Hello LSC,

We'd like to let you know that invasive species have been recently discovered in two nearby Vermont lakes - zebra mussels in Lake Memphremagog and spiny water flea in Lake Champlain.

On zebra mussels: Zebra mussels are an invasive species; they are a small freshwater mollusk that attaches to firm surfaces and can clog pipes and other underwater infrastructure. They are also filter-feeders, consuming microscopic aquatic life that is the base of the food web for our lakes. Their feeding habits can impact the native species that also consume those food sources.

On the spiny water flea: Dr. Tim Mihuc, Director of the Lake Champlain Research Institute, states, “This is truly a sad day for Lake Champlain. The spiny water flea has potential to severely impact the planktonic food web and will be a huge nuisance to anglers. Unfortunately, now Lake Champlain has joined Sacandaga Lake and Lake George as a major hub for future invasions into the Adirondacks and Vermont waters.”

You can read more about these unfortunate discoveries in these press releases:

Zebra Mussels Identified in Magog Bay, Lake Memphremagog

Spiny Water Flea Confirmed in Lake Champlain

It is illegal in the state of Vermont to transport aquatic invasive species. Act 67, which came into effect in 2017, states that if a certified attendant at a watercraft decontamination station identifies a vessel or trailer as requiring decontamination, boaters are obligated to comply. Failure to do so can result in fines and the involvement of law enforcement.

Each season, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the LSCA works with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation to staff the LSC boat launch with well-trained inspectors called Greeters. They are paid personnel of the LSCA. These Greeters inspect incoming and outgoing watercraft looking for invasive species of plant and animal life. Through their efforts, we can closely monitor and prevent other invasive species like Asian Clams, Spiny Water Fleas, Water Chestnuts and Zebra Mussels carried on visiting boats, from invading Lake St. Catherine.

We want to make sure these invasive species do nto make it into Lake St. Catherine. It is so important to inspect your boat and trailer for invasive species before launching your boat into the lake.

You can learn more about aquatic invasive species on the Vermont DEC website's Aquatic Invasive Species page.

On Saturday, August 25th, the Lake St. Catherine Association held their fourth and final meeting of the 2018 season.

The Trustees gave their reports on many topics - Click here to see the full meeting agenda. Meeting minutes compiled by Elaine Bagley, James Canders and Jerremy Jones.

August 25th 2018 Meeting of the Lake St. Catherine Board of Trustees

Lake St. Catherine Country Club, 8:30 AM

Meeting called to order by President Jim Canders at 8:30.

Present: Jim Canders, Mary Jo Teetor, Frank Callahan, Ken Abt, Phil Pope, Jerremy Jones, John Belnavis, Elaine Bagley, Bob Williams, Ed Laird, Martha Pofit

Absent: Jeff Crandall, Rob Goldman, Rob Nesbit and Kemi McShane.

* Beck Sinclair – Reviewed and explained what he’ll need to address next years DASH program along with a review of the current year. 766 20 gallon buckets of milfoil removed. Ken Abt said that we had to work closely together with SOLitude Lake Management with regard to the Spring milfoil review. Beck said that they can show great results and take most advantage of their time addressing larger patches of milfoil. He will available by May 8 or 10 next season to conduct review. Need to purchase a new silt screen for next season - $300, after that, a new hose.

1. July meeting minutes approved.
2. Treasurer’s report - reviewed budget and expenditures. Expect invoice from SOLitude for fall plant survey in order to finalize 5 year permit. Make report on how many people pay more than $100.00, how much more? Get addresses from Wells and Poultney of addresses that we may be missing. DEC Watershed Grant could be applied for this fall – Boat Launch Monitoring?
3. Annual Meeting 2019 - Board Members will assist in breaking down and setting up tables for dinner. Otherwise, we will use the same game plan in 2019. 75+ attendees.
4. Milfoil - Can’t survey sooner than plants begin growing. If we do not use herbicide, we do not need a permit for Suction Harvesting. However, the 5 Year Plan may not be offered in the future and we may have to file for a one year plan each year. If a person wanted to have a company clean up around their dock, no permit is needed?
5. Boat Launch - 614 boats processed during July 2018. This was a weather related slump. Since the fireworks draw such a big crowd - many boats - it may be wise to have the greeters work late on that day. Up to an hour to get your boat out of lake after fireworks this year. Discussion of Town Hall Meeting - Feeling is that State treats us as two bodies of water because of treatment of State personnel by CF, going over their head to the Governor. Jerremy proposed “Town Hall Meeting” format. In the meeting questions could be presented and accurate answers given. Some Board members are reluctant to have a meeting of this nature with the CF involved due to the toxic attitude. Discussion of Phil Hicks’ paper: “Saving the Waters of Lake St Catherine” has been finished in a first draft form and sent to the Trustees for their review. Reference information is being added to the paper. Everyone to proof read again to see if any incorrect thoughts are included. Turn any discrepancies in to Martha within 30 days.
6. Water Testing - Cyanobacteria was handled very quickly and the State Health Department has issued an all clear. Mary Jo also said that the water clarity is very good, the Secchi disc reading recently taken was 6.4 meters.
7. Publicity - Jerremy presented the Fall Newsletter - copies were taken for distribution to Wells Country Store, Otto’s and other possible locations.
8. Lake Safety - Frank Callahan. Said that Peter Bagley assisted with the wrapping of several buoys. Volunteers to include John Belnavis will assist in removing buoys and markers from lake shortly after Labor Day and through to October. The warmer season has been lasting longer, so some buoys are left longer. Zebra Mussels discussion - are in Lake Bomoseen and just discovered in Lake Memphremagog.
9. Bob Williams - We are short one trustee. Thought is to find someone on the LL as Frank Callahan is the only trustee on the LL. Rand’s position has not yet been filled.
10. Government - [Clarification: Phil Pope, Mary Jo Teetor and Martha Pofit are representatives to FOVLAP. Phil’s name was inadvertently left off when the Agenda was being typed. Our apologies.] The next FOVLAP meeting is in September. Currently, Mary Jo is the Recording Secretary for FOVLAP.
11. Old Business

Boat Parade - Need new Chairperson for 2019. Lila and Rand did a great job developing and carrying on the event, but someone has to step in to her footsteps. Lila will advise the new person. Jerremy currently has her notes and information fro past parades.

Poultney Day - Rob and Jennifer set up our booth at this event and various people participated, staffing the booth through the day. No specific report was presented, but comments about the event were favorable.

Plaque for Martin Greenberg is ready. Pete Tatko, the owner of Tatko Bros Slate Company in Middle Granville (518- 642-1640) has donated the plaque. All we have to do is pick it up. I thanked Pete for his generosity. He said that he was glad to do it because he has always been a fan of the LSCA. Possibly we can give him a free advertisement in the spring Newsletter?

Ed Laird made comment that our insurance was in good order and that he does not see any issues as we head into the fall.

John Belnavis brought up the request from the Granville Rescue Squad. It was decided to leave it tabled as we can’t afford the items/equipment that they need.

Along these lines it was suggested that we have a conversation with the Wells Select Board on the working of the 911 in our area. It takes 20 minutes for the Granville rescue to get here, by this time in a drowning, it is more of a recovery operation.

The next meeting is scheduled for May 25, 2019 at 8:30 AM, to be held at the LSCCC.

President Jim Canders called for the meeting adjournment at 11:00 AM. Motion for adjournment was made and seconded. Meeting adjourned at 11:00 AM.

Hello Lake St. Catherine. Today, we'd like to give you an end of season report on our 2018 suction harvesting program.

Each year, the LSCA works with 2 contractors to battle the milfoil in the lake, keeping it under control. In mid June, SOLitude Lake Management applied the herbicide Renovate to 5 locations around the lake. Then, throughout the summer, our other contractor Beck Sinclair performed suction harvesting (referred to as DASH - Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting) in other problem areas. Suction harvesting involves a diver hand-pulling the milfoil by the root from the lake bottom. The milfoil is then suctioned through a tube, up to the surface.

You may have seen Beck working on the lake in the LSCA suction harvesting boat:

Last Saturday, Beck provided his end of year report to the board - and we'd like to share that information with you.

This season, 766 containers (20 gallon buckets) were filled with suction harvested milfoil. This is a little more than half of what was removed last season. Beck reported that the amount of milfoil he viewed and worked on was the lowest he'd seen in his 5 years of working on the suction harvesting program. He also observed that milfoil was not as dense or tall. That, along with a reduction in total hours worked, contributed to the difference in the bucket count from last year.

Beck also reported that he was very happy to speak with folks as they would swim, paddle or boat by, thanking him for his work. He suggested that the LSCA should take some time to make sure that we are educating everyone about what milfoil looks like - and how it's different from other native plant species. Milfoil looks like this:

This is the weed that we can suction harvest and target with the spot herbicide treatments.

It is VERY IMPORTANT to remove them by the roots and to make sure no fragments are created. In the illustration image above, even that small piece of milfoil on the right side can float away, sink, and create a new plant - potentially leading to the creation of a whole new bed of milfoil.

The LSC 'old-timers' will remember the way the lake looked back before 2004... Beds of milfoil near the shorelines had created thick mats of weeds on the surface. The LSCA is working very hard to keep it under control each season utilizing this balanced combination of spot herbicide treatments and suction harvesting. We simply cannot let the milfoil get back to the levels we saw before the milfoil control program began in 2004 with the first herbicide treatment.

With this in mind, we'd like to make sure you are aware of some of the ways you can help out:

• First and foremost, your financial support in the form of the yearly dues you contribute to the LSCA are crucial to help fund this program. If you are not currently a member, please consider joining! You can do so easily via our website here: Become A Member, or you can click here to: Make A Donation.

• Near your shoreline, you are permitted to hand-pull any weeds (including weeds other than milfoil) to clean up your area. Swim down to pull them up by the root, or use a rake to assist pulling them up from the bottom. Be sure to remove the weeds you pull from the lake and bring them on shore to dry out. You can then dispose of them as you would with brush from your yard.

• If you see patches of floating milfoil, grab them - and get them out of the lake. As mentioned above, these floating fragments will eventually sink - and they have the potential to seed new beds of milfoil. So, if you can, get as much milfoil out of the lake as possible.

Finally, we'd like to tell about the amount of garbage that Beck collects from the bottom of the lake as he is suction harvesting the milfoil. Take a look at this very small sample:

Bottles, cans, plastic cups - all kinds of garbage. Beck reports that each season, he removes 2 extremely large bags of garbage from the lake bottom.

Does this make you angry? We hope it does - it sure makes us angry.

Here's a photo I took of the garbage I picked up after a recent paddleboard ride along the shoreline near my camp:

We're showing you this to make you aware of the amount of junk that ends up in the lake. We ask that you:

• take a look on your shoreline and in your immediate water area to see if there is any junk you can pick up and remove.
• be careful when your are out on the lake to make sure things like bottles, cans and cups don't fall into the lake.
• keep an eye out for people throwing junk into the lake - call them out and let them know that it's not acceptable.

We all need to do our part to make sure we keep this beautiful lake clean.

At the end of each July, the State of Vermont promotes Clean Water Week as a celebration of Vermont’s 800 lakes and ponds, 23,000 miles of rivers and streams, and 300,000 acres of wetlands. Next year, the LSCA will look to coordinate and sponsor a shoreline cleanup on Lake St. Catherine. We hope you'll volunteer and join us!

We'd like to thank Beck for his efforts this season in helping to keep the milfoil under control - and for cleaning up the garbage he found along the way. Thanks Beck - we all appreciate it!

If you have any questions about the LSCA's milfoil control program, please get in touch at info@lakestcatherine.org.

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 Fall 2018 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 and the Wells Country Store. If you'd like a printed copy, please feel free to pick one up when you are out and about in Poultney or Wells. Thank you to Otto's and WCS!

The digital version is now available online via our website through this link: Click here to view the Fall 2018 Newsletter, or click on the image below. You will be able to read through the newsletter and/or save a copy to your computer.

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

We welcome your comments: info@lakestcatherine.org.

Thank you for your support!

On Saturday, July 21st, the Lake St. Catherine Association held their third meeting of the 2018 season.

The Trustees gave their reports on many topics - Click here to see the full meeting agenda. Meeting minutes compiled by Elaine Bagley, James Canders and Jerremy Jones.

July 21st 2018 Meeting of the Lake St. Catherine Board of Trustees

Lake St. Catherine Country Club, 8:30 AM

Meeting called to order by President Jim Canders at 8:30.

Present: Jeff Crandall, Mary Jo Teetor, Frank Callahan, Ken Abt, Phil Pole, Rand Burgner Jerremy Jones, Rob Nesbit, John Belnavis, Elaine Bagley, Jim Canders

Absent: Rob Goldman, Ed Laird, Kemi McShane

1. Recording Secretary’s Report, by Jim Canders - Minutes for Saturday, June 23, 2018 were approved, a motion was made and second to accept the minutes from June 23, 2018.
2. Annual Meeting Discussion - The Trustees discussed the preparations for the meeting later that evening, and went through the slide presentation making changes and updates. The full presentation will be made available on our website. 70+ attendees expected.
3. Treasurer's Report, Elaine Bagley - Elaine handed out updated spending reports and a draft budget. Discussion about expenditures for the year and next with the budget as a guide. Elaine stated that we will receive 15K from Poultney '18, we will receive $33,920 from the State in 2018 which will be divided into two parts one in October and one in February 2019.
4. Milfoil Management, Jeff Crandall - Discussed the removal of treatment signs, the continued suction harvesting program, discussion of the new 5 year plan.
5. Boat Launch Monitoring, John Belnavis - Greeters doing well, 844 inspections to date.
6. Water Quality, Mary Jo Teetor - Water clarity looking very good. Discussed excellent state and local response to Cyanobacteria bloom.
7. Publicity, Jerremy Jones - Discussed new brochure, upcoming Fall newsletter, newspaper coverage and notes from CF meeting.
8. Lake Safety, Frank Callahan - Discussed great attendance at both boating classes and taking care of some wayward buoy issues.
9. Government Relations, Martha Pofit - Discussed recent meeting at FOVLAP.
10. General Business - Discussed a plaque for Martin Greenberg being placed at the Welcome to LSC sign, thanks to Rand Burgner for his service to the board and to Lila Burger for her coordination of the Boat Parade. Both are stepping down. Looking for a new Trustee and a volunteer to run the Boat Parade. Thank you both!

The next meeting is scheduled for August 25, 2018 at 8:00 AM held at LSCCC. President Jim Canders called for the meeting adjournment at 11:15 AM. Motion for adjournment was made and seconded. Meeting adjourned at 11:15 AM.

On Saturday, July 21st, the Lake St. Catherine Association held their 2018 Annual Membership Meeting & Dinner at the Lake St. Catherine Country Club's Fairways Restaurant & Tavern.

We'd like to thank all those who attended this year's meeting - it was great to have a full house of good folks that care about Lake St. Catherine. We hope you enjoyed the the Trustee's reports, great speakers, and the open discussion of LSC topics. We appreciate your continued support of the LSCA, and the work we do for the Lake. We hope that you'll spread the good word of the LSCA to your neighbors around the lake.

We'd also like to thank the Lake St. Catherine Country Club for hosting the meeting and preparing a great dinner. We hope you enjoyed that as well.

LSCA President Jim Canders kicked off the meeting by welcoming all attendees and introducing our guest speakers:

Next, Jeff Crandall presented an update on the 2018 milfoil treatment, explaining our balanced program of spot treatments using Renovate and DASH (Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting).

This lead into a presentation by our first guest speaker, Marc Bellaud from SOLitude Lake Management on the milfoil treatment history on LSC. He also taked about a new herbicide called ProcellCOR that has just been aprroved by the EPA after 8 years of testing and research. As compared to Renovate, it's more effective, much less product is needed to treat - and there are no drinking or swimming restrictions after use. The LSCA will continue to research this option for milfoil treatment.

Next up, from the Poultney Mettowee Natural Resources Conservation District, was our second guest speaker, Sadie Brown. Saide talked about the Lake Education and Action Program (LEAP) which directs student interns to provide native buffer plantings and invasive plant removal activities around the lake. She also discussed the Stormwater Master Plan that is just kicking off on LSC. The PMNRCD is aksing for our help identifing areas in which stormwater runs into the lake. This stormwater moves silt and nutrients into the lake which has an impact on water clarity and quality - and provides food for weeds to grow.

Other presentations included water quality, boat launch monitoring, the annual boat parade, the treasurer's & membership report, LSCA communications, lake safety and Trustee elections.

You can view the full presentation below:

If you have any questions about what was presented, or if you have any follow up questions, please let us know. Please send them to info@lakestcatherine.org, we'd be happy to answer them for you.

Then, it was time to eat!

Finally, we'd like to like to recognize Lila and Rand Burgner for their work for the LSCA over the years. Lila and Rand will be retiring from their roles with the LSCA. Lila started, and has coordinated the Annual Boat Parade for the past 6 years. She mentioned that she would be happy to help the person that takes over the coordination of the parade (let us know if you are interested!). Rand has served on the board for 9 years - and was most recently coordinating the Greeter Program at the boat launch. Thank you both very much for your service to the LSCA and the lake - you will be missed!

We'd also like to thank Bob Williams from Williams Hardware for providing a fire pit to be used as a door prize for the evening. Thanks Bob!

Additional photos from the evening can be viewed in this Facebook album: 2018 LSCA Annual Meeting & Dinner.

We hope you had a fun, informative evening - and we hope you'll spread the word!

Thank you for your continued support!

Hello LSC.

We've been informed by Eric Hanson of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies that the Vermont Loon Conservation Project is looking for volunteers to perform a count of loons on Lake St. Catherine.

This project, as part of a statewide count, will take place on the morning of July 21st, 2018 on Lake St. Catherine.

If you'd like to be a part of this project and volunteer the morning of July 21st on LSC, please call or email Mary Jo Teetor, 802-287-5836 / ferncliff@comcast.net.

Thank you!

About the Vermont Loon Conservation Project from their website:

"From a mere seven pairs three decades ago, Common Loons now number more than 90 breeding pairs in the state. This conservation triumph came only with a collaboration among people and organizations across Vermont. Our chief partner in loon recovery and conservation is the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Together, and with help from a corps of dedicated volunteers, we're securing a future for Common Loons in the state. Our strategy features: Monitoring, Management and Public Outreach."

Photo credit: Karen Velsor‎, originally posted in Lake St. Catherine - Vermont Facebook group.

Hello good folks of the Lake St. Catherine Community.

First, we'd like to thank everyone who has contributed their membership dues or has made a donation to the Lake St. Catherine Association this season. All of these contributions help us fulfill our purpose for the preservation, protection and maintenance of Lake St. Catherine.

These contributions included: renewing members, new members, members from the past, donations, and contributions in memory of a family member who loved the lake.

Thank you to all.

So, what are some of the ways we put these funds to good use for the lake? Let's take a look.

Milfoil Control

Unfortunately, Lake St. Catherine contains an invasive weed named Eurasian Watermilfoil, (milfoil or EWM for short).

In 1979, the LSCA started its effort against milfoil using a mechanical harvesting machine. Many long-time LSC residents remember "Hungry Harvey" chewing through the milfoil around the lake. All the while, the LSCA continued researching other possible solutions.

However, after years of harvesting the milfoil, the LSCA realized that this process may be making the situation worse. During the harvesting, only up to 4 feet of the milfoil bed is cut and small milfoil fragments are created, which can float away and create whole new beds of milfoil. Milfoil also regrows very quickly after being cut.

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources has this to say about mechanical harvesting:

"Some mechanical harvesting was used for EWM control on Lake St. Catherine from 1985-2003, this method did not provide a satisfactory level of control and may have contributed to its spread via fragmentation. Experience with mechanical harvesting on Rutland County lakes in the 1980’s and 1990’s showed that harvesting resulted in dense beds of EWM since the aggressive plant is quickest to regrow after cutting." (please note: as mentioned above, we started in 1979, not 1985) - Permit Response #2014-C01

So, after much research and discussion, in 2002, the LSCA filed for a permit to treat the lake with an herbicide called SONAR. This permit was approved, and the lake was treated in 2004. A season-end survey after the treatment showed less than .10% of viable milfoil cover in the entire lake. A quick note on these year end reports: at the end of each season, since 2004, the LSCA has funded Aquatic Vegetation Management Reports which can be viewed on the Links & Downloads page on our website.

However, we knew this would not be the end of the milfoil - and we prepared to follow up this treatment in the following years to keep the milfoil under control.

Each year since that initial treatment, we've used spot treatments of the herbicide called Renovate - and in recent years, we've also added a dive team employing a technique called DASH - Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting. This combination of spot treatment of herbicide and DASH has been very successful in controlling the milfoil.

At the beginning of each season, the LSCA and SOLitude Lake Management perform a survey of the lake to map the milfoil growth - and mark the problem areas using GPS. We then create a plan to spot treat some areas with Renovate and suction harvest the rest. In recent years, our treatment program has been approximately 50% spot treatment and 50% DASH.

Now, you may have an objection to the use of herbicides to control the milfoil. If you outright object to the use of herbicides, we may not be able to have a productive discussion about them, but we hope you'll continue to read on.

We've taken note of comments made about herbicide use in the lake. Here are some: "harmful", "unhealthy", "toxic", "poison", "chemicals" (and in every combination you can think of). These terms are used by those opposed to herbicides to be provocative or scaremonger about their use. Here are a few more: "How does everyone feel about this poison in the water?" Or, how about this one, "With toxic herbicides, the milfoil comes back, usually worse than before and must be poisoned again." No data, facts or scientific references, just scary words.

This is certainly not the way to have an intelligent, productive discussion.

So, let's talk about the herbicide that is used - it is called Renovate.

On triclopyr (Renovate), from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources:

"At the request of the Lakes & Ponds Program, the Vermont Department of Health has conducted a review of the proposed use of herbicides and determined that it poses negligible risk to public health if conducted in accordance with its recommendations. To date, the Lakes & Ponds Program confirms that no health problems or elevated risk have ever been directly attributed to the use of triclopyr." - Permit Response #2014-C01

The EPA classifies Renovate as "practically non-toxic" (which is their highest rating) to mammals, fish, amphibians and birds.

But don't just take our word for it - please do your own research.

If you have questions or concerns about the use of herbicides to control milfoil, please plan on attending our Annual Membership Meeting & Dinner on Saturday, July 21st at 6PM at the Lake St. Catherine Country Club. A milfoil and milfoil treatment expert will be on-hand to give a brief presentation and answer your questions.

This season, we treated 5 spots on the lake with Renovate on June 18th, and 13 others will be treated by DASH over the next few months.

Keep an eye out for Beck and his crew on the lake performing the suction harvesting. Here are some photos of the DASH in progress as they were working just north of the island last week:

LSCA's suction harvesting boat and equipment

Milfoil is efficiently removed from the lake bed suctioned up to the conveyor and stored in buckets

This is a "Diver Down' flag, indicating that one of the crew is underwater harvesting

You can learn more about our milfoil treatment program by clicking here.

Invasive Species Control and Education - Greeter Program

Milfoil is not the only invasive species we need to worry about.

Each season, the LSCA works with the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation to staff the LSC boat launch with well-trained inspectors called Greeters. They are paid personnel of the LSCA.

These Greeters inspect incoming and outgoing watercraft looking for invasive species of plant and animal life. Through their efforts, we can closely monitor and prevent other invasive species like Alewife, Asian Clams, Spiny Water Fleas, Water Chestnuts and Zebra Mussels carried on visiting boats, from invading Lake St. Catherine.

On duty from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on designated days beginning Memorial Day and continuing through Labor Day, the Greeters interact with boat owners providing information about invasive species and the need for boaters to adhere to the rules and regulations governing use of the lake.

Greeters on duty at the LSC boat launch:

The Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife - LSC Boat Launch - Greeter on Duty

Photos and descriptions of invasive species to keep an eye out for

LSCA Greeter Jon speaks with a boat owner

LSCA Greeter Jon inspecting the boat and trailer for invasive species

Jon, one of a few possible Greeters you may meet at the boat launch, reports that he enjoys interacting with boaters and educating them on the rules and regulations when launching or retrieving your boat. Thank you for being kind and courteous to the Greeters as they work to keep our lake safe from invasive species.

You can learn more about the Greeter Program and the updated rules and regulations here: Vermont Public Access Greeter Program Manual (PDF). The new regulations are listed in Appendix A on page 26 and 27.

Boating Safety Classes

Each season, the LSCA sponsors two free boating safety classes in cooperation with the Vermont State Police, Marine Division. Frank Callahan, LSCA board member in charge of Lake Safety, teaches the classes. One class is held in Poultney, the other in Wells.

These 8 hour classes, taught over 2 days, must be completed by anyone born after January 1st, 1974 to legally operate any motorized vessel - including personal watercraft.

We're happy to report that both classes this season each have 25+ students.

After passing the test, students will receive a license to operate motorized vessels, which is good in all 50 states.

Frank teaching the Boating Safety Class at the Poultney Volunteer Fire Department

LSCA Newsletters

Although we keep you up-to-date with the latest LSC news here on our website Blog and on Facebook, we still like to produce a Spring and Fall newsletter. This gives us a chance to inform you about upcoming events & activities in the Spring and a summary of the season in the Fall. Printed copies of our Spring newsletter we made available at Otto's Cones Point General Store and at the Wells Country Store in late May. Some copies are still available. You can also view a digital version of the Spring Newsletter here.

Lily Pond Channel Restoration Project

This project was completed in the Fall last year, but we want to mention again. Some additional contributions made this year were specifically noted to be in support of the completion of the channel restoration.

This $35,000 project restored connectivity between the Lily Pond and North Bay by using a hydro-rake to remove sediment and organic debris fro the middle of the connecting channel.

We hope you find our efforts worthy of your contributions.

We welcome your comments at info@lakestcatherine.org, or at our Annual Membership Meeting & Dinner on July 21st.

Thanks for reading - and your continued support of the LSCA.

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 again to the LSC community. We'd like to share the details of the 2018 LSCA Membership Meeting & Dinner with you.

The Lake St. Catherine Association would like to invite you to the Annual Membership Meeting & Dinner on Saturday, July 21st, from 6 PM - 8 PM at the Fairways Restaurant & Tavern at the LSC Country Club.

The Trustees will make brief presentations, updating you on the work of the LSCA this season, including membership election of Trustees and discussion of lake affairs.

We will also have these guest speakers on hand to make brief presentations:

• Kara Sliwoski - SOLitude Lake Management,

- Milfoil & Milfoil Control

• Sadie Brown - Poultney Mettowee Natural Resources Conservation District,

- Lake Wise & Stormwater Master Planning

• Bill Alexander - Slate Valley Trails,

- Bicycling & Foot Trails in the Slate Valley Region

You are all invited to ask questions, make statements, meet your neighbors and enjoy an excellent dinner!

Dinner:

$15 option: Baked Haddock / Chicken Marsala, Pasta Salad, Cake and Coffee.

$25 option: Prime Rib Dinner

We ask that you RSVP for dinner so the chef can prepare for the evening.

Please call or email Mary Jo Teetor, 802-287-5836 / ferncliff@comcast.net.

We hope to see you there!

On Saturday, June 23rd, the Lake St. Catherine Association held their second meeting of the 2018 season.

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

June 23rd 2018 Meeting of the Lake St. Catherine Board of Trustees

Lake St. Catherine Country Club, 8:30 AM

Meeting called to order by President Jim Canders at 8:30. Ten trustees were in attendance, six were absent.

1. Recording Secretary’s Report – Kemi McShane - Minutes for Saturday, May 26, 2018 were approved, a motion was made and second to accept the minutes from May 26, 2018.
2. Treasure’s Report – Elaine Bagley – President Jim Canders tabled the report for acceptance as discussion followed for the accuracy of line items in the report. Discrepancies’ were found for the following line items: open balance, disbursements of money to Solitude and the Suction Harvesting. Incomes from the State of VT, the municipalities of Poultney and Wells and the continual adjustment of receipt of membership dues. The need for a budget and an independent audit was requested. The accounting for the grant money received from the State of VT and that from the two municipalities needs to have clarification and recorded for verification of having received that money. The Board is intent on finding the proper balance between the use of an herbicide and that of suction harvesting. The 2 practices are in place presently to combat the spread of milfoil. Further discussion is required as new research is presented and studied, State regulations are followed and the continual monitoring of the milfoil is performed. It is agreed the management of the milfoil problem is going to be ongoing. The milfoil management is imperative work that has to continue as the challenges to maintain the water quality is ongoing. A budget committee has been formed to establish guidelines for the expenses that the LSCA incurs in the ongoing endeavor. AN updated Treasure’s report will be forth coming, a meeting will be called for to review the amended Treasure’s report.
3. Annual Meeting and Dinner for LSCA –July 21, 2018 – John Belnavis reported the food pricing of $15.00 for chicken and pasta, $25.00 for Prime Rib and the menu will be posted for the members to RSVP. The newsletter will post the information as the meeting will be held at the LSCCC, starting at 6:00 PM. The LSCA bylaws state the committees report to the general membership and a format is established to allow for this to be accomplished. Advertising- Jeremy Jones sent out a press release and updates the LSCA blog and newsletter regularly to keep information current and accurate. Jeremy will post the PowerPoint presentation and adjust the slide presentation to accommodate the committee members’ reports and to include the three guests’ speakers. There will be an allotted time for each to keep the meeting on time and organized. A meeting agenda will be posted. The three guest speakers are; Bill Alexander from VT Bike and Trails, Kara Sliweski, from Solitude Lake Management. She will explain the next 5-year plan. Hilary Solomon, from PMNRCD will discuss the Lakewise Program that provides sustainable gardens to reduce erosion around the Lake’s borders. The nominating committee will report to the membership to announce the new candidates. The meeting is to be kept to an hour.
4. Milfoil Management – Jeff Crandall (absent). Report made by Jim Canders in Jeff’s absence. The Herbicide treatment was done on June 18, 2018 was completed. Posting of signs handled by John Belnavis and MaryJo Teetor conducts the water testing. The next 5 year plan is to be discussed when Jeff is present as he is the point person. Suction Harvesting has been underway for 2 weeks for 2018 and has a new qualified diver. Discussion for the monitoring of this program from a cost perspective versus the continual use of an herbicide. And the need for additional advertising of the Suction Harvesting needs to be increased. A motion was made and second to add another banner to the pontoon boat to increase the awareness of the Suction Harvesting program by the LSCA. The discussion was tabled for further discussion when Jeff Crandall is present. Boat launch monitoring – John Belnavis – The Fish and Game department approves the program and it is reported that the LSCA program is in place and going well. The State mandates what the Greeters are to be paid; $15.00 and the hours are being kept for payroll. The new rule, “Plug in- Plug Out” is being enforced as a wrench was purchased and available for use by the Greeters. The coverage at the State boat launch will be increased for the anticipation of increased traffic during the Fourth of July holiday week. Discussion continued regarding the impact that the Lake Conservation is having on the LSCA efforts to treat the Lake and manage the milfoil. It is a concern for the LSCA that the State of VT is treating the Lake St Catherine Lake as two separate lakes and not just one Lake. There are two different approaches to the management of milfoil and this is impacting the progress of the LSCA management plan. The acquisition for permits and grants will require further research as the LSCA approaches the renewal of the next 5 year plan to treat the Lake.
5. Water Quality – MaryJo Teetor- Cyanno Bacteria- Halls Bay had a blossom and it is naturally occurring in stagnate water. It is localized and contained. The VT DEC had a rapid response team remove the blooms. And signs were posted alerting people. It is toxic and being monitored. Algae in Halls Bay in the Northwest corner. The Lily Pond channel project is allowing for increase boat activity and usage of the Lily Pond. No testing for E-coli has been performed this year.
6. Publicity – Jeremy Jones – developed a 3 sided brochure to inform the public of the LSCA efforts to manage the milfoil. It details the Herbicide program, the Suction Harvesting program. A motion was made and second to allow Jeremy the ability to print the brochure and circulate in the community. Jeremy is preparing the slide show presentation for the upcoming membership meeting. It will be posted for review and allow for changes to be made.
7. Lake Safety – Frank Callahan (absent) Placement of Markers is not complete at this time. The rock marker needs to be put in place. And the anchor for the marker by the bridge is missing. Nothing was stated regarding the change of rules for the placement of the markers. The boaters’ safety courses are dated for June 28- 29 in Wells and July 2-3 in Poultney. There has been a good response for those wanting to take the classes being offered.
8. Nominating Committee – Bob Williams (absent) will need to have applications for the terms that will be opened.
9. Membership – Elaine Bagley Report on receipt of dues is ongoing. At present have 268 paid members. Second mailing went out. An updated list of current addresses for property owners is needed. 150-375 facebook members
10. Government relations- Martha Pofit – Reported from the State meeting and workshops attended. Made good contacts and collected information to what could be perceived as potential threats to our progress at Lake Saint Catherine. The permit renewal process, local grants and membership being split between the Upper Lake and the Little Lake. THE LSCA has to maintain our relationships with Poultney and Wells as the maintenance of the surrounding lake roads impact the water quality. The Lakewise program has Lake Scorecards that report how the Lakes in VT are measured regarding the efforts made to maintain the water quality of each Lake. The LSCA needs to understand the data collected and how to correctly interpret the information. The LSCA needs to be proactive in the efforts to increase the awareness and successes of our lake management programs. It is suggested to meet with the local representatives and discuss the concerns and challenges that Lake St. Catherine has as we move forward in our efforts. It was presented to collect data from the board members to accurately report to the State of VT to increase their awareness of the hard work and progress that has been made. A motion was made and second to allow Philip Hicks to interview the members and record his findings to the LSCA. This information will be presented once completed.
11. Old Business- Boat Parade- Rand Burgner – scheduled for July 1, 2018. Fliers have been distributed, poor response compared to last years. 6 boats have registered, last year 22 participated. Prizes have been collected, there are 4 categories, viewing stations are established and the judges are in place. A press release has gone out, now just need more boats in the parade. Wells Day – Frank (absent) set for July 21, 2018. Conflict as same day as the next board meeting and the General Membership meeting. Set up for Variety Day is between 8:00-9:00 AM. Kemi stated visibility is imperative to circulate the important work the LSCA is doing. It was agreed to have a both, to split the monitoring of the both. Handouts, signs and posting will help get the message out regarding the LSCA.
12. Poultney Day – Rob August 11, 2018. Will attend and continue education the public about the LSCA. Insurance and Legal Guidance – Ed Laird (Absent) no report at this time.
13. Fireworks privately sponsored by Rick Roberts. Still accepting contributions to support this event. Scheduled for Saturday, July 7, at dusk.
14. New Business – next meeting scheduled for July 21, 2018 at 8:00 AM held at LSCCC. President Jim Canders called for the meeting adjournment at 11:00 AM. Motion for adjournment was made and second. Meeting adjourned at 11:00 AM.

Respectfully submitted, Recording Secretary, Kemi McShane