Conservation Commission

City of Laconia Conservation Commission Wednesday, February 7, 2024 - 6:00 PM City Hall in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber Minutes Approved 2/21/2024 2/7/2024 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair D. Anson called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2. ROLL CALL The following members were present: Bob Harrington, Lisa Morin, Deb Williams, Gail Ober, Mike Foote, and Dean Anson. 3. SALUTE TO THE FLAG 4. RECORDING SECRETARY Robert Mora 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Robert Mora, Planning Director 6. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS D. Anson asked if everyone had reviewed the minutes. L. Morin motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by B. Harrington. All voted in favor of the minutes. 7. NEW BUSINESS 7.I. Cyanobacteria Plan By NHDES D. Williams discusses a presentation that was done by NH DES. There are four steps they discussed during the presentation. The first was stormwater runoff, second education, monitoring and communication of blooms, establish policies and procedures for drinking water supplies. They discussed bloom toxicity and that it is in the water for at least 25 days and affects air quality up to 10 feet above the bloom. NH DES has established a Cyanobacteria fund with over $1M dollars and it is on a first come first serve basis. The Committee discussed where they had seen blooms on the lakes and potential causes and that blooms can occur during the winter. Stated the importance of keeping your animals out of the blooms. 7.II. Lafayette Street Property D. Anson stated that he has spoken to Kirk about a property on Lafayette Street and the City owns it but that is in question. The board then discusses whether there is an option to buy the property and how much that would cost. The committee continued on and discussed similar properties on the road. 7.III. Lake Opechee Milfoil Ken Clark, Opechee Preservation: Discussed clean-up efforts that have been completed last year on Lake Opechee and the discovery of Water Violet, along with the costs associated with the clean-up. They talked about the number of dives that would be needed this year for the clean-up and they talked  7.III. Lake Opechee Milfoil Ken Clark, Opechee Preservation: Discussed clean-up efforts that have been completed last year on Lake Opechee and the discovery of Water Violet, along with the costs associated with the clean-up. They talked about the number of dives that would be needed this year for the clean-up and they talked to Amy Smagula at NH DES. They have gone out to bid for 15 days of dives around the Elm Street area the northeast corner of the lake where 95% of the problems have arisen. Amy Smagula then reached out to Ken and suggested that they be the trial for herbicide clean-up of water violet. It is expected that the total cost would be approx. $24K and that the state would pay half of that. The share remaining would be about $6K that would be required of each party, and they would like that amount from the City. Mr. Clark then discussed that they were moving forward and are potentially filing to become a 501 (c)(3). That this change would allow to participate more become more of a partner. The board discussed what Water Violet is and that it's an invasive species and that it has been recently discovered in Lake Opechee. The board discussed whether this kind of treatment being proposed would require clean up every year or whether this one treatment would eliminate it. Continuing on the board discusses budgeting for cleaning up the lakes and how much money it will cost, the Commission needs to develop a plan for lake clean-up and will review at the next meeting. Also discussed having a virtual meeting with Amy Smagula and coordinating a meeting time. 7.IV. Milfoil Treatment In Paugus Bay 7.V. Tributary And Deep Lake Water Quality Sampling And Lake Host For The Boat Ramp The Board discussed with Ken Clark finding people to work the Messer Street Boat Ramp for Lake Host. They also discussed the last time water sampling was completed on Lake Opechee and how many deep-water spots were tested. D. Anson also discussed, all of the areas that will be tested and that currently we do not know the cost of the testing. There is also training that is associated with the testing that can be completed. 8. OTHER BUSINESS D. Anson discusses a letter that they would like to send to the City Council. They do not feel that the City Council understands what the Conservation Commission does. The commission discussed issues and lack of input on projects, lack of staffing and support was also discussed. The commission also discussed concerns with the budget and would like to look into a possible aquifer protection district. 8.I. LIAISON AND SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:52 PM. Minutes respectfully submitted by: Robert Mora