Author: Lori Coseo

A non-profit dedicated to
restoring the waters of
St. Albans Bay

Spring 2008
Newsletter

Weed Harvesting Summary
2009

The St. Albans Area Watershed Association “SAAWA” completed its first season of weed harvesting using the newly purchased weed harvester. The 1990 Aquamarine EH-420 has a 7 foot cutter head and 420 bushels of capacity and came with a trailer equipped with conveyor which was used to transport and off load the weeds. The cost of the weed harvester and trailer was $27,500.00. The weed harvester was launched on July 28 and has operated beyond our expectations.
Andy Pelletier, who was contracted to operate the weed harvester, began operations on July 28 and ended on
September 4. Andy operated the weed harvester 40 hours a week for seven weeks, maintained the machine and transported the weeds from the weed harvester to the composting sites.
Initially a dump cart and tractor were used for removal of the weeds from the machine. But, after the first week of operation the trailer conveyor which holds three to four loads of weeds replaced the dump cart. This eliminated the need for volunteers operating the tractor.
Weed harvesting became a one man operation. The weed growth this year was generally light. The average number of loads per day was 10. In past years it was common in some areas to harvest 20 loads per day. The weed growth seems to run in cycles with heavy years followed by a
weed collapse. The goal of weed harvesting is not to eliminate weed growth. Our effort is to reduce the heavy weed beds which restrict water circulation leading to poor water quality and algae blooms.
In 2005, 2006 and 2007 SAAWA contracted a weed harvesting service at an annual cost of approximately $32,000 for four weeks of weed removal. The annual expense of operation is now approximately $11,000 for seven weeks of operation. Shore line property owners contributed $6,443 and the Town of Georgia gave $2,500 to fund the operation of the machine. The weed harvesting is truly a community effort. The support of the Towns of St. Albans and Georgia, and the individuals, who have contributed funds and their time, is greatly appreciated.

ST. ALBANS AREA WATERSHED ASSOCATION

Inside this issue:

Andy Pelletier manning the Weed Harvester

Weed Harvester Update	1-2
Message from Eric Wolinsky	2-3
Lighthouse	3
Annual Meeting	4
2009 Walk-a-Thon	5
Membership	6
Fall Chores	6
Board Members	7
Membership Form	7 7

Cont. on pg. 2

St. Albans Area Watershed Association (SAAWA)
P.O. Box 1567 St. Albans VT 05478 · sawatershed@myfairpoint.net www.saintalbanswatershed.org

Weed Harvesting Summary 2009 cont. from page 1

Make contributions to weed harvesting online
www.saintalbanswatershed.org

Message from Eric Wolinsky, President

My boats and dock are out of the water, so I think it is time for some reflection on the state of the Lake this year. I’m going to try keeping the politics and the programs out of it and focus on the water and water quality.
All in all, 2009 was not a bad year for water quality in the Bay.
First, the weather was on the side of a clean Bay. The rain came early and often and resulted in a high water level though most of the summer. We didn’t get a hot spell until late August, so by that time the peak growing season for algae was already gone. Algae require a very particular water temperature and water level. If either factor is outside what the algae needs, growth will be stunted. This year the water was colder and higher than is optimum for the algae growth, a perfect combination for keeping the growth to a minimum.
There have been a number of man-made short term changes that have helped out water quality. This summer, two farms with barns close to delicate impaired waterways were without cows. No one knows long term how the current economic difficulties our farmers face will impact agriculture in our county or how this will the impact water quality. In the short term, though, getting cows out of these barns and out of our watershed will help the water quality. Also impacting water quality is that our farmers continue to implement practices that will reduce runoff. Franklin County contains the state’s number one farm for acreage in the CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program). No one knows what factor was the most important in the relatively good water quality this year. My view is that the key factor is the weather, but we need to continue our efforts in the man-made arena.
cont. on page 3

cont. from page 2
The Town Bay Park saw more use than recent memory. The water quality was generally good; few days had odor coming from the water.
I saw swimmers at the Park late in August, something I don’t remember seeing for a decade. Increased use of the Bay Park is a good indicator of success of the cleanup efforts and one of our key goals.
The Watershed Association purchased and operated a weed harvester this summer. While it does not address the root causes of excess algae growth, it can turn unusable weed infested shoreline into useable beach. In addition, the experts tell me that if weeds are harvested regularly over a number of years it can change growing patterns of algae. Just as algae needs a certain temperature and water level, if its growing patterns are disrupted for long enough it will start to retreat.
Looking forward, it has finally become clear to the State that their current path will not result in a clean lake. In addition, budget cuts area harmful to the cleanup, both short and long term. The bright side though, is that there finally is recognition by the State that the restoration of Lake Champlain will require the assistance of the Federal Government. The State now agrees that they need to put forward a comprehensive plan with a price tag for a Lake Champlain restoration. We need to present and support this plan, and lobby for resources similar to those dedicated to the Great Lakes and the Chesapeake Bay. The fact that this plan has not yet been put forth is somewhere between astounding and embarrassing, but somehow better late than never.
Personally, I am thankful that I have the Lake to enjoy and be a part of my life. The work to restore it to its full beauty is important and satisfying work. I invite all to take a more active role in cleaning up the Bay. Please join us in these efforts at the Saint Albans Area Watershed Association. Visit us at www.saintalbanswateshed.org.
Eric Wolinsky

Reedeem your bottles & cans at the Lighthouse...

At the foot of Lake Street, near the Town Boat Dock, there is a Lighthouse receptacle for redeemable bottles and cans. Not only does this provide additional revenues toward keeping the lake clean, but aids in a greener environment by promoting recycling.
Don’t forget if you choose to bring your bottles and cans directly to a redemption center, there are miniature lighthouses located at Hannaford and Hometown Beverage where you can deposit your slips for SAAWA to redeem. And, Hometown Beverage pays an extra 1¢ on every bottle or can!
There is a new bulletin board on the lighthouse to post information and events. Check it out!
Lighthouse Volunteers Needed
We could use some assistance this winter. If you can donate some time to help empty the Lighthouse, please contact Joanie McGinn at mcgee3@comcast.net or by calling her at 527-7158.

Visit us at
www.saintalbanswatershed.org

Get an autographed copy of Mike Winslow’s Book, Lake Champlain: A Natural History
FREE by joining or renewing your membership at the $100 level.

Hannaford manning the grill at Walk a Thon 2008

Annual Dinner & Meeting

On August 21st, light Appetizers & a BBQ by Jeff's Bar & Grill was served at the Stone House in St. Albans Bay Town Park on Friday August 21st. It was a great evening!
Mike Winslow, staff scientist with the Lake Champlain Committee and author of Lake Champlain: a Natural History, spoke to everyone who attended the annual meeting. He spoke on the history of the lake and also spoke of St. Albans Bay in particular and read some excerpts from the book.
His talk began with the beginning of Lake Champlain, and this is in essence the beginning of his talk:
Ask a Microbiologist what’s a long time and they will reply a day. Ask a politician the same thing and they will say “I got elected in two years.” But ask a Geologist what’s a long time, and they’ll say tens of thousands of years. So when we’re talking about the natural history of Lake Champlain, the lake is about 10 thousand years old. It was created following when the last when glaciers rolled through; mile high to two mile high sheets of ice running through this area and bringing underneath rocks and debris that carved out soft limestone in this valley to carve out channels. That is how this deep pit that is the lake ended up here. Then as the glaciers were moving back and melting toward the north, leaving this pile of water behind it, it filled that basin The glacier was blocking the water from moving out to the Atlantic ocean so instead the lake was then called Lake Vermont. It drained to the Atlantic through the Hudson River and it was a much different system at that time. There were icebergs floating in here and a lot more water. If we were in a 40 story building on the shores of the lake right now, would still be under water at that point in time.
Eventually that ice block moved further to the north and released that Atlantic path, so the water could go flowing out to the Atlantic ocean. But the glaciers were so heavy, and pushed down the earth and what had been a fresh water system was replaced with a salt water system; had salt water sea here for period of time; had whales, clams, fish species that later adapted to fresh water.
The salt water Lake Champlain sea wasn’t nearly as deep as Lake Vermont; still much bigger than what we have now; more of a 30 story building. Over time the land rebounded, water flowed out, fresh water came in and filled it up. Where we’re standing now, it’s hard to remember, but this was part of the lake.
Over time the lake filled in slowly and continues to do so at this day. That’s what we’re trying to do as part of the Lake Champlain Committee is to slow that filling down.
Talk to a historian about what’s a long time and they’ll say 400 years is a really long time. That’s what we’re celebrating this year; 400 years of Lake Champlain. In 1609 Samuel de Champlain made his journey down Lake Champlain and saw a system somewhat different than what we’re looking at now. He came down in canoes with native Americans. He spent a month on the lake, liked it enough to name it after himself, but never came back.
So much of the celebration of the 400 years of the lake has been about the culture and history of the region. In publishing the book, we did not want the lake to be forgotten. We didn’t want the story of the glaciers and how it changed over time.
To read more, purchase his book, or renew your membership at the $100 level…..

Walk-A-Thon
2009

Thank You to Everyone for Making this year’s 5K Walk to Save Our Bay a Success!
Thank you to all the energetic runners & walkers who came down to the lake for the Walk-a-Thon. We were lucky to have fantastic weather and we raised a lot of money to further our efforts to clean up the Bay.
SAAWA would especially like to thank our fantastic sponsors, who made the day possible! Not only did they sponsor the event, but many of them showed up with family and friends to participate and enjoy the day.
Dan LeCours and his Hannaford crew came ready to barbecue and treated everyone to a hot dog lunch after the walk.
Mimmo's Pizzeria not only sponsored the event & donated gift certificates, but Mimmo brought his family and some staff to participate in the event. Running the event, Mimmo was the
1st to arrive at Kill Kare, his wife Kathy bringing up the rear walking with 5 year old Luca and daughter Sofia somewhere in between! Sofia won a cheese pizza (donated by Mimmo's), but generously donated it back to be raffled off to another child. Mimmo promised he'll make sure she gets a cheese pizza!
All the participants had fun trying out the demo bikes from Supersized Cycles -- and everyone loved the power-assist bike!
Kids still had plenty of energy to enjoy playing volleyball after the walk.....
Special thanks for their support and prizes also go to Burlington Bagel Bakery, Kevin Smith’s Sports Connection, Kill Kare State Park, Rail City Salon, St. Albans Amateur Radio Club, St. Albans Bowling Alley, St. Albans Bay Town Park and Warner’s Snack Bar.

Participants from Mimmo’s Pizzeria
Chelsey Clark, Amanda Benoit,
Domenic (Mimmo) and Kathy Spano

2009 Sponsors
A.N. Deringer
Bayside Pavillion
Bruley & Bruley
Corporate Outfitters
Cross Consulting Engineers
Franklin County Industrial Development Corporation
Franklin County Regional Chamber of Commerce
Hannaford
Mimmo’s Pizzeria
Northwest Medical Center
People’s Trust Company
Paul Poquette Realty Group
SuperSized Bikes
The Bay Store & Market

Participants from Northwestern Medical Center
Danielle James, Dottie MacNeil and Kim Chesarek

We are always looking for volunteers and participation on committees and events
If you love the lake and want to help,
please come to a board meeting or contact one of us…...

Special Thanks to Jeff Rouleau, BFA Ecology Teacher & his class for their dedication to our association;
They are always ready to help fold, label, stamp & mail our Newsletter!

MEMBERSHIP

Is your membership current? If you are not a member, consider becoming one!
Membership Contributions are crucial to keeping our organization going. They are essential in helping us in our mission to Keep the Lake Clean by helping cover the costs of Newsletters, postage, our web page, weed harvesting, and the list goes on.
Our Membership year runs July 1st through June 30th. This organization would not be where it is today without its’ members support.
Please spread the word. An active membership gets our voice heard.
By being a member, you will continue to receive our Newsletters and stay informed.
Join or rejoin at the $100 level and receive this book!
Go to our website or fill out the form on pg. 7

NEW MEMBERSHIP LEVELS
Student $ 5
Receive a SAAWA hat
Individual $ 10
Family $ 20
Lake Advocate $ 50
Receive a SAAWA hat
Lake Steward $100
Receive Mike Winslow's book
Business Sponsor $250

All members receive one of our decals

FALL CHORES

Winter is just around the corner!
Bring your rain barrel inside

If you have one of these signs, please bring it in for Winter and put out again next Spring. If you prefer, please call Lori Coseo at 524-0184 to return it. Thanks!

Current Board Members:
Eric Wolinksy President wolinskymail@comcast.net 527-7572
Michael Averill V.P. maverill@surfglobal.net 782-3222
Marty Leech Treasurer marty493@dishmail.net 849-6175
Bob Wood Board bobandlorettar@comcast.net 527-0123
Peter Rath Board xpat@together.net 524-6827
Steve Cushing Board cdeyak2001@yahoo.com 524-2897
Gould Susslin Board gsuss@comcast.net 524-5217
Jerry Morong Board jerrym@surfglobal.net 524-6637
John Whitney Board jcwhitney05478@yahoo.com 524-3652
Keith Peterson Board maypmd@netscape.net 527-1936
Keith Peterson Board

Renew your Membership TODAY! mail in this form or go ONLINE! www.saintalbanswatershed.org

I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN/RENEW MY MEMBERSHIP
St. Albans Area Watershed Association
Name: ___________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________
Telephone: ________________________________________________
E-Mail: ____________________________________________________
Seasonal Address: _________________________________________
Amount Enclosed $__________
Mail to: St. Albans Area Watershed Association
P.O. Box 1567
St. Albans VT 05478

CHOOSE MEMBERSHIP LEVEL:
_____ Student $ 5
Receive a hat
_____ Individual $ 10
_____ Family $ 20
_____ Lake Advocate $ 50
Receive a hat
_____ Lake Steward $ 100
Receive Mike Winslow’s book
_____ Business $ 250

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