On June 8, 2024, fair, bright skies welcomed over a hundred members and friends to the Pawtuckaway Lake Improvement Association’s Annual Meeting at the State Park Pavilion.

We were joined by State Representative Hal Rafter, State Park Manager Dave Richardson, Nottingham Budget Committee member Charlotte Fyfe, and Nottingham Board of Selectmen member John Morin.

 

 

 

 

A large group gathered inside the Pavilion to schmooze and listen. There was a spillover crowd enjoying the sun outdoors.

 

 

 

PLIA President Steve Soreff opened the meeting with an introduction of Board members and a farewell to departing Board member Peter White, who has served for many years as the Chair of the Road Clean Up Committee and will be missed. He then called for a vote for the slate of nominees to the Board, including member Gary Potavin who has volunteered to join the Board. PLIA members voted unanimously for the nominees.

 

Steve then reviewed the work of the organization last year, which included two victorious campaigns:  (1) eradicate milfoil in the lake and (2) persuade the State to expend ARPA funds on infrastructure like bath houses and septic systems rather than on the construction of 35 new RV campsites along the shorefront. He noted that it was the support and participation of PLIA members that brought each of these efforts to a successful conclusion.

Looking forward, Program Chairs summarized their missions and laid out plans for the coming season.

• Neil Santos, Milfoil Team Chair, emphasized that despite the widespread eradication of this invasive weed last year, it would be necessary to search for and remove new or recurring milfoil growths this summer. This work has already begun, and he invited additional Weed Control Divers to join his team. He also mentioned the presence of other invasive species threatening NH lakes and acknowledged the importance of Weed Watchers and Lake Hosts as early detection agents crucial to our overall mission.
• Steve Soreff, donning his Weed Watcher Co-Chair hat, reported on the successful online training of volunteers provided by Amy Smagula of NH DES. This video has been recorded and is available for any new or returning volunteers to watch. He recommended that anyone who boats on the lake could and should be a Weed Watcher.
• Next it was Bruce Henden’s turn to summarize the work of the Lake Host Program which he coordinates and manages. It is designed to provide courtesy boat inspections and public education about 0063 aquatic invasive species. He explained the need for one more Lake Host to cover Saturday afternoons at the Fundy boat ramp and acknowledged that finding people to fill these paid positions has been challenging. Bruce listed invasive species that are becoming greater threats to Pawtuckaway and urged fishermen and boaters to learn about them. Finally, he brought NH LAKES LakeSmart pamphlets to share with everyone at the meeting to explain how property management affects nutrients that enter the lake and enhance growth of all aquatic species.
• Pam Kelly, Communications Chair, invited anyone not currently getting our email news blasts to provide their email address so they can be added to our contact list. She emphasized that storm runoff is a major source of pollutants in our lake water and urged the audience to enroll in the LakeSmart Program mentioned by Bruce. All Board members have pledged to get an evaluation of their property through this Program to discover how they can make improvements to prevent runoff. It is free, confidential, and enormously helpful in making us all lake-friendly. Already, 30 Pawtuckaway households have signed up! Finally, she offered signs provided by the State Park to be posted on islands reminding visitors that no campfires are allowed.
• Shelly Heit, Membership Chair, explained our new online payment platform that is replacing PayPal for donations and sales of tickets or participation in various events. She has volunteered to expand her responsibilities, introducing and assuming the new Board position of Fundraising Chair. Her project to create playing cards adorned with photos of the lake taken by members proved very successful. Packs of these cards were available to pick up at the meeting or later, at the Mountain Road Trading Post. They would also be for sale at the Trading Post and the State Park Camp Store. Shelly is organizing this year’s Paddle Poker Tournament, with the help of members Michele Lefebvre and Barb Thompson. Finally, she announced a new event to be held on the lake in late July – an open-air concert for the benefit of any and all boaters, suggested by our newest Board member Gary Potavin. She distributed flyers for the concert to all who might be interested.

Board member Tom Duffy presented the Local Hero award to member Barb Thomson, for her extraordinary contributions to the PLIA. Barb initiated the Paddle Poker Tournament several years ago and was its organizing genius and booster, raising thousands of dollars every year. She is also a tireless member of the Milfoil Team, coordinating kayak support for milfoil extractions and often providing that support herself for last minute dives.

Our speaker was Nisa Marks, NH DES Watershed Coordinator and expert on cyanobacteria and the effects of pollution in NH lakes. Her presentation was entitled “Lake-friendly Living at Pawtuckaway: Protect the Lake You Love”. She explained that cyanobacteria in particular thrive on sunshine, warm temperatures, and nutrients in lake water. Of these three, the only one we have the capacity to affect is the last one. Nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen wash into the lake almost exclusively through stormwater runoff. Another harmful effect of runoff is soil erosion into the lake.

There are techniques that homeowners and lake residents can use to reduce – even eliminate – most pollution and erosion from storm runoff. Primarily, native plants growing along the shorefront are the perfect agents to filter out nutrients carried by stormwater. Rain gardens capture runoff as well. Certain grasses and soil coverings are better for capturing nutrients. Paths and driveways can be modified to allow water to drain into the subsoil rather than flow directly into the lake. And of course, septic systems can be pumped every three years and inspected for proper functioning.

Nisa recommended NH DES’s Soak Up the Rain Program, https://www4.des.state.nh.us/SoakNH/ as well as NH LAKES’s LakeSmart Program, https://nhlakes.org/lakesmart/, already mentioned earlier. These are comprehensive complimentary programs designed to help homeowners ensure their property is as lake-friendly as possible.

Nisa offered the following resources for our members who want to learn more about cyanobacteria: report a cyanobacteria bloom – NHDES Cyanobacteria Bloom Report Form (arcgis.com); sign up for cyanobacteria warnings – Signup Form (constantcontactpages.com) and swimming updates – Signup Form (constantcontactpages.com); and informative webinars on the subject – Cyanobacteria and Harmful Algal Bloom – YouTube.

She also had a wealth of links to online lake-friendly information:  storm water erosion projects – DIY Fact Sheets – SOAK up the Rain NH (state.nh.us) and Landscaping-at-the-Waters-Edge.pdf (nhlakes.org); native and rain garden plant lists – https://nhlakes.org/wp-content/uploads/native-shoreland-plants.pdf and Native-Plants-for-NH-Rain-Gardens_20160322.pdf (state.nh.us); and webinar recording – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7idHxzK2rO0&list=PLzaaFQKgZ-FioCCxV22Mul9cG3H7qgFnG&index=3.

Our thanks to Nisa for an engaging and informative presentation!

The meeting adjourned at 11:50 AM, right on time!

SATURDAY, June 8, 2024

Help us kick off the summer at the State Park Pavilion. Once again Pawtuckaway State Park has graciously donated the use of its Pavilion for our annual assembly of members and friends. Entry to the Park is free. Together we will review our work from last year and plan what’s ahead for this year.

Our speaker will make a presentation on the theme of this year’s gathering – ‘Pawtuckaway Lake as an Ecosystem’; what does it mean and how can we enjoy the lake while preserving it for future generations?

Where:  Pawtuckaway State Park Pavilion

When:  Saturday, June 8, 2024

Time:  9:30 for Registration and Refreshments

The map below shows the State Park and the Pavilion. The sign at the intersection of Route 156 and Mountain Road indicates that the State Park entrance is two miles down Mountain Road. Drive into the Park to the entry booth and let the Park staff know you are going to the PLIA Annual Meeting at the Pavilion. Entrance will be free of charge. Continue down the Park road 1.35 miles until you see a sign for the Annual Meeting to the right, then take your next left into the Pavilion parking lot. And welcome!

 

(No Fires on Islands in the Lake!)

There is nothing more fun than gathering around a campfire to roast marshmallows or warming your face and hands before a roaring bonfire. The Nottingham Fire Department would like to ask you about some important safety regulations before you start:

Did you know?

• You cannot light a fire before 5:00 PM unless it is a small container fire
• You must have a fire burning permit to have a fire
• You should call the Fire Department before kindling your fire to check conditions
• It is altogether illegal to light a fire on the frozen lake

These rules have been developed over time to set standards for the safe enjoyment of fires, whether for recreation or disposing of small brush and yard debris.

PLIA member Mary Colvard recently interviewed Nottingham Fire Department deputies and discovered a wealth of information that is worth passing along. Many people are in fact unaware of these regulations. Thanks for the heads up, Mary!

First, a permit to kindle a fire is always needed except when the area within a 100-foot radius from the edge of the fire is covered with at least an inch of snow or other frozen precipitation to prevent the combustion of woodland fuels.

Second, you can obtain a permit at the Nottingham Fire Station (free) or complete one online ($6.00) at NHFirePermit.com. When applying, you will need to indicate what category fire you want the permit for.

Third, there are three categories of fires and permits:

• Category I: small, controlled fire such as a camp or cooking fire no greater than 2 feet in diameter. It needs to be contained within a ring of fire-resistant material or a portable fireplace and located at least 25 feet from structures. Fire conditions permitting, a Category I fire can be kindled with a permit any time of day.

 

• Category II: controlled fire no larger than 4 feet in diameter contained within a ring of fire-resistant material or a portable fireplace and located at least 50 feet from structures. These fires may be kindled with a permit only between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. unless it is actually raining. If the rain stops, the fire must be extinguished. (Category I and II permits are seasonal and expire on December 31^st.)

 

• Category III: any other fire that is not a Category I or II or a fire greater than 4 feet in diameter or not contained within a ring of fire-resistant material and located at least 50 feet from any structures. These fires may be kindled with a permit only between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. unless it is actually raining. (Category III permits may be issued for up to 7 days.)

That’s a lot to remember, so here’s a summary:

Permit Type	Daytime Burn Between 9:00 a.m. & 5:00 p.m.	Nighttime Burn Between 5:00 p.m. & 9:00 a.m.
Category I (seasonal)	YES	YES
Category II (seasonal)	Only when raining	YES
Category III (For up to 7 days)	Only when raining	YES

Fourth, you cannot leave the fire until it is completely extinguished. A buried fire is not considered extinguished.

Finally, at no time can you burn trash, or treated, painted, stained, or manufactured wood. No brush, lumber, logs, or any other combustible material larger than 5 inches in diameter is permitted to be burned. Construction or demolition materials cannot be burned.

Got that? If not, rest assured that your Fire Department will answer any questions you may have. Just remember to call to make sure you are not planning a fire when dry or windy conditions make it illegal*, and to ascertain what kind of permit is required.  If no one answers, leave a message with your name, location, and time of fire. Otherwise, a fire truck may pay a call to your property or the location of your fire. Our Fire Department wants us to be safe and they are willing to answer your questions and advise you about fire safety. Visit their website:  https://www.nottingham-nh.gov/fire-rescue

*You can also obtain the daily fire danger rating by calling the Division of Forests and Lands wildfire information line (toll free): 1-866-NH-FIRES (866-643-4737) or go to https://www.nh.gov/nhdfl/community/daily-fire-danger.htm. And it’s posted as a “gauge” on the front wall of the Nottingham Fire Department.

So, come on, baby, light that fire – safely!

On February 14, 2024, State Park officials held an informational meeting with the Nottingham Planning Board to present updated plans for improvements at Pawtuckaway State Park. It was well attended by members of the public. Representatives from the PLIA Board of Directors, as well as PLIA members and Nottingham residents, came to hear the State’s plans to rebuild, renovate, and construct facilities at the Park using federal ARPA funds.

Johanna Lyons, State Park Planning and Development Specialist, handed out a description of the plan and gave a short talk about new bathhouses, septic systems, and an RV dump station. The original “Preferred Concept” included 35 new RV campsites along the shore and inland above the North Channel. On her handout, Ms. Lyons indicated that “Public comment was not in favor of the proposal.” Therefore, that plan was abandoned, and the State instead went in a new direction to replace five existing bathhouses in the Big Island and Horse Island areas, including new septic systems. The remaining bathhouse on Horse Island was replaced two years ago. That leaves only the toilet facility in the Neals Cove area as not being rebuilt. Read the handout here.

The meeting was then opened for public comment. Several PLIA members spoke in favor of the revised project. Some attendees asked questions about permitting and staging of the construction as well as details on the operation of the dump station.

Ms. Lyons indicated that bids will be solicited in the spring and contracts announced by September. Construction will be phased-in, beginning on Horse Island in October, so campsites there and on Big Island will be closed after September 3, 2024. Neal’s Cove camping will remain open through October. Campsites may be closed on Big Island in 2025 to accommodate construction there.

Here is a link to the State Park’s website with detailed 80% plans.

When the video of the meeting is posted online, you can find it here.

We are grateful that the State took into consideration public concerns about their original plans for 35 new RV campsites and about the inadequate condition of existing toilet and septic facilities.

In a tradition started many years ago by Co-President Donna Danis, the PLIA invited all its volunteers to a cookout to thank them for their time and dedication.

On a wet Sunday afternoon – undeterred by the weather and perhaps used to it by now this summer – over 40 volunteers gathered at the State Park Pavilion to celebrate their accomplishments of the past year.

Thanks to an intense letter writing campaign promoted by the PLIA and accompanied by close monitoring of and communication with state and local officials, the planned expansion of Pawtuckaway State Park campgrounds to include 35 RV campsites with hookups along the water was abandoned.

Further, NH DES stepped up to help our Milfoil Team fight the overwhelming infestation of this invasive weed in Pawtuckaway. It launched a campaign that included surveys, education, DASH boat and crew extractions, and a targeted herbicide application. As a result, sightings of milfoil have dropped dramatically and our Milfoil Team has been able to catch its collective breath.

President Steve Soreff welcomed the crowd and listed the many activities that our volunteers have participated in throughout the year. A slide show of photos illustrated those accomplishments.

 

Vice-President Pete Wawrzonek thanked Secretary and Communications Director Pam Kelly for her work on most of the PLIA committees that implement the organization’s mission and for keeping the Board in line.

 

 

Jean-Ann St. Pierre guessed the correct number of ‘fish in the barrel’ and all attendees were invited to take home a floating “sound signaling device” to comply with NH Marine Patrol regulations on their power boats. A small thank you for big efforts by our outstanding volunteers! Please let them know you appreciate their work whenever you see them on the lake.