Lake Garfield Working Group August Meeting

The Lake Garfield Working Group (LGWG) held its monthly meeting at the town hall on August 12. Shannon Poulain, who works at Camp Half Moon and has taken on a project funded by the Friends of Lake Garfield to monitor cyanobacteria in Lake Buel and Lake Garfield, presented the findings of her research to date. In addition to explaining the procedures and technology of identifying species and measuring bacteria concentration, she reported that she had attended an EPA presentation in the use of “citizen science” to monitor lake health and noted that she will soon acquire equipment capable of forecasting toxic algae blooms by measuring phosphorus, chlorophyll, and nitrate concentration.

Following Shannon’s presentation, the LGWG discussed protocols for informing the public via the Board of Health as well the Parks Commission in the event of unsafe levels of cyanobacteria. LGWG member Michael Germain added that the fall meeting of Lakes and Pond Association of Western New England (LAPA) will focus on cyanobacteria. Hillary Snook of the EPA will give the presentation which is open to the public at the Zion Baptist Church of Pittsfield on Saturday, October 5.

LGWG member Dennis Lynch gave an update on the ongoing work of collaborating with town procurement officer Melissa Noe in the proper writing and distribution of request for proposals (RFPs) for this fall’s diver assisted suction harvesting (DASH) of the invasive eurasion milfoil weed.

The remainder of discussion included a review of ongoing efforts at coordinating the participation and financing of LGWG efforts with those of the town and its various departments and officers.

Our next meeting will be held at the town hall on Monday, September 9, at 7 p.m. All interested parties are encouraged to attend. — Steve Snyder LGWG Chair