Lake Garfield Working Group September Report

The Lake Garfield Working Group (LGWG) held its monthly meeting on Monday, September 16, at 7 p.m., at the town hall. First on the agenda was a review of contract proposals from two firms to conduct DASH, diver assisted suction harvesting, of Eurasian milfoil in Lake Garfield this fall before the water temperature drops too low for diving. After considering the details presented under both proposals, the committee decided on the basis of cost efficiency and experience to forward a recommendation to the select board that New England Aquatics be contracted for the next phase of this work.

A review of the Western Massachusetts Lakes and Ponds Association (LAPA West) fall symposium to be held Saturday, October 5, was the topic of the remainder of our meeting. Admission is free. Included in this symposium will be a presentation of the research on cyanobacteria conducted this summer in Lake Buel and Lake Garfield. In addition to presentations and discussion concerning the causes, effects, and response to toxic cyanobacteria blooms, other topics of discussion will include: 1) the effectiveness and risks of drawdowns; 2) state funding for lakes and ponds; 3) coordination among regulatory agencies, and; 4) maintaining and improving healthy fisheries. The symposium is free and open to the public. The symposium is on Saturday, October 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Zion Lutheran Church, 74 First Street, Pittsfield, MA. Invited exhibitors include state agencies with responsibilities for lake management and contractors who work on our lakes. There will be opportunities to network with experts in lake ecology and management. Attendees are invited to bring plants they want identified and any other questions they wish to raise with the experts during presentation breaks. For more detailed information on the symposium, email Michael Germain at skigermain@gmail.com.

The next meeting of the Lake Garfield Working Group will be held at the town hall on Tuesday, October 15, at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in the health of our lakes is encouraged to attend. — Steve Snyder