TLA Open Board Meeting, April 30, 7 – 8:30 pm EST
Board members in attendance on Zoom:
Grant Bogle, Russ Conklin, Richard Haupt, Jessica Schwartz, Jackie Blombach, Jean Bell, Carey Fiertz, Bill Barton, Dan Kadlec, Jeff Bravin, Eric Stoer, David Mathus, Erica Cohn
Approximately 60 people attended on Zoom
IWWC regulations update:
Peter Neely presented the history of the wetlands and their importance as well as the role and statutory responsibilities of the IWWC.. Protecting the wetlands preserves nature, keeps erosion in check, sequesters carbon, and preserves animal habitat. At the request of the IWWC, the TLA board submitted a recommendation to increase the current URA from 75 feet to a 100 feet for Twin Lakes, provided that a reasonable list of allowed activities within the URA which do not require pre-approval of the IWWC is adopted. This recommendation is consistent with the guidance provided by CT DEEP with regard to URA distances from the shoreline. There will be a public meeting May 12 to discuss the URA”s for all lakes, and shoreline residents are encouraged to attend on Zoom.
Lake management plans for 2025:
Russ Conklin provided an overview of our lake management plans for 2025, and began by reviewing the experienced professionals the TLA has engaged including our limnologist, George Knoecklein, PhD, owner of NEAR and Solitude Lake Management, our herbicide applicator. In addition, the TLA consults with a wide range of advisors including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Connecticut Ag Research Station. The TLA has contracts in place and an approved permit for herbicide treatments for the 2025 season. Hydrilla treatments are planned to begin by the end of May and last through September, as the herbicide we are using requires a long, sustained contact time with the plant at a very low concentration. All work is to be done by licensed contractors and supported by extensive aquatic plant surveys, which assess the location of native, rare and invasive plant species. More information will be provided at the June membership meeting.
Pilot program for enhanced cyanobacteria monitoring:
Jessica Schwartz discussed the new cyanobacteria monitoring supplemental program. She pointed out that cyanobacteria is a necessary and normal part of all lakes, but when increased nitrogen and phosphorus levels combine with warmer water (e.g. due to increased air temperatures), blooms may appear and rise to the surface. In such circumstances, some, but not all, cyanobacteria produce toxins, which could be harmful to animals and humans. The TLA decided to pilot a supplemental citizen testing program this summer to monitor cyanobacterial levels in 5-6 locations around the lakes. Volunteers including students at the Salisbury School will be trained to take weekly water samples, which will be analyzed and documented so as to better understand cyanobacterial levels in Twin Lakes. This initiative is spearheaded by the TLA but also includes our limnologist, the town of Salisbury and other lakes in our community..
Finances:
Grant gave thanks for the support from DEEP, the town of Salisbury, generous neighbors, foundations, and grants. Since August 2024, the TLA has raised over $300,000 in contributions from members, along with $100,000 in grants. In addition, the town of Salisbury has allocated $75,000 for Twin Lakes for the 2025 season. These funds provide the TLA the necessary liquidity to implement the lake management plans for 2025. A more robust discussion of TLA finances will be provided at the June membership meeting.
Dates to Remember:
May 12: The public meeting on the IWWC
regulation update. 6:30 pm. Check the town website for details under “agendas”.
- June 14: Membership Meeting at Isola
Bella, 10-11:30 am
- August 2: All events to be held at Isola
Bella:
- Annual Meeting, 10-11:30
- 125th Annual Twin Lakes Day: 1-4 pm
- Twin Lakes Celebration/Dance: 7-10 pm
Q/A:
Questions from the 60 attendees on Zoom included allowed activities in the URA, who pays the cost of monitors, state boat launch barriers, and if canoes and kayaks need 2025 AIS stickers.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 PM
Minutes submitted by Erica Cohn, secretary