I am writing to ask for continued support for the Thompson Lake Youth Conservation Corps. The request for funds for YCC will appear on the warrants for Oxford and Otisfield town meetings this Saturday.

The purpose of YCC is to combat the greatest threat to the water quality of our lakes – non-point source pollution. The YCC supplies summer jobs for as many as five high school students, as well as a crew chief and a coordinator. Their task is to identify erosion problems throughout the Thompson Lake watershed, work with landowners to design corrective solutions, obtain required Department of Environmental Protection permits when necessary, obtain materials and furnish labor to install buffer zones and water diversion devices.

Landowners pay for materials and agree in writing to maintain the solutions for at least five years.

During the past 10 years, the Thompson Lake Environmental Association has diligently applied for and received grants from individuals and corporations, as well as the federal Environmental Protection Agency, to combat non-point source pollution. The association has contributed over $30,000 in cash payments, plus countless hours of in-kind support for this activity.

Shoreline property is a vital component of the towns’ tax base. The towns realize up to 20 percent of their property tax income from Thompson Lake shoreline property owners. It is well documented that when water quality declines, shoreline real estate values do also. Protecting our lakes is a sound investment. YCC is designed to do just that.

Sue Ellis, co-president

Thompson Lake Environmental Association, Poland