A new community advisory committee in Quispamsis aims to support the ecological health of Ritchie Lake.
The creation of the committee was one of several recommendations contained in a recent consultant’s report.
Fundy Engineering was hired to conduct a baseline assessment and create a management plan for the lake.
Mayor Libby O’Hara said their report revealed issues surrounding sedimentation and water quality in Ritchie Lake.
“It really is one of our signature attractions and one that we need to look at and stabilize protect and preserve what we have in that lake,” O’Hara said in an interview.
“The lake has been exposed to some factors that in other years it wasn’t as great a concern now. The residents are saying ‘hey, it’s time we look at this and make sure that this lake remains healthy.'”
O’Hara pointed out that the lake has been closed to swimming several times in recent years due to the presence of high E. coli levels.
The nine-member committee will include three community members, with preference given to residents who live close to the lake, as well as one councillor and two town employees.
According to the town, the committee’s mission will be to initiate goals, track changes, organize community outreach events, provide guidance, make recommendations to council for budget allocation and action items, foster conservation and ensure sustainable management to maintain the ecological integrity of Ritchie Lake.
“We’re going to make projections, with the help of specialists in the field, over the next five and 10 years on how we’re going to how we continue to stabilize and protect and preserve the well-being of Ritchie Lake,” said O’Hara.
“Down the road, it’s going to be up to mayor and council to take recommendations from this committee and to prioritize those that are going to require any kind of financial investment.”
That may involve approaching nearby neighbours and developers to ensure they are taking proper measures to prevent anything from coming into the lake that should not be there, the mayor added.
Anyone interested in joining the Ritchie Lake Community Advisory Committee can apply using the town committee application by March 14. All applications will be reviewed by the town’s nominating committee and recommendations will be forwarded to council for approval.
