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July 2022 Newsletter from the 30 Mile River Watershed Association
Photo: At the start of 30 Mile's annual Paddle Trek, coming up on July 30th!
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By Lidie Robbins, 30 Mile Executive Director
Daniel K. Onion (1942-2022) was a force for good and his impact far-reaching. His passing last week has been felt deeply in our community.
A family doctor who dedicated his career to improving rural health, Dan cared not only about the health and well-being of the members of his community, but also about the health of our waters. Dan loved the 30 Mile River Watershed, especially Parker Pond, where he shared a camp with his family.
I had known of Dan since I was a child living just up the road in Vienna, but I first began working with him when the 30 Mile River Watershed Association was just an idea. In 2007, building on our shared committee work to protect Vienna’s lakes and ponds, Dan led a group of members of neighboring towns, lake associations, and land trusts in joining together to form a coalition that could have greater impact. He organized meetings, filed the required state and federal applications, recruited board members, drafted bylaws, and became the organization’s first president when we kicked off our inaugural board meeting in January 2008. Dan made things happen.
We worked together closely in 30 Mile’s early years, first as fellow board members, then when I became Executive Director. He was my mentor. Always generous with his time, he helped whenever and wherever he could. Dan remained a vital member of 30 Mile’s Board for twelve years and was instrumental not only in the organization’s creation, but its growth and success.
Dan was a true leader, loved and respected by his community, and always giving back, right to the end. He leaves behind a tremendous legacy and will be greatly missed.
Read Dan’s obituary here. A service celebrating Dan’s life will be held on Friday, July 29 at 2 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Community Center, 2 North Road, Mount Vernon, Maine. Those wishing to make donations in Dan’s memory are encouraged to consider the organizations that he helped found: 30 Mile River Watershed Association, Neighbors Driving Neighbors and the Town of Mount Vernon, Aging in Place Committee.
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Save your spot: 2022 Paddle Trek | |
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Our 13th Annual Paddle Trek will be held on Saturday, July 30th.
Join us for all or just a part of this 15-mile paddle from Mt. Vernon Village to Wayne Village, traveling along many of the lakes and streams that form the “30 Mile River.” To choose your route and see different points along the way, check out the interactive map now live on our website.
Register for the Paddle Trek
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Native plants: Why we love them, and why you need them on your shoreline! | |
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It's important to take precautions when purchasing plants for your landscape at home or camp to make sure you aren't introducing invasive species on your shorefront. Any plant species we recommend to the landowners in our watershed will always be native to Maine's unique climate and conditions. Here at 30 Mile, we do a lot of work to keep invasive aquatic species out of our lakes. However, native plants both in the water AND on your shoreline are critical to the health of the lake ecosystem. The use of native plants in your landscape is a must. Click here to find out why. Photo credit: www.wildseedproject.net
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Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) in Action | |
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30 Mile’s Youth Conservation Corps is back in action in 2022!
The crew is busy with a full line-up of projects this summer, but get on the list to receive a site visit this summer or fall and host the YCC crew in 2023. Learn more and sign up here.
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YCC Summer 2022: Before & After Shots | |
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Pathway stabilization using Erosion Control Mulch (ECM) and timber water bars on ~70 feet of footpath leading to the lake
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Renaturalization project that included the conversion of ~1,600 square feet of lawn, along nearly 100 feet of shoreline, into a newly planted buffer zone to better capture and infiltrate runoff before it enters the lake
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Androscoggin Lake Under Attack of Invasive Milfoil | |
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Since mid-May, our staff have been working hard on Androscoggin Lake to manage the invasive variable milfoil infestation discovered in the north end of the lake in the fall of 2020. Unfortunately, early this season we found that the infestation had spread beyond the area currently closed to all boat traffic, and plants had regrown in areas where we had removed them last year.
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Every week, our staff spend 25-40 hours surveying the infested area and marking each mifloil plant. Once a week, a trained SCUBA diver works with us to carefully remove the plants, including all the roots, by hand. We partner closely with the Maine DEP, ensuring that we are taking every measure possible to fight the infestation.
Photos: 30 Mile staff emptying net containing milfoil removed by the diver (above); Trained divers remove milfoil plants by hand (left)
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How can you help?
- Stay out of the infested area to limit the spread.
- Inspect your boats and gear before entering and after leaving the lake.
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Volunteer as a courtesy boat inspector and/or invasive plant patroller.
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Donate to the Save Androscoggin Campaign.
- Learn to recognize variable milfoil and report suspicious plants to (207) 320-5720.
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Enter Today! 3rd Annual Photo Contest | |
Do you take a lot of photos on the lakes, ponds, and streams that make up the 30 Mile River Watershed?
Share your favorites with us by September 15th for a chance to win! The categories are: Fun Times, Watershed Wildlife, Flourishing Flora and Spectacular Scenes. Learn more and enter here.
Photo: Dog Days of Summer by Karen Kurkjian
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Greater Minnehonk Lake Association Annual Meeting
Sunday, July 24th, 10 AM at the Mount Vernon Community Center
Save Androscoggin
Tuesday, July 26, 6:30-7:30 PM at the Wayne Community Church
Invasive milfoil and an algal bloom have created a crisis on Androscoggin Lake. Join Buddy Cummings of the Androscoggin Lake Improvement Corporation and Lidie Robbins of 30 Mile to learn about what's being done and how you can help.
Pocasset Lake Association Annual Meeting
Thursday, August 18th at 5:30 PM at the Androscoggin Yacht Club
Androscoggin Lake Improvement Corporation Annual Meeting
Saturday, August 6th at 10 AM at the Androscoggin Yacht Club
10 AM business meeting, 12 PM potluck, 1230 PM events
Basin-David-Tilton Ponds Association Annual Meeting
Saturday, August 6th at 10 AM, Fayette Central School
Lovejoy Pond Improvement Association Annual Meeting
Saturday, August 6th at 5 PM, location TBD
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Camp and Gravel Road Maintenance Workshop
Save Money - Maximize Resources - Protect Water Quality
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Attention: Camp Road residents, Lake and Road Association members, Driveway owners, Municipal Officials, and Contractors
This workshop is for you!
This workshop will discuss road design and installation, and how maintenance of your gravel road, camp road, and driveway will save you money and protect water quality.
Road Commissioners, Public Works Supervisors, CEOs and others involved in road maintenance are welcome. This workshop also provides 4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for Recertification in Erosion Control Practices.
Download the flyer here for more information
WHEN: Monday, July 25, 2022
9 AM-3 PM (indoor presentations 9-noon; lunch; field site visits 1-3); registration 8:30 AM
7 Lakes Alliance, 137 Main Street, Belgrade Lakes, ME 04918 (parking behind Union Church, School Street, Belgrade Lakes)
Cost of Workshop: $20 Pre-Registration; $30 day of event. $5 discount for 2 or more members of the same road association, lake association, business, or town. Lunch and Snacks provided.
To register online: email info@7lakesalliance.org or call 7 Lakes Alliance at 207-495-6039
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The 4th edition of the Lake Book is here! | |
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For all who use, visit, and live on or near Maine’s lakes and ponds: Lake science, lake wildlife, native plants, best management practices for erosion control, and a great list of actions you can take to improve your lake are included in this 64-page edition.
Click here to purchase your own copy from Maine Lakes, view the “flip book” version, or download and print your own PDF.
30 Mile and LakeSmart teams are offering a FREE Lake Book to anyone who receives a LakeSmart visit this year, while supplies last. To learn how to schedule a LakeSmart visit on your property, visit 30 Mile’s LakeSmart page.
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Support 30 Mile! Your gift today will make a difference in protecting our lakes from phosphorus pollution, invasive species, and other threats. Find the giving level that works for you. | |
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