Fundraising plan

[Admin]

Document attached below as well.
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The NRC and White Pond Advisory Committee seeks donations and CPC funding to develop a long range management plan to protect the pond from the ravages of man and nature.
Background: Over the past years, White Pond, one of Concord’s prized natural jewels, has seen a substantial increase in usage from Concord citizens as well as major bank erosion around the pond from runoff related to the many “gulley washers” we’ve experienced in the area.

As a result, with the support of the Town Manager and BOS, as well as Friends of White Pond and others, the Natural Resources Commission and the White Pond Advisory Committee are preparing a CPA application to fund a long-range pond management plan. The plan was influenced by a similar plan developed in the ‘70s for Walden Pond, a plan still in use today as a management roadmap. Walden is the “sister” kettle hole pond to White Pond, immortalized in the writings of Thoreau, Emerson and Channing. Channing said, "White Pond is exceedingly beautiful and especially its green ban with pine. This is one of our finest ponds".

The Management Plan will examine and recommend solution options for all areas of concern for the pond and its environs including: recreational use patterns as they are now and how they might change in the future; best practices for pond management as they relate to monitoring of the pond and surrounding areas (water quality, bank erosion, invasive plants, etc).

Why do we need a management plan? The area around the pond is designated a Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Priority Habitat. The Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) is part of the Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and, according to the town GIS, the pond retained this designation as recently as 2008. The habitat area extends approximately 300 feet from the water all around the pond.
To help ensure the ongoing quality of the White Pond resource (its water quality, beach and shorelines as well as surrounding trail system), it is essential to understand the impact of natural forces and human activity on the pond today. Going forward, a good understanding of the most fragile areas and how to best mitigate and/or prevent damage will be essential for the continued health of the area.

A good plan will evaluate and offer solutions to: water quality; water runoff; erosion concerns; increased human use and its impact. We need a permanent plan in place and baseline analysis as soon as possible. When more monies are available, we can proceed with needed repairs and restoration.

We need the help of Concord Citizens! While the Selectmen, NRC and Town Manager are in support of the management plan development and the use of CPA funds for the project, in order to actually acquire CPA funds a percentage of the total project cost must be raised by the sponsoring organizations.

Please help protect and preserve the magnificent Concord town resource of the White Pond area with your donation. Any amount will be much appreciated and checks should be made out to the Town of Concord with a notation of support for the White Pond Management Plan. Checks should be sent to Jim Lyon, Chair of the White Pond Advisory Committee.

James Lyon
51 Mitchell Road
Concord, MA 01742