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Survey planned for Wilton-area watershed

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A storm brewing across Wilson Lake (sent by Brian and Jennie Young).
A storm brewing across Wilson Lake (sent by Brian and Jennie Young).

WILTON – The Selectboard expressed support for a proposal to conduct a survey of the local watershed Tuesday evening, calling it an important step toward safeguarding the town’s water supply.

Robert Lively, president of the Friends of Wilson Lake, and Jennifer Jesperson of Ecological Instincts, LLC, have been meeting with town boards to gauge support for a survey in 2016. The survey would study land sloping down toward Wilson Lake, Varnum Pond and Pease Pond. Wilson Lake represents one of Wilton’s most significant features, while Varnum Pond is used as a water supply.

The survey would study all of the land in the watershed, which stretches across Wilton and into Temple, Perkins and Washington Townships. It would attempt to identify major contributors of phosphorous, particularly erosion. Maps would be developed of low- and high-impact areas, identifying possible problem sites, and recommendations to correct the issues would be released.

Recently, Lively said, Professor Dan Buckley at the University of Maine at Farmington, and his students had noticed plants growing near the head of the lake. That is one possible indicator of phosphorous. Selectman John Black also noted that Pease Pond had seen increases in algae growth.

The last survey was conducted in 1994.

FOWL has appeared before the Conservation Commission, the Planning Board and the Selectboard, seeking support for the survey. FOWL has been considering a Sept. 24 survey date, using both volunteers and UMF students to examine property within the watershed. A technical steering committee would meet 4 to 6 months in advance to begin laying the groundwork in accordance with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s recommended approach. Landowners would receive letters prior to Sept. 24 and participation in the survey is voluntary.

The survey is expect to cost between $5,500 and $7,000 to review Wilson Lake’s watershed, with volunteered labor helping keep the cost down. Lively noted that grants were available to help pay for the project, and FOWL was also interested in possibly contributing.

“We see us working in conjunction with the town on this project,” Lively said.

Selectboard members expressed support for the proposal, particularly considering that Wilton’s water supply runs through the watershed.

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1 Comment

  1. Excellent idea and appreciation to all who are involved. It is far better to be proactive and prevention minded than to scurry around after a problem has blown the door open.

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