Local students will have a hands-on learning experience in water quality thanks to the use of grant funds and a state lakes program.

The Meredith Board of Selectmen gave consensus approval during their Sept. 15 meeting for the use of over $21,000 in grant funds to be used for a program on Lake Waukewan proposed for next summer by the New Hampshire Lakes Association.

According to a staff report given to the selectmen by town planner Angela Labrecque, the Waukewan watershed was awarded a $50,000 grant from the Department of Environmental Services Watershed Approach Pilot Program in 2005 with work focused on collecting water quality data through Plymouth State University. The PSU graduate program conducted supplemental research in the Waukewan Watershed, work that has since been completed and reports will be presented at the community center on Oct. 17.

According to the DES, $21,920 remains of the funding from the pilot program and has to be spent by Sept. 30, 2009. The Waukewan Watershed Advisory Committee and the DES have met to discuss ways the money could be spent to help advance the aspects if the Waukewan Watershed management plan.

The New Hampshire Lakes Association was mentioned as a possible opportunity with the group implementing a demonstration project emphasizing the importance of water quality. The association has expressed interest in managing the project through the Lakes Conservation Corps, which is a lake stewardship learning program with students.

The program, which has been used in other parts of the state, involves students from various grades from middle school through high school doing water quality testing and shoreline land restoration projects with additional involvement by science teachers and other community leaders. Students could also receive pay, course credits, tuition reimbursement, or other incentives for taking part in the program

The partnership could involve the town and Lakes Association with the Inter-Lakes School District and possibly PSU and the UNH Cooperative Extension.

The NH Lakes Association is developing a proposal for DES and project partners to review and a revised grant must be developed.

Any work and research could possibly occur at private shoreline property at the lake and the park located at the Waukewan boat launch. The program would include implementing techniques and practices to prevent further erosion and waster quality through landscape infiltration of storm-water runoff.

"We think it's a really good fit on both ends," said Jared Teutsch, president of the New Hampshire Lakes Association.

The program would use local students, likely high school students, and science teachers to take part in the program teaching science and math skills. "They have an opportunity to do this hands on," Teutsch said.

Teutsch said the program could be implemented at the beginning of next summer with work beginning then. Grant administration will be done by the Lakes Association.

Community planning director John Edgar said this project is a way to implements public aspects of the Waukewan management plan and determine if any changes can be made in the area to better manage run off, such as a small drainage system.

The town will likely not make any monetary contributions to the project, though in kind work will likely be done by the public works department and public works director Mike Faller has been supporting of the project. The NH Lakes Association will also serve as grant administrators, which could save time for town staff.

Selectman mentioned how this program mirrors the current Career Partnership Program between the school system, the Greater Meredith Program, and local businesses.