Residents, volunteers launching advisory committee to study Androscoggin Lake

Doug Stevenson updated the select board on a community-led effort to study and steward Androscoggin Lake, saying organizers intend to form an eight-person advisory coordinating committee and up to 10 focused workgroups.

"We intend this very collaborative effort," Stevenson said, describing committee seats for a lake owner, a lake user from Wayne and Leeds, representatives from ALIC and 30 Mile River, and several members with no direct lake ownership or use. He said workgroups will focus on chemistry, hydrology, ordinances, communications and data.

Stevenson said engineers and consultants will be engaged to map and sample the lake scientifically so the group can pinpoint where water-quality issues occur. He flagged a significant grant opportunity targeted for March and asked the board to expect outreach for committee members if the group proceeds with formal recruitment.

Stevenson also noted recently released state Department of Environmental Protection lake-rating charts and said Androscoggin Lake showed predominantly poor ratings compared with nearby lakes.

Board members asked whether existing regional groups would take the lead on grant applications; organizers indicated 30 Mile River and local lake organizations would be involved. The board and conservation committee members encouraged timely public recruitment and collaboration with Leeds to align outreach.

The effort is in its organizing phase: volunteers are drafting job descriptions (one role described internally as "data miner") and preparing to advertise committee seats and workgroup openings. Next procedural steps cited were consultant selection for sampling plans and public recruitment for committee members.