Loon Lake Watershed Improvement Alliance
Date: 2/13/21
Place: Zoom
Time: 9:00 am
Attendance: Busch, Carlson, Willey, Ranger, Hayden, B. Reynolds, Randy Stafford (Bridget and Mark tried, but couldn’t log in because Bob messed up the passcode he sent)
TREASURER’S REPORT: will be added at a later date
General Fund:
Capital Fund:
Total:
ISSUE: Water Quality (includes: Invasive Species, Onsite Waste Treatment Systems (OWTS), Aquatic Vegetation) PRIORITY: 1
LLWQSC report: Joe Carlson
The committee utilized a study by Ben Amberger, and other grad students at SUNY Geneseo and Rockport, supported by his thesis advisor (Mike Chislock), to inform action on committee goals.
Goal: Study the Level of Internal Loading of Phosphorus in the Deep Lake and Identify Potential Applications/Techniques for Inactivation
Ben’s study showed that there are indeed deposits of legacy phosphorus in the deepest part of the lake. These deposits are significant in the formation of Blue Green Algae (BGA) throughout the lake. He mentioned that some lakes have used alum/bentonite applications and deep-water aeration (different from shoreline aeration) to remedy this problem. Cost is high and current studies have not yet produced clear and concise data Deep water aeration will also disrupt the thermocline. This disruption can destroy many delicate balances in the lake ecosystem. Ben also discovered the presence of red daphnia which is a healthful zooplankton, counteractive to BGA. This is a benefit to the health of Loon lake. Information will be useful for further discussion. The committee decided no further action at this time.
Goal: Install Aeration System to Slow HAB Activity and Decrease Loose Sediment in or Near the Shoreline
The study by Ben Amberger, particularly the information on lake morphology, was used to determine site location of shoreline aeration.
The recommendations concerning aeration were as follows:
Antler’s Inn and Serenity Coves are the recommended areas for the pilot as they are more characteristic of the lake as a whole. This does not mean aeration would not work in Laf-a-lot cove, but the data/effectiveness gleaned from Antler’s would be more applicable to the majority of future projects around the lake. This is due to lake morphology including wave motion, fetch, depth, as well as the location of the deep phosphorus which relates to Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) formation.
Vendor Proposals Three proposals were received. Bernie Thoma and Joe Carlson reviewed proposals from Princeton-Hydro (NJ installations, but no NYS installations to date), Solitude (Bernie visited one installation), and A-Tip (has no installed aeration system yet). All three vendors quoted virtually identical Vertex products. Approximate costs were $9,855, $5,750, and $4,675 respectively. Responsiveness, availability/proximity, knowledge, and price were considered. The recommendation was to select A-Tip, which is located in Dansville. All committee members agreed. Vendors have been notified of the selection.
Pilot Location The committee accepted the recommendation put forth by Ben Amberger (grad student) to look at Antler’s Inn Cove as the first choice for possible pilot location. Letters were sent to property owners in the area. There were several residents who had expressed interest. Focus will be on those on the west side of the cove as the depth, drop off, algae and muck issues are not as intense as on the one location considered on the eastern shore. A meeting with interested owners to answer questions was held. Committee will do additional follow-up with property owners to determine continued interest and whether they are interested in contributing to the project.
Final selection of the site and installation will be made in the spring, based on agreement with the property owner; a final review from the consultants; a review of the specific location with A-Tip.
Three adjoining properties are being looked at on the west side of Antler’s Inn Cove for the installation. The projected depth of the installation will be 6 to 10 feet. Three pipelines will be used with 2 diffuser disks at the end of each for total of 6 disks. One ultra-quiet compressor will be used. On the installed site visit, the compressor used seemed quite quiet. A-Tip can provide winter storage for the equipment.
Dede question: Should we pay the monthly electric cost of approximately $75 a month? Owners may potentially contribute to this cost. Joe does not see this as deal breaker if there are no donations from property owners.
John question: Would it be more effective to have the installation in a deeper part of lake where the legacy phosphorus is thicker – maybe 30 feet? This was considered, but not for pilot. Piping would be a higher cost and a larger compressor might be required. There would also be a need to bury the lines so that the weed harvester didn’t destroy them. Joe will forward a related video made by Amberger if he can find it.
ISSUE: Storm Water, Sediment Control and Stream Corridor and Wetlands Mgmt. PRIORITY:
Storm Water:
- Hunt Report: Engineering study to see if sewer system would be feasible. Home owner’s payment for sewer system could be similar to pumping costs, however it is too early to know. It should also be explored as to how initial hookups **and perhaps removal of heavily polluting existing tanks** could be subsidized.
- The LL Association and the LLWIA made commitments to cover 20% of cost (up to $3k/organization). We should know in about a month and a half is the study will be undertaken. It was pointed out that even if a sewer system could be installed, it could take years for the effects to be fully realized. It was mentioned that if the study is undertaken, it should be explored as to how initial hookups could be subsidized?
- Culvert Committee (Bridgett, Bob, John): Plans? At least a couple of properties show pipes running into lake.
- Allum’s and Publow’s report that their wells have gone dry. Publow’s well is 120 feet deep. Dede was told 200 feet would be needed for a new well.
Wetlands Management:
Loon Lake Wetland Preserve (LLWP) Report – Eric Busch
Eric suggested that at the first meeting of the LLWIA that takes place at the Pavilion, a walk around be scheduled to discuss projects for the year.
Some thoughts on projects:
- Old barn area fill in
- Pavilion edge treatment – need work day to get surface rocks out so rocks won’t be struck by mower. edge treatment won’t interfere with mower. Edge could be a band of stone to handle roof runoff. Grass seed beyond that?
- Honeysuckle removal
- Hoping to find a person with tractor to help. Question: Should we purchase Ed’s Farmall tractor? – Eric will look into.
- $20K wind turbine payment: Do we need to wait or could it be reimbursed.? Carol Mykel thought we could spend $20k and then get reimbursed by the wind people (might even cover costs already incurred to build the Pavilion). The board should probably approve accepting the $20k and any conditions attached. John will talk further with Carol Mykel.
- Rubber gloves: A lot still in west end of marsh area. Need to look in there while the water level is low to establish what needs to be done.
- Snow mobiles: Signage was judged to be good. No problems to report. Snow mobiler’s seemed happy with how the new route worked out.
ISSUE: Communication with watershed residents (Outreach): PRIORITY: 3
- “Alliance Matters” Link page
- Spring septic article by Alice Publow complete and submitted
- Short article on cyanobacteria by Bob Reynolds complete
- “Did You Know” – short piece by Bob, submitted
- Ask the Expert: any suggestions? No
- Depending on the status of the Hunt sewer study we may want to mention.
OTHER TOPICS:
- 8 acre parcel of mostly swampland at the southern end of the lake is for sale (owner is Circle Drive Park, LLC – Norb Belanger). Assessed at $11,800. County/Town taxes = $209. School Taxes = $196.22, See map Bob (attached). Bob & John took a look see. It appears that the “right of way” is through the woods north of 2849 Cty Rt. 121 – looks pretty impassible with trees and brush. Dede asked why we would consider buying. Eric mentioned that a large part of the parcel is a functioning wetland, which, if owned would give LLWIA more ability to protect. Also, it could shorten the walk around then lake (which would negate the need to walk on State route 21). Perhaps someone could buy it and donate it to LLWIA. Eric and Bob will look again at the right-of-way when Eric is up in April on goose business.
- Goose nests: Eric will handle this year with volunteers the last week in April. Eric will kayak first, then next day treat nests. More kayaks to search for nests would be helpful.
- Bridge: No update.
- Dede: Education: Are we able to offer any classes, concerts, book club meetings, ceramic classes for kids, etc. at the Pavilion that could be socially distanced? Perhaps there is a library group that would want to meet outside (Bob will check) Perhaps the Historical Society has a connection with old graves at the cemetary (John will check out). Dianne mentioned that the contact person is Lee Attlin.
- Fund raisers: Will we have a chicken dinner or Laf-A-Lot fund raiser this year? Probably too early to decide with the ongoing Covid situation
- Other possible Pavilion events. Dede asked us to think about outdoor concerts, farmer’s market, etc. in the future.
- Tribute to Ed Sick? Thoughts: Plaque on Pavilion? Helen and Ed’s walkway sign? Ed Sick Fish fund? – Eric will check with Association on that. Note: John observed 80 people fishing in the tournament on the lake awhile back.
President’s report: None
Next meeting: Saturday, March 13 via Zoom at 9:00. Meeting ID = 8581068017
Passcode = 5uq2v7 Meeting title= LLWIA Zoom Meeting
