Recently, a person commented on the rationale for the Smith and Sayles website. As you can see, we published that comment, even though I, as one of the hosts, felt it was contrary to the objective of this website, which is to share information not vitriole. We want a variety of voices to be heard. And we felt that a blog --- which is free for you to visit whenever you like, as there are no dues --- allows a forum of shared facts.
There is a lake association that raises and lowers the water level of the lake by deed, and that association is called the Sand Dam Reservoir Association. Several of us who are authors of this site have been involved or are still involved in Sand Dam Reservoir Association (SDRA). However, one must be a lake owner to participate, and owners must pay dues to participate. In recent years, decisions made regarding the Reservoir have effects that reach beyond owners or ability to pay dues, and, so, we wanted others to be involved.
We felt there needed to be a modern and accessible way to communicate important happenings than the way that SDRA communicates with the local folks. We have asked the SDRA board to be more transparent with their decision-making, but, as those requests have gone unheard, we felt that we needed to create an alternative means to get information out. This blog is that attempt.
We have chosen to be anonymous as authors because we feel it's important to separate information from personalities. Please do know, however, that the authors of this website are professional writers/ researchers/ educators/ doctors in their fields who have been formally trained to analyze and report findings. Anonymity allows people who post to have privacy in their personal lives and to be able to infuse alternative ideas into important discussions.
Keep in touch, and let us know how we can help you to be more informed of the events around Smith and Sayles Reservoir. Share your information and peer-reviewed research --- not hyperbole, anger, or conjecture ---and you will see your point of view, too, included here, as we have done since this blog was introduced.
Keep in mind that we have offered information in the brief time that this blog has been running about three important matters:
a) chemicals were added to the lake each of the last two years that have been linked to cancers;
b) Bridge 951 over Chestnut Hill Road is scheduled to be closed in the spring of 2010 for repairs; and,
c) riparian rights issues are still unresolved regarding SDRA's claims that they own the water of Smith and Sayles Reservoir.
Sometimes it's not easy to discuss issues and topics about which friends and neighbors disagree. But democracy is messy, and we need to be able to share ideas about the future of Smith and Sayles Reservoir in ways that all people can be heard. We care about Smith and Sayles Reservoir, and we know that you do, too.
Enjoy the autumn leaves as they deepen in color, and savor the last mild days.
Where is the blog to which your refer in this comment?
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you are open minded and are willing to post all different points of view on your blog page. This is the only way in which people can reach a consensus and resolve issues that are important to them. I was curious after reading through your blog what direction you would like to see the lake management head in order to maintain a healthy water body? The milfoil in the pond is an invasive body, which means that man has already played a negative impact on this beautiful body of water. Some corrective measure must be taken to save this resource that so many people enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI read through your suggested reading of The Practical Guide to Lake Management in Massachusetts and it clearly supports the prevention and eradiacation of non-native species -”Introduced non-native species can displace a healthy and desirable aquatic community and produce economically and recreationally severe impacts even though no other change has occurred in the Watershed.” The guide suggest creating a lake management plan. This has been done by SDRA with input from many on the committee, government agencies. RI DEM, neighboring lake association members, just to mention a few. This planning presented the forum for discussions for concerned people to have a voice. Though this very long process all of the suggestions found in the MA Management PDF were discussed. A plan that matched the needs of the Smith and Sayles Reservoir’s was developed. As you can clearly see by reading through the PDF presented at your site, all methods of lake management have benefits and drawbacks. SDRA did not choose only one method. People on the lake learned about how to use household products that were safe to use around a lake. They learned about controlling run off and not using chemicals on their lawns. They worked closely with RI DEM to create a plan to draw down water safely to create a freeze to eradicate the invasive species in the lake. They also had signs posted at the public boat ramp about the need to wash down all vassels and trailers going in and out of water bodies to prevent the spread of non-native plants. People on the committee sent out letters to both members and non-members about their efforts. They also dug into their own pockets to fund the initial project. People in my experience only spend their own money on projects that they believe in and are fully vested in. These people want to create a watershed environment that is healthy and beneficially to all who use it.
If you have ideas that would support this effort that are different than the ones already in the Lake Management Plan, then you should voice these ideas on your blog. While the PDF link that you offer is an excellent recourse, our plan needs to be customized to match our needs. I would welcome concrete ideas that you have to solve the non-native plants problem that is causing the destruction of a very valuable resource - Smith and Sayles Reservoir.