Minutes Lake Beseck Ad Hoc Advisory Committee August 26 2013

September 03, 2013 / Amy Poturnicki

Regular Meeting Minutes

Monday, August 26, 2013

Middlefield Community Center

Present: Amy Poturnicki, Craig Lundell, Jim Irish, Randy Bernodas, Lucy Petrella, Darin Overton, and Edward Bailey

Absent: Daria Vander Veer, Dick Boynton, Rebecca Adams, Pete Parker, Rob Poturnicki, and Jon Brayshaw (ex officio)

Also present: Dr. Mark June-Wells (Lake Manager and Limnologist) of New England Environmental, Inc..and one member of the public.

Amy Poturnicki called the meeting to order at 7:12. Motion to approve the agenda was made and seconded and approved unanimously. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the July 22, 2013 committee meeting. After discussion the motion was approved by all attending members except for abstentions by Lucy Petrella and Darrin Overton.

Meeting was opened to public comment. None was heard.

Ed Bailey discussed Milone and MacBroom’s Lake Beseck Watershed Management Study Proposal dated August 9, 2013. The Board of Selectmen acted to approve this based on the recommendation put forward by the Ad Hoc Committee on July 22. This proposal reflects the scope that includes a storm water study, sediment analysis, watershed management recommendations and preliminary design plan. The proposal was revised at the request of the First Selectman Jon Brayshaw to add a breakdown of professional fees and additional details. The proposal was discussed among the Committee and Mark June Wells.

There was a discussion regarding an approval process for billable hours for our Lake Manager. There was general agreement that most matters concerning tasks for the Lake Manager can be discussed at the Committee’s monthly meetings but should an issue requiring timely action or response by the Lake Manager, a subcommittee consisting of Amy Poturnicki, Jim Irish and Edward Bailey would review the issue and advise, via the Committee Chairman, the office of First Selectman for approval. A motion was made and seconded to appoint said subcommittee and was unanimously approved.

Mark June Wells provided a discussion regarding lake data compilation. It is contemplated that the data could be posted on the Town web site at some point and in the meantime put into Mark June Wells digital drop box for access. Data and studies prior to 2000 (which is when the sewer system replaced septic systems close to the Lake) are not of much value, given the distorted data from sewage pollution. It was agreed that this information can be summarized for the historical record and left out of data analysis. Post 2000 data and studies are being assembled and summarized for reference, however; generally they lack consistency and quality data. After the dam project, protocols for consistent data collection will need to be established to provide useful and meaningful data. This will provide a tool to determine effectiveness of lake management decisions. It is recommended that the testing be focused on the nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the lake as the remaining lake chemistry is geologically based and is relatively consistent.

Mark June Wells discussed his contact with two academic research scientists that have done prior studies at Lake Beseck. He is inquiring with them to have collaborative efforts on future studies of lake sediments and water chemistry.

Mark June Wells reported on the meeting held with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) regarding Lake Beseck. The meeting was attended by First Selectman Jon Brayshaw & Mark June Wells (Town); Commissioner Don Esty & Rob LaFrance (DEEP); our State Senator and State Representative. He reported that Jon Brayshaw related the recreational value of the lake and the issues involving invasive plants. Funding for projects relating to the lake was not encouraging. The DEEP representatives were however enthusiastic that the Town was moving forward with the storm water study and lake management.

The subject turned to questions regarding an EPA grant and a State STEAP grant. The due dates for these grant applications are September 15 and October 1, respectively. Darin Overton offered to contact Maryann Nusomhaverstock at DEEP, who is involved with the EPA grant program, to determine what type of applications are being considered (favored). Mark June Wells said he would seek further insight on STEAP grant requirements from his contacts at the state level. It was discussed that we should work toward requesting STEAP funding for dredging, although the required package of supporting studies and preliminary plans are not complete. It was considered that we could make a bulk request (cubic yardage) covering the north and west sides of the lake, pending specifics from Milone & MacBroom study at a later date, say in six months. It was discussed that at some level the state should (needs) to take into consideration the unique situation that the lake will be drawn down to 14 feet giving an opportunity for economical dredging. Mark June Wells advised the committee that there should be consideration to dredging the deeper areas of the lake where the sediment layer is likely to be deeper than closer to the shoreline.

Ed Bailey reported that he attended the pre-bid meeting held by DEEP at the dam location on August 15th. The meeting was well attended by at least 25 different contracting companies. It was indicated that construction is now scheduled to begin afterThanksgiving. The contract calls for a 300 day construction time frame with a penalty clause. The normal annual drawdown (six feet this year) will start as usual. Once the project starts the lake level will be the responsibility of the contractor. Other issues involving the project was discussed including flood control plans and downstream evacuation plans in case of a severe weather event. Offsite staging and storage is planned by DEEP to be at the state owned boat launch off of Baileyville Road. Contactors expressed interested in finding other suitable locations near the dam for staging. Jon Brayshaw had submitted several suggestions to DEEP previously. It appears that contractors might be interested in exploring some of these locations.

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting and seconded. The committee was adjourned at 8:35 PM.

Minutes submitted on August 28th, 2013 by:

Edward Bailey

for the Lake Beseck Ad Hoc Advisory Committee

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Minutes Lake Beseck Ad Hoc Advisory Committee July 22 2013

August 28, 2013 / Amy Poturnicki

Minutes

Lake Beseck Ad Hoc Committee

Middlefield Community Center

July 22, 2013

Present: Amy Poturnicki, Craig Lundell, Rebecca Adams, Ed Bailey, John Brayshaw (ex officio), Rob Poturnicki, Jim Irish, Randy Bernotus.

Absent: Daria Vander Veer, Lucy Petrella

Also present: Mark June-Wells of NEE and Matt Sanford from Milone & MacBroom (M&M), LLC; and Chuck Lee of DEEP.

Amy Poturnicki called the meeting to order at 7:10. She then made a motion to accept the minutes of the June 26, 2013, Rebecca Adams seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Amy Poturnicki called for public comment but no one from the public was there wishing to comment.

The committee then heard from Mark June-Wells and Matt Sanford regarding their proposals for assessing and dealing with the sedimentation and aquatic plant issues in the lake. Matt distributed materials from M&M and went over the types of projects they have done.

He explained that the company is located in Cheshire and his unit specializes in lake and wetlands restoration. Chuck Lee at DEEP has worked with them on many projects dealing with lake restoration.

Matt Sanford presented and distributed a draft scope of work tailored specifically to Lake Beseck including conducting the storm water study required for eligibility for many grants. The plan and the discussion included outfall mapping and sampling at outfalls during storm events. Jim asked for Matt to explain bio-swales in more detail. Matt drew an example and discussed the purposes. These act as wet meadows where the plants slow the pace of the water while also absorbing metals and pollutants and trap sediment.

The committee discussed the goals of maintenance dredging key portions of the lake. Chuck Lee explained that the time necessary to obtain permits and approvals from DEEP to dredge will likely run past the time that the lake will be drawn for the dam repairs. He also advised against dredging while another project is occurring in the lake. He suggested that dredging could be done after the dam repair is complete as it will be easy to lower the lake with the weir boards that will be installed at the dam.

The committee discussed immediate priorities, the wisest way to move forward, how to get the most out of the money allocated by the Town and resources that could save money. Chuck Lee, Matt Sanford and Mark June-Wells agreed that the group needs to match priorities with the $91,000 allocated, consider time restrictions, and the need for a storm water study in order to be able to move forward on many fronts.

Amy Poturnicki made a motion and Randy Bernotus seconded that we recommend to the Board of Selectman that they hire M&M to perform the work in conjunction with Mark June-Wells, as our limnologist. The motion passed unanimously.

Matt Sanford asked the committee to discuss and determine the direction that the committee would like Milone & MacBroom to proceed with the work. The DEEP recommendation was, as originally planned, to focus on the storm water study first. The dredging of silted in areas can be done during the larger of the usual draw downs since the materials are exposed then and it would still be dry dredging which is much less expensive.

Mark June-Wells discussed the results of other projects he has worked on both with and without dredging and explained that projects are often tackled with multiple approaches, in addition to ongoing monitoring, to reach the desired results. The dredging work has to be part of a larger management plan and we will not be able to dredge with the $91,000 allocated but we can get started collecting data and testing right away.

Matt Sanford described the steps that would be necessary for dredging:

1. Survey. 2. Sediment Testing. 3. Preliminary Design. 4. Regulatory Permitting. 5. Final Design. 6. Technical Specification. 7. Go out to bid.

The group discussed how to expand the scope of work so that we could accomplish the storm water survey and get closer to a dredge plan. Matt Sanford said that M&M could cover items 1-4 above within the budget. At the same time, the town and the committee could work to secure grant opportunities through STEAP, the federal government, and the Clean Water Act to accomplish 5, 6, and 7 and move toward dredging. Rob Poturnicki made a motion and Rebecca Adams seconded it to accept the original proposed scope of work and the additional items were moved and seconded and all voted in favor to recommend that to the Board of Selectmen.

Ed Bailey made a motion to adjourn and Rebecca Adams seconded it at 9:10. All were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Rebecca Adams

Secretary

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Scientists study how Beseck dam repair may impact aquatic plant community

August 02, 2013 / Amy Poturnicki

It was a picture perfect day for a kayak ride to meet up with scientists from New England Environmental, Inc. and CT Agricultural Experiment Station to talk about the collection of data that will be used in a multi-year study to evaluate how disturbances such as the upcoming 1-2 yr Lake Beseck drawdown for a dam repair will impact the overall balance of the aquatic plant community.

Is it possible that one of our invasive plant species will depart in the process? One can only hope. Only after the dam repair is complete and the lake refills will we have a better idea of how the lake may differ.

Dr. Mark June-Wells hopes to advance scientific literature on the subject. His research on Lake Beseck will continue for several years after the dam repair is complete in anticipation of changes along the way.

Pictured below-Dr. Mark June-Wells, Limnologist & Plant Ecologist-New England Environmental, Inc. talks to Patch reporter, Michael Hayes about the study.

See Patch video interview HERE.

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Minutes Lake Beseck Ad Hoc Advisory Committee June 17 2013

July 18, 2013 / Amy Poturnicki

Minutes

Lake Beseck Ad Hoc Advisory Committee Meeting

June 17, 2013

Present: Jon Brayshaw, Jim Irish, Ed Bailey, Randy Bernotas, Rob Poturnicki, Daria Vander Veer, Lucy Petrella, Craig Lundell, Darin Overton, Amy Poturnicki

1) Request for Qualifications: Mark June-Wells, New England Environmental

NEE Established. 1986 as a permitting company, based in Amherst MA

Divisions:

Natural Resources (limnologists, surveys of plants & animals

Ecological Restoration (lake management, invasive species control, stormwater issues)

Remediation & Assessment

Landscape Design

Mark was asked what he knows about Lake Beseck: he knows we have problems with water clarity caused by phosphorous levels; PH, conductivity & alkalinity, all influencing the invasive species.

Mark went over slides documenting the increase in invasive plants since 2004. One slide showed that the invasive plants are less light-sensitive than natives.

Mark said he doesn’t believe the turion bank left by the curlyleaf pondweed will be hurt by the deep drawdown expected for the dam project. We asked Mark if a controlled burn might kill the turions. He said it was possible, but he thought local ordinances may prohibit a burn.

We discussed that the drawdown *might* kill off most of all of the milfoil…but the trick would be to keep the milfoil away long-term.

Mark’s recent experience includes work with Bolton Lake, Moosup Pond, and Candlewood Lake.

Mark stated that he felt that what sets him apart is that he’s an active scientist & researcher. He said he already has some ideas in mind for fixing the lake’s problems, including targeted dredging. He also suggested creating small wetlands, “foreponds”, near the lake, that would serve as filters. He also discussed the use of Lanthanum (“Phos-Lock”), which is like alum, but is s a one-time application.

Randy mentioned he had heard that at one lake, the Army Corps had done dredging for free as part of a training exercise. Mark said he would be happy to look into such an option, but indicated that his boss, NEE’s founder, has more connections in that area and it may be promising if it went through him.

Darin asked Mark whether it makes sense to dredge the shallow areas only where we know the invasives thrive, or would that just disturb the area and leave it open to more invasives? Mark said it was a good question, and he recommends targeting the areas of major sediment loading at the northern and southern ends. After that, he would do the 3-foot zone. Basically, any sediment we can remove “won’t hurt,” but he stressed that dredging alone cannot solve the plant problem.

Mark said he approves of the idea of putting some water back into the lake to keep terrestrials from taking over during the drawdown. However, he also opined that even if invasive aquatic plants do take advantage of the presence of water, the eventual increase in water depth would probably kill them off.

2) Request for Qualifications: George Knoecklein, Northeast Aquatic Research, LLC

George told us he founded his company to bring science to lake organizations, with no sales agenda. His specialty is invasive species, water quality, and nutrient loading. Amy inquired about his list of projects funded by grants. George said a lot of that money isn’t available any more, unfortunately. There is 319 money, but over the years they’ve been tightening up on how that money gets spent.

Jim Irish asked whether there is hope for us, dealing with our invasives. George indicated curlyleaf pondweed is extremely susceptible to herbicides, but the turions make it a perennial (root stocks remain in the sediment), so it will come back again annually.

The bad news, George told us, is that we’re looking at annual treatments of herbicides to keep them under control. That action might gradually reduce the plants, but it’s a never-ending job.

We asked George his opinion of dredging: “It’s never been shown to be an effective weed control strategy.” He said as soon as dredging removes soil, the plants will re-colonize. The only option is to dredge the lake until it is so deep that the plants can’t re-grow because of lack of light (min. 12 ft).

Amy asked about dredging muck from the swim area and re-installing nutrient-less sand. George said that even though the invasives favor more peaty or mucky sediments, they can grow in sand as well, so the swim area isn’t protected by the installation of sand.

With the committee hearing a varying degree of feedback about invasive root systems and with anticipation of dredge projects on the horizon, George was asked how deep roots of invasives grow. George was unsure, and referenced the harvesting method of removal, stating that roots are left behind so it is unknown without taking core samples.

In response to drawdown and the subject of terrestrial plants, George described his comparable experience with Lake Williams, which was drawn down for two years. A big stand of phragmites took over part of the lake and then survived in 3 feet of water for over a year. But he told us he’s not worried; “they tend to go away.” Removal of new plants is only necessary if you get serious growth.

George said he’d be more worried about consolidation of the stormwater sediments during the drawdown; each culvert will have a gully, and there’ll be plenty of erosion that will be pushed out to deeper segments of the lake. When the water comes back there will be a large loss of dissolved oxygen.

He asked what other data we had on water clarity, dissolved oxygen, etc. Amy & Darin gave some examples. George said “I haven’t run into a situation like this in quite some time

Asked how much time he would have to spend on this project, he indicated, “Whatever amount of time it takes to do an evaluation.” Normally, he would want to get water sample data from 7 monthly trips, starting in spring, to collect nutrients, water clarity, phytoplankton, etc. and monitor the inlets. That tells him about internal loading, etc. and sets the stage for determining where management efforts will be focused. Then each year he would re-check that data to see how the actions are affecting the lake. He described a broad-based effort that involved studying the lake and then formulating a plan and following up.

George stated a weed management plan is overlaid over that basic plan, including plant surveys, etc. focusing on invasives and collecting pre-and post- survey data on how weeds are responding to treatments. He stressed that you never know what the weather is going to bring.

George said he feels we have a “tiny” watershed – even when Randy mentioned a 4:1 ratio. He insisted it’s small – but says stormwater is probably a huge problem, just from looking at the maps of the lake. He’s comparing us to a 10:1 or 15:1 watershed, with a large natural, undeveloped watershed, where the water flowing in is cleaner.

George has a long-term professional relationship with Chuck Lee, and George was “confident things would get done.” George has worked with Chuck for 25 years; Chuck worked for George way back in 1986 as his intern.

George agreed with Darin that efforts to limit phosphorous loading from the watershed is worth the effort, although he cautions you won’t necessarily see benefits right away.

He declined to opine on the idea of installing a plunge pool in north end: “I’m not a structural engineer.”

Asked about actions we should be taking during the drawdown, George expressed doubt. “When the lake comes back, it’s going to be a different lake.” So although it will be worth finding out the water chemistry now, in order to compare for later, he doesn’t have any recommendations for while the lake bed is exposed. Herbicides won’t do any good, since the plants themselves aren’t there to be affected.

We asked George if there is anything we SHOULD be doing during the drawdown? George suggested targeted dredging of culvert deltas/plumes, but he stressed we won’t know what’s out there until we map the area, and we really do need the stormwater evaluation before deciding where to target.

Of the deep drawdown, George said, “There are a lot of opportunities here. I’d have to think about it; I don’t make quick decisions.” He told us his rate: $165/hr for fieldwork, which includes him and a couple of assistants; $120/hr for office work which he mostly does himself. A water quality sampling trip is usually a six-hour day. He estimated about $15,000 for a full annual diagnostic workup. He is willing to teach volunteers to help with the collection to minimize costs.

Discussion: committee members discussed the pros and cons of both candidates. George’s experience and relationship with Chuck Lee were in his favor; Mark’s proximity to the lake and his energy and eagerness to work closely with our committee were his favorable qualities. The committee agreed that both candidates were qualified to undertake the next year’s worth of work.

Motion to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that New England Environmental (Mark June-Wells) be hired as the limnologist for Lake Beseck. Made by: Amy Poturnicki, seconded by Craig Lundell. Approved. No opposed, no abstentions.

3) Review of 5/20 minutes

Motion to approve the 5/20 minutes as amended: Made by Ed Bailey, seconded by Craig Lundell. Approved. Abstentions: Darin Overton, Randy Bernotas and Rob Poturnicki.

(note for future minutes: Rebecca should sign the minutes at the bottom, and the motions should be included in bold so they’re easy to find.)

4) RFQ to engineering firm

Discussion of the redrafted version that Darin sent out. Daria will re-work the RFQ and run it by Darin, Ed and Amy prior to sending it out.

5) Adjournment: 10:15pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Daria Vander Veer

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Minutes Lake Beseck Ad Hoc Advisory Committee May 20 2013

July 18, 2013 / Amy Poturnicki

May 20, 2013

FIRST REGULAR MEETING OF THE LAKE BESECK AD HOC COMMITTEE

May 20, 2013:

6:30 PM at the Middlefield Community Center

Present: Daria Vander Veer, Craig Lundell, Amy Poturnicki, Rebecca Adams, Edward Bailey, Jim Irish, Jon Brayshaw (Ex Officio), Robert Poturnicki, Lucy Petrella

Amy Poturnicki called the meeting to order at 6:55 PM.

Motion to accept the agenda without changes made by Rebecca Adams; seconded by Ed Bailey. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

The charge of the Ad Hoc Committee is broad and includes as the central tenant, to improve the lake water quality and to leave the lake in better condition that when the group convened, and to recommend action and expenditures to the Board of Selectmen for the purposes specified.

Ed pointed out that after the committee work is done, the town will need to make arrangements for ongoing maintenance. Members of the group agreed. The sewers improved the water quality but did not solve the weed or algae problem.

Amy stated that the immediate priorities are to complete the storm water study and hire a limnologist as the professional who will oversee work, including soil sampling, interact with the DEP, and recommend types of action that would best address improving water quality after the results of the storm water study are known. Discussion focused on the need to select a firm to conduct the storm water study because the Chuck Lee at DEEP has been very clear that no grants will be available and other permits held in abeyance until the results are final. Craig noted that once the sampling is complete a determination can be made regarding sale of the “muck” after the lake is drained. This determination can be made before the material is ready to be removed.

Jim asked if the Town had a sampling plan that was approved by DEEP. Craig discussed the basics of a plan and stated that it has been discussed with DEEP. The most significant inflow locations are the most logical and at the beach, north end, and west side. Daria commended that after those results are in, if more testing looks like a good idea to the limnologist then more can be taken. Preliminary estimates for delivery and testing of 6 to 8 sample sites with 5-6 samples at each site come in at approximately $6,500. Jon reminded the group that this does not include the collection of the samples.

Amy went through the extensive efforts that she and members of the original committee have undergone regarding self-help, i.e. working on options that do not involve town expenditures. These efforts have been detailed in presentation before the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance on several occasions. She distributed photos of the overwhelming weed growth of Curly Pond Weed. The current conditions may result in beach closure and are a significant impediment to boating. An explanation of the growth system of the weed and the difficult in removal, including the presence of hundred of turions per weed, the great depth into the soil that the weeds root, and the netlike structure that has formed at the beach making removal by rake ineffective. Rob discussed an option he has developed for raking by attaching a large rake to a truck and pulling the rake along the bottom.

Daria asked about the progress of the DEEP permits for application of the quickly dissipating herbicide being utilized at Crystal Lake. Amy said that it may be too late for application because the seeds, the turions, have already emerged.

Lucy asked why the lake was not drawn down more on a more regular basis. Daria answered that any drawdown is a shock to the ecosystem and DEEP looks to avoid that. Rebecca discussed the DEEP regulations regarding permitting which outlines minor, moderate, and major impact to systems and allows changes only into the low moderate level. This is why this drawdown for repair is an incredibly rare opportunity.

Election of officers

a. Daria Vander Veer made a motion to elect Amy Poturnicki President. The motion was seconded by Craig Lundell. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

b. Amy Poturnicki made a motion to elect Craig as Vice-Chair. The motion was seconded by Becca Adams. All voted in favor. The motion carried.

c. Ed Bailey made a motion to elect Becca Adams Secretary. The motion was seconded by Lucy Petrella. All voted in favor. The motion carried.

Motion to adopt regular meeting dates

a. Amy Poturnick made a motion to adopt the following regular meeting dates or the committee for the duration of its one year commission:

June 24, 2013

July 22, 2013

August 26, 2013

September 23, 2013

October 28, 2013

November 25, 2013

December 23, 2013

January 27, 2014

February 24, 2014

March 24, 2014

April 28, 2014

The motion was seconded by Jim Irish. All voted in favor. The motion carried.

The discussion then moved to request for proposals for the storm water study and the limnologist. Even though no expenditures can be made until July 1, 2013, interviews and recommendations regarding firms should begin ASAP in order to be ready to go on that date. The committee agreed to do the legwork in June. Jim and Amy, as a subcommittee, will prepare the interview questions and scope of services for proposals for the limnologist candidates. The current invitees have been interviewed by Craig and Ed but will now be interviewed by the committee. Amy will contact Mark June-Wells and George Knoecklein and look to set interviews for June 10the with the 17th as a back-up date.

Daria and Ed, as a subcommittee, will finalize the scope of the services for the storm water study as suggested and required by DEEP. A request for proposals will be sent out Milone and MacBroom, LLC; AEI, LLC; and Nathan Jacobsen, LLC. The group will first recommend the hiring of a limnologist who will work with the storm water study firm and review the proposal of the firm that performs that work.

Motion by Ed Bailey to adjourn at 8:42, seconded by Amy Poturnicki. All voted in the affirmative. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Rebecca Adams

Secretary

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Scientist to study impact of drawdown on Lake Beseck aquatic plant community

April 09, 2013 / Amy Poturnicki

Mark June-Wells, Ph.D. is looking forward to a unique study opportunity involving an anticipated transition in Lake Beseck's aquatic plant community.

As the upcoming Lake Beseck dam repair project approaches, Dr. June-Wells' plan is to study the impact of the lengthy drawdown on our aquatic plant community. He theorizes that perennial species of plants, such as our Eurasian Watermilfoil will disappear and annual species such as the Naiad population will become more dominant. (see his abstract below)

Dr. June-Wells has ten years experience in the field of ecological restoration/management. His areas of expertise include pond/lake management, water-quality analysis, aquatic nuisance species control, sonar mapping, habitat assessment, and anthopogenic-impact identification/resolution. In addition to his applied experiences Dr. June-Wells is an E.S.A. certified ecologist with over a decade of theoretical plant ecology experience. He also brings vast experience in experimental design, statistical analysis, and plant species identification.

April 8, 2013

Beseck Lake Study Abstract

by Mark June-Wells

Aquatic plant community structure and the dynamics of species populations are a result of a variety of factors that control competitive interactions among species. During plant community establishment and development, environmental factors play a key role in determining which species thrive within the water body. Over time, the competitive interactions between plant species further influence variations in plant populations and the overall profile of the plant community. In mature communities, with relatively consistent environmental inputs, these interactions are at equilibrium and the overall plant community is relatively stable. Therefore, a major factor controlling mature, aquatic plant communities are environmental disturbances.

The impact of large-scale disturbances on aquatic plant community structure has, to date, never been fully resolved. Through this study, we intend to evaluate the impact of an 18-month drawdown on the abundance of aquatic plant species and the overall plant community structure in Beseck Lake, Middlefield, CT. Analysis of the plant community will take place over a three year period using 50 georeferenced points and 10 transects. Data collected will include plant species abundance, overall diversity, and a suite of abiotic variables (i.e. soil conductivity, pH, depth, light…etc.). Changes in the plant community and environmental conditions, including species/environmental correlations, will be determined using linear and unimodal regression techniques.

We hypothesize that a significant change in the plant community will occur where perennial species (i.e. Myriophyllum spicatum) will be extirpated by the disturbance resulting in a community assemblage consisting primarily of annual species (i.e. Najas spp.). Furthermore, we hypothesize that the diversity of the plant community will decrease significantly. Data collected during the three-year period following reintroduction of water will be used to evaluate these community structure hypotheses.

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$2,464,800 approved for Lake Beseck Dam

March 15, 2013 / Amy Poturnicki

During the March 13th Special Meeting of the State Bond Commission, ITEM 7 on the agenda, in the amount of $2,464,800 to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to finance repairs to the Lake Beseck Dam, resulted in a unanimous approval.

After the plan for Lake Beseck Dam is finalized by engineers, the project will go out to bid. The project is currently expected to begin somewhere in the vicinity of labor day, this summer. The project could last a year or more, depending on the working conditions that Mother Nature allows.

The Lake Beseck Environment Committee has been working to align lake projects with this rare draw down opportunity that would more easily allow for maintenance work in the silted areas of the lake. Despite erroneous reports in the news world suggesting that we are trying to dredge the entire lake, (which would cost millions that there is no funding for) we are looking at projects within possible reach that include money saving resource options that could afford us the opportunity to implement a couple of lake projects. We are waiting to see if we will be awarded an EPA Clean Water Act grant as well as Town funds that may provide just enough seed money to get us started on some things.

At this time, it is uncertain what will financially come to fruition to help the lake, but many are passionate about tackling the worsening silt, algae and weed problems that exist. We will know more in the next 2 months.

Stay tuned.

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Despite many obstacles LBEC strives to move forward

February 01, 2013 / Amy Poturnicki

It has been about a year since a meeting was held between the Lake Beseck Association, DEEP officials, Legislators, Town officials and Middlefield residents to discuss concern over lake quality issues and the status of an $87,000 grant that has been hanging in limbo for over 5 years.

The grant, made available through the CT Lakes Grant Program, is a valuable resource to lakes with water quality issues. The program helps to provide funds to lakes for abatement of eutrophication through the conduction of studies and creation and implementation of restoration projects.

$87,000 in funds for Lake Beseck were authorized by State Legislature in 2007, as well as other lakes, but were never allocated by the State Bond Commission.

At the Feb 2012 meeting, Legislators and DEEP agreed to work on trying to get the lake grant on the State Bond Commission agenda to be bonded, but a plan was needed detailing how the money would be utilized on the lake.

Rep. Matt Lesser asked that a group be formed to take on the task. Senator Len Suzio, suggested a 90 day goal be set to pull together a plan.

As a result, the Lake Beseck Environment Committee was formed. Members on this committee are current members of the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, Inland Wetlands, Economic Development, Public Works, Water Pollution Control Authority, Park & Recreation, Lake Beseck Association and our Sanitarian.

In Feb. 2012, we heard sudden chatter that the $87,000 grant could go on the March 2012 State Bond Commission agenda. The Lake Environment Committee worked aggressively to meet this new deadline. March came and went without the grant going on the agenda and like the past several years, it is probably not likely that we will see these funds released in the near future.

With consecutive meetings since last Feb, it was not long before we experienced the complexities surrounding this endeavor. It was a project involving many variables that without doubt would take much time, thought and consideration.

During the past several months, our group has been focused on exploring various options to address the lake's weed and algae problem that have so many people talking. A few examples include vortechnic units, dredging, aeration, suction harvesting, benthic barrier mats, a detention pond, aquatic herbicides, alum treatment, copper sulfate, and cost and implication factors involving each.

With most of these potential options, we found DEEP requesting more comprehensive studies of the lake and its watershed to estimate the effectiveness of each.

We specifically lacked water studies that are taken during a storm event. This is a waiting game through dry periods, followed by a scramble to have resources available to properly collect samples during a sudden storm event. Once collected, these water samples are analyzed to determine how much nutrient loading is coming from the lake bed vs the surrounding watershed. This water study helps to predict how successful ideas such as a detention pond, algae treatment or aeration would potentially be. In addition, the need for a scope of work was also requested by DEEP to accompany these collections.

To follow up with DEEP's request, one of our Lake Beseck Environment members, Darin Overton, P.E. pulled together a comprehensive watershed management plan that was submitted to DEEP.

This resulted in us learning about an EPA clean water act grant that we are qualified for as a 303(d) "Impaired" lake. With only a few days before the deadline and the help of DEEP, Second Selectman, Ed Bailey and Darin Overton, we were able to get the paperwork submitted on time.

This grant sounds to be a bit more promising than the one hanging in limbo from 2007. If we obtain this grant, it will provide us with $30,000 toward the implementation of a watershed management plan. We can also continue to apply for more money annually. If awarded, the Town would have to match 40%. The good thing about the match is that it can be in-kind. We expect to hear something by the end of March.

In the meantime, the wild goose chase has left us rubbernecking toward the subject of the dam upon learning that the DEEP may be draining the lake 12' or more to start needed dam repairs as early as this summer. The dam project is expected to take 1 to 1-1/2 years.

Despite the many obstacles, we strive to move forward with anticipation of a significant lake draw down and acknowledge that this could provide us with a rare opportunity to address the silted in areas of the lake that has accumulated from the watershed outfalls. Our committee is currently exploring options and resource ideas to see if we are able to address some of these silted in areas. Special permitting is required for this type of project, in addition to soil testing to evaluate possible contaminates. The soil testing will determine how and where the soil can be relocated to.

We anticipate learning more about the dam project and Clean Water Act grant within the coming months. This will give us a better idea of our direction.

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