For the preservation, protection, and maintenance of Lake St. Catherine
The Lake St. Catherine Association would like to thank the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) and the State of Vermont's Aquatic Nuisance Control (ANC) Grant-In-Aid Program for helping to partially fund important components of our aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention and control programs which include our newly launched Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIP) Program, our Greeter Program, and our Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) Program.
Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIP) Program
The VIP program was established by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in 2007 to focus on early detection of all known and potential aquatic invasive species before they can become established in a waterbody. Early detection is vital to protecting Lake St. Catherine from harmful invasive plants and animals. Volunteers participating in the VIP Program will monitor Lake St. Catherine for new introductions of invasive species and report their findings to the DEC. If a new invasive is discovered, the DEC will dispatch a team and work with the LSCA to organize an effort to remove it from the lake.
In late August, members of the LSCA and 4 volunteers performed the first VIP paddle at the boat launch in Wells. On this first introductory paddle, we used underwater viewers (purchased as part of the LCBP grant) to find and identify many of our native plants, while keeping an eye out for invasive plants or animals around the boat launch. Patrolling the boat launch is a great place to kickoff this program, as it is a high-risk area for aquatic invasive species introduction.
We'll perform more VIP paddles in 2024. We hope you'll join us - it was a lot of fun! If you'd like to learn more about this new program on LSC, please visit the VIP Program page on our website to learn more.
Greeter Program - Boat Launch Monitoring
Our Greeter Program is very important to the health of Lake St. Catherine. Our Greeters have been trained to identify aquatic invasive species - like spiny waterflea, asian clams, water chestnut, starry stonewort and zebra mussels - to stop them from entering LSC at the boat launch in Wells and the State Park in Poultney. They also educate boaters about the importance of looking for these invasives on their boat or trailer so they are not spread to LSC or another lake. Each year, they do a fantastic job checking vessels and educating the lake community on the dangers of invasive species for Lake St. Catherine. They are on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day - working on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They also cover holidays and fishing tournaments.
In total, our Greeters inspected 1,149 boats this year at the boat launch in Wells, and at the State Park in Poultney. This is around 800 less than the number of vessels they inspected last year. Boat launches were down in 2023, most likely due to numerous rainy weekends this season.
Milfoil Control Program
Each season, the LSCA implements a Milfoil Control Program to keep milfoil in check in Lake St. Catherine using a combination of spot herbicide treatments and DASH (Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting).
The LSCA’s Milfoil Control Program consists of four components:
1. ‘Stop The Spread’ education and outreach. Our ‘Stop The Spread’ campaign educates boaters and property owners on best practices to limit the spread of milfoil. Each year, the LSCA holds a lake community meeting to discuss the control plan for the season, answer questions, and hand out a flyer with best practices for lake users to limit the spread of milfoil.
2. Volunteer milfoil cleanup. Throughout the season, we organize volunteers to collect detached floating milfoil from the lake and deposit it on our designated drop off platforms. The milfoil is then picked up from the platforms and disposed of. We also encourage boaters and property owners to remove any milfoil they see in the lake while boating or on their shoreline.
3. DASH - Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting. Our DASH crew suits up in scuba gear and hand-pulls milfoil by the roots from the lakebed. In sections of lower milfoil density, they will swim the area and hand-pull with mesh bags. In higher density areas, they will set up the DASH equipment which allows them to suction the hand-pulled milfoil up through a tube to a catch table on a boat. Milfoil is then placed in 17.5 gallon buckets for transport off the lake.
4. Herbicide spot treatments with ProcellaCOR EC. In order to maximize our DASH crew’s time, effectiveness, and number of acres covered, one of our control methods includes spot treatments with the herbicide ProcellaCOR EC (we did not perform a spot treatment in 2023).
Although not directly related to Milfoil Control, the LSCA's work on Lake Wise on LSC, the LSC Stormwater Master Plan, and the LSC Watershed Action Plan all help to limit phosphorus and other nutrients from entering the lake which can contribute to excessive plant growth, and improves overall water quality.
Our DASH crew started their work early in the summer by swimming and hand-pulling milfoil in less dense areas, and began full DASH operations on July 1st, and worked into September. Over this time, the DASH crew removed 1,057 (17.5 gallon) buckets of milfoil from the lake, covering just over 65 acres in 5 areas of the lake.
These vitally important programs for Lake St. Catherine are partially funded through grants earned by the LSCA from the LCBP and the State, with the majority of the funding coming through generous donations and membership dues from the lake community.
THANK YOU to the LCBP, the State, and all those who have contributed to the LSCA this season to help make these programs a success.
Hello LSC.
We'd like to take some time today to inform you about some recent activity in the Vermont Legislature that could have an impact on the Lake St. Catherine Association's Milfoil Control Program.
As you may be aware, the Vermont legislature has created an Aquatic Nuisance Control Study Committee with the passing of Act 57 (H.31). From the Act 57 Committee’s website:
"The Aquatic Nuisance Control Study Committee was created to assess the environmental and public health effects of the use of pesticides, chemicals other than pesticides, biological controls, and other controls in comparison to the efficacy of their use in controlling aquatic nuisances recommendations regarding whether and when pesticides, chemicals other than pesticides, or biological controls should be used to control aquatic nuisances in Vermont in a report to the VT General Assembly on or before December 15, 2023."
As introduced, the intent of H.31 was to institute a 'moratorium' on pesticide use (notably carving out an exception to allow lampricide use to control lampreys in Lake Champlain), along with the creation of a study committee to summarize pesticide use, safety, effectiveness, use recommendations, and impact on non-target species.
Many lake associations, including the LSCA, the Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds (FOVLAP), and the DEC testified against this bill which looked to eliminate one of the safe and effective tools available to control Eurasian watermilfoil (milfoil, EWM).
Thankfully, the 'moratorium' was removed, but the scope of the study committee was expanded, and the bill was passed. The study committee will now additionally look at the existing Vermont statute permitting herbicide use (10 V.S.A. § 1455), and make recommendations for changes, if any. Study committee members include representatives from the DEC, Fish and Wildlife, Department of Health, a UVM Aquatic Biologist, a UVM Public Health Expert, and a member from the State House and State Senate.
Members of the LSCA have been attending the public meetings of the study committee, and we have submitted comments to them. We urged them to consider the tremendous amount of volunteer effort put forth by lake associations like the LSCA, as we work to preserve, protect, and maintain Lake St. Catherine and Vermont's lakes and ponds for all Vermonters and our visitors through our aquatic invasive species prevention control efforts, and our numerous water quality improvement projects. We asked that changes they propose, if any, to the already rigorous permitting process, will be based on the facts and the science, and not by those who seek to influence the process by providing misleading and false information, and that lake associations continue to have access to regulated, safe, and effective use of herbicides as a tool to maintain control of Eurasian watermilfoil in infested waterbodies.
As mentioned above, there has been a lot of misinformation about milfoil, ProcellaCOR, and the permitting process in online postings, newspaper commentaries, and during testimony given during the H.31 hearings.
So, we'd like to share a few publications and webpages with you which deal directly with this recent misinformation, while also providing fact-based information about milfoil, milfoil control, ProcellaCOR, and the permitting process. We hope you will give them a few minutes of your time.
1. Vermont DEC White Paper: "Permitting Aquatic Herbicide Projects in Vermont"
The Vermont DEC describes that the purpose of this document is to:
2. Vermont DEC Presentation: "ANC Permitting 101"
This presentation goes into great detail about the lengthy and rigorous process lake associations like the LSCA goes through to apply for a permit, what it takes to receive a permit, and what conditions and reporting requirements are included in approved permits. It also discusses the ongoing work that is needed on a yearly basis after the permit is approved.
3. Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds Webpage: "Eurasian watermilfoil"
This new webpage from FOVLAP talks about what milfoil is, what it does when it's introduced into a lake, prevention and early detection, control, and an FAQ section which deals directly with recent misinformation on milfoil, ProcellaCOR, and the permitting process you may have come across online or in newspaper commentaries.
4. Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds White Paper: "The Case for an Accessible Path for Vermont Lake Associations to Use ProcellaCOR to Control Invasive Milfoil"
This white paper was recently submitted to the Act 57 study committee. We thank FOVLAP for their work on this document as they make the case that the permitting application and review process remains rigorous but without unjustified new burdens.
An increasing share of the burden of preserving Vermont’s lakes and ponds falls on the volunteer associations, who must address a host of challenges to ensure the protection and the long-term health of these vital Vermont aquatic resources. Currently, management of invasive milfoil is Vermont’s most pressing AIS problem. The current regulations governing this management provides a means to manage milfoil with a high but sustainable cost and with a bearable permitting burden.
Ongoing action is needed to care for and protect Vermont lakes and ponds from the threat of milfoil and other AIS. The Act 57 Study Group’s recommendations for changing herbicide use permit regulations should carefully consider the concerns of the volunteer organizations who are passionately devoting time and resources to milfoil management. The State of Vermont has the statutory responsibility to preserve the public waters of the state. This common goal leads to a vital partnership between the State and the associations. An effective partnership can improve lake health, avoid loss of lakeshore property values, and continue to attract the robust tourist economy that Vermont lakes and ponds provide.
If the Act 57 Study Committee findings result in a delay or in significant changes to the permitting process that make the process yet more complex and burdensome, many milfoil infested lakes with active, successful, long term management programs (like Lake St. Catherine) could be negatively impacted, as they seek ANC permit renewals for ProcellaCOR. There would be similar negative impacts to those lakes that will, out of necessity, newly seek herbicide permits to control growing infestations.
We ask that you take some time to read through these resources. If you'd then like to take a step to help support the LSCA, and other lake associations that are working to control milfoil infestations, please consider writing in to the study committee to show your support of the LSCA, and let them know that lake associations should continue to have access to regulated, safe, and effective use of herbicides as a tool to maintain control of Eurasian watermilfoil. Comments can be sent to the study committee by sending them to this address: anr.wsmdlakes@vermont.gov with 'Act 57 Study Committee' in the subject line.
As mentioned above, the study committee's report is due on December 15th.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us, we'd be happy to discuss these issues with you. Email us at: info@lakestcatherine.org.
Thank you for your support of the LSCA!
As you may have heard, back on Saturday. September 30th, someone completely destroyed the Welcome to Lake St. Catherine sign, and a memorial slate plaque for Martin Greenberg at the bottom of North Street.
A plaque was placed there in memory of Martin when he passed away in December of 2018. Unfortunately, Martin's plaque was also completely destroyed.
LSCA Trustee John Belnavis reached out to Sheldon Slate, who produced the plaque for us back in 2018, and they were able to recreate it for us:
We'd like to thank Sheldon Slate, and especially Pete & Karen, for reproducing Martin's plaque, and for very kindly donating to the LSCA.
THANK YOU!
You can read more about Martin, and his contributions to Lake St. Catherine and the LSCA here: "Longtime LSCA Trustee Martin Greenberg Passes Away".
The LSCA is currently working on designs for a new sign. We'll share those with you when we are a bit further along in the process.
You can read more about the hit and run destruction of the sign here. Based on reported observations, it happened between 7:30 AM and 8 AM on the morning of September 30th. Based on parts left behind, the car was a blue 2000-2005 Toyota RAV4, which would have parts missing from its front bumper. If you have any additional information you can provide, please let us know.
Our Game Warden Justin Turner sent us this final summer update about Game Warden patrols at the lake to pass along to the lake community. He has been providing updates throughout the season, and this is his sixth and final update for the season.
We thank Justin for his work, and providing these updates to the lake community!
Justin's Report:
"Game Wardens conducted approximately 100 vessel inspections on the lake this summer, the majority of which resulted in a pass and a sticker. To date, there were not any boating incidents that required an immediate response. One arrest was made for boating while intoxicated. The majority of violations were addressed with a warning and education, and significantly less were addressed with civil tickets.
The State Park was busy with campers and call volume for complaints was nearly nonexistent.
The brown trout fishing seemed to pick up as summer came to an end, with the occasional lake trout hitting the net. If you’re going to be out targeting brown trout during the “frost bite” season or any other target species for that matter, please remember your safety equipment. Life jackets save lives.
The LSC patrol boat will remain ready and operable for the coming weeks. As the local Warden, it was nice to meet many people on the water and I look forward to seeing you all next summer, if not sooner. As always, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Lastly, as deer season is upon us, if you witness a wildlife crime or see poaching activity, please do not hesitate to contact Warden Turner directly at 802-595-8754 or through Vermont State Police dispatch at 802-722-4629. In the event you wish to remain anonymous, you can call the toll-free hotline: 1-800-75-ALERT (1-800-752-5378). The toll-free hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to report wildlife violations or visit this link if you wish to remain anonymous via online submission:
https://vtfishandwildlife.com/hunt/hunting-regulations/operation-game-thief
Thank you and be safe."
Thank you to Justin for working to keep us all safe on the lake, and for providing these updates throughout the season!
You can read more about boating rules, and how to contact Justin on our Lake Safety page here: https://lakestcatherine.org/lake-safety
The episode of the public affairs show hosted by Senator Brian Collamore called Catamount Community Connection featuring an interview with the Lake St. Catherine Association (LSCA) and Poultney Poultney Mettowee Natural Resource Conservation District (PMNRCD) aired this morning, October 1st, on 98.1 WJJR Rutland.
Jerremy Jones from the LSCA and Hilary Solomon from the PMNRCD had a great discussion with Senator Collamore about the projects and programs our organizations are working on, and how we are working together on numerous preservation and protection initiatives for the lake and the Lake St. Catherine watershed.
Thank you to Senator Collamore and to Catamount Radio for this opportunity to speak about these important topics for the lake community and all in the Poultney Mettowee conservation district.
You can listen to it here on YouTube:
Check it out!
Hello LSC, we have some unfortunate news to share.
On Saturday morning, September 30th, someone completely destroyed the Welcome to Lake St. Catherine sign, and a memorial slate plaque for Martin Greenberg at the bottom of North Street.
Based on car parts left behind at the scene and some observations from folks around the lake, it appears that the vehicle was a blue 2000-2005 Toyota RAV4, and the sign was hit between 7:30 and 8 AM.
If you have any info that you can provide, please let us know, and we'll send that along to VSP for their investigation. Also, keep an eye out for a blue RAV4 with front bumper damage.
We have already started planning for a new sign, and we'll have more info soon.
Thanks again to the Kings for all the hard work they provide to maintain and make this area look beautiful for all of us.
The Lake St. Catherine Association and the Poultney Mettowee Natural Resources Conservation District (PMNRCD) were recently interviewed by Senator Brian Collamore for his public affairs show Catamount Community Connection.
Our episode will air next Sunday, October 1st on WJJR, 98.1 FM at 6 AM, and on Cat Country, 105.3 FM at 11 PM. You can listen to both of these stations online by clicking the attached links.
We'll do our best to record our episode in case you miss it and make it available for listening at another time.
We hope you can tune in!
The Lake St. Catherine Association recently made a donation to the Vermont Center for EcoStudies (VCE) to support and acknowledge the fine work of VCE and loon biologist Eric Hanson for loons in Vermont - and at Lake St. Catherine.
Eric has travelled to Lake St. Catherine numerous times over the past few years in support of our increasing loon visits.
This May, he came to LSC to observe a pair of loons that had exhibited nesting activity in the Channel. Although they ultimately did not build a nest, we'll work with Eric to place a nesting platform for them when they return in April. You can read about his May visit here: https://lakestcatherine.org/blog/13207383.
In August, VCE also provided a collection tube that we installed at the boat launch in Wells to collect lead tackle and old fishing line, both deadly to loons. You can read more about that here: https://lakestcatherine.org/blog/13235860
Eric was also at LSC twice in July of 2022 to participate in the Libraries Love Lakes event, and to present at our Annual Meeting & Dinner. At that Annual Meeting, Eric gave a fantastic presentation about loons, which was recorded - and you can view that here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUrY1PqirzU.
In 2021, Eric also rescued a sub-adult loon on Lake St. Catherine that had been caught up with a lure and fishing line. You can read about that here: https://lakestcatherine.org/blog/12107471.
Yesterday, we were very happy to read this nice note from Alyssa at VCE thanking the LSCA and our members for the donation, and inviting members to a special conversation with Eric about loons - and we'd like to share it with you:
"First off, I want to thank you for giving to the Vermont Loon Conservation Project (VLCP) during our recent Loon Appeal. Thanks to you and your fellow supporters, Vermont's loons are better supported than ever before. Your gift will support our efforts to reduce the amount of lead tackle being used on Vermont's lakes, provide nesting rafts for the loons that need them, and more. As a new VLCP donor, the Lake St. Catherine Association is invited to a special conversation with VCE's loon Biologist, Eric Hanson, to hear about the state of Vermont's loons, including stories from the field and time for a Q & A. This is an exclusive opportunity to connect with Eric, who criss-crosses Vermont all summer visiting our lakes and ponds, rescuing loons, and conducting our ongoing loon monitoring. Eric has been the loon biologist for the VLCP since 1998 and hearing him share his knowledge and insights from the past couple decades is always a treat! This conversation will take place on Zoom at 7pm on 9/25/2023. That's just a week away! Please pre-register for the Zoom meeting here to receive the link to the conversation. Please feel free to pass this link along to your members."
"First off, I want to thank you for giving to the Vermont Loon Conservation Project (VLCP) during our recent Loon Appeal. Thanks to you and your fellow supporters, Vermont's loons are better supported than ever before. Your gift will support our efforts to reduce the amount of lead tackle being used on Vermont's lakes, provide nesting rafts for the loons that need them, and more.
As a new VLCP donor, the Lake St. Catherine Association is invited to a special conversation with VCE's loon Biologist, Eric Hanson, to hear about the state of Vermont's loons, including stories from the field and time for a Q & A. This is an exclusive opportunity to connect with Eric, who criss-crosses Vermont all summer visiting our lakes and ponds, rescuing loons, and conducting our ongoing loon monitoring. Eric has been the loon biologist for the VLCP since 1998 and hearing him share his knowledge and insights from the past couple decades is always a treat!
This conversation will take place on Zoom at 7pm on 9/25/2023. That's just a week away! Please pre-register for the Zoom meeting here to receive the link to the conversation. Please feel free to pass this link along to your members."
This is a great opportunity to learn more about Vermont's loons, and Eric always gives a fantastic presentation!
We hope to see you there!
Hey there LSC. Wow - what a fantastic meeting this morning! It was great to see so many folks who care about the lake joining in on the discussion about the Lake St. Catherine Stormwater Master Plan (SWMP) this morning at the Wells Town Hall. There were 40 attendees in total!
12 projects from the SWMP were selected and will move ahead into the design phase. You can see a plotting of the projects on a Google map on the LSC Stormwater Master Plan Page here: https://lakestcatherine.org/stormwater-master-plan Projects selected were: • CT-1 (Clayton Tract) • RT30-1 (RT 30, near Otto's) • CP-1 (end of Cones Point Road) • LL-1 (Lochlea Lane) • WL-1 (West Lake Road, south of the Lighthouse) • WL-6 (West Lake Road, near Idylwild) • CD-1 (Channel Drive) • FCR-1 (revisit), FCR-2, FCR-3, FCR-4, IVL-1 (grouping of issues on Ferncliff Road) Although noted as separate projects, the grouping on Ferncliff will be looked at together in scope, as will the multiple issues that have been observed on Channel Drive. This was an extremely productive meeting, and we thank all attendees for your participation, input and enthusiasm to make this project a success! Also, many folks that were unable to attend wrote in to share issues they have observed, which have also been noted. We'd also like to thank the town of Wells for the use of the Town Hall meeting room, and Hilary, Sadie, Sophia, and Evan (from Poultney Mettowee Natural Resources Conservation District and Fitzgerald Environmental) for all the work they put forth in preparation for the meeting. Finally, we'd like to thank Don Preuss & Paul Woodruff from the Wells Select Board, members of the town road crews from Wells & Poultney, Senator Terry Williams, Poultney Community Development Director Sarah Pelkey, Poultney Town Manager Paul Donaldson, and Vermont DEC Watershed Planner Angie Allen for attending and contributing. It's going to take all of us contributing and working on these and other important lake issues to make progress - so it was just so great to see so many folks participating - THANK YOU! We'll keep you up-to-date on this and all other projects as they move forward. We'll look to have another gathering soon to discuss the Lake St. Catherine Watershed Action Plan. Enjoy this beautiful Labor Day Weekend...
On Saturday, August 26th, the Lake St. Catherine Association held their fourth meeting of the 2023 season.
Attendance: Jim Canders, Jerremy Jones, Mary Jo Teetor, Kemi McShane, Frank Callahan, Ed Laird, Lisa Micich, Rob Nesbit, Jeff Crandall, Mark Shea, Mike Gay, Sue Williams. Absent: Nancy Liberatore, John Belnavis, Bob Williams
Guests: None
Call to Order: President Jim Canders called the meeting to order at 8:08.
Public Comment: None.
Approval of Meeting Minutes: Minutes of July 22, 2023 posted. Motion to accept the minutes as presented, made by Frank, seconded by Mike. All in favor, so moved.
Milfoil Management: Jeff Crandall, Jeff reported on the DASH team's extensive work in North Bay, the Channel, and their extended contract to 9/8. Also discussed: applying for a new permit, the Lake Bomoseen permit denial, the invasive early spring curly-leaf pondweed in the northern end of LL and the Channel, the impact of the harvester.
Purchasing Policy: Ed Laird, Ed presented the final draft of the Purchasing Policy for the LSCA. After a brief discussion, a motion to accept the policy was made by Frank, seconded by Mike. All in favor, so moved.
Treasurer’s Report: Mary Jo Teetor, Mary Jo discussed our financials - in really good shape. She discussed: expenditures, filing our 990, the land donation and sale, grants, insurance. Motion to accept the treasurer's report made by Frank, seconded by Jim. All in favor, so moved.
Boat Launch Greeter Program: John Belnavis, Jim reported for John. Boat launches are down, probably due to weather. Also discussed: maintaining staff and funding.
Publicity: Jerremy Jones, Jerremy discussed information from recent FOVLAP meetings: $550k budget item for AIS prevention & control, filling of Lakes and Ponds positions at DEC, wakesport rules. Also discussed potential renters guide for LSC, and fall newsletters are available.
Lake Safety: Mike Gay, Mike discussed buoys and markers, getting quotes for buoy replacements, needing additional ‘buoy buddies’, and buoy and marker placement.
Nominating Committee: Slate of candidates was approved at the annual meeting, update the terms for newly elected trustees.
Membership: Jerremy Jones, Jerremy reported that we are at 385 members, 15 away from the goal of 400. ~$75k collected in dues & donations. Reminder postcards were sent.
Government Relations: Excellent turnout of elected officials at annual meeting, some will be attend SWMP meeting in September.
Grants: Discussion of Libraries Love Lakes II with Wells Village Library, future potential funding from the CWSP, and Greeter / AIS funding.
Old Business: Discussion of a very successful East Poultney Day, Jerremy & Frank spoke at the event tent, and Sue helped to staff the booth. Lake Wise 2022 winners were visited and photos were taken & plaques delivered.
New Business: Discussion of SWMP meeting at the Wells Town Hall on Sept 9 with Fitzgerald Environmental and PMNRCD & the public to select the next set of 10-12 projects to design. Discussed how LSCA was portrayed at the LSCCF’s annual meeting. 2024 meeting dates were set. Jerremy asked that we make a donation to VT Center for Ecostudies to recognize the work that loon biologist Eric Hanson has done at LSC, and that he will be back in April to help us install a loon nesting platform. A motion was made by Rob for $200, seconded by Frank. All in favor, so moved. FOVLAP dues were paid. Noted that August 31st 2023 is the LSCA’s 70th anniversary. Senator Collamore invited Hilary from PMNRCD and Jerremy from the LSCA to be guests on his radio show on Sept 1 to be recorded and broadcast in October. Discussion on if we have outgrown the golf course for our annual meeting?
Election of Officers: Nominations: Jim: President, Mike: Vice President, Treasurer: Mary Jo. All in favor, so moved.
Motion made to adjourn the meeting at 10:30, seconded and all in favor, so moved.
Next meeting: May 25, 2024 at 8:00 AM LSC CC.
Meeting minutes compiled by Kemi McShane & Jerremy Jones
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