Recently, Jane Clifford, President of the Lake Iroquois Association made a presentation about the LIA’s activities during 2024 to the Selectboards of Hinesburg and Williston. Below is a summary of her remarks.
The Lake Iroquois Association (LIA) is an all-volunteer non-profit organization with a mission of maintaining and enhancing a healthy lake ecosystem. We do that through monitoring, prevention, research, education, partnering and advocacy. Lake Iroquois is one of only four of the over eight hundred lakes in Vermont to have achieved the Lake Wise Gold Award. The VT Department of Environmental Conservation presents this award. To receive the award at least 15% of lake shore property owners must have achieved the Lake Wise Award and be actively involved in shoreline protection. LIA continues to reach out and support and educate lake shore property owners of the importance of this program.
The LIA greatly appreciates the support that the towns of Hinesburg and Williston have given over the years. Your generous commitment is essential in helping us fulfill our mission – Research, Education, and Action for a Healthy Lake.
Below are some of the exciting activities that were completed or initiated during the past year.
Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention
Greeter and Boat Wash Program
- Friday through Sunday 6 am to 6 pm (increase in 2024 to all day Friday)
- Greeters inspect and wash boats entering and leaving the lake.
- 2024 inspected 3430 vessels and increase of 7% from 2023
- Greeters also provide information/education about best practices to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, and the hazards of lead fishing equipment
Aquatic Plant Surveys/Treatment
- Two plant surveys are done, spring and fall
- These surveys determine the amount of Eurasian Water Milfoil, an aquatic invasive species, and other plants presents in the lake.
- Treatment in July
Conservation
- Continue work with Erik Hansen of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies
- Over the past 8 years loons have returned to the lake
- Another successful hatch of two babies this year
- LIA members have installed a nesting raft and nest warning signs to protect the nest from watercraft and swimmers
Friendraising Event
- LIA and the Lake Iroquois Recreation District (LIRD) collaborated on the first annual Friendraising event at the Lake Iroquois Beach
- Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, 2024.
- Admission to the beach was free, residents could purchase their Season Passes
- Families were treated to free ice cream cones
- Hot dogs, water and chips were available by donation.
Website, newsletter, Facebook page, email list:
- Provide information and education to all lake users about protecting the lake
The Lake Iroquois Lake Management Plan 2020-2025 (comprehensive)
- This important reference document is available on the LIA website. www.lakeiroquois.org/fileadmin/files/Annual_Reports/Plans/ Lake_Iroquois_Association_Management_Plan_2020-2025.pdf
Thank You
LIA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Jane Clifford, Ernie Rossi, Roger Jones, Karen Villanti, Chris Conant, Sarah Beebe, Marion Mumford, Bob Donnis, Jeff Davis, Pat Suozzi, Roger Crouse, Suzanne Magee, David Beebe, and David Horn