Belgrade Lakes group leader to report on lake-water quality

By MECHELE COOPER, Staff Writer

BELGRADE — As far as water quality goes, there is good news and bad news.

Belgrade Lakes Association President Jane Eberle thought it was important that town officials get an update on the effects volunteer organizations working to improve lake quality are having on the community.

So at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Eberle plans to give a presentation to the Board of Selectpersons in the Town Office.

"I'm going to talk about which lakes in the area are having algae problems, which lakes are on the DEP's (Department of Environmental Protection) 'At Risk List,' and the fact that the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance recently acquired a grant and hired a person to establish a priority list for places in the watershed that needs attention," Eberle said Monday. "I'll also let them know we now have three crews working for the Belgrade Lakes Conservation Corps."

Towns that support the Conservation Corps financially include Oakland, Belgrade and Rome. Not only do these towns benefit from their investment in the Conservation Corps, she said, but also the combined efforts of several lake associations, the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance, and the Kennebec County Water and Conservation Services, which provides free consultation to homeowners.

The Conservation Corps crews work on projects throughout the entire Belgrade Lakes watershed, including North Pond, East Pond, Salmon Lake, McGrath Pond, Great Pond, Long Pond and Messalonskee Lake.

Other volunteers who have an effect on the area are lake testers and loon counters, she said.

"The fact that East Pond is doing their own study and a remedial program to find out what to do about their algae problem is wonderful," she said. "Of course, that's our watershed, so what they do obviously affects us. Everything else that happens affects us, like property being placed in land trusts. That's reducing nonpoint pollution, because there's no development there."

In other business Tuesday, the board expects to hear a presentation on the town's Emergency Preparedness Group.

Selectwoman Jean Saucier, who is a member of the group, said it is looking for support from town officials, who have been invited to meetings, but for whatever reason, are not attending.

"It's very disappointing," Saucier said Monday. "We need their input and their knowledge. There are times we feel we have to reinvent the wheel when they already have the information. It's a matter of working together. We're getting lots of support on the county level. It's unfortunate that it's not supported locally as well."

Saucier said she recently received a letter from Maj. Gen. Earl L. Adams, of the Department of Defense Veterans and Emergency Management, encouraging the group's efforts.

"He said they would be willing to provide any assistance," she said. "He was especially pleased with our desire to have a designated, approved shelter with a trained staff."