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Reflections On The Lake
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"The Lake Host Program is a group of people trying to stop the spread of exotic weeds that are invading the lakes in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. We take a course about administering the program, learn all about these exotic species and educate the public on how to inspect their boats by offering a courtesy boat inspection. We could really use some more volunteers to cover during the week. That is definitely the time we are most vulnerable. It only takes one little piece of a weed and the whole lake could be infested within a few years. If you have seen the pictures of an infested lake, you would volunteer to keep this from happening to us."
Celeste Schmitt, Lake Host Volunteer |
| Weed Watcher (W2) Early Success |
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| Written by Steve Soreff | |
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Remember how in the article Weed Watcher (W2) Inauguration, I hinted that our Weed Watch team had an early success. Let me tell you about it. It began with Liz and Ed Kotowski; they are one of the new Weed Watchers who could not attend the July training. They had informed the team captain about a growth of Common Reed ( Phragmites australis) they had noticed between the Twins Islands guarding Log Cabin Island from the South Channel approach. There were also other sightings by them. So armed with this information, we asked Amy Smagula –Limnologist/Exotic Species Program Coordinator, NH Department Of Environmental Services-our trainer on July 27 to confirm this information. So on Gary’s flagship pontoon all those attending the training sallied forth to investigate the weed. Sure enough Amy said it was the dreaded Common Weed. She also told us to pull it-the sooner the better as it had not gone to seed yet. Additionally, she noted the two other growths. The Weed Watch team rose to the occasion. We were mobilized for action that Saturday morning, July 28. We set forth on Gary’s pontoon vessel. The crew was Gary, Peggy and Steve. Peggy had made blueberry muffins for the team. On route we picked up Jeff. We anchored off the Common Reed “island”. Then we went into the water to begin pulling all the weeds. Meridith and Tricia kayaked over to participate. Still later John Caiati joined the team.
We pulled up the entire weed growth. It took blood, sweat and a tears of joy when we completed the task. It required over an hour of pulling- those weeds had very, very long roots. Meridith even fell backwards in the water when the weed gave way. We bagged four -13 gallon bags, there. In the end we were successful. The weed ‘island’ Next we took out a small growth along the side opposite from the Big Island. There are still two other growths-so we need you help. But for the moment score one for (W2) team. Steve Soreff, Weed Watch Captain |
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PLIA Mission Statement
The Pawtuckaway Lake Improvement Association (PLIA) is a Private, Non-Profit Organization formed to monitor and act upon environmental and safety issues in the Pawtuckaway Lake Watershed area. The PLIA also provides education, information, recreation and other services to its members.
The Association routinely conducts water quality sampling under the New Hampshire Volunteer Lake Assessment program of the State of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. Other activities (sailboat races, fishing derbies, etc.) may be coordinated by the Association, but are funded by program participants.
