Attendance

30 people attended, including the following members of the Board of Directors: Bob Carney, Ted Covert, Beverly Covert, Amy Pfeil, Elizabeth Titus and Carolyn West.

Upcoming CLAPA Meetings and Events

• Annual Meeting with Election of Officers of CLAPA on Saturday, August  14, 2010 at 9 am at Woodbound Inn.  Individuals interested in serving on the Board or who want to nominate someone to serve on the Board should contact Bruce Edwards at 532-7054 or bredwards@hughes.net before the meeting or at the meeting. 
•  CLAPA Party and kayak parade August 22 from 2-4 at the home of Tonya Albee (next to Public Beach).  Drinks provided; Pot luck Hors d’oevres and desserts.  Friends and family welcome. More details are forthcoming, or contact Mary Meyerhans, rmeyerhans@comcast.net, her phone is:  899-6835.

Updates on CLAPA Activities and Condition of the Lake

• Focus on Milfoil. Ted Covert, Board President, opened the meeting and explained that the primary focus of the meeting and of the CLAPA Board this year is on milfoil, in particular the various ongoing efforts  to reduce the amount of milfoil in the lake and to increase property owners’ and recreationalists’ awareness and sensitivity to the milfoil problem.  Nearly one-third of the lake has milfoil infestations.  The plant thrives in the relatively shallow soft-bottom areas (less than 10 feet deep) that are frequently stirred up by motorboat propeller operation.  The plant reproduces vigorously, via roots and seeds and when fragments of the plant root themselves.  CLAPA is working closely with the state of New Hampshire to try to reduce and/or control milfoil presence in the lake.  The NH state employees have mapped the milfoil and provided recommendations on where to treat chemically and where to remove milfoil by diving.  A map of these areas was shared at the meeting. CLAPA is surveying the lake periodically to monitor the milfoil conditions.  On behalf of CLAPA, Ted thanked the many people who assist in the various efforts related to milfoil treatments, most notably Beverly Covert.
• Chemical Treatment of Milfoil with Herbicide 2,4-D.  CLAPA treats areas in the lake that have large infestations of milfoil with 2,4-D at the maximum level and frequency allowable by the state of New Hampshire (every other year).  Many areas of the lake was treated on June 10, 2010.  Treatment will kill rooted plants within 2-3 weeks.  CLAPA funds this with a combination of dues and grant money obtained from the state of New Hampshire; this year the cost was $12,500, 30% covered by the state.  CLAPA posted signs and sent notices to property owners in advance of the treatment.  Swimming was restricted for 24 hours following treatment. 
• Removal of Milfoil by Trained Divers.  Smaller infestations and clumps of milfoil are being removed from many areas in the lake by trained divers.  Diving is scheduled for every Wednesday in the summer, as needed.  This is funded by a combination of CLAPA dues and grant money obtained from the state of New Hampshire; this year the cost is $4500, with $2800 covered by the state.  The divers receive assistance from the Coverts who are providing the use of their boat plus food and showers for divers, as well as assistance from skimmers – people in kayaks collecting the stray milfoil fragments that are generated by the diving.
• Weed Watching/How Everyone Can Help CLAPA on Milfoil.  CLAPA is requesting that anyone on the lake take note of spots where they find milfoil and notify Ted Covert (899-6585).  Spots with milfoil can be marked on the lake using a float (e.g. empty milk bottle) attached to a string and weight, and informing Ted so he can investigate and record it with GPS for future possible treatment. Also, everyone can clear milfoil fragments from their beaches, collect any fragments they find floating in the lake using a skimmer, and by keeping their boats away from/out of milfoil patches in the lake. CLAPA will also be surveying the lake routinely to identify milfoil patches.
• Increasing Local Awareness of Milfoil Issue.  CLAPA will post signs at the boat launch and on a bulletin board at the public beach.  The signs will include information about milfoil.  CLAPA is also planning to have a volunteer on duty at the boat launch during heavy boat traffic days to inform boaters about milfoil and check propellers for milfoil.
• Water Quality.  CLAPA collects information about the lake’s water quality through its participation in the Voluntary Lake Assessment Program (VLAP).  Overall, the water quality of the lake is similar to average lake conditions in New Hampshire – generally good but with signs of increasing phosphorous and turbidity and conductivity (possibly associated with road salt runoff).  Per the 2009 Interim Report , 2009 was the 4^th wettest summer on record in the state, causing large amounts of runoff into all lakes, with increased loads of phosphorous, road salt, and other nutrients that lead to plant, algae, and bacterial growth.  CLAPA will be following up with additional testing through the VLAP program.
• How Property Owners Can Help Protect Water Quality. Property owners can help in two ways: 1) Reduce stormwater runoff into the lake by maintaining natural vegetation (shrubs) and root systems along beach or close to the water’s edge.  Because it is important to maintain root systems near the shoreline, owners should prune, rather than remove, any vegetation on the banks of the lake. 2) Obey state laws about lawn fertilizer. Anyone who also has a cultivated lawn must only fertilize with state-approved fertilizers, per stat e law.  These fertilizers are locally available at Belletete’s, for example.  It is especially important to follow these guidelines in areas that have or are near paved surfaces, roads or driveways.
• Other Updates
• Loon Watch.  Three loons are on the lake, including a nesting pair.  Boaters are asked to keep a respectful distance from the loons.
• Annual Dues remain at $35. Other contributions are also welcome.  CLAPA thanks those who have paid, and requests that checks should be made payable to CLAPA and delivered to Ted and Beverly Covert, or mailed to P.O. Box 125, Jaffrey, NH 03452
• CLAPA website now being updated.  The webmaster Patti Ferron, can be contacted at ppageferron@yahoo.com.   The website will include a link to the statewide NH Lakes Association:  (www.nhlakes.org)  and CLAPA information will be posted as it becomes available. 

CLAPA Leadership/Board of Directors:

Tonya Albee       Director

Bob Carney         Director

Bev Covert          Treasurer

Ted Covert          President

John Fries            Director

Jim Noel               Director

Amy Pfeil             Director

Jean Stokinger  Director

Elizabeth Titus   Secretary