SOLO update for the 2007 Season

Lake Water Management paying off – but always more work to do.

For the moment, things seem to be looking up.

The Lakes have been monitored during the Spring and early Summer months
resulting in the following treatments in August.

•      Roughly 6 acres of Niad were treated in Big Robin.
•      Scattered growth of Phragmites were treated on shorelines on Lancelot,     Excaliber, Little and Big Robin
  
  No significant growth of Milfoil was located – Lancelot having some early signs of what will likely be a required spot treatment in 2008 – along with hand pulling which has shown some success in the past season and could be a new viable alternative where limited growth conditions exist.

Some of you, I’m sure, remember the days of weed clogged waters where boating, swimming and fishing would never again be a part of the “Great Life” in the Forest.

We’ll, you’re continued Financial support has made it possible for an update report like this one to exist.

But, the battle will likely never be over.

SOLO now has mandatory fees – be they inspection, pre and post survey reporting for local Environmental and Conservation Authorities.  In other words, money needs to be spent before effective water management can be considered.

Keep a continuous eye out for strange boaters entering out waters.  So you understand this warning, the biggest contributors to a new influx of milfoil  are boats arriving from some other lake that can bring milfoil on their motor props.  Can you imagine the savings that would be achieved if we could all do a better job of keeping unknowing offenders away for our waters???
Dams on Big Robin, Little Robin and Lancelot all have need for repair – and the Bureau of Dams, having inspected all three, will provide some direction in the Spring of 2008.

Other matters:

•      The Big Robin HD system was repaired this past Spring, at no cost, and provided an algae free season for all on Big Robin.
•      The Fishing Season on all Lakes in the Forest has a new twist!  The DEP has studied our past Propagators License, which allowed us to fish License free, and has told us our model ownership by individuals is not and never was structured to allow us the “Free” status.

So while we’ve had many years of free fishing, the regulations now require all anglers to have a Mass. License – or be fined if caught without one.  And Game Wardens will be on the look out for offenders – so be aware from this date forward.

Catch and Release is still in place on all Lakes.  So keep the small fish if you must but release the fish over two pounds – they are the breeders and future population for all who love to fish our waters.  (email me if there is any confusion on this topic, ok.) 

There you have all the news.

Sherwood Forest is ranked near the top in Lake water quality in the Berkshires.  Thanks to all of you who contribute to make the Forest a place that just doesn’t get any better!

Solo is a group of volunteers who need your support – and if you provide that support, we’ll do our part.

Enjoy the holidays and see you next season.

Best regards,
Bill Maier
Bill@maier.com

Good news going into 2008

I’m happy to report that the Becket Conservation Commission has given SOLO another one year extension to our Order of Conditions. 

The Commission was comfortable that headway is being made with the amount of chemical treatment over the past several years. (Less and less acreage is being treated each of the past 4 years.)

From preliminary surveys done this past Fall, it appears that Lancelot will be receiving the bulk of treatment along with hand pulling under the supervision of Bill Osborn.

Recommendations and costs will be provided to us by Aquatic Control Technology after their late Spring Survey of all the Lakes in the Forest.