Mirror Lake Protective Association (MLPA)Part I

REVIEW OF WATER TESTING PROGRAM, THE WOLFEBORO WASTEWATER

TREATMENT FACILITY (WWTF) AND MLPA FUNDING EFFORTS

WATER TESTING PROGRAM

• 1991-Spot Testing –NH Lakes Lay Monitoring Program volunteers began spot testing Mirror Lake’s waters.

• September 2007 – Beach and Tributary Testing- Testing of the tributary from the Wolfeboro Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) to Mirror Lake beach began.

WATER TESTING PROGRAM(cont.)

• August, 2008 –Lake Testing- The “Interim Testing Program” began, with weekly testing, at 6 sites in Mirror

WATER TESTING PROGRAM(cont.)

• August 24, 2007 – Cyanobacteria blooms were identified in waters at Lang Pond Road beach.

• August 12, 2008 – NHDES issues a cyanobacteria warning for Mirror Lake and cyanobacteria blooms continued throughout Mirror Lake beyond the summer swimming season

Conclusions:

• Mirror Lake has a serious cyanobacteria problem.

• A good deal of water testing data has been collected and professional guidance is needed to tell us how to address the cyanobacteria problem.

WOLFEBORO WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY

• 1978 – NHDES issued permit to Wolfeboro for the WWTF, a slow-rate effluent system, which functions by spraying wastewater onto fields which then percolates into the ground

• April 2005- NHDES issued an Administrative Order citing Wolfeboro for violations of environmental regulations by “increasing the amount of phosphorus and nitrogen that is discharged into Mirror Lake.”

September 2007 –February 2008:• In meetings and correspondence, MLPA

requested that Wolfeboro:– Cease spraying effluent at the WWTF onto

the fields that run into the tributary that feeds into Mirror Lake; and

– Treat the effluent for the removal of phosphorus and nitrogen; and

– Treat the high levels of phosphorus and nutrients in Abenaki Pond.

In numerous letters Wolfeboro responded to the MLPA:

• Admitting that parts of the spray field are in the Mirror Lake Watershed, but stating that only a small portion runs off the site and noting that the site is over 1.7 miles from Mirror Lake; and

• Stating that it had reduced the effluent spray onto the fields that run off the Abenaki ski area; and

• Stating that it had begun treating the effluent and that the phosphorus in the effluent had been reduced from about 4.0mg/l to 0.6mg/l [4000 ppb to 600 ppb]; and

• Denying that the WWTF is the cause of cyanobacteria in Mirror Lake; and

• Suggesting that septic system loads from the Mirror Lake Watershed and lake residences are a major contributor to the nutrient loads in Mirror Lake; and

• Stating that there are many potential sources of nutrients with in the Mirror Lake Watershed, including septic systems (old and new), logging operations, road construction, landscapes, etc.; and

• Stating that it has no intention of treating Abenaki Pond. • In February 2009 WWTF, the spray fields were replaced by the

Wolfeboro RIS. The effects of the new system on 19 Mile Brook is being monitored by the Tuftonboro Conservation Commission (the TCC”).

CONCLUSIONS/CONCERNS:

• Mirror Lake’s pollution problem is contributed to by the WWTF.

• The WWTF denies that it is cause of cyanobacteria in Mirror Lake.

• The soil at the WWTF site is saturated from years of spraying with excess nutrients. Therefore, it could continue to be a source of excess nutrients flowing into Mirror Lake.

• How do we convince Wolfeboro to assist us in remediation and restoration efforts

FUNDING EFFORTS• August 2008-The MLPA applied to NHDES for a 2009 Watershed

Restoration Grant for Impaired Waters and requested funding of $30,000 to hire an outside contractor to undertake an 18 month study of the causes and sources of pollution in Mirror Lake.

• October 2008 – NHDES rejected MLPA’s grant application because it failed to focus on a “watershed based plan” and provide “ specific milestones and performance targets”,

• NHDES suggested that we file again in 2009 for a 2010 grant under the “watershed-based plan for high-quality waters”.

• November 2008 –Meredith Village Savings Bank awarded MLPA a grant of $2,478 for the laboratory costs of the 2008/2009 Interim Testing Program.

FUNDING EFFORTS (cont.)• February 2009 –MLPA, TCC and the Town of Tuftonboro applied to

the Clean Water State Revolving Fund under the Stimulus Package for $464,200 to fund the:

– Preparation of a diagnostic report and engineering analysis of the scope and sources of phosphorus overload in Mirror Lake;

– Implementation of remedial efforts, including soil incineration at the site of the WWTF; and

– the application of alum to Abenaki Pond and the stream that discharges into Mirror Lake.

• March 2009 – The DES advised us that the funding for the Stimulus Fund, if awarded, would available in the form of a 50% grant and a 50% loan, as well as other restrictions that did not seem attainable. The MLPA withdrew the application.

CONCLUSION:

• Notwithstanding our failure to obtain a grant from NHDES, they are still probably our best source for funds.

• If NHDES funding is sought, professional assistance is necessary to prepare the grant applications.

Part II

NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND TIMELINE

NEEDS ASSESSMENT

The following efforts will be required to restore Mirror Lake:

a) Review MLPA’s existing testing data;b) Obtain and review water and soil testing data, permit

violations data, discharge flows and other information collected by the NHDES and the Town of Wolfeboro at the site of the WWTF, and at various sites in the Mirror Lake Watershed, including the tributary that flows into Mirror Lake, to the extent possible;

c) Develop and implement a site specific sampling plan to supplement the current water sampling programs, including field sampling in the Mirror Lake Watershed and its inlets;

d) Identify the loading sources of nutrients in the Mirror Lake Watershed and quantify these sources;

NEEDS ASSESSMENT (cont.)e) Prepare a risk based analysis report assessing the ecological

and human health risks and the extent of natural resource degradation and monetary damages to Mirror Lake stakeholders, and, allocate responsibility for same to the WWTF, as well as any other major contributors to Mirror Lake’s nutrient overload;

f) Apply for one of two grants to NHDES to develop a Plan for Mirror Lake Watershed Restoration, which funding would include the costs of (a) through (e) above. The application would also include funding for the costs of determining appropriate source control, remediation and restoration actions;

g) Apply for the second grant to NHDES for a Mirror Lake Watershed Management Plan, which would include a NHDES required Comprehensive Lake Inventory and Lake Management Plan, to fund the actual costs of implementing the source control, restoration and remediation action(s); and

h) Attend meetings with the NHDES, Towns of Tuftonboro and Wolfeboro, as well community and lake residents, to inform, educate, advocate and seek cooperation and support, including, funding.

TIMELINE • This timeline contemplates that a major funding source

for Mirror Lake’s clean up will be the NHDES.• The grant funding process dictates, to a large extent, the

time line.• Pre-Application is in August of each year and, if

approved, supplemental information is filed in the winter with funding in the spring.

• NHDES grants are based on a 60/40 allocation, 60% is an outright grant and 40% must be matched by the residents.

• The 40% matching funds requirement can be met with monitory contributions, and with work performed by volunteers carrying out pollution prevention activities, education, fact finding, water testing etc.

• There is no guarantee that MLPA will receive the grant. All grant recipients have had professional guidance in the preparation of their applications and plans.

PLAN FOR SOURCE CONTROL, REMEDIATION AND

RESTORATION

The NEEDS ASSESSMENT can be accomplished in Four Phases.

PLAN FOR SOURCE CONTROL, REMEDIATION AND RESTORATION

(cont.)

Phase I: Summer 2009/Winter 2010

GOALS:• Hire a local consultant to review existing data; identify additional

data needs and prepare a Request for Proposal (RFP) in order to• engage environmental consulting firm(s) to collect additional data

and develop risk-based analysis report; and

• apply for first of two NHDES grants to fund cost of this fact finding

and risk analysis

PLAN FOR SOURCE CONTROL, REMEDIATION AND RESTORATION

(cont.)Phase II: Summer 2010/Winter 2011

GOALS: • Environmental firms to undertake additional analysis of Mirror

Lake and surrounding tributaries and sources• MLPA members to undertake volunteer contributions including

completion of the NHDES Comprehensive Lake Inventory and Lake Management Plan

• Environmental consultants to develop risk- based analysis report• Apply for a second grant to NHDES, for a Mirror Lake Watershed

Management Plan, which includes the Comprehensive Lake Inventory and Lake Management Plan, to fund the costs of implementing the source control, restoration and remediation action alternatives

• Meet with DES, Tuftonboro and Wolfeboro to review environmental firms findings and risk based analysis report

• Select and agree upon remedial/restoration alternatives

PLAN FOR SOURCE CONTROL, REMEDIATION AND RESTORATION

(cont.)

Phase III: Summer 2011/Winter 2012GOALS:• Apply for permits as required• Implement restoration and remediation plans as outlined in the

Lake Management Plan, including activities by Mirror Lake Watershed residents

Phase IV: Summer 2012/Winter 2013GOALS:

• Complete restoration and remediation plans• Continue monitoring to gauge effectiveness of remedial action

Thank you