On Thursday, June 18th, Cyanobacteria was found in the channel leading from Halls Bay.

The orange arrow below indicates the approximate location of the Cyanobacteria. Small spots were also seen south of that location in Halls Bay channel.

Here is a photo of the Cyanobacteria bloom - it looks like light blue paint on top of the water:

This bloom has since dissipated, but please be aware that small spots were still visible in Halls Bay channel.

Please keep pets and children out of the water in the channel.

As was the case in 2018, the conditions were perfect for it to bloom there: lack of rain, temperature, water depth and lack of water movement.

Additional information from the Vermont Department Of Health on Cyanobacteria can be read here: "CYANOBACTERIA (BLUE-GREEN ALGAE)". Please let us know immediately if you spot some.

From Vermont DEC:

"So long as there is visible cyanobacteria in the water, both in the inlet stream and anywhere along the lake shore where it empties into St. Catherine proper, everyone should be avoiding contact with them. Pets are also vulnerable, so owners should be keeping their pets out as well.

It is difficult to predict how long the bloom might persist in the stream. Lake surface blooms typically dissipate when wind and waves thoroughly stir the water. They can last for a matter of hours or for several days or weeks, depending on the conditions. Blooms in streams typically are moved out by increased flow. It doesn’t sound like you received much rain as a result of the storms earlier this week, so this bloom may persist until there is more water movement."

We will keep you informed with any updates. If you have any questions, please contact us: info@lakestcatherine.org.

On Saturday, May 23rd, the Lake St. Catherine Association held their first meeting of the 2020 season.

The Trustees gave their reports on many topics - Click here to see the full meeting agenda. Meeting minutes compiled by Kemi McShane Bostock.

May 23rd 2020 Meeting of the Lake St. Catherine Board of Trustees

Google Meet - Online Meeting, 8:30 AM

Meeting Called to Order by President, Jim Canders.

Attendance: Ken Abt, Elaine Bagley, John Belnavis, Kemi McShane Bostock, Frank Callahan, Jim Canders, Jeff Crandall, Jerremy Jones, Ed Laird, Nancy Liberatore, Rob Nesbitt, Martha Pofit, Mary Jo Teeetor, Bob Williams.

Side note: A few technical difficulties occurred throughout the meeting but were resolved and the meeting was able to continue without interruption. Thanks to all the support provided by the knowledgeable trustees.

The meeting began with Martha providing the history of the grants and the PMNRCD connection to the LSCA. Martha outlined the grants as follows:

Context of work done since last August. Received $40,000.00 combination of four grants.

$14,000.00 received from the Greeter Program with the Watershed grant supporting 25% expansion of the program and allows us to increase the hours of operation. Especially important is the awareness of Zebra Mussels and preventing them from entering the Lake. The boat launch and the Channel are areas of concern. The DASH divers will inspect those areas. And will educate the LSCA about zebra mussels.

Smaller grants come and go and the purposes of grants change but we are developing plans for sustainability and attracting more people who support our cause. The Lake Champlain Basin has a database that has infrastructure to help communicate with its members.

Received new grant for emergency support for May, June and July to help with immediate bills. Can recast the budget to keep LSCA going.

Grant to expand the Greeter program to have a station based at the LSC State Park. Fish and Wildlife funded; until cancellation of the grant. Interested in having a pilot program at the State Park as it is opening on 6/26/2020. 1,700 boats are launched at the State boat launch and 1,800 are launched at the State Park launch area. In 2019 received $7,000.00, $5,500.00 in 2020 for the Greeter program from DEC.

She spoke about the Grant and organizing the Lake into neighborhoods and having a Zone Captain. The Zone captains would hold meetings. Residents could have their property assessed for storm water runoff, mitigate load of phosphorus entering the Lake. And property owners need to deter the runoff. Many of these things cannot be done this year in 2020. Hope to complete ten projects this season with 15 Lake Wise assessments to get done. Hillary was asked to get hand outs to distribute so the community is aware of the services/work that the PMNRCD provides.

There was discussion regarding properties on LSC that were under heavy construction and the lack of environmental curtains not in place. Ed Laird provided details regarding the new septic system being built at nearby property. It has been approved by the State and is a state-of-the-art septic system.

MJ and Martha mentioned their discussion with Oliver Pierson who is the new Lakes and Ponds Program Manager. There were questions regarding the ERP grants, watershed, and Aquatic nuisance grants. The philosophy hasn’t changed but financial support from the Fish and wildlife has gone away due to the COVID 19 virus of 2020.

Discussed the development of a watershed plan. Want the State to do prevention work for run off from roads and streams. Feed together with all our grants and can create an action fund. Our relationship with the PMNRCD helps the LSCA get together to where the Lake properties are assessed. Martha expressed how important our relationship is with the Lake Champlain Basin is as well.

Hilary joined the meeting at 9:10. Hilary gave a brief history of the PMNRCD and how important the LSCA relationship is with the PMNRCD. The District gives the Board a common base. It was established in 1940 and was quasi governed by the Federal government to assist the Natural Resource District. District is primarily an agricultural board that assesses lake property, forests and streams. The District is working with stormwater areas. *Phosphorus problem especially in Lake Champlain Basin from Vergennes to Dorset hoping to become a clean water provider. The District provides the distribution of funds by project identification so can fund projects through Act 76 signed by the Governor to get projects funded. The work plan is to complete all the tasks except for #2 that will not be able to be accomplished this season. The assessments and the implementations will take place in July and August. The LSCA should have smaller neighborhood meetings to educate the lake residents. A flyer will be available to distribute.

Questions from John B. regarding private road with runoffs? What can be done regarding this? Private driveways are an issue as well and as State does not have money for private roads as yet. A good example was provided by Ed L. on West Lake rd. has a huge run off even with the road work done on the culverts. There is a 5-degree slope and won't put coverage down. There is a discrepancy of riprap funding to infiltration steps for run-off. Amy Picotte at the State level has no funding for roads and the scale of the project. Shoreline projects a major issue. Smaller projects need support to the local road crews. Jeff C. spoke to the Town of Wells road crew leveled sapling trees and anything near the road was being cut down. The work on storm water needs to be met. Ken A. questioned how will measure the phosphorus level as that is the driving force along with the milfoil and nitrogen. How will measure the success coming from the State directive? Especially as the monitoring is cancelled with the Watershed funds cut. The Natural Resource Committee is concerned with Lake Champlain regarding the phosphorus levels as the State was sued and Julie Moore from the EPA got involved to clean up LC. Phosphorus levels travel through the water resources. MJ is following the stimulus to local municipalities with road funding. Grants had been funded by license plates. MJ and Hilary meeting with Oliver to get perspective. It was expressed the importance of the LSCA relationship is with the PMNRCD and both groups value the work that is done separately and jointly as been educating the area for 15 years. Nancy spoke about tree planting. Kemi confirmed the condo property to be done in June.

Ed L. discussed the virtual meeting regulations. VT not for profit organization law amended 2009- actions/debate are simultaneous = meeting going well = executive mtgs. Meets the requirements of the State. Subcommittees to request to establish mtg today within the authorization of the Board. How to manage administration work and allocating funds. Rob asked do we need to make a motion to form an executive sub-committee. Rob made the motion, Ken second it and it will be in the bylaws that VT law is allowing us to work remotely. An appointment of an executive committee needs a vote, discussion? All in favor? Opposed? No objections? Motion accepted and Jim thanks Ed for his time.

1. Recording Secretary’s report – last August 24, 2019 post the minutes on the screen and up for viewing. Any questions about the Minutes of August 24, 2019? No questions, John B. makes a motion to accept the minutes from August 24, 2019. Second by Jeff C., opposed, no objections, all in favor, motion carried.
2. Treasurer’s Report- posted on screen discussion followed: Jerremy reported the 2019 appeal of $21,000. Took in for appeal, the mailings brought $21,000.00 and $ 52,000 in dues. $141,000.00 income included grants and $140,000.00 expenses. $83,000.00 total in Savings/Checking. Received grants for 2019 and 2018 are now in the account. The fund balance = $117,000.00. Documents available to everyone just log into the account. Updates in real time, cash flow tab by month. $141,000.00 budget in 2019 broke even. Elaine to date $153,471.00. Jerremy 2020 budget not getting grants, pricing for Solitude- and the current budget. Elaine tracking dues differently this year to differential dues and contributions above dues as Donations.. 207 current members paid, still hoping to get to same number of members as last year (350). AIS grant $33,000.00 in 2019, only received funds for the Greeter Program in 2020. Warning signs for the milfoil treatment. Had to meet all our requirements on time. Signs will be posted by Monday. For 2020, $131,000. projected income. $111,000.00 projected expenses. Projected budget $19,487.00 positive. Solitude expenses are lower this year. $90,000.00 in the Bank. AIS 2019 grant received partial payment in 2019, balance in 2020 projected fund balance. John questioned receiving the allocated monies from the towns of Wells and Poultney? Jerremy stated not enough money to get all the projects done but all grants are in balance and we have to invoice all work done, fund balance will be tracked. Martha and MJ spoke to the town of Wells funding is a year behind, and hope the monies allocated from the two towns remain solid. Martha commented on receiving the notice of lack of AIS grant funding on Friday. Jim asked for a motion to approve the treasurer’s report. Jerremy made the motion, Jeff second, opposed? All in favor? Approved the Treasurer’s report as presented.
3. DASH and Herbicide Treatment: Jeff reported on the treatment map and the significant budget restraints, that the Spring survey revealed treatment areas have reacted very well. The Fall survey showed a decrease in milfoil. The Little Lake milfoil increase and an increase in the Channel. Will only treat 3 sites. The Channel- LCBP grant to allocate to DASH from the bridge out into Forest House Bay. The Lily Pond, North Bay and from the bridge towards LL, 18.3 acres for ProcellaCOR with a reduced cost of $25,000.00. DASH will do 10 sites. DASH. has the same contract $49,000.00 for 8 weeks of work. June – August approved by the State. July 1st to start and will try to move up that starting date. July 1st is coming from the Fish and Wildlife but might try to tailor it to DASH contract if starting date not moved up.
4. Greeter Program – Boat Launch and State Park : John reports that the program started on Friday, May 22, 2020. The training will be completed next week. Reviewed the COVID-19 safety protocols. Will be alert for the presence of Zebra mussels. There will not be a portable toilet this season. Discussed the fireworks display for Friday July 3, 2020. Will keep posted as the State open and if the permit is in place to hold this event. Motion made and second to accept the report from John, none opposed. Report accepted.
5. Publicity- Newsletter, Membership – Jerremy Spring newsletters available to pick up and distribute. Also posted on webpage. Have over 1,000 followers on FB and it is a good way to communicate. MJ commented on the publicity of Phil Pope and many have responded by making donations to the LSCA in his memory.
6. Lake Safety – Frank. John reported for Frank. The markers are at designated locations. Spoke of the speed on the Lake and will contact the Game Warden and ask how residents can monitor the activity on the Lake. Dustin can be contacted and he is aware of the activities on the lake.
7. Nominating Committee – Bob Review of the terms and trustees presently holding office. 2020 terms ending are: Jim, Jeff,Jerremy, Martha, and Bob. All stated will run again. 2022 terms are: Rob and his appointment went to Nancy, Ed, Mary Joe, Frank, Ken. Missing one trustee. 2021 terms are: Elaine, Ken, John, Kemi, and Rob.
8. Boat Parade – Kemi Discussion not having judges at the judge’s location for social distancing. NO prizes will be awarded as so not to solicit sponsors this year. Will have pictures posted for all to view and vote for the categories and will post the results. Will promote the past sponsors to support them.
9. Annual Membership Meeting and Dinner- July 27, 2020. John reports that the club will host it but not sure of the State’s protocols that must be in place. Jerremy will provide the membership a virtual meeting venue. Will set up a question and answer session by posting them and we can have the answers. MJ questioned how to meet the requirements for the voting? Ed stated the status simultaneous meeting is a way for people to vote online if we make it sequential. Example will post the slate of candidates. Bob gave an example vote for 5 nominate slate of 5, 10-day notification rule and get the ballot 10 days ahead of time. Discussion followed how to handle the virtual meeting requirements. A motion was made to make the Annual Membership Meeting a virtual meeting. Second, any opposed, none. Motion approved.
10. New Business

Bulleted items:

• Approval for a projector for the LSCA use. $500.00 approved to the purchase of the projector, to be in the 2021 budget. Motion made by Rob, second by MJ. No opposition. Approved to purchase the projector.

• Annual Fall Meeting with VT DEC Water Quality – Misha. Good rapport.

• Little Lake discussion – MJ, Jerremy, Jim were requested by 2 new home owners on the LL to attend a meeting with the LSCCF. Had a conversation about getting the LSCA back into the LL and the LSCCF’s aeration efforts. Tracking ProcellaCOR treatments in other Lakes. ProcellaCOR and DASH programs working and year after year there is a reduction in milfoil. Talked about aeration not working in LL, harvesting of milfoil and native plants only increases the milfoil and chokes out native plants. Summary of DEC paper and plant reports on our website. New residents on LL are interested and asked many questions. Misha indicated our permits are for the whole lake. The LSCCF has not responded to DEC questions on their permit. Discussion regarding getting the two groups together. It was decided to contact a facilitator to conduct the meeting, with both groups covering the cost 50/50. The facilitator needs to be neutral and outside LSC community. Zoom might be a good format for this meeting. Get info to Rick N. from LSCCF so we can move forward with the next meeting with the LSCCF. A motion was made by Rob and second by John . Ed rephased the motion to include the 50/50 cost for hiring the facilitator. Rob second the revised motion made by Ed, voted to pass the motion as discussed.

Motion to Adjourn the LSCA Board of Trustees meeting May 23, 2020 at 11:45, second. Approved.

Minutes respectfully submitted, Kemi McShane Bostock, Recording Secretary

Hello LSC.

Today, we'd like to take some time to discuss boating safety on Lake St. Catherine, as we've noted a recent increase in complaints and concerns passed along to the LSCA.

We'll review the general Vermont boating rules, the LSC specific boating rules, and provide you the information on how to report violations to the proper authorities.

To begin, here are the Vermont rules for unlawful operation of a vessel.

Vermont law states that these dangerous operating practices are illegal:

Careless and Reckless Operation of a vessel or the reckless manipulation of water skis, a surfboard, or a similar device is operating in a manner that causes danger to the life, limb, or property of any person. Examples of illegal, reckless operation are:

• Boating in restricted areas without regard for other boaters or persons, posted speeds and wake restrictions, diver-down flags, etc.
• Boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Failing to follow the navigation rules
• Weaving through congested waterway traffic
• Swerving at the last possible moment in order to avoid collision
• Causing danger or damage from the wake of your vessel
• Chasing, harassing, or disturbing wildlife with your vessel

Overloading is loading the vessel beyond a safe carrying capacity, taking into consideration the weather and other operating conditions.

Improper Speed or Distance is not maintaining a proper speed or distance while operating a vessel or while towing a person on water skis or any similar device. Specifically, the following actions are illegal:

• Operating a vessel (except sailboards) at greater than “no wake speed” within 200 feet of:

- The shoreline
- A person in the water
- A canoe, rowboat, or other vessel
- An anchored or moored vessel with a person on board
- An anchorage or dock

• Operating a vessel at speeds of five miles per hour or greater within 200 feet of a marked swimming area
• Operating a vessel at speeds that may cause danger, injury, or damage. Be aware of and obey all regulatory markers, including areas marked as “no wake”

Note: “No Wake Speed” means operating your vessel at a speed at which the vessel does not produce a wake, not to exceed five miles per hour.

Many more rules and regulations for boating in Vermont can be found here, in the Vermont Boating Laws And Responsibilities Handbook.

Next, let's review the Lake St. Catherine specific boating rules that are in place, under Vermont Statute 10 V.S.A. § 1424, (effective November 17, 1980, amended January 1, 1995):

Water-skiing is prohibited in the following waters:

• All portions of Lily Pond and the channel connecting Lily Pond and Lake St. Catherine
• All portions of the channel connecting Little Lake and Lake St. Catherine

The operation of vessels powered by motor at speeds exceeding five miles per hour or in such a manner as to cause a disturbing wake is prohibited in the following waters:

• All portions of Lily Pond and the channel connecting Lily Pond and Lake St. Catherine
• All portions of the channel connecting Little Lake and Lake St. Catherine
• Forest House Bay - defined for purposes of this rule as those waters south and southwest of a straight line between the southerly corner of Camp 102 and the northeasterly corner of Camp 110A
• Hall’s Bay - defined for purposes of this rule as those waters north and northeast of a straight line between the southerly corner of Camp 224 and the northerly corner of Camp 207
• Horseshoe Bay - defined for purposes of this rule as those waters west of a straight line between the easterly corner of Camp 38 and northerly corner of Camp 46A
• Oxbow Bay - defined for purposes of this rule as those waters west of a straight line between the northerly corner of Camp 21 and the northerly corner of Camp 36

With regard to Forest House Bay, Hall’s Bay, Horseshoe Bay, and Oxbow Bay:

• It is permissible for a boat to start and return to its own dock at speeds in excess of five miles per hour for purposes of water-skiing. In starting, the boat must head directly out of the safety zone. In returning, the boat must go directly to its dock at the lowest speed necessary to sustain the skier

For purposes of this regulation only:

• The term “channel” as used in the rules above shall mean those waters within and contiguous to Lake St. Catherine which are less than 400 feet in width and which serve to connect that lake with Lily Pond or Little Lake.
• The use of personal watercraft at speeds not exceeding five miles per hour is allowed on Little Lake and Lily Pond for purposes of obtaining access to, and returning from, Lake St. Catherine.

Finally, we'd like to inform you on the best way to report violations that you witness.

This past weekend, we had a conversation with our Game Warden, Dustin Circe:

[Dustin Circe, pictured left. Photo credit: Vermont Game Warden Association's Facebook page]

Dustin's patrol area includes 6 towns: Wells, Poultney, Middletown Springs, Tinmouth, Pawlet, and Danby. He's on Lake St. Catherine two to three times a week.

While Dustin patrols LSC, he looks for things like fishing violations (while checking for licenses), unsafe boating (including checking for life jackets, boating while intoxicated) and littering. While it's not possible for Dustin to be on the lake every day, we can assist him in keeping LSC for everyone.

Dustin has outlined a few tips that are helpful if you witness a violation or an unsafe situation. The more detailed information you can provide, the better his investigation can be. If possible, try to:

• Take a video
• Take photos
• Take note of their registration number
• Take note of a description of the vessel and the individual
• Take note of the camp they return to
• Take note of the date & time and location

Then, call Dustin at (802) 793-6629 to report the incident so he can begin investigating using the information you provide.

Dustin explained that we can all be his eyes and ears around the lake helping to keep it safe.

So, let's all be considerate of others while sharing the lake, and let's all work together to keep everyone on Lake St. Catherine safe.

Thank you!

In cooperation with Misha Cetner from the Vermont Department Of Environmental Conservation and SOLitude Lake Management (SLM), the Lake St. Catherine Association would like to inform the community that the lake will be treated for milfoil on Wednesday, June 24th, 2020.

On May 13th, biologists from SLM and our DASH suction harvesting team visited the lake to perform a milfoil survey. They have identified areas to be treated with ProcellaCOR and areas to be suction harvested.

3 areas, totaling 18.3 acres will be treated with ProcellaCOR.

During and after the treatment, please be aware of the following lake water use restriction recommendations:

• NO USE of Lake St. Catherine waters and water from the outlet stream FOR ANY PURPOSE including boating, fishing, swimming, domestic (household) use or irrigation, the day of treatment on:

Wednesday, June 24, 2020, beginning at 9 am

• Swimming/wading, boating, fishing and domestic (household) use may resume on:

Thursday, June 25, 2020, beginning at 9 am

• USE of water from Lake St. Catherine FOR IRRIGATION PURPOSES including for watering lawns, trees, or other plants may resume on:

Wednesday, July 1, 2020, beginning at 9 am or earlier based on sampling results, please refer to the website below for results

Please refer to www.solitudelakemanagement.com/vermont for additional information and updated water use advisories and recommendations.

Along with the herbicide treatment, 10 areas, totaling up to 38.7 acres have been selected for DASH. DASH is an acronym for Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting. This process involves scuba divers using suction hoses powered by a surface compressor to selectively remove milfoil from the lake bottom. They will be working throughout the season to remove milfoil by the roots in these designated areas.

As a comparison, last year, we treated 38.1 acres with ProcellaCOR and 65.8 acres with DASH for a total of 103.9 acres. Because of the success of our milfoil control program last year, we only need to address 57 acres - a 45% reduction.

Here is a map of the treatment areas for ProcellaCOR and DASH:

Treatment Notice:

Are you a member yet? Maintaining the lake costs approximately $125,000 annually. Grants, membership dues and contributions make up the majority of our funding. If you'd like to help, please consider becoming a member or making a donation. The LSCA is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and any contribution that you make is tax deductible.

Links:

• LSCA Permit Application
• Draft Permit
• SePRO ProcellaCOR® EC Specimen Label
• SePRO ProcellaCOR® EC Safety Data Sheet

If you have any questions about the upcoming milfoil treatment, please email us at info@lakestcatherine.org.

Hello LSC.

We'd like to announce that we will have the 8th Annual Boat Parade this year!

It is scheduled for Saturday, July 4th, starting at 1 PM in Forest House Bay.

There will be some important changes this year due to the current COVID-19 situation:

1. There will be no prizes this year. With our local businesses working as hard as they can to stay open, we will not be asking for prize donations and sponsors this year. Instead, we ask that you do your best to support our sponsors from last year. They are:

Our 2019 sponsors:

• Lake St. Catherine Country Club
• Full Belly Deli of Poultney, VT
• New England Lakeside Realty Inc.
• Edwards Market
• The Wells Country Store
• Otto's Cones Point General Store
• The Gold Trout
• Pine Grove Diner
• The Barn Restaurant & Tavern
• The Pawlet Station
• Village Yarn Shop
• Rebecca J. Thomas, Inc. dba Country Horizon Realty
• MacDaddy's Car Hop
• Stewart's Shops
• Williams Hardware
• Wellsmere Farm
• CBH Business Services
• Everyday Flowers

Our winners will of course receive bragging rights for the rest of the season :)

2. We will not have judging stations for safety reasons. However, we will take photos of every boat, and we will post them online for the entire lake to vote on in an easy to use voting survey. We'll set a time range to cast your votes, and we'll announce the winners for each category that evening. We are looking for a volunteer that can take photos of all the boats as they start their course around the lake and be able to quickly transmit those to us so we can post them online for voting. If you can help us with this, please email us at info@lakestcatherine.org.

As many other 4th of July celebrations are being canceled because of social distancing recommendations, we are happy to be able to safely continue this yearly tradition on LSC.

So, let's start planning for the 4th! To register you boat, please email us at at info@lakestcatherine.org. and please provide your name, phone number, and we'll reply back with your boat number for the parade.

Our categories:

• Most Original
• Most Patriotic
• Funniest
• Best Overall

Be well, and thanks for your support of the LSCA.

For inspiration, here are some of the boats from last year:

Best Overall Winner, 2019:

1st place: Boat #4 - Loon Pontoon, the Tardie family

2019 Boat Parade Video:

Are you a member yet? Maintaining the lake costs approximately $125,000 annually. Grants, membership dues and contributions make up the majority of our funding. If you'd like to help, please consider becoming a member or making a donation. The LSCA is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and any contribution that you make is tax deductible.

Hello good folks of the Lake St. Catherine community.

We'd like to let you know that the LSCA Spring 2020 newsletter is now available.

In an effort to save on printing and mailing costs, we've decided to only print a short run of copies and distribute them to Otto's Cones Point General Store. If you'd like a printed copy, please feel free to pick one up when you are out and about (available now). Thank you to Otto's!

The digital version is now available online via our website through this link: Click here to view the Spring 2020 Newsletter, or click on the image below. When you click on the link for the newsletter, you will be able to view it on screen - and be able to zoom in or out using the controls on the bottom of the screen. Or, you can click the download button in the top right corner to save a copy to your computer to view with a PDF reader or print a copy.

We hope you'll enjoy this edition of the LSCA newsletter.

We welcome your comments: info@lakestcatherine.org.

Thank you for your support!

Are you a member yet? Maintaining the lake costs approximately $125,000 annually. Grants, membership dues and contributions make up the majority of our funding. If you'd like to help, please consider becoming a member or making a donation. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and any contribution that you make is tax deductible.

In other news...

- As you will read in our newsletter, COVID-19 will have a significant impact on the LSCA's funding this season. We would hate to lose any ground in preserving and protecting our watershed, so we respectfully ask our members (and potential members) to please submit your dues as soon as possible so we can have a better idea of the funds we will have available for budgeting. We hope to earn your support in 2020.

- For all the latest news on Lake St. Catherine, please follow us on Facebook, or keep an eye here on our Blog. Thank you!

Hello to all in the LSC community.

Last evening, we received official word that due to conditions created by the COVID-19 outbreak, we will not be receiving our Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) grant as part of the Grant-­in Aid program run by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation's Agency of Natural Resources.

Based on last year, that represents approximately $27,000 that we will not receive in 2020 to help fund our milfoil control efforts which includes our DASH team (Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting), and ProcellaCOR spot treatments. This is a huge loss for Lake St. Catherine.

As part of this same grant, we will be receiving $5,573 in support of our Boat Launch Monitoring / Greeter Program.

We are now in the process of adjusting and updating our 2020 budget to accommodate the loss of this grant. We will need to make some difficult decisions on how to best use our available funding for the benefit of Lake St. Catherine.

We would hate to lose any ground in preserving and protecting our watershed, so we respectfully ask our members (and potential members!) to please submit your dues as soon as possible so we can have a better idea of the funds we will have available for budgeting in 2020. Additional contributions over and above our standard dues and donations would be extremely helpful at this time.

To all of our potential LSCA members out there in the lake community, we hope to earn your support in 2020.

Thank you to our members for your support as we continue to work to fulfill our mission of the preservation, protection and maintenance of Lake St. Catherine.

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@lakestcatherine.org.

We'll have more updates for you this weekend, along with the release of our Spring 2020 Newsletter.

Becoming A Member:

- You can download a copy of our Membership Form by clicking here: 2020 LSCA Membership Form PDF. Just fill out the form and mail it in to our Treasurer Elaine with a check for your dues.

- Or, you can renew or become a member on our website - and you can pay your dues online with your credit card. If you were a member last year (whether you paid by check or online by credit card), the website has an account ready for you. If you don't remember your password, or never set one up, click on the "Forgot Username/Password?" link, and the site will send you an email with the information.

Thank you.

Hello LSC fans.

Occasionally, we come across a Lake St. Catherine reference in an old publication. They are an interesting snapshot from that time, so we like finding them, and then passing them along for all to enjoy.

This particular article, entitled "A Place Excused From Change: Recapturing Summers From The 50's" by Charles Strum, appeared in the Friday, August 31st edition of the New York Times.

It's an old newspaper scan, so the images are not great, but it's better than nothing... You can read the full text of the article (no images) by clicking here.

Scans from the paper (you can click on the scans to see a larger version):

You can read a previous "LSC Blast From The Past" by clicking here to see "A Family Kind Of Place - Lake St. Catherine's Appeal Spans The Generations" from Vermont Life Magazine.

Hello to all in the Lake St. Catherine community.

We were recently contacted by Peter Hathaway, the Rutland County rep for the 2020 Census. We discussed the importance of the 2020 census, and how low the response rate has been for our area.

On the importance of the 2020 Census from the 2020 Census website:

"School lunches. Plans for highways. Support for firefighters and families in need. Census results affect your community every day.

The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade. That funding shapes many different aspects of every community, no matter the size, no matter the location.

Think of your morning commute: Census results influence highway planning and construction, as well as grants for buses, subways, and other public transit systems.

Or think of your local schools: Census results help determine how money is allocated for the Head Start program and for grants that support teachers and special education.

The list goes on, including programs to support rural areas, to restore wildlife, to prevent child abuse, to prepare for wildfires, and to provide housing assistance for older adults."

The low response rate could be related to the amount of seasonal properties in our area. So, Peter asked if we could share the attached flyer:

So, we hope you can all take a moment to fill out the census questionnaire by clicking here: www.my2020census.gov. It is very important for our community!

Thank you.

Hello to all in the Lake St. Catherine community. We hope you are all staying healthy and well.

The LSCA was just provided the following information from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department concerning the Governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order and how that may potentially impact boating activities this summer. The stay at home order was recently extended to May 15th.

The department’s Fishing Access Areas are open 24/7 as they always have been, but the public is reminded to practice safe social distancing and only recreate with people that you have been self-quarantining with.

Information from Vermont Fish & Wildlife:

"In order to comply with the Governor’s orders for maintaining essential services and reduce the potential spread of COVID-19, VFWD will not be providing portable toilet services, installing docks, or allowing Public Access Greeters. This will last until at least May 15th to keep the public and contractors safe and healthy during this pandemic.

To use the access areas safely, the public is reminded to practice social distancing and only recreate with people that you have been self-quarantining with. While using the fishing access areas, ANR asks residents to use the necessary precautions to help limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

• Don’t leave the house if you are feeling ill.
• Only travel and fish with those in your immediate household.
• Maintain at least a six-foot distance at boat ramps (about the length of a fishing rod when held out at arm’s length).
• Avoid congregating in congested areas like fishing platforms, ramps and docks, and popular shore fishing locations like bridges or culverts.
• Don’t pull your boat on shore next to another boat while loading and unloading.
• Avoid unnecessary stops on the way to and from fishing or boating.

Residents are always asked to maintain on-going aquatic invasive species spread prevention measures to comply with the Aquatic Nuisance Species regulations (10 V.S.A. 1454). These regulations require persons to inspect their vessel, vessel trailer, motor vehicle and other equipment upon entering and departing a waterbody and to remove any aquatic plants, plant parts and aquatic nuisance species found on vessels or equipment.

The recreational boating season generally kicks off Memorial Day weekend and ANR is working to develop practical guidelines, potential training opportunities, and educational and informational signage to support invasive species spread prevention operations that will be available prior to that time. However, Special Use Permits and Public Access Greeter Programs are on-hold until further notice. Staff will continue to work with boaters and Public Access Greeter Programs to keep them updated to ensure a safe boating season."

The LSCA is committed to our Greeter / Aquatic Invasive Species Program. Keeping invasive species out of LSC is one of our top priorities. Over the past few months, we have been preparing our 2020 program - and we hope to be able to kick it off over the Memorial Day weekend.

We'll keep you up to date.

Be well.