White Pond Watershed Needs Management Plan

Jim Lyon told the selectmen that White Pond is an overlooked town asset that needs protection.

Lyon, a member of the white Pond Advisory Committee, said the whole pond watershed in West Concord could benefit from oversight.

Lyon asked the selectmen to back a request from the Community Preservation Committee for $64,403 to fund a study and management plan for the recreational area. Lyon said other sources could chip in $7,500 for a total of $71,903.

The selectmen were well disposed toward the idea, although the board said there were other town projects it wanted to see CPA funds used for.

Lyon stressed the trail network that leads to and from the water and other recreational activities centered on the pond. The White Pond Association controls a small waterfront area that residents can join. Lyon said 500 families are in the association.

Lyon said 95 families have deeded rights to the water as they live on the shore.

"The goal is to understand the condition of the pond and watershed for future uses," said Lyon. He said the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail runs alongside the water for a stretch.

But Lyon said septic systems and erosion have deteriorated the pond to where it needs attention. He has "baseline" photos of some of the erosion.

"It's getting extensive," said Lyon. "It's people. Their activities affect the pond. It's an amazing resource."

He said data analysis would be gathered over the next two months, and a portion of the CPA request, $7,640, would be used for water quality analysis.

Selectman Elise Woodward agreed that a management plan was needed.

Selectman Carmin Reiss said there is "no reclaiming" what erosion and degradation have done.

"I like this plan a lot," said Reiss.

The selectmen said other projects such as acquisition of the Rogers land in West Concord is a possibility for CPA funds; as is fixing the stone wall at Heywood Meadow, cutting down the invasive species at Heywood Meadow and creating a footbridge over the Mill Brook behind Vanderhoof's Hardware to build a pedestrian circulation route through the center of town.

"Not all get funded by the CPA committee," said Jeff Wieand. The board prioritized the projects and voted to support the Rogers land first, then White Pond, the footbridge third, then the two Heywood Meadow projects.

The deadline for submitting funding ideas to the CPA Committee is next month.