Saturday's COLAP Conference

Saturday, representatives from Manchaug Pond's association and foundation once again attended the 24th Annual Lake and Pond Management Conference  held at Worcester State College joining other enthusiastic lake volunteers to learn and share with a network of biologists, lawyers, environmentalists, legislators, and lake residents and advocates.

The day began with the business meeting with election of officers of the umbrella organization for central Massachusetts lake associations:  the Massachusetts Congress of Lake and Pond Associations, Inc (COLAP)  Conference topics and issues this year included nutrient loading and the deadly cyanobacteria, aquatic weed identification, and dam structure to restoration techniques to grants.  Every year, volunteers across the state from the lake associations come together to network, learn and advocate.   In turn these volunteers bring the info back home to their local organizations.

As the sun begins to set today at Manchaug Pond.  Photo taken from scenic Manchaug Road, Sutton

Here's a look at the agenda and the workshops MPA representatives attended:

B. LAKE LAW--Forming Nonprofit Lake Associations (Chapter 501(c)(3) Incorporation), Forming Watershed Districts, and
              Great Pond Issues (Chapter 90),-- Robert Levite, Attorney,
     UMass Extension Service, Mass Watershed Coalition President

C  Introduction to AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES for VOLUNTEER LAKE/POND GROUPS—
                      Jim Straub, DCR Lakes& Ponds P

D. WATERSHED MANAGEMENT, The Big Picture continued, How Nutrient Loading Changes with Development and Realistic Expectations—Ken Wagner, PhD, Water Resource Services LLC

  LOW IMACT LANDSCAPING for Lake and Pond Watersheds: Shrub Buffers, Biorention, Planter Boxes & more—
                         Bob Hartzel, GeoSyntec, Inc.

E. Using the GEIR and DEP Guidance Documents for Lake and Pond
Management Permitting (2 hours) A mock ConCom Meeting dealing
with common/future Lake Projects for New Folks–
   Tom Flannery, DCR Lakes & Ponds Program 
          and Christine Odiaga, DEP Circuit Rider
                                                               
11:30—11:45    Break        

11:45—12:45 Repeated CONCURRENT SESSIONS A,B,C,D
                                          (Choose one of above) 
                             or Continue in Session E
      
12:45—1:45 LUNCH BREAK, EXHIBITS and NETWORKING


1:45—2:45 CONCURRENT SESSIONS F, G, H, J, K,  (Choose One)

F. LAKE LAW --Water & Land Issues, Rights of the State, Rights of
Lakeshore Owners, ConCom Jurisdiction, Permit Extensions Act,
and more! --Glenn A. Wood, Attorney, Rubin and Rudman, LLP

G. WHAT KEEPS the WATER in YOUR LAKES, PONDS &
The DAM from FALLING DOWN?--Understanding the Structural
Components of dams— Phil Moreschi, P.E CFM, VP, Fuss & O’Neill


H. RUNOFF REMEDIES for YOUR LAKE or POND—
RAIN GARDENS and More! –
Donna Williams, Mass Audubon & Blackstone River WA, and
 Ed Himlan,. Exec. Dir., Massachusetts Watershed Coalition

J. EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL CASE STUDY: Evidence from Center Pond that EWM can be effectively managed by continuing the hand-pulling program (begun in 2003) in 2011.—Mercedes Gallagher, Center Pond Weed Project
             
K. FUNDING for LAKE and POND PROJECTS, including an Overview of the 319 and 604b Programs.—
  Jane Peirce, MassDEP 319 Nonpoint Source Coordinator