Lake Garfield Working Group March Meeting

The Lake Garfield Working Group met at the town hall on Monday, March 11, to review progress with both current and future efforts to monitor and influence issues impacting the health of the lake.

Among these it was noted that the select board agreed to pursue the 2019 Mass DEP 319 grant of $100,000 targeting the surface water inputs of phosphorus to the lake.

Another effort under development involves EPA funding in conjunction with the New England Lakes and Ponds Association (LAPA) to provide for a program of monitoring cyanobacteria in Berkshire County lakes through the participating professors and students at Berkshire Community College.

A report was given on the ongoing work of the Housatonic Valley Association in their efforts to survey local rivers, including the Konkapot, and contacts made to integrate our shared objectives.

Lastly, it was noted that in order to ensure a continued effort for the evidenced-based scientific research of the health of Lake Garfield, as well as to obtain additional funding to mitigate the adverse impact of invasive pond weed, a citizens petition will be presented for the inclusion of an article to this effect on the town warrant for the Annual Town Meeting on May 4.

The next meeting of the working group is Monday, April 8, at 7 p.m., at the town hall. — Steve Snyder Chair, Lake Garfield Working Group