) MEDIAN

= WATCHIC MEDIAN

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Key Watchic Lake Health Indicators

• While water quality is good today, Watchic Lake is at risk over the long term.

• Human activities, large and small within the watershed are increasing the amount and transport of harmful pollutants and dangerous foreign materials into the lake and its streams.

• Catastrophic events such as mega-storms put roads, drainages, and septic systems at risk of introducing toxic runoff.

• 2018 will complete the building on our baseline of water quality data. Going forward volunteers will take on most of the testing.

• Its up to each property owner and road association to:– Minimize erosion, soil runoff, and unprotected shoreline– Maintain your septic system– Maintain a vegetated shoreline buffer – Not use lawn chemicals containing nitrogen or phosphate

compounds.

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Water Quality Long Term Risks

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Learn More about Water Quality

2017 Report.Download from our website

Water Quality Ride Along!Contact Cathy Watson at

734-395-9749

• For the second year the WLA ran a VLMP-certified plant inventory event in the summer of 2017.

• 22 native plants identified and submitted to ME VLMP. No invasives found.

• Watchic Lake has not experienced any invasive plants.

• Become Maine VLMP “Invasive Plant Patroller” and join us for our 2018 inventory day.

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Invasive Plants – 2017 Inventory Day

Thanks to Agnes and Rick Wiggin, Jen and Martha Drew,

Paul and Nancy McNulty, Cathy Watson, Wendi

Rodrigueza, Patty Center, Patty Guenthner and Owen Smith (with his son Owen) for making this day a success!

Plant Inventory - August 18: Paddle the lake to gather and evaluate native and invasive plants. Learn more by contacting Steve Lajoie at steve03229@aol.com

• The Good

– Nesting pair at the East end of the lake have successfully hatched two chicks

– As of July 4 there is a new nest on Middle Island

• The Sad

– The male adult loon from the nesting pair on Middle Island was killed on/about May 20th by a boat propeller

• Help the Loons – Help the Lake

– Chicks are very small so give them a wide berth

– Stop at least 150 feet away – then let them choose how close

– Report any harassing activity to The Warden Service

– Power boat and jet ski users need to be on the lookout for loons. They dive deep and can pop up anywhere

– The main risk factor for loons is injecting lead fishing tackle, which is illegal in Maine. Stop using lead tackle!

• The Annual Audubon Loon Count will take place on July 21 at 7:00 AM. Contact Steve to help.

• WLA is hosting a family friendly loon presentation by Lee Attix from Loon Conservation Associates on August 11 from 10:00 – 11:30. Check website for details.

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The Loons – The Good and the Sad

Loon with Chicks 2018

Dead Loon May 2018

• Held this year May 18-20

• Second will be held September 7-9

• Members have raised concerns about loon safety, noise, and restricted access during the races.

• The WLA will investigate things further with Kiwanis and IF&W.

• If you have further comments let Paul McNulty or Steve Lajoie know.

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Boat Races off Kiwanis Beach

• LakeSmart: free opportunities learn how to manage your home and yard to protect the lake. Maine Lake Society managed.

• LakeSmart improves water quality. Builds our creditability. Improves property value.

• 2016 Watchic Lake earned the Maine Lakes Society Golden Achievement Award.– Now at 32 properties.

• BUT no new LakeSmart properties in 2017– Please let your neighbors know of

this free and effective program!

• For more information contact Martha Drew at 4650drew@twc.com

LakeSmart

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Its not complicated - tiers planted with trees, groundcover and small bushes to slow the runoff on the hill. Bare areas

have been covered with erosion control mix.

Long Range Planning Supports our Mission

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• Summer 2015– Surveyed members for key concerns and direction– Recognized the need for expert advice, selected FB Environmental.

• November 2015 to May 2016– FBE delivered Risk Assessment Report at our 2016 meeting– Top 6 risk areas (high runoff) identified and remediation plans

developed.

• Summer of 2016 and 2017– WLA continued addressing key risk areas, gathering advanced

water quality samples, and avoiding invasive species.

• 2018 and 2019– Watershed Management Plan to support grants, check status on

work done to date, partner with the town regarding landscaping, address remaining runoff risk areas.

Our Mission: protecting and improving the ecosystem of Watchic Lake

and the watershed.

• FY18 (year end 6/30/18) postive net operating income ($2k). Water quality testing reduced in cost and no large remediation projects

• FY 19 breakeven, assuming no major unfunded remediation projects. Volunteers take on more water quality testing.

• Reasonable but challenging– Pressures on the lake increasing, third party services, complexity –all driving costs up

– Long term viability requires additional members, grants, and/or donations.

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Financial Update

$10,970 $8,055

$4,725

$7,590

$4,036

$4,000

$10,269

$-$2,000

$29,101

$14,790 $12,233

$-

$5,000

$10,000

$15,000

$20,000

$25,000

$30,000

$35,000

FY 17 Act FY 18 Act FY 19 Est

Income

Donations Dues & Sponsorships

Govt Grants Misc

Remediation Repayment

$19,252

$9,870 $7,300

$11,795

$35,788

$12,885 $12,026

$-

$5,000

$10,000

$15,000

$20,000

$25,000

$30,000

$35,000

$40,000

FY 17 Act FY 18 Act FY 19 Est

Expense

Legal, Admin, Ins Membership, Annual Meeting

Water Testing & Equip Remediation

Total

• Members as of 7/7/2018– People: 137– Properties:100– Expect about a dozen more in

coming month.

• Down compared to 2017– Need to investigate– Other non-profits finding donations

down due to tax changes.

• Of lake front properties, ~50% are members and of non-lakefront properties 23% are members

• Online payments and donations available

Membership

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85

112115

158

109

160

112

155

100

137

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

Properties People

WLA Membership

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

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Renters Helping the Lake

Rental feedback card noting WLA.

Also, rental agreement helps educate on invasives, loons, and water quality

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Encourage Engagement

Explain WLA benefits to your neighbors and visitors.

Tie UpAugust 11, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Hook up your boat, canoe or yourself and meet your neighbors on the lake

Ice Cream BoatTentatively July 21

Free ice cream. Learn about the lake.

• David Maus lives at is 28 Watchic Rd 21. He is a 44 year old father of two who recently retired from his work as a probation officer in Connecticut. He fell in love with Watchic Lake during a summer vacation as a child. This is his third summer on the lake and his family loves it. David hopes to spend many years here and is willing to help out in any way to keep the lake clean and healthy. David is particularly interested in LakeSmart, the Dam, and Water Quality.

• Kim Lajoie, along with her husband Steve, purchased their camp at 1 Toria Lane, in December of 2011. Their year-round home is in Hopkinton, NH. Kim and Steve have chaired the loon committee for 3 years. Kim and Steve have 3 sons, 1 dog (Emma), two cats and enjoy ballroom dancing. Kim looks forward to the opportunity to serve as secretary and board member for the Watchic Lake Association.

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Prospective Board Member Bio’s

• For Board of Directors:– Kim Lajoie- three-years (new)

– David Maus– three years (new)

– Nancy McNulty- three years (renewal)

– One open slot – contact Paul M if interested.

• For Officers:– Treasurer – Agnes Wiggin – two years (renewal)

– Secretary- Kim Lajoie– two years (new)

• Approval of 2017 Annual Meeting Minutes– Minutes published on website August 2017

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Voting - Martha Drew

• Shorter Term - targeted activities to address key risks:– Continue with rich, consistent, and certified water testing. Team

with volunteers, DEP and VLMP on reporting.

– Continue invasive and water quality monitoring, teaming with Maine Audubon and BRI on loons

– Address larger runoff risk areas – Kiwanis tops the list

– Keep the dam in good working order and manage water level.

• Longer Term– Watershed Management Plan partner with the town regarding

landscaping, address remaining hi-risk runoff areas.

– Increase funding via grants, donations and Town of Standish

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Closing Remarks

Thank you! Your time today and throughout the year is a gift to the lake and all who use it.

24Courtesy Victoria Chesley Brega

Thank you!