PLEASE RESPOND AND PASS IT ON

August 2009

Dear Residents of the Sunset Lake/ Wash Pond Watershed,

The past several springs this area has seen more rain and flooding than average. Subsequently more run-off has entered Sunset Lake than normal. After confirming with New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, it has been ascertained that our lake, as well as many others, have been inundated with nutrients which have caused exponential weed growth of the native species Clasping Pond Weed (Potamogeton richardsonii). This is a native weed that has taken off like wild fire. The causes of growth are directly from nutrients that have entered the water from fertilizer and septic system leaks and saturation. Even if you are not directly on the water, your fertilizer and septic liquids can travel in a saturation situation.

We have had several compromised systems and failures of septic systems on the water that have tested positive for E. Coli bacteria above state levels. The areas will be continually tested and Kristopher Emerson (Hampstead Health Officer) has been informed, and is working with shore front (and back street) residents to upgrade and assess current septic systems.   

What can You do and why does it matter?

If you have a house or cottage within the water shed (the hills and down from around the lake) you, your health, your property are affected by poor lake quality. As you know water runs down hill and takes with it anything in the roadway and yards as it makes its way to the lake.

First, I am proposing a volunteer assessment log of septic systems on and around the lake to further study how we can keep effluent out of the water. It is my understanding that we may be able to apply for a grant that would help people clean and updated their septic systems. If citizens were willing to:
A) pump out septic tanks annually and holding tanks as needed, B) have them inspected by a professional, and C) report back A-OK or NAY-OK, we may be able to obtain a group rate with a septic removal and inspection company. Showing citizen responsibility by doing what is mentioned above might also qualify us for grants and funds to help citizens with compromised systems.

Secondly, are you willing to give up your fertilizer to stop feeding the weeds? Within 25’ of the shoreline, it is unlawful to apply fertilizer, PERIOD! This also applies to lawns and gardens that are up hill from the water and have ANY drainage that goes to the water. The nutrients are high in fertilizer and the weeds in the water benefit better than your grass and flowers. You can use slow release lime and other methods found at the web address listed below or search "lawn" in the NH DES website: http://des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/factsheets/sp/documents/sp-2.pdf

Excerpt-
The Act prohibits the use of all fertilizers except limestone within 25 feet of the reference line of public waters. Twenty-five feet beyond the reference line, low phosphate, slow release nitrogen fertilizer or limestone may be used (see fact sheet WD-SP-4 for Shorelands Under the Jurisdiction of the Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act).

There are enough nutrients in the water that, should an invasive plant species find its way here, it will thrive. Currently, I am seeking assistance from NH DES to help us reduce our weed population with a comprehensive plan that may include harvesting and dam control to reduced the population.

We all enjoy the benefits of living near Sunset Lake. We all need to take responsibility for its health. The weeds will continue and E.Coli will reappear if we do nothing. I am sure you would be willing to do the following to preserve water quality for all.

The Action Plan
_______I am willing to follow the NH Shoreline Protection Act and use recommendations for plant care stated above.

_______I am willing to have my septic system pumped every 2 years (typical system) and checked for holding tank leaks every 2 yrs.

_______I am willing to have my holding tank (non-typical system) pumped monthly or as needed and checked yearly for leaks.

_______I am willing to report the proactive septic approach to help document what citizens are doing to assist in applying for NH DES Lake Management Grants and Funds.

_______ I am willing to have my $20.00 Sunset Lake Association dues go toward more water quality testing and weed reduction programs.

If you are willing to participate in this action plan, please respond to:

Michelle Nadeau
mnadeau@pinkertonacademy.org
603-817-1366