Rogers Lake
West Shore Association

LAKE HEALTH

This page is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Rogers Lake West Shores Association Board.

Any questions about the content of the Lake Health information should be addressed to Maureen Plumleigh at rogerslakehealth@gmail.com.

Lake Health Report 2020

I’m sure you have noticed that, during this time of sequestering from the Covid-19 virus, that more individuals and families are out walking – both here in our neighborhood as well as around town.

It’s possible you have noticed that our streets could be safer, more accessible, and more enjoyable for walkers as well as cyclists.

To that end, I’d like to invite you to express your opinions, preferences and experiences by participating in a Survey called “Walkability.”

 

It’s simple, quick and helps to gather feedback from a diverse group of residents on what you may see as lacking for safety, accessibility, and security which will help the town plan for the future.

This project is a continuation of Old Lyme’s original 2018 application to SustainableCT, and that process was nicely described in the Lymeline issue of April 2018, on the reverse side. In 2019, I was asked to educate Old Lyme residents on proper recycling, and distribute the printed labels for our recycling bins. The SustainableCT program has been adopted by the Conservation Commission as an overall measure and motivation for communicating and completing goals. Slowly, we are reaching out to other town commissions and committees because the program fosters collaboration, sharing resources, and precludes wasting time.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection reminded residents this week to be on the lookout for invasive Oriental bittersweet this holiday season, and to avoid using or selling it in holiday décor.
Oriental bittersweet, sometimes used in wreath-making and other holiday decorations, is a woody vine that produces bright red fruits with yellow outer coverings. Use of the vines helps spread seeds to new areas, and once established in natural settings, the vines can wrap around trees, strangling them. The extra load on the tree limbs can cause limbs to fail, contributing to damage and power outages. Improper disposal of the decorations, either outdoors or in compost after the holiday season, can contribute to the spread of this highly invasive species, DEEP said in a news release.

Selling or moving bittersweet is prohibited by state law. The prohibition extends to seeds, flowers and other reproductive portions of the plants. Fines for violations are $50 per plant.

Anyone who finds invasive bittersweet for sale in Connecticut is asked to contact Logan Senack, Connecticut Invasive Plant Coordinator, at (860) 208-3900 or at: logan.senack@ct.gov. For information, visit: www.cipwg.uconn.edu.

Please note: A new state law (12-155) that prohibits the use of a fertilizer containing phosphorous near water bodies is now in effect.
A $500 fine is imposed on violators.

A pound of phosphorous fertilizer can produce 10,000 pounds of algae in water bodies like Rogers Lake!

A Planting Guide for Riparian Sites Along the CT Coast

From the Fall 2011 edition of Old Lyme Events is the article by Maureen Plumleigh, resident of RLWSA and member of the Old Lyme Conservation Commission.