Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance Inc

“ORGANIZED WITH MEMBERS”

“The organization has members who had the power to elect or appoint one or more members of the governing body.”

“Governance decisions of the organization subject to approval by members other than the governing body.”

“The 990 review process includes review by the president/chief executive officer, the treasurer, the office manager, and the board.”

“7 lakes alliance conflict of interest policy is semi-annually reviewed at the spring and fall board meetings. Also, when issues arise during board meetings, where voting is required that may involve conflicts of interest, board members abstain.”

“The process for determining the chief executive officer's compensation was conducted by a professional search firm in 2018, included a review and approval by the board, and will continue to be performed annually.”

“7 lakes alliance makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public. The by-laws are made available to the members upon request and distributed prior to any proposed amendments. The conflict of interest policy is written in the 7 lakes alliance's board manual and available on request. The 7 lakes alliance financial statements and 990 are available to public at guidestar website and the 7 lakes alliance 's office.”

“The 7 lakes alliance milfoil program protects aquatic ecosystems and the public enjoyment of the lakes in the belgrade lakes watershed by preventing and mitigating the spread of invasive aquatic plants. 7 lakes alliance places both paid and volunteer courtesy boat inspectors at public boat launches to check for plant fragments on boats entering and leaving lakes, and educates boaters about the threat posed by invasive aquatic plants. 7 lakes alliance also organizes invasive plant patrols to search for invasive plants that may become established in at-risk areas. In 2019, 7 lakes alliance employed 20 part-time workers and 15 volunteers to provide 4,940 hours of coverage, and inspected 10,033 boats on 5 public boat ramps and 1 private launch that affects public waters. In 2010, variable milfoil was found growing in the great meadow stream that runs between north pond and great pond. During the summer of 2019, 7 lakes alliance worked to mitigate the variable milfoil infestation and pulled approximately 33,435 gallons of variable milfoil, while employing 7 summer staff. No new infestations were found this summer, and a courtesy boat inspector kept an invasive milfoil plant out of east pond.”

“The 7 lakes alliance youth conservation corps goal is to protect the water quality of the belgrade lakes watershed from degradation due to the impact of developed areas within the watershed. To accomplish this, the youth conservation corps employed 12 local students to complete erosion control projects in the belgrade lakes watershed, reducing the input of sediment, phosphorus, and other pollutants into the lakes. Typical projects include shoreline riprap, bare soil stabilization, buffer plantings, infiltration structures, rain gardens, and runoff diversion. Projects are completed primarily on privately-owned property around the lakes, and homeowners pay for the cost of materials used and overhead. The cost of planning, technical assistance and labor is paid for by donations from area lake associations, municipalities, businesses and private donors. In 2019, the 7 lakes alliance youth conservation corps program completed 119 erosion control projects in the belgrade lakes watershed, the most in one season ever.”

“The 7 lakes alliance watershed program conducts projects to improve water quality throughout the watershed. These projects are funded, in part, by the u.s. Environmental protection agency under section 319 of the clean water act and administered by the maine department of environmental protection nonpoint source (nps) program. Projects include performing watershed surveys, presenting education and outreach programs on water quality, preparing watershed based plans, and designing and implementing best management practices (bmps) for gravel roads and other land use activities where erosion is an issue. Working collaboratively with maine department of environmental protection, private landowners and local towns, this program has already brought in more than 1.14 million of federal grants to the belgrade lakes region to improve water quality by improving erosion control on public and private roads throughout the watershed. This federal funding has leveraged additional local, town, and foundation contributions of more than 1.7 million for erosion control projects.”

“Other accomplishments are in the following areas: land stewardship - a group of dedicated volunteers and staff protect conservation properties through continuous monitoring and trail maintenance. Land conservation - 7 lakes alliance works to identify and permanently conserve - either through the purchase of the land or through conservation easement - lands that provide high value habitat, recreational opportunities, and water quality protection. Lake science program - to better understand the drivers of water quality in the belgrade watershed, the 7 lakes alliance, in association with colby college and surrounding lake associations, conducts water quality monitoring on all seven of the belgrade lakes. Under the supervision of our science director, danielle wain, colby students, 7 lakes alliance staff, and volunteers routinely measure temperature and oxygen profiles, secchi disk depth, and algal species composition (using a flowcam) to assess the quality of the lakes. Miscellaneous assistance - to provide support to various local lakes associations and to provide educational services.”

“Professional services 157,879 9,755 44,024”