Senator Hassan Recognizes Bayard Tracy of Spofford as August’s Granite Stater of the Month

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized Bayard Tracy of Spofford as August’s Granite Stater of the Month. For almost 20 years, Bayard has volunteered with the Spofford Lake Association, helping to ensure that the community can use the lake for generations to come.

Shortly after he moved to Spofford in 2006, Bayard got involved with the Spofford Lake Association, first by helping with water testing, then with obtaining grants and conducting studies to understand and improve the lake's water quality, and he eventually helped develop a multi-year water management plan to improve Spofford Lake’s water quality. Bayard has also led efforts to raise awareness among Spofford residents about the importance of protecting Spofford Lake and to increase the role of the community in the stewardship of the lake, specifically by encouraging individual landowners to take steps to stop erosion and runoff from their property – which can lead to increased pollution in the lake. Bayard’s commitment to protecting Spofford Lake showcases his Granite State spirit of environmental stewardship and civic engagement.

Senator Hassan launched the “Granite Stater of the Month” initiative in 2017 to recognize outstanding New Hampshire citizens who go above and beyond to help their neighbors and make their communities stronger. To nominate a New Hampshire citizen to be a “Granite Stater of the Month,” constituents can complete the nomination form here.

To read Senator Hassan’s statement for the Congressional Record, see below.

I am honored to recognize Bayard Tracy of Spofford as August’s Granite Stater of the Month. For almost 20 years, Bayard has volunteered with the Spofford Lake Association, helping to ensure that the community can use the lake for generations to come.

Shortly after he moved to Spofford in 2006, Bayard got involved with the Spofford Lake Association, first by helping with water testing and then with obtaining grants and conducting studies to understand and improve the lake's water quality. The studies showed that stormwater runoff is the largest source of phosphorus and other pollutants entering the lake – and this can create an unsafe environment for fish and wildlife. Using the information from the studies, Bayard and his fellow association volunteers worked with the state, the town of Chesterfield, and property owners to develop a multi-year water management plan to improve Spofford Lake’s water quality. As part of this plan, the town’s select board established a Watershed Committee and created a wastewater management ordinance for the Lake District. Additionally, they created a fund to help protect the lake in case of an invasive species infestation. All of these efforts will help make safe swimming, boating, and fishing on the lake.

Bayard has also led efforts to raise awareness among Spofford residents about the importance of protecting Spofford Lake and to increase the role of the community in the stewardship of the lake. Understanding that everyone needs to have a stake in maintaining the water quality of the lake so that people can continue to enjoy it for years to come, Bayard has encouraged individual landowners to take steps to stop erosion and runoff from their property – which can lead to increased pollution in the lake – and has worked to inform the community about other steps that individuals can take in order to keep the lake clean.

Bayard’s commitment to protecting Spofford Lake by volunteering directly at the lake and by increasing community involvement in lake conservation efforts is a great example of the Granite State spirit of environmental stewardship and civic engagement. I am honored to name him August’s Granite Stater of the Month.