quote:

---

Can Locke Lake survive?

To the Editor:

Tired of being harassed by those nuisance nature lovers, always crying about their lakes and shores? Well I have just the place for you without the interference of those do-gooders. Measured by the Geological Interior Survey, the lake in question is 149 acres divided by a small channel in the middle. This separation leaves us with two lakes, each measuring 75 acres with a depth of an average six feet.

Unfortunately it's impossible for submarines to navigate, but everything else seems to be

welcomed. Jet Skis, Wave Runners, power oats of any size

and horsepower, the bigger and faster, the better.

In 1999 a group of concerned homeowners met with the Department of Environmental Services. We were made aware of the problems that would occur from these activities on such a small man-made lake. Shoreline erosion, aquatic plant damage, spread of milfoil, frogs and turtles becoming extinct and fish trying to survive in tainted water. The administration that represented the homeowners and the Department of Safety and Marine Patrol ignored all the red flags. Our concerns fell on deaf ears and all predictions have come true. The administration was more interested in new homes being built, adding to the problem and the Department of Safety, playing politics, was afraid of stepping on toes. We, the Association members, were caught in the middle. If each did their job then, we wouldn't have these problems now.

If the Department of Safety and Marine Patrol just enforced their own rules regarding boating

safety and the current administration read its own easements, possibly Locke Lake in Center Barnstead could survive for our grandchildren.
 
Jim Duchaney
Barnstead
- December 12, 2007
 

---