Conservation Commission

MINUTES OF THE MEETING April 1, 2015 LACONIA CONSERVATION COMMISSION CITY Hall Room 200B Final approval at the June 3, 2015 meeting I. Call To Order : D. Anson, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM PRESENT- Dean Anson, Chair, Deborah Williams, Lisa Morin, Mike Foote, Hillary May, and Marnie Schulz OTHERS PRESENT- Jon Jude, Laconia Stream Subcommittee member, Seth Nuttelman, Superintendent Laconia Water Works, and Patricia Tarpey, Director the Lake Winnipesaukee Watershed Association Review of the minutes of March 4, 2015 L. Morin made a motion to accept the minutes of the Wednesday March 4, 2015 meeting as amended. The motion was seconded by D. Williams. The motion passed 6-0-0. II. New Business: 1. Seth Nuttelman, Superintendent, Laconia Water Works will discuss ongoing water quality projects. D. Anson introduced S. Nuttelman and thanked him for coming tonight. He explained how the Con Com and Laconia Water Works pursue many like goals but have one important differing goal. Laconia Water Works is a Public Utility. They have an obligation to the taxpayer to maintain a fair rate structure by increasing water demand. The Conservation Commission differs in that it wants to discourage individuals and corporations from using too much water. S. Nuttelman explained the City of Laconia has seen a 20% to 21% decrease in water demand from 2001-2013. Decreases in water demand occur today because of the required installation of water saver appliances. Many old motels in Laconia have recently been recently converted to condominiums. As a part of any conversion the newer units must meet modern plumbing codes that require the new water saver appliances to be installed. The City of Laconia population growth has been flat decreasing demand for new water connections. Therefore decreases in water demand have a direct impact on water rates. Infrastructure repairs are still necessary regardless of decreases in water bill revenue. The latest attempt to address city wide flow analysis is underway. The goal of the analysis is to determine areas where water pressure and leakage issues can be located and eventually corrected. Laconia Water Works plays a role in the site plan process as well. Hydrants water pipes and sprinkler systems make up a big part of any new construction project. Sufficient water pressure is required to meet fire suppression demands. Paugus Bay, Laconia’s exclusive drinking water source is approximately 45- acres in size. Current water storage facilities for the City can handle only two and a half days of supply. If Paugus Bay water was contaminated the City would need to seek out alternative water sources. Seeking out alternative sources assuming they exist would be at a great expense to the Community. Keeping the water supply clean is Laconia’s is and should be a number one priority. Amy Smagula, NHDES Clean Lakes and Exotic Species Coordinator, researched Laconia’s milfoil plan for Paugus Bay. D. Anson’s requested a flow study be completed to determine if any herbicide application could flow toward the city drinking water intakes as part of that plan. It was determined the cost to complete such a study would be $200,000.00 which is cost prohibitive. In place of such a study Ms. Smagula suggested an alternative approach. NHDES Funds were located to conduct a limited application of 2-4-D with a copper sulfite compound added to reduce migration. The application target areas would be Pickerel and Moulton Cove only. D. Anson asked if Sarah Pillsbury and Paul Susana representing State Water interests were involved in approving this experimental treatment proposal. S. Nuttelman said they were. D. Anson suggested a bubbler be used outside the mouth of Pickerel and Moulton Cove to further prevent chemical migration into the Bay. The use of a coffer dam was also suggested. Studies show kidney, liver, and intestinal disorders can occur when Diquot / 2-4-D is applied at rates of 70 PPB or more. The proposed application for the two Coves will be far below that level. M. Schulz added Copper Sulfite is very commonly used to reduce mold in gardens and weight down the chemical compounds to keep them in place. All members were in agreement the ultimate goal is not to use any chemicals in Paugus Bay. Any future milfoil outbreaks would be addressed by hand pulling by licensed divers. D. Anson asked if routine water works testing includes herbicide and pesticide tests. S. Nuttelman said it did not. In this particular case the City is requiring the water in Paugus Bay to be tested during the 2-4-D and copper sulfite applications in Moulton and Pickerel Cove. Testing will provide sufficient warning to temporarily shut down the City drinking water intakes. Currently private entities are financing many milfoil removal efforts in Laconia. The Lake Opechee Association initially received City funding to remove milfoil but now is also privately funding milfoil removal efforts. The suggestion that was made after much debate over who should be financially responsible for funding milfoil efforts was since the water is under State jurisdiction the State should provide a funding source for milfoil removal. The State took Laconia’s suggestion and added an additional boat registration fee enabling NHDES to create grant funding opportunities for milfoil removal efforts.  Conservation Commissions from around the Lake will meet in Moultonborough to help create a Lake wide Milfoil control plan. The Lake Winnipesaukee Watershed Association will assist in creating specific milfoil plans for the Communities that need such assistance. They will also make themselves available to act as the non-profit entity to access DES grant funds. All Towns will need a milfoil management plan in order to be eligible for DES grant funds. Laconia already has two milfoil plans in place one for Lake Opechee and the other for Lakeport. The Paugus Bay plan would be the third Laconia plan and integrate some of the existing Lakeport material. The Laconia Conservation Commission will be required to form A Paugus Bay Milfoil subcommittee allowing for local oversight and coordination of any city wide milfoil plan implementation. The flow map provided tonight was generated from USGS data and created for the Lake Winnipesaukee Watershed Association. The map should be looked at as a general guideline only. D. Anson summarized his goals for the five year milfoil plan. J. Jude added the following comments:  Milfoil is used for compost but it cannot be applied within 50-feet of any water body  Milfoil flowers in June  Milfoil proliferates in shallow water due to sunlight penetration J. Jude added an early June herbicide application date is recommended to avoid heavy July boat traffic on Paugus Bay. 2. Lisa Morin, Soak up the Rain updates The Long Bay Association will be working to create rain garden projects to improve on site storm water issues. The Con Com hopes to create publicity opportunities when Watermark Marine and Taco Bell install their rain gardens. The Con Com required these rain gardens as part of their site plan process. D. Williams and her students have been extremely helpful in educating the public while working cooperatively with the Conservation Commission. Her classes work closely with the State Weed watcher program while also constructing rain garden projects in various areas around the Lake to help reduce milfoil and improve water quality. L. Morin made a motion to award D. William’s class with $500.00 to pursue additional projects this year. The motion was seconded by H. May. The motion passed 6-0. 3. Laconia Transfer Station Earth Day celebration on Saturday April 18, 2015  S. McPhie and L. Morin will be active participants in the yearly Girl Scout Earth Day event. III. Old Business: 1. Brook Subcommittee updates L. Morin updated us on the Meadow Brook project at Union cemetery. R. Shuey, stream expert, suggested work should be done to Meadow Brook instead of Durkee. L. Morin will create a press release to update and promote the various Conservation Brook projects that are now underway. D. Anson expressed concerns about the erosion potential for the hillside behind Lowes. S. McPhie suggested that he express that concern to the Gilford Conservation Commission. 2. Milfoil Control Subcommittee Discussion The topic was covered during the S. Nuttelman portion of the agenda. IV. Liaison & Sub-Committee Reports: 1. Permit Sub-Committee review and updates 2. Requests have finally slowed a bit as we prepare for mud season. V. Other Business: 1. Subdivision/ Site Plan update S. McPhie announced that the Paintball Park site plan received DES approval. M. Foote was satisfied his drainage concerns were addressed. The Con Com complimented him on his efforts to advocate for these improvements. 2. Commissioners Comments M. Foote encouraged everyone to attend the next talk given by Hugh Hugs, a famous Lake Winnipesaukee diver, who tells the history of the Lake through archeological artifacts uncovered in the Lake. 3. Staff Comments P. Tarpey explained she was here tonight to seek funding to complete the first flush phosphorus study for Paugus Bay. The project is repeated every five years by New Hampshire DES to determine current phosphorus levels. The cost of the study for 14 samples at (2 sites) =$168. M. Schulz made the motion to approve the expenditure of $168.00 for the phosphorus tests. The motion was seconded by L. Morin and passed 6-0. VI. Adjournment: L. Morin made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 PM. The motion was seconded by M. Foote passing 6-0.