The Monomonac Lake Property Owners Association is developing a watershed management plan over the next 18 months to reduce phosphorus and other pollutants in the lake.
Jeff Eisenberg, a member of the association, appeared before the Select Board on Wednesday to discuss the plan, which is already underway and will be gathering data for the next year or more.
The work is being funded through a grant from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. Selectman Bob Hamilton said that while the association was presenting for the town’s information, the grant is being administered by the lake association, which is not a town entity.
“The purpose of the watershed management plan is to identify pollutants in the Lake Monomonac watershed and to identify solutions to mitigate those pollutants over time,” Eisenberg said.
Eisenberg said the association has tested the lake regularly since the late 1980s, monitoring water clarity, oxygen levels and pollutants. He said a watershed management plan has been recommended for several years.
The association accepted the grant in March and has hired an environmental firm to complete the plan. It has already begun with a shoreline survey, which photographs properties from the water to evaluate slopes, bare soil and the distance of structures to the water.
He said the plan will also include a septic survey to identify systems in need of replacement or repair around the lake.
“As I said, the goal is to identify pollutants in the watershed,” Eisenberg said. “When we present the findings of the study, the next step will be to endeavor to solve some of these problems.”
Phosphorus levels and cyanobacteria blooms are the association’s primary concerns, he said. The lake recorded two blooms two years ago and six last year.
As part of the project, at least three public forums are planned. The first is scheduled for Oct. 20 with a location and time to be announced.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.