years 35 1971-2006

Vol. 11, No. 1 Provided free of charge to our monitors and affiliates Summer 2006 Inside

Cobbosse Lake Removed ffrom “IImpaiired” Lake Liistt • Page 3 VLMP Liiffe Long Volluntteers • Page 6 Service Volluntteer Awards • Page 8 Awards!

Umbagog Lake by Mark Hunt www.mjhunt.com What’s Inside

President’s Message ...... 2 President’s Message Cobbossee Ceremony ...... 3 Lake Side Notes ...... 4 Ice-Out: Not Like the Old Days . 5 Life Long Volunteers ...... 6 am delighted to be writing to you VLMP Service Awards ...... 8 and introduce myself as the new Welcome New Staff ...... 13 IPresident of the Maine VLMP Board of Directors. It is truly an honor to work with such a great organization. I have served on the Board the past 5 years, and have been extremely Bill Monagle, VLMP President impressed by the progress the organiza- At the Annual Meeting on June 3 tion has made in that brief period, both Bill was voted the new President of at the board and staff level, as well as the VLMP Board of Directors. Bill is also the Executive Director of the the volunteer monitor level statewide. Cobbossee Watershed District in VLMP Staff Relocating the VLMP headquarters to Winthrop, and is a Certified Lake Scott Williams Executive Director the Brackett House on Lake Auburn Manager (North American Lake Roberta Hill Program Director Management Society). Maine Center for and the creation of the Maine Center Invasive Aquatic Plants for Invasive Aquatic Plants are just a What was the DEP's decision and the Jim Entwood Program Coordinator couple of the significant advances the Governor's comments based on? It Laurie Callahan Special Projects Coordinator organization has made in the past cou- was the fact that the lake has not had an Invasive Aquatic Plants ple years. Exciting times for sure! "nuisance" algae bloom, defined by the Linda Bacon QA/QC Advisor (Maine DEP) DEP as a minimum Secchi disk reading At the Cobbossee Watershed District Board of Directors of less than 2 meters, for 9 consecutive (CWD) where I spend much of my Bill Monagle (Winthrop) President years. And can you guess the source of time, we have been monitoring roughly Mary Jane Dillingham (Auburn) Vice President the data? That's right; Secchi disk data 20 lakes on a monthly basis since the Peter Vaux (Orono) Treasurer provided by the CWD staff and the Mary Nelson (Lovell) Secretary mid-1970's. Throughout our history, we VLMP volunteer monitor for have served as the regional coordinator Dick Bredeau (Boothbay) Cobbossee Lake, Cheryl Soucy. So you Peter Fischer (Bristol) for the VLMP and have benefited from see, those of you who take to our beau- Mark Fuller (Auburn) the additional Secchi disk data provided tiful lakes to collect water quality data Ken Holt (North Turner) by VLMP-certified volunteers on about Philomena McPhee-Brown (Turner) are providing an invaluable service to a dozen of these lakes. The data col- Gerry Nelson (Lovell) those at many levels involved in making lected by volunteer monitors have bol- Kirsten Ness (Waterville) critical decisions regarding lake manage- Tamara Lee Pinard (Westbrook) stered our own data sets to provide for ment and classification. Keep up the a more robust assessment of lake water great work! To Contact Us: quality trends. It is this credible lake 24 Maple Hill Road water quality data that supports lake In closing, what has been particularly Auburn, Maine 04210 management-related decision making at inspiring to me is the dedication and 207-783-7733 the CWD and upon which we have enthusiasm expressed by all of the vol- [email protected] guided successful lake and watershed unteers who have served as lake moni- www.MaineVolunteerLakeMonitors.org restoration and protection programs tors for many years, as well as the steady Editorial Staff over the years. The Maine DEP bases recruitment of new volunteer monitors. Scott Williams many of their lake water quality-related It's truly amazing that the VLMP family Roberta Hill decisions on these data as well. In fact, of monitors has exceeded 700 strong! Richard Jennings on June 11th of this year, the Maine And with other recently developed vol- Jim Entwood, Layout Department of Environmental unteer-based programs such as the Protection removed Cobbossee Lake Invasive Plant Patrol, the VLMP has Funding for this newsletter is made possible by grants from the US Environmental Protection Agency and the from the state's list of impaired lakes become firmly established as the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, (i.e., TMDL lakes), to which Governor guardian in-residence of Maine's lakes. through Section 319 of the Clean Water Act. Baldacci declared it "an historic day" Again, these are certainly exciting times. Printed on Recycled Paper by: and an "outstanding accomplishment". Curry Printing & Graphics - Auburn, Maine 2 Cobbossee Lake Removed from "Impaired Lakes" List

On June 11, at a ceremony on the shoreline of Cobbossee Lake, Maine Governor John Baldacci announced the removal of the first large lake in Maine from the DEP's Impaired Lakes list. The Governor pre- sented the Maine Department of Environmental Protection's Outstanding Achievement Award to the Cobbossee Watershed District (CWD). The Cobbossee Watershed District is Maine's only lake watershed district. Formed in the early 1970's, in response to declining water quality in Cobbosee and Annabessacook Lakes in Winthrop and surrounding watershed communi- ties, CWD's mission for more than three decades has been to protect and restore the 28 lakes included in the Cobbossee Lake watershed. Maine DEP Commissioner David Littell (center) and Cobbossee The long-term efforts of the Cobbossee Watershed Watershed District Executive Director Bill Monagle (right) demonstrate past, present, and future water quality of Cobbossee Lake to Governor District, the towns in the watershed, local lake associations, Baldacci at a ceremony removing the lake from Maine's Impaired and individual landowners has led to significantly Lakes list. Cobbossee's improved water quality is largely due to the work improved water quality for Cobbossee Lake, which has not of Cobbossee Watershed District staff, watershed towns, landowners, conservation groups and volunteer lake monitors. experienced a nuisance algae bloom for nine straight years! Congratulations to CWD Executive Director Bill Monagle, and his staff for their tireless efforts to protect the Cobbossee Lake watershed. This achievement demonstrates that lake water quality can be improved when a concerted, long-term watershed pro- tection effort is undertaken. VLMP Website Updates www.MaineVolunteerLakeMonitors.org We want to know what you think! If you have not visited the VLMP website lately, check it out. We have a new layout with easy to access information about our volunteers and the data they collect. There are summaries of water quality data, invasive aquatic plants, workshops, events, and the Brackett Environmental Center. You can even look up specific information about your lake: who is monitoring the lake, summaries of their data, and a link to additional data on PEARL. Just click on the Search for Info on Your Lake link to get started. Please provide us with your feedback. Are you able to find the information you are looking for? What additional online tools would be helpful? Do you have any specific feedback about the site? If so please send a note to [email protected]. 3 Lake Side Notes

matic changes in transparency that occur ment about the causes of increasing during a season are "smoothed out." temperatures (See Not Like the Old This applies to nearly all indicators of Days, page 5.) Longer periods of open lake water quality, but the evidence of water could have a profound influence this natural variability is often most pro- on our lakes over time. Warmer water By Scott Williams nounced, and evident, with Secchi trans- temperatures and a greater period of VLMP Executive Director parency. time during which sunlight is able to penetrate the water columns of lakes During the past several years, Maine has could result in measurable increases in his edition of The Water experienced some remarkably extreme biological productivity - beginning at the Column is coming to you a little weather. Several years of moderate bottom of the food web with the algae. later than usual, as a result of the drought around the turn of the century T This could result in reduced water clari- early Annual Meeting and a hectic early were followed in 2005 by one of the ty. But such a simplistic view doesn't summer schedule. As always, it was great wettest years on record for much of the take into account the effects of other to see so many friendly and familiar state. Winter and spring of 2006 were extreme meteorological phenomena, faces at our annual event. I had an exceptionally dry and warm, with virtu- including drought, heavy precipitation opportunity to chat briefly with quite a ally no spring runoff for much of the and greater or lesser wind activity, to few volunteer lake monitors, all of state. The month of May was very dry, name only a few. whom were pleased with the conference, and the fire danger was high throughout but nearly all reinforced the message Maine. Then the rain started - and con- Many questions are being explored con- that we have heard often for a number tinued for several weeks through early cerning the effects of extreme weather of years, which is that they prefer the July, during which conditions went from on lakes. This research (and moderate shorter, half-day version of the meeting, "bone dry" to "sopping wet." speculation) must take into account the with attendees together in one location unique variation of individual lakes and If you were able to take a Secchi disk for all events. Many of you have also ponds. Current water quality conditions, reading during the month of May, per- indicated that you prefer the meeting to the shape, depth and orientation of lake haps you were surprised by how clear take place later in the season, as was the basins, the geochemistry and hydrology the water was. Maine lakes often receive case in July 2005. Accordingly, the 2007 of individual watersheds, and develop- the heaviest load of phosphorus and VLMP Annual Meeting has been sched- ment pressure (a potentially huge factor) sediment from their watersheds during uled for Saturday July 28, at a location to all contribute to the way in which an the spring runoff period. But this year be announced early next year. individual body of water responds to the heavy rains and runoff occurred in external forces. Any experienced volunteer lake monitor June, instead of April and May. It came knows very well that Secchi disk read- as no surprise when, a few weeks into Volunteer lake monitors play a major ings often vary considerably throughout the relentless rain, some volunteer lake role in sorting all of this out. Without the May/September (and later, in some monitors reported unusually low Secchi your data and observations, there cases) monitoring season. That is why disk readings for their lakes. wouldn't be much information for it's so important to try to take readings researchers to work with. As the influ- Those who attended the Annual twice monthly during the period. ences that affect our lakes become more Meeting heard USGS scientist Glenn Otherwise, the lake data that we collect complex and seemingly confounding, Hodgkins discuss changes in the "ice- is a mere snapshot of conditions for the the information that you collect out" dates for some of Maine's (and year - and perhaps not a very represen- becomes more critical, and absolutely New England's) lakes and rivers during tative picture of conditions in the lake essential to answering the difficult ques- the past 150 years. Earlier ice-out dates for that period. If only one or two read- tions about the future of our lakes. are very likely linked to the global warm- ings are taken, the "average" for the year Remember to try to take two Secchi disk ing phenomenon, for which there is that appears in your annual lake report readings each month - and keep up the now abundant, credible evidence - even could be very misleading. But with sev- good work! eral months of data, the sometimes dra- if there is not always universal agree- 4 In Our Back Yard Ice-Out Not Like the 2006 for Selected Maine Lakes Old Days Courtesy of MaineLakeCharts.com

In the previous issue of the Water Column, In Our Lake, Town Reported Ice-Out

Back Yard explored the connection between ice Big Lake, Princeton 4/1 cover and global warming. This edition we look Chickawaukie Pond, Rockland 3/18 at the broader effects of climate change and its China Lake, China 3/29 effects on natural ecosystems. This insightful Cobbossee Lake, Manchester 3/31 th essay by 8 grader Brooke Johnson (photo at Crystal Lake, Grey 3/31 right) of Skowhegan won first place in the 2005 Damariscotta Lake, Jefferson 3/27 “Jeepers Peepers” essay contest. East Pond, Smithfield 3/27 Graham Lake, Ellsworth 3/29 Hello Spring! don't normally see in winter - like the Great Pond, Cape Elizabeth 3/19 skunk I saw in mid-March. Green Great Pond, Belgrade 4/3 Only March this year and many are grass, and birds chirping spring songs Highland Lake, Falmouth 3/24 seeing flowers budding, birds chirping, earlier than usual can be good indica- Hosmer Pond, Camden 3/26 Lake Auburn, Auburn 3/31 and green grass growing! Are these tors that spring weather might be good indicators that can tell us if Lake St. George, Liberty 3/29 coming earlier. Lancaster Mill Pond, Clinton 3/19 spring weather is coming earlier? One indicator that I'd like to learn Little Ossipee, Waterboro 3/23 Little Sebago Lake, Windham 3/27 Based on lake ice out dates, I think more about is wildlife. If I were a sci- spring is coming earlier than it used to Long Lake, St. Clair 4/28 entist I'd investigate the seasonal Long Pond, Belgrade 4/1 here in Maine. People began paying changes in plants and animals each Maranacook Lake, Winthrop 3/30 attention to ice out dates in about year. I'd also like to know more about Megunticook Lake, Camden 3/28 1880 when lakes were often used for their habitat and food web cycles and Messalonskee Lake, Oakland 4/3 winter transportation. if these are being affected. Moosehead Lake, Greenville 4/19 Mooselookmeguntic Lake, Oquossoc 4/23 Using USGS and US Weather Service Other questions I'd want to look into Nicatous Lake, T40MD 4/4 data, my class found that the ice out are: What is causing the earlier spring North Pond, Smithfield 3/31 dates of Damariscotta Lake, Lake weather? Is it possible that eventually Norton Pond, Lincolnville 3/28 Pemaquid Pond, Nobleboro 3/23 Auburn, Rangeley Lake and we might not even have winter here in Moosehead Lake are all showing evi- Pleasant Pond, Richmond 3/29 Maine? If some of our animals Pushaw Pond, Old Town 4/1 dence of a trend toward earlier spring depend on cold weather, what will Rangeley Lake, Rangeley 4/23 weather - 8 to 16 days earlier! The happen to our ecosystems? Richardson Lake, Richardsontown Twp. 4/23 trend, or overall average over time, also Sabatus Pond, Sabatus 3/27 shows that the average winter air tem- As you can see from the scientific data, Sebago Lake, Casco 3/25 perature has gone up about an average the evidence on these and other indi- Sebec Lake, Dover-Foxcroft 4/14 of one degree Fahrenheit, even cators seems pretty conclusive that Thomas Pond, Casco 3/24 though there is a lot of variability from spring weather is coming earlier than it Threemile Pond, China 3/22 used to in the early 1880's. Toddy Pond, Orland 4/1 year to year. Webb Lake, Weld 4/14 There are other things we can look at Wesserunsett Lake, Madison 4/2 West Grand Lake, Grand Lake Str. 4/3 to determine if spring weather is In Our Back Yard is a weekly column of the coming earlier, such as flowers bud- Maine Department of Environmental ding earlier and wildlife that you Protection.

5 Life Long Service to Maine Lakes

The outstanding long term commitment of our volunteers is the primary reason for the success of the VLMP. Now in our 35th year of monitoring and protecting Maine’s lakes, many of our current volun- teers have been with us since those early beginnings. The value of the credible lake data that they collect, and of their stweardship for their lakes is priceless.

33 years Joe Emerson, Upper Narrows Pond 26 years 32 years John Wasileski, Kennebunk Pond Robert Susbury, Howard Pond Stan Wood, Swan Lake 31 years 25 years David Hodsdon, Clary Lake Kenneth Forde, Stearns Pond Charles Hodsdon, Great East Lake 30 years Ralph Johnston, Highland Lake 20 years Charles Turner, Panther Pond Edward Ketchen, Meddybemps Lake Mary Ryan, Wilson Pond 29 years John Dudley, Pocamoonshine Lake 15 years Charles Mcclead, Phillips Lake Pat Dolbec, Turner Pond Richard Offinger, Cathance Lake Denise Joy, Cox Pond Frank Perkins, Wiley and Square Ponds Steve O'Bryan, Paradise Pond Brad Rounds, Forest Lake 28 years Anita Weidknecht, Knight Pond Susie Wilding-Hartford, Woodbury Pond Thomas Dionis, Balch & Stump Ponds Keith Williams, Highland Lake Kenneth Holt, Bear Pond

6 10 years William C & Noreen Blaiklock, Sewall Pond Mary & Craig Hitchings, Sheepscot Pond Art Bubar, Long Pond Lucy Hodgkins, Green Lake Andy Buck, Cold Rain Pond Kenneth Hodsdon, Portage Lake Deb Cayer, Parker Pond Chuck Lakin, Salmon David Cloutier, Pushaw Lake Holly Lapointe, Sand Pond Dick Cook, Green Lake Steve Lewis, Horseshoe Pond Janet Coulter, Ingalls Pond Terri Marin, Green Pond and Mud Pond Earnest Desrosiers, Pleasant Lake Reynold Martin, Cross Lake Steve Dionne, Oaks Pond Tom Mower, Crystal Pond Bob Dunlap, Green Lake Robert Newton, Webber Pond Ray Franson, Rangeley Lake Bob Simmons, Granger Pond Anne Gagne, Upper Range Pond Francie Tolan, Sewall Pond Ron Gestwicki, Jewett, Mud, Middle, and Back Paula Wheeler, Songo Pond Ponds Warren Whitney, Richardson Lakes Clayton Harvey, Cold Stream Pond Gordon Wright, Mooselookmeguntic Lake Jeff Hayward, Pushaw Lake Barb Hildreth, Pushaw Lake

5 years Charles Andrews, East Pond Robert Lemelin, Granny Kent Pond Mike Becker, Annabessacook Lake Thomas Mansfield, Knickerbocker Pond and Richard Bredeau, Adams Pond and Adams Pond Knickerbocker Pond Roberta & Dave Manter, Hales Pond Bob Crawford, Wassookeag Lake Erwin Mcnally, Wassookeag Lake Edward Dodge, Maranacook Lake Roger & Joan Noyes, Dodge Pond Joe Feely, Messalonskee Lake Anthony Pileggi, Threemile Pond Thomas Finlay, Gardner Lake Tom Ray, Thompson Lake Karen Fisk, Nehumkeag Pond Dave Raymond, Sebec Lake Jillian Glover, Great Pond Adrienne Rollo, Toothaker Pond April Gray, Salmon Marshall Sonksen, Lermond Pond Ned Hammond, Messalonskee Lake James Stewart, Webb Lake Tom Hansen, Beddington Lake Rob Taylor, Parker Pond Bob Heyner, Forest Lake Peter Thoits, Crystal Lake Jack Holland, Clary Lake Lewis Williams, Halls Pond Al Huff, Kezar Pond Richard Young, Second Lake and Gardner Lake Edgar Johnson, Gardner Lake Gilliam Johnston, Messalonskee Lake Ed Knapp, Damariscotta Lake

7 VLMP Annual Meeting Awards

Ralph Johnston Volunteer Monitor on Highland Lake was recognized at the VLMP Annual Meeting for 30 years of service.

Woodbury Brackett Environmental Service Award

Mark Fuller Mark’s Response to his Award: The Woodbury Brackett Dear Scott, Environmental Service Award I was quite surprised and pleased to learn that I was the recipient of this award. The beautiful plaque recognizes those who have will forever be among my most cherished mementos and I will wear the VLMP vest with pride. made an outstanding contribu- I am humbled and honored to be recognized within such a large group of talented and dedicated indi- tion to the development of the viduals united in such a worthwhile environmental cause. I have often stated that it is a privilege for me to be associated with your staff and volunteers. I have learned so much through this association. Center. This year we are very pleased to recognize Mark It is my hope that more people will take an interest in the Brackett Center and its' development as a campus of learning, as well as a home base for the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program and the Maine Fuller, who has volunteered his Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants. We have a site where volunteers can get involved in constructing time, experience, and support to and maintaining test plots for organic gardening methods, constructing trails and an outdoor classroom the Center in a number of ways. to be utilized in the Lecture Series and outreach environmental education efforts, or constructing "Best Management Practices" demonstration plots showcasing pollution runoff prevention practices. The site is begging for some gentle care in maintenance of the existing floral and shrub beds, as well as pre- From volunteering his profes- senting many opportunities for further beautification through further plantings. Seasonal maintenance sional services as a landscaper, will always be needed.

developing the Brackett Center The location close to the shore of Lake Auburn presents an ideal situation for training of future volun- landscaping master plan, main- teers from around the State of Maine. The new pontoon boat will further enhance that training. We taining the grounds and paths, need to further develop the Brackett Center as a centralized training facility, with adequate parking and inside training capabilities. Newly trained volunteers will benefit from seeing firsthand how the program to using his handyman skills to works at the Brackett Center. Having a centralized training facility will also bring public focus to the improve the electric system, we entire program. Public awareness and support is critical to sustainability of the program. are very grateful to Mark for all We have also talked of developing an environmental studies library within the Brackett Center, with par- of his hands-on work at the ticular emphasis on aquatic matters. We may be able to provide experiential education segments to Center. Mark has also been the environmental programs of our universities, forming valuable bonds with both students and faculty. The availability of summer interns has already proven invalu- instrumental in recruiting other able to the staff. professionals to volunteer their None of this can happen without the support and assistance of services, and raising community many people. The participation of volunteers and the financial awareness in Lewiston/Auburn support of the community will be needed to achieve these about the the VLMP and goals. Brackett Center. Why did I get involved? I think it was an irresistible force called Roberta. Her passion for the environment is evident in In addition to his work at the everyone I have met since my first exposure to the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program. Brackett Center, Mark is on the Thanks again for the award! VLMP Board of Directors, Mark Fuller received the Woodbury spearheading our fundraising Very truly yours, Brackett Environmental Service efforts. Award for his continuing guidance Mark Fuller and work on the development of the Brackett Environmental Center.

8 Lifetime Achievement Awards Joe Emerson For most of his years as a lake monitor, Joe has continued to take readings well into the month of November, after most Joe Emerson has been monitoring the water quality of volunteers have packed up their gear and sent in their data at Upper Narrows Pond in Winthrop for 32 years. Our records the end of the season. indicate that at this time he is the longest-standing, continu- ously active volunteer lake water quality monitor in Maine! In 1994 Joe was recognized by CWD for 20 years of volun- Joe began collecting water quality data as a volunteer for the teer service. Twelve years later, he is still going strong. He has Cobbossee Watershed District in 1974, at which time he established an admirable track record, and one that will not sampled three stations for water clarity, pH and dissolved be easy to beat. He is certainly an inspiration to all of us! oxygen. Joe's readings are the first recorded Secchi data for Thank you Joe, for 32 years of remarkable commitment to Upper Narrows Pond. Maine lakes. Wendy Dennis, a limnologist for the Cobbossee Watershed District (CWD), indicates that Joe has been a reliable, dedi- cated volunteer who has always been willing to take on extra duties when asked to do so. In 1992 when staff reductions caused CWD staff to look for volunteer partners to accom- pany them on regular monitoring of the lakes in the District watershed, Joe volunteered to take on several lakes in addi- tion to Upper Narrows. He kept this unpaid job for three years! In 1994 when two additional monitoring stations were added to Upper Narrows Pond, Joe accepted the responsi- bility, and he still managed to take 22 Secchi disk readings at his regular station that year. (By the way, if that number is typical, Joe has probably taken more than 700 readings over the years on Upper Narrows Pond alone!!) Joe has also been a constant loon watcher and protector, recording important information about the loon population Joe Emerson received the VLMP Lifetime on his lake, and building nesting platforms to help insure the Achievement for 32 years of service, going survival of future generations. above and beyond the call of duty, as monitor on Upper Narrows Pond in Winthrop.

Posthumous Award to Eddie Mayer eyesight in one eye would not be an obstacle to taking a Secchi disk reading. "I simply shut the bad eye and multiply When Eddie Mayer passed away at the age of 93 in 2005, he the reading from my good eye by two" were his parting had been monitoring the water quality of Long Pond in tongue-in-cheek words. Belgrade for 31 years, making him the third longest standing volunteer in the history of the VLMP. Eddie was an extraor- dinary individual by all accounts. His intellect, wit and good nature were the foundations of his commitment. His desire to protect Long Pond and other lakes in the Belgrade region went far beyond taking Secchi disk and DO readings. He was an active member and advocate for the Kennebec Land Trust, recognizing the exceptional long-term benefit of protecting and preserving watersheds in order to protect lake water quality. Humility was another admirable trait of this Eddie Mayer, pictured here with exceptional individual, and Eddie downplayed our previous his wife Kaye, monitored Long Pond in Belgrade and received efforts to recognize him for his contributions to Maine lakes. the lifetime achievement award Eddie was last seen by VLMP staff at a recertifcation work- posthumously for his 31 years of shop in 2004, at which time, he informed us that his failing service. Water Quality Awards

Outstanding Lake Stewardship active in remediation efforts throughout the watershed, and, recognizing the importance of raising public awareness Dan Guerette about the link between watersheds and lake water quality, he co-founded the Sabattus Pond Watershed Partnership sever- Dan Guerette has been monitoring the water quality of al years ago. Sabattus Pond for 12 years. Many of you are probably aware that Sabattus Pond has a history of serious water quality That organization has focused on raising public awareness problems, characterized by persistent, late-summer severe about a wide range of water quality-related topics and issues, algal blooms. This and in working with landowners, town officials, the unfortunate fact has Androscoggin County Soil and Water Conservation District, been the motivation DEP staff, and others, to identify and resolve specific sources behind Dan's person- of water quality problems, and of preventing new problems al commitment to from developing. Dan has even taken on the responsibility of improve the quality serving on the Sabattus Pond Dam Commission, in an of the lake. His attempt to establish a water level regime designed to improve efforts toward that water quality. end have gone far Anyone who has spent time working in the Sabattus Pond beyond monitoring watershed knows Dan. He is one of those individuals who is water quality, always there when the need exists and work is to be done. We although of that he are pleased to present Dan with the VLMP Outstanding Lake has done a great deal. Scott Williams (left) presents Steward Award for 2006. Dan Guerette with the Outstanding Lake Stewardship Dan has participated award for his work to improve in watershed surveys, the water quality in Sabattus he has been very Pond.

Volunteers of the Year Gerry and Meg Nelson The Volunteer of the Year award is presented to individuals who have made significant, sustained and unique contribu- tions to Maine lakes and the VLMP. This year's award is pre- sented to Gerry and Meg Nelson, who monitor Cushman Pond in Lovell. In addition to monitoring water quality, the Nelsons are extremely active in the management and control of the vari- able milfoil infestation in Cushman Pond, and they have developed a successful prevention strategy for the 7 lakes and ponds in the Kezar Lake watershed. Both are also involved in regional invasive aquatic plant prevention coordination for southwestern Maine. Meg and Gerry Nelson (right) received the VLMP award for Volunteers of the Year. Gerry has single-handedly developed a stewards guide for the lakes and ponds in the Kezar Lake watershed. Meg and Gerry hours of their time to help insure that this organization will have also participated in two watershed surveys to identify be able to continue to move forward and to provide all of our sources of polluted runoff in their watershed. volunteers with training, technical support, and yes - recogni- Finally, the Nelsons are both members of the VLMP Board tion. Thank you, Meg and Gerry for your ongoing commit- of Directors, for which they have each volunteered many of ment to Maine lakes.

10 Water Quality Awards

Outstanding Lake Stewardship Bart Hague

his year the VLMP is presenting standards to be used during the con- Through his work at EPA with the 319 an Outstanding Lake struction of the Portland Pipeline Program, Bart also developed grant TStewardship award to an indi- project. Bart has also negotiated with programs for state water resource ini- vidual who is not a volunteer lake mon- Central Maine Power Company to tiatives, including Maine's Shoreland itor, but who, through his professional establish buffer standards to protect Zoning Program at the Maine DEP. It career and personal achievments, has water quality from the effects of would be difficult to name a program certainly fostered stewardship of power pole construction. that has had a greater positive influence Maine's lakes and ponds. That individ- on Maine lakes during the past three These are only a few of the many ual is Bart Hague, of McWain Pond in decades than Shoreland Zoning. impressive projects that Bart has taken Waterford. on since he retired to Maine a number Bart has remained very active in clean You probably know of Bart. He serves of years ago. But prior to that, he had a water conservation issues since his as a member of Congress of Lake professional career, spanning several retirement to Maine, demonstrating Associations' Board of Directors. Or decades, which was spent developing that he is willing to "Walk the Talk." you may have recently seen him at one policies, programs and initiatives aimed His successful battles against develop- of the proposed Plum Creek develop- at protecting the environment in gener- ers to insure adequate standards to pro- ment public hearings, at which he al, and water resources in particular - tect water quality are legendary. It was strongly advocated for protecting lake including tangible benefits to lakes and at one such extended battle that Bart water quality and the wilderness experi- ponds in Maine and throughout the "blew his cover," when the parties ence in the Moosehead Lake region. country. involved came to the realization that they were up against not simply a well- Bart's career started in the Eisenhower meaning retiree, but an individual with administration in Public Works and substantial knowledge and credentials. Planning, which involved protecting water resources from the effects of Bart has also been very active with the public roads. In the 60's he worked for Western Foothills Land Trust and the the Federal Water Pollution Control Crooked River Initiative, where he is Administration, which was the prede- working to develop conservation ease- cessor to the US EPA. He helped ments and trails along the river, and he organize the New England section of continues to be very active in his own EPA, eventually working for EPA backyard in the protection of the Region 1 from 1972-1996. During that McWain Pond watershed. His current time he was directly involved with passion is to help protect Maine's Gem developing the federal Non-Point Lakes from the effects of sprawl. Source Pollution program, which We are very pleased to present the Bart Hague received the award for evolved into what we know today as Outstanding Lake Stewardship at the VLMP Outstanding Lake Stewardship Section 319 of the Federal Clean Water VLMP Annual Meeting award ceremo- Award to Bart Hague for his many ny. Bart’s life long commitment to Act. healthy lakes began with his work in years of commitment to clean water the Eisenhower administration Many lake associations and volunteer and clean lakes. lake monitors have benefited directly from the 319 Program, which, among The Natural Resources Council of other things, has provided grant fund- Maine presented Bart with an award ing to support lake watershed assess- for the volunteer work that he under- ment and nonpoint source mitigation took to establish watershed protection projects throughout Maine.

11 MCIAP Awards

Invasive Plant Patrollers of the Year Buffy DeMatteis, Buker Pond Diane Clay, Buker Pond Susie Wilding-Hartford, Woodbury Pond This year's Invasive Plant Patroller of aquatic plants, being out on the lakes the Year Award is going to three indi- that they love, and each others com- viduals who work together as model pany. IPP team on the Tacoma Lakes. In 2005 they attended advanced work- The "Tacoma Lakes Girls" (as we shops and, applying their newly fondly refer to them, and hope they honed skills, repeated the Level 1 sur- don't mind) surveyed the littoral area vey of the Woodbury Pond launch surrounding and adjacent to the boat site. They then conducted a detailed launch on Woodbury Pond in 2004. survey of the old launch site on Buker Buffy DeMatteis, Diane Clay, They found the work was not only Pond. and Susie Wilding-Hartford satisfying from a volunteer stand- are the 2006 Invasive Plant Their enthusiasm for their work and point, but that it was highly enjoyable. Patrollers of the year for their their attention to quality and detail is work in the Tacoma Lakes. They enjoyed discovering the native exemplary.

Invasive Plant Prevention Action Award Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust Under the leadership of Rebecca time to conduct complete screening For their dedication, foresight, Kurtz, Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust surveys of the two largest lakes in the resourcefulness, and all of their excel- (RLHT) has developed what now is Rangeley Lakes chain. lent work, which is indeed "expanding seen throughout Maine and beyond as the zone of protection in western RLHT also has a model regional CBI a shining example of an effective Maine," we are very pleased to present program. Starting with modest goals regional program. this year's Invasive Plant Prevention in 2002, and steadily increasing in Action Award to RLHT. Every year since their program has scope and size since then, last year, been in place, RLHT has coordinated the program included 3 paid Courtesy with MCIAP to offer Invasive Plant Boat Inspectors (CBI), and a dedicat- Patrol Workshops in the Rangeley ed team of volunteers. Over 2000 Lakes area, working steadily to boats were inspected between ice out increase and support local interest and and September 30th on 6 different involvement in the local early detec- lakes and 9 different launches. tion effort. Through their encourag- The importance and value of RLHT's ing (and persistent) outreach efforts, efforts was clearly demonstrated last RLHT has attracted a strong corps of summer when a boat from Shirley volunteers to the cause, from young Lake in Massachusetts tried to launch children learning how to identify mil- at the Rangeley town park. One of foil through the RLHT's Eco-venture the paid CBI's spotted plant material Rebecca Kurtz (right) received the program, to such luminaries as in the trailer rails and removed it. It Invasive Plant Prevention Action Gerry Smith of Aquatic Control Award on behalf of the Rangeley was later confirmed to be Eurasian Technologies. Gerry volunteered his Lakes Heritage Trust along with volun- water-milfoil. teers Willis and Ellie White. 12 New At VLMP Jackey Bailey Christine Guerette The VLMP has some new help onboard for the 2006 field season. Jackey Bailey start- We'd like to introduce our new ed with us this spring and is helping to organize the Invasive Plant Screening Survey summer intern, Christine data. She will also be co-presenting some of the Invasive Plant Patrol workshops this Guerette. Christine is a resident year. In her spare time Jackey is working on her Masters thesis in Ecology and of Sabattus, where her family is Environmental Studies with a focus on control methods for variable leaf water-milfoil. very involved with water quality efforts. She is currently attend- Name: Jackey Bailey What does your field work entail? ing the University of Maine as a Home: Poland, Maine Essentially I am out at one of my nine senior and is pursuing a B.S. in Occupation: Master's Candidate / research lakes just about every day taking Part-time VLMP/MCIAP Biology. data, scuba diving, whatever needs to be University: University of Maine Degree: Ecology & Environmental done. The diving takes the most of my Science time as it is quite involved and removing Research Focus: I am comparing milfoil is slow going. The University three control methods for variable requires me to have a diving buddy, milfoil as well as looking at vege- which makes it challenging but, I have tative reproduction. been fortunate to have found volunteers for the past two summers to help me. If What made you decide to study vari- I couldn't find divers I wouldn't be able able leaf milfoil? to complete my research. As an undergraduate I did my senior seminar on invasive species and found What do you plan on doing next? that topic very interesting. When I decid- Once I complete my master's research I ed to go back to graduate school I knew plan to continue with school and become I've always been interested in I wanted to study invasive plants so I just a PhD candidate. I would like to investi- the natural world and it's narrowed it down by talking with various inhabitants. After taking a lim- gate some of the questions that have organizations in Maine. Variable milfoil nology class I realized that I come up in my master's research. wanted to focus on aquatic was at the top of everyone's list as a and semi-aquatic systems. species to study so it was an easy choice. When I learned that the VLMP was looking for a summer intern I jumped at the chance to gain real life experience in the field. Christine has been involved in a variety of activities at the VLMP office. She has been helping to coordinate and prepare materi- als for workshops and with the processing of plants sent in for identification. She has also par- ticipated in water quality and invasive plant patrol workshops as well as the Summer Lecture Series.

Jackey Bailey is studying control methods for variable leaf water-milfoil at UMaine. You may meet her this summer as she is also co-presenting some of the 2006 Invasive Plant Patrol workshops for the VLMP. 13 Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program 24 Maple Hill Rd Auburn, Maine 04210

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