2010 DPA Fall Meeting

Milfoil status report

Remember this? In 2008,

a vow of purpose.

In 2010, a reality.

Is the milfoil gone? Yep.

Will it be back?

You betcha.

Lest we forget: 2002 situation

Lest we forget: 2007 situation

Six weeks after mechanical harvesting…

Recent History – 3 year, dual strategy

Herbicide to gain control when needed

Aggressive Hand Pulling to remove the roots - pre & post herbicide

2008 – Sonar whole lake treatment, hand pulling follow-up 6000 plants 2009 – Hand pulling 18,237 plants -- 7,026 were old growth, survived Sonar 2010 – Early hand pulling 380 plants , 5/19 Triclopyr spot treatment, hand pulling follow-up – 5765 more plants

2010 Triclopyr: Where & How Much

Treated 5/19 In six areas. 212ppb in whole lake, worked well. Lasted longer than expected:

Good statistics on 2008 sonar effectiveness helped negotiate a price reduction from SePRO

2010 Diver Activities

• Hand-pulling - plants spread out, harder to find, more costly. Haze conditions, decaying, hiding plants 6145 plants 287.2 hours ($1.87/plant!).

• A waste of time? No because:

– It’s a maintenance strategy

– It’s an element of long-term elimination strategy

– It’s an essential political treaty

• End-of-season underwater survey

2010 – No Sprig Left Behind!

Allison LaClaire’s Underwater Season-end Survey. Results: NO PLANTS!

2010 – No Sprig Left Behind!

Aquatic Control End-of-Season Inspection. Results: NO PLANTS!

GPS track Rake-toss sample

3 years of treatment & Hand Pulling Dual-strategy gets results!

The way we like it!

Boating, fishing, and swimming enjoyed a milfoil-free 2010

No ill effects to animals,

Beneficial effects on native plant species – growth of najas cover on the bottom may limit light to milfoil.

2010 –Water Clarity & Temperature

SWQC hopes to improve its data collection in the future – more of it, better organized, and more accessible.

Jack Peters takes weekly readings of water clarity and temperature at different depths.

Unclear water indicates algae, the potential for an algae bloom, and available nutrients. 2009 was better than 2010

Temperatures tell us if the pond is stratified. In winter its warmer at the bottom, in the summer, its warmer at the top. In spring and fall, waters mix, bringing up suspended nutrients.

Father Pietro Angelo Secchi SJ

(29 June 1818 – 26 February 1878) , inventor of the Secchi Disk

2010 – Circulators

• Moved to Chateau – shallower, less turnover.

• No noticeable effect on milfoil but water clarity is good post-herbicide.

• Considering resale opportunities

• Maintenance record good; power regulator has to be replaced this year.

Politics -- Good News / Bad News:

Bad News: Continuing cuts of DCR and natural resources state budgets. SWQC may advocate a boat sticker tax – as in Maine

Good News:

• SWQC town budget in good shape.

• Good relationships built with Selectmen and Conservation Commission.

• DPA cost-sharing helps the town accept SWQC budgets for Dudley Pond

• 2010 is the first year of the phosphorus ban in home cleaning products – it will help.

Getting at "ROOT” Causes:

Phosphorus & Nitrogen feed the weeds - sources: • lawn fertilizer runoff • septic systems leaching through porous soils • decaying leaves & existing muck • recirculation of bottom sediments

SWQC hopes to establish

reasonable regulations for:

• Septic Maintenance Practices • Lawn Chemical Practices

• Road Runoff Handling

SWQC will measure phosphorus in 2011

Thanks – I love this job!

SWQC salutes the dignity of work