Update on the Lake Host Program
Last fall, our paid Lake Host, Ruth Gutman, informed us of her decision not to continue in this capacity for Horn Pond in 2015. Ruth’s responsibilities as Lake Host were to interview, hire, train and staff the boat launch with Courtesy Boat Inspectors, and file interim and end of season reports on behalf of Horn Pond to the State of Maine and NH Lakes. These reports are required of us as recipients of grant monies for the Lake Host Program and they take a fair amount of time and effort to complete. Ruth worked with us for about 3 years, during which time she proved to be a terrific resource and a wealth of information. We parted on good terms and we still have regular contact with Ruth.
Although this news was disappointing, it made us sit back and take a good look at our current situation on Horn Pond. There are two major concerns. The first is how to best manage the threat of Invasive Aquatic Species (IAS) on our lake. The second is our limited financial resources. Let us address the latter first.
The Lake Host Program is very expensive to run, even on our small lake, staffing the launch only on weekends and holidays. For the 2014 season, we have incurred $1,700 of expenses above and beyond what the grants have covered, for a total cost of approximately $6,500. Horn Pond Association still owes NH Lakes approximately $365 for the 2014 season. Our only source of income is dues money. Of approximately 95 households on Horn Pond, only about 30 paid annual dues of $50 in 2014. So, it is easy to see how this deficit occurred!
If the launch is only staffed on weekends and holidays, is the Lake Host Program the best way to manage the threat of IAS on Horn Pond? Boat inspections on their own are not enough at any lake, as there will always be boats going in at some point when a launch is unstaffed. Ruth and Linda Schier, Executive Director at Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance, have suggested that we follow the example of Wilson Lake Association. Their lake association has put their efforts into training volunteers to “weed watch,” inspecting the shorelines and shallows for invasive plants and aquatic species. This could be an effective option for Horn Pond as well.
We cannot emphasize enough the importance of protecting our most prized resource, our beloved Horn Pond. We cannot do this without YOU- the residents of Horn Pond. We urge you to take a few minutes to watch a very inspirational video about Moosehead Lake called “The Hunt for Aquatic Invaders:”
http://www.mainevlmp.org/ipp-jumpstart/
Please watch and then let us know what you think! We do not want to wait for the annual meeting to hear from you. A big part of a volunteer weed watcher effort is education, and there are several organizations out there willing to inform and train us. We look forward to hearing from YOU!
You can use the comment function right here to tell us what you think!
Although this news was disappointing, it made us sit back and take a good look at our current situation on Horn Pond. There are two major concerns. The first is how to best manage the threat of Invasive Aquatic Species (IAS) on our lake. The second is our limited financial resources. Let us address the latter first.
The Lake Host Program is very expensive to run, even on our small lake, staffing the launch only on weekends and holidays. For the 2014 season, we have incurred $1,700 of expenses above and beyond what the grants have covered, for a total cost of approximately $6,500. Horn Pond Association still owes NH Lakes approximately $365 for the 2014 season. Our only source of income is dues money. Of approximately 95 households on Horn Pond, only about 30 paid annual dues of $50 in 2014. So, it is easy to see how this deficit occurred!
If the launch is only staffed on weekends and holidays, is the Lake Host Program the best way to manage the threat of IAS on Horn Pond? Boat inspections on their own are not enough at any lake, as there will always be boats going in at some point when a launch is unstaffed. Ruth and Linda Schier, Executive Director at Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance, have suggested that we follow the example of Wilson Lake Association. Their lake association has put their efforts into training volunteers to “weed watch,” inspecting the shorelines and shallows for invasive plants and aquatic species. This could be an effective option for Horn Pond as well.
We cannot emphasize enough the importance of protecting our most prized resource, our beloved Horn Pond. We cannot do this without YOU- the residents of Horn Pond. We urge you to take a few minutes to watch a very inspirational video about Moosehead Lake called “The Hunt for Aquatic Invaders:”
http://www.mainevlmp.org/ipp-jumpstart/
Please watch and then let us know what you think! We do not want to wait for the annual meeting to hear from you. A big part of a volunteer weed watcher effort is education, and there are several organizations out there willing to inform and train us. We look forward to hearing from YOU!
You can use the comment function right here to tell us what you think!
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