Our neighborhood is facing a potential school change that would significantly impact a large percentage of our residents directly and the whole neighborhood indirectly. Jeffco School District is currently evaluating cost cutting measures relative to facility utilization and efficiencies. As a result of this process TrailMark may be rezoned from Shaffer Elementary to Mortensen Elementary. There is a significant performance difference between the schools, potentially impacting our children's education as well our property values. Additionally, our neighborhood has contributed thousands of volunteer hours over the years to help make Shaffer the school and valued part of our community that it is today.

Please refer to the Jeffco Public School web site at www.jeffcopublicschools.org or the facilities usage website here. There is also a letter written to all parents here, a facility usage document here, and a facility usage options spreadsheet here, please read these for additional information.

Tony Byrne, the biologist that the District has engaged to evaluate the condition of Fairview Reservoir #2, has provided the summary below. In addition, he has made preliminary recommendations on how to improve its condition. The Trailmark Hoa Board would like to point out that this is only a preliminary plan that the Board still needs to consider. This report is only the first step in a multi-step process to address concerns from citizens. The Board will consider his recommendations and the costs of his recommendations along with other options at their December Meeting.

Tony Byrne's Preliminary Report Summary Report:

We have identified the weed in Beaver Pond as Azolla mexicana, or water fern. This species is native to parts of Colorado, but is considered rare. In fact, many growths of Azolla are attributed to introductions from fish aquariums. Unfortunately, this is a difficult species to control, as it is classified as a priority invasive and noxious weed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Due to the dense growths of this plant in Beaver Pond, it is necessary to stage the treatments to ensure that all plants are affected by herbicide applications. Use of one simple treatment will not be effective because exposure to herbicide would be very limited. Thus, we propose to complete four treatments, beginning next spring (treatment during this time of year would prove to be ineffective due to cold water and restricted plant uptake by photosynthesis). The first three treatments, using Reward (coupled with Cidekick surfactant and Cutrine algaecide), will be used to "thin-out" the weed, thereby allowing us to treat all weeds. The fourth treatment will involve use of the systemic (long term) herbicide, Sonar. It is our belief that this plan will significantly eradicate Azolla over the season, if not longer.

Considering the vast amount of dead plant material that will be produced from these applications, we recommend that two bacteria inoculations be completed; one after the third treatment using Reward and the second after the fourth treatment using Sonar. These bacteria will be used to oxidize the organic wastes produced from dying plants. Cost for the herbicide and bacteria treatments is $4,744.00, including labor and materials.

Our laboratory results indicated that water quality of the pond was relatively good, except dissolved oxygen, which was measured at 2 mg/L. This level is not acceptable for maintaining fish populations and also contributes to organic waste (specifically organic sludge, or black muck) accumulation because aerobic, waste-oxidizing bacteria are not able to thrive.

For long term water quality improvement and maintenance, we recommend that an aeration system be installed. We are mailing you information about this system, but basically, it will include a single, shore-mounted compressor (housed in a small steel cabinet), operating three diffusers placed on the bottom of the pond. Cost for purchase and installation of the aeration system is $5,072.78.

Assuming that the aeration system is installed, we recommend that the pond be placed on a monthly maintenance schedule. This will involve one of our technicians visiting the pond once per month to maintain the aeration system (i.e., clean and inspect all components, clean diffusers, adjust air flow, and replace compressor filter), apply beneficial lake bacteria to control nutrients and algae, and remove in-lake trash and debris. Cost per month is estimated at $318.99, which does not include periodic algaecide treatments, if needed.

To evaluate current management practices and identify ongoing needs, we recommend that a seasonal water quality monitoring program be implemented. During each quarter, one of our technicians will collect water samples and transfer such to our in-house laboratory to process and analyze various inorganic parameters (e.g., phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH, ammonia, nitrite, chloride, alkalinity, hardness, temperature, etc.) and chlorophyll-a (an indicator of algae biomass and overall nutrient loading). A brief report will be submitted each quarter. Annual cost for this task is $540.00

Again, please reply to this message, indicating your mailing address. Once received, we will mail the entire water quality-plant ID results, along with official bid sheets, specifications and company information.

We appreciate the opportunity of examining Beaver Pond and we look forward to working with you. I will remain available should you desire a conference call or other meeting. Please feel free to call me if you have questions.

Tony Byrne, MS Fishery Biology and Aquatic Ecology (tbyrne@allaboutlakes.com)
Project Manager and Aquatic Biologist
All About Lakes, LLC
5765 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Ste. 10
Arvada, CO 80002

Voice: (720) 974-4075
Fax: (720) 974-4830