ROGERS LAKE AUTHORITY
~MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JUNE 12, 2013
A meeting of the Rogers Lake Authority (RLA) was convened at the Rogers Lake Clubhouse at 7:30 pm on June 12, 2013.~ The following members were present: Robert Recor, Richard Smith, Tom Mondelci, Mike Secord and Dennis Overfield. Liz Sunshine, Secretary and approximately twenty five attendees including the First Selectmen from both Lyme and Old Lyme were also present.
The meeting was called to order at approx 7:32 pm. The minutes from the May 8 meeting were approved by unanimous vote.
Dick Smith opened the meeting by stating that he was going to forgo the normal agenda to allow guest speaker Charles Lee to give a presentation.
Weed Control:
Dick introduced our guest speaker from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Charles Lee, Environmental Analyst III for the Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse Lake Management Program. Mr. Lee stated that he had been involved with the DEP funded Diagnostic feasibility study done on Rogers Lake approximately 10 years ago. At that time there was a concern with an invasive plant known as Southern Naiad. His understanding is that the lake has since seen an infestation of Variable Water Milfoil and in 2010 the introduction of Fanwort. He noted that the lake is healthy from the perspective of a biologist, however, he understands that from the perspective of recreational use it is being impaired. Mr. Lee spoke of different herbicides that have been used on other lakes in CT.
He discussed the two main categories of herbicides; systemic and contact. A systemic herbicide is brought into the plant through its root system and kills the plant from the root. This type tends to need a higher concentration to be effective. A contact herbicide damages the cells of the plant that it comes into contact with and the plant dies. He discussed a few different herbicides that he has worked with; Sonar or Fluridone for the Fanwort which tends to be more expensive and Diquat which is a contact herbicide and a new product known as Clipper - formazione a contact herbicide. He has been working recently in a nearby lake with Clipper. Although it can be used in concentrations of 400ppb (parts per billion) he has seen it effective in concentrations of 200ppb and lower. He did note that in the higher concentrations they did see collateral native weed damage.
Mr. Lee discussed the process a product needs to go through prior to use, namely licensing and registration for use. He mentioned that a contractor has to be licensed for application of the specific product and each application would need to be permitted by the DEEP.
Mr. Lee opened the floor for questions:
A question was asked Mr. Lee to speak to the term of effectiveness of an application of herbicide. Mr. Lee pointed out that it is not a one shot deal it is much more of a long term maintenance program or an ongoing process.
Mr. Lee spoke of other sources of weed control such as home owners using benthic barriers on their waterfronts and swimming areas. He mentioned Harvesting and Hydro-raking as methods of control but had concerns with the fragmentation that occurs with these two methods, which often exacerbates the problem. He discussed Grass Carp, but stated that they can have a significant effect on the lake environment and must be secured in the lake. He alsomentioned Dredging, which is costly. A request was made to acquire a quote on the cost of suction dredging.
A question was posed as to the cost of using herbicides. Mr. Lee read from a quote for treatment of ten acres treated with Clipper to be almost ten thousand dollars, therefore about $1,000.00 per acre. He noted that the report stated there were 100 acres of Rogers lake less that 6 feet deep however, much less would be in need of treatment.
A resident raised concerns of toxicity of the chemicals to animals, swimmers and well water infiltration. Mr. Lee stated that the label says that there is no toxic effect on fish or animal life and that he does not know of any well water contamination events. He also stated that typically water will flow toward the reservoir rather than away from it. When asked if there were any specific studies done on well water after treatment of a lake, Mr. Lee was unaware of any such studies done but promised to research it and get the information back to Dick to distribute to the group. A question was asked if there had been any health related complaints following treatment that he was aware of. Mr. Lee responded that he had not had any such complaints but that he had received complaints of rash and skin irritation
following swimming after an algae bloom.
Mr. Lee was asked to comment on the statement that "Unless something is done about the weeds the lake will die" He responded that the lake will not die, it will just change. It will become more fertile and fill in over time to become wetlands.
There was some discussion on the new legislation for lawn chemicals without phosphorus. Mr. Lee said that is a good step but that he still has concerns on the levels of Nitrogen with regards to their use and ensuring that they do not end up on hard surfaces and get washed directly into the lake.
A question was asked that given we have an issue with Naiad, Milfoil and Fanwort, is there a herbicide that would be effective on all our issues? Mr. Lee responded that Sonar or Floridine is probably the most effective for all three problems, however it is very expensive and will often take some native plants as collateral damage. He noted that when some people remove Lilly pads they are making an opening for the more invasive plants to take over.
A question was asked about the enforcement of the new fertilizer laws and if the towns could enact a restriction on the use of lawn chemicals. Mr. Lee was unsure of an enforcement agency. Both First selectmen commented, my understanding of their comments was that creating restrictions beyond that of the state legislation would be tenuous and next to impossible to enforce, but that recommendations and reminders by post card or TV could be made during the growing season asking people not to use these products.
A suggestion was made that the storm drains and runoff areas be maintained and cleaned out periodically to avoid road dirt filling in the lake. Mr. Lee stated that we should address our individual towns and have them put it in the 10yr plan to have storm drains cleared periodically.
With no more questions, Mr. Lee again promised find out about any testing on wells and bring the information back to Dick. He was thanked for his time and presenting the information.
The First Selectwoman, Bonnie Reemsnyder, announced that the construction on the dam is due to start in the next week or so and should be complete in late August.
Benthic Mats:
Several mats have been deployed in the area of Haynes Park
Old Business:
Mike Secord, has spent some time on the lake with DEEP agent Mike Payton. Mr. Payton has outlined some areas of concern. Mike will present these concerns and recommendations at the next RLA meeting
New Business:
A motion to adjourn was made by Dennis and Seconded by Mike Secord. The vote to adjourn passed by unanimous decision. Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted
 ~Elizabeth Sunshine
Secretary for RLA
The next meeting of the Rogers Lake Association will be on July 10, 2013 at 7:30pm at the Rogers Lake West Shores Clubhouse:
Agenda for 6/12/13 Meeting:
Mike Siecord - Concerns and Recommendations by Mike Payton DEEP
Budget
Police Patrol
Weeds
Benthic Mats
Boat Launch
Dam - Drawdown
Website
Memorial Bench
New Business
Old Business
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