BRCA News - Spring 2003

In this Issue

• BRCA Milfoil Committee hires coordinator, expands program
• How you can help
• President's Message: Gearing up for a busy summer
• From the Executive Director: Making big strides, with your help
• Work to start soon on Kennebec Highlands trail system
• Upcoming Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance events
• belgradelakes.org/news
• Hikes in the Highlands

BRCA Milfoil Committee hires coordinator, expands program

The Milfoil Committee will be able to expand its protection efforts this summer thanks to successful fundraising efforts over the winter. It's just in time, too. Winter brought sobering news about invasive plants in Maine.

Two items are of particular concern. First, a DEP study released in February showed that 42 percent of boats leaving Messalonskee Lake at the Route 27 ramp carried plants. Since the seven other public launches on the Belgrade Lakes are situated at an average distance of 10 miles on "invasion pathways" from the infested Route 27 ramp, all of our lakes are at extremely high risk. The second item of concern was the discovery of hydrilla, the most aggressive of all invasive aquatic species, in a Maine lake.

So, we are particularly glad to report that we have sufficient funds to hire a milfoil coordinator for April through September. Maureen Maslak, a Long Pond resident who established that lake's volunteer milfoil program in 2001 and supervised it in 2002, will fill this important role. Maureen's principal task will be to help the lake associations field the best programs they can. Maureen will work out of the BRCA office under Mike Little's direction. She can be reached via the BLA message phone at 495-3600.

Each lake association participating in our invasive plant monitoring will need to appoint a volunteer coordinator to work with Maureen to establish courtesy boat inspections at their public launches. They also will need to recruit volunteers to participate in our courtesy boat inspector trainings, lake screening surveys, and invasive plant patrol workshops (see the events calendar, page 3). Having a point person for each lake association is essential. Nothing happens without a volunteer coordinator willing to ensure that her/his lake is protected. We are very pleased to report that the Flying Pond Association will participate in our program this year.

Safeguarding our lakes successfully is a grass roots project. The fate of each sparkling pond rests in the hands of those who use it. While Maine has the strongest protective legislation in the United States, and great leadership from the DEP and the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program, our lakes will not escape infestation without broad-based, long term support from the community of lake users. That's us.

Let's act together now so that history will show we knew the meaning of stewardship when it counted.

We have a number of invasive plant workshops and lake screenings scheduled for this summer (see the events calendar, page 3). If you have questions about any of our program or trainings, please call Maureen at 495-3600 or 495-6039. All the training sessions are free, but we need to know in advance if you are coming so we can plan for seating, refreshments, and materials.

How you can help

Combat invasive species in our lakes by teaming up with your local lake association.

Belgrade Lakes Association
(Great Pond and Long Pond)
P.O. Box 551
Belgrade Lakes, ME 04918
207-495-3600
www.belgradelakesassociation.com

East Pond Association
c/o 197 Brickett Point Estates
Oakland, ME 04963
207-465-7307
info@eastpond.org
www.eastpond.org

McGrath Pond/ Salmon Lake Association
c/o Candee McCafferty
RR2 Box 2800, Taylor Woods Road
Belgrade, ME 04917
207-465-3983

North Pond Association
c/o Harvey Chesley
Pine Tree Camp
Rome, ME 04963

Snow Pond/ Messalonskee Lake Association
P.O. Box 532
Oakland, ME 04963
snowpond@hotmail.com
www.geocities.com/rainforest/canopy/8058/snowpond.htm

Watson Pond Homeowners Association
c/o Delores Swinerton
180 Bryant Road
Wolfeboro, NH 03894

President's Message

Gearing up for a busy summer

It was a long cold winter but the BRCA board was busy with a number of important tasks. The Conservation Corps sent out its annual appeal and so far returns have kept pace with past years. The corps is still searching for a director. If you know a college age or older person with conservation experience looking for a summer job, please put them in touch with Mike Little (495-6039, brca@gwi.net). Mike also is keeping lists of high school students interested in working for the corps and of potential work sites (download an application at belgradelakes.org/corps.html).

The Kennebec Highlands access group has organized two workdays for May 10 and 24. These days are to prepare specific areas for further work by the College Conservation Corps, which will be working for us most of the summer. We are still looking for a place to house them for the summer or, at least, a place for them to shower if they camp out.

Negotiations continue with Allen Blueberry to preserve the fields on top of Vienna Mountain. Once an agreement is in place we will begin our appeal for the funds to complete this phase of the Kennebec Highlands.

BRCA has begun to consider its vision for the buildings on the Dolley property off of Watson Pond Road. Initially we are thinking of using the property as a visitors center for the adjacent Kennebec Highlands and an environmental education center providing services to local schools. We need assistance from architects and contractors for realistic estimated costs of renovations. If you can help, or know someone who can, please call me at 495-6039.

In March Warren Balgooyen and I made a presentation about the Kennebec Highlands, its history, and its diverse resources for the Armchair Travel series of the Maranacook Adult Education Program. As always, Warren's slide presentation was especially well received. We also can offer this one and a half-hour presentation to other interested groups.

Our Watershed Management Program (aka Mike Little) has completed the Messalonskee Lake report and is working on remediation grants for the lake. We also have money for remediation work on East, Great, and Long ponds. Contact Mike for details.

My last item is an ongoing issue. BRCA still desperately needs people willing and able to help as a member of one or more of the following committees: membership, Kennebec Highlands, land trust, fundraising, conservation corps, and watershed. Becoming involved in one of these groups is important and very rewarding. If you have any interest or questions, please contact me.

Have a wonderful spring. I hope to see you all in the area soon.

Denny Phillips
President

From the Executive Director

Making big strides, with your help

April is here with its promise of new life and growth after a long, cold winter. I like to think of BRCA as growing and entering a new phase in its life too. There have been many changes since the board retreat 18 months ago. A new board and committee structure, an executive directorthese are huge accomplishments for "the little land trust that could."

The Watershed Program continues to get grants to support efforts to upgrade camp roads and address other non-point source pollution problems around our lakes. The Conservation Corps is entering its eighth year of providing jobs for young people and erosion control for the lakes. The BRCA Milfoil Committee is gearing up for another summer of protecting our lakes from invasive plants. The Kennebec Highlands project is nearing completionbut much work still remains and the final dollars have to be raised. BRCA has a number of other land protection projects in process around the watershedfrom Mercer to Sidney.

Among other achievements, we have doubled our membership! This means more people are aware of BRCA and its projects. It also means more support for us to pursue those projects.

This success also has brought new challenges. In his president's column, Denny talks about the need for help on our various committees. Or you can assist me with office work for membership development and public outreach.

We also need more memberspeople who want to get involved in protecting our precious natural resources, both by donating time and effort, and supporting our work financially.

So, talk to your neighbors. Are they members of BRCA? If not sign them up! How about your kids? Give them the gift of a connection with the region they love.

Protecting the natural heritage of the Belgrades Lake is a big job. BRCA is up to it with your help.

Mike Little
Executive Director

Work to start soon on Kennebec Highlands trail system

The Kennebec Highlands Stewardship Committee is getting ready to start work on the first two hiking trails in the Kennebec Highlands. The first will be the Roundtop Mountain Trail, starting at the intersection of Watson Pond Road and Wildflower Lane in Rome. The trail will meander through woods that consist of young and old hardwoods and conifersa very diverse forest.

As you approach the top of Roundtop Mountain, the views to the east and south start to open up. There are two spots near the top that will have unobstructed views looking out across the Belgrade Lakes. The views rival anything in central Maine. The trail length is approximately three plus miles and at a nice leisurely pace will take three hours or so.

We are looking forward to having the Maine Conservation Corps start trail work for us in May. Their job will be "hardening" of the trailfor example, building bog bridges, stone steps, water bars, and other technical, backbreaking work. We will have plenty of opportunities for volunteers to help out, such as, brushing out, blow down removal, and clean-up.

At this time we have two scheduled work days for the Highlands and the Dolley property. The work days are May 10 and 24, both Saturdays. Meet at the BRCA office in Belgrade Lakes at 8:30 a.m. Bring your gloves and bug dope and be prepared to get dirty. To sign up call or e-mail me at the info below.

Next newsletter I'll describe the second hiking trail into the Highlands, the Sanders Hill Trail. If you want to help out in any way or have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch with me.

Brian Alexander
Chairman, Kennebec Highlands Stewardship Committee
397-4877
brian@redoaksports.com

Upcoming Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance events

Kennebec Highlands/Dolley Property Work Day
Saturday, May 10, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Meet at BRCA office in Belgrade Lakes. (397-4877 or brian@redoaksports.com)

Courtesy Boat Inspector Training
Saturday, May 17, 9-10:30 a.m.
North Belgrade Community Center (RSVP 495-3600)

Kennebec Highlands Hike
Sunday, May 18, 10 a.m.
Join Brian Alexander for a hike in the Kennebec Highlands. Meet at the intersection of Wildflower Lane and Watson Pond Road (about a 1/2 mile south of Blueberry Hill). (397-4877 or brian@redoaksports.com)

Kennebec Highlands/Dolley Property Work Day
Saturday, May 24, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Meet at BRCA office in Belgrade Lakes. (397-4877 or brian@redoaksports.com)

Courtesy Boat Inspector Training
Saturday, June 14, 9-10:30 a.m.
North Belgrade Community Center (RSVP 495-3600)

Invasive Plant Patrol Workshop
Thursday, June 19, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Includes hand removal training for scuba divers and others. Oakland Grange Hall (RSVP 495-3600)

Basic Invasive Plant Patrol Workshop
Saturday, August 2, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Bearnstow on Parker Pond (RSVP 495-3600)

Lake Screening Survey Methods
Saturday, August 16, 7:30-11:30 a.m.
Advanced training workshop open to those who have completed an Invasive Plant Patrol Workshop. North Belgrade Community Center (RSVP 495-3600)

East Pond Screening Survey*
Sunday, June 22, 8 a.m.-noon
East Pond Boat Ramp (495-3600)

North Pond Screening Survey*
Tuesday, July 22, 8 a.m.-noon
North Pond Boat Ramp (495-3600)

Salmon Lake Screening Survey*
Tuesday, July 29, 8 a.m.-noon
Salmon Lake Boat Ramp (495-3600)

Belgrade Stream Screening Survey*
Tuesday, August 12, 8 a.m.-noon
Wings Mill Dam (495-3600)

Long Pond Screening Survey*
Tuesday, August 26, 8 a.m.-noon
Long Pond Boat Ramp (495-3600)

Great Pond Screening Survey*
Thursday, August 28, 8 a.m.-noon
Great Pond Boat Ramp (495-3600)

* Kayakers, scuba divers, paddlers, and observers are needed for each of the lake screening surveys. Come out and get your feet wet!

belgradelakes.org/news

Want to save paper, make your BRCA contribution go farther, and get your BRCA news faster? Then sign up to get this newsletter electronically. Just send Mike Little (brca@gwi.net) your e-mail address. You'll receive an e-mail notice when the newsletter has been posted online at belgradelakes.org/news. You'll be able to read it there, or download a copy of the current or archived issues to share with friends. Check it out at belgradelakes.org/news.

Hikes in the Highlands

A March view of Vienna Mountain from Round Pond in the Kennebec Highlands. Photo by Brian Alexander.

On February 22 Brian Alexander and Peter Roderick led a snowshoe hike on the Roundtop Mountain Trail for a dozen or so hardy hikers. The day was cold. The snow was deep. A great time was had by all. The group was impressed with the trail and views. Thanks to everyone who joined them. On Sunday, May 18, Brian will lead another trip in the Highlands, for anyone interested. Do you have a hike or event you want to organize for BRCA members and the general public? Contact membership committee chair Alicia MacLeay (alicia@macleay.com, 495-2028) with your idea.

Send items of interest for future newsletters to Alicia MacLeay, 17 Richardson Rd, Rome, ME 04963; phone: 495-2028; e-mail: alicia@macleay.com

Prefer to receive future newsletters online? Just let us know! E-mail Mike at brca@gwi.net.