2011 DCR Partnership Grant Application – Cochituate State Park, North Pond – Framingham & Wayland
HISTORY: 2010 Management Program followed successful 2009 treatment In 2010 the DCR/Framingham/Wayland partnership continued with a planned program including: Re-clearing weeds from the channel between the DCR boat launch, through Snake Brook Cove, and into North Pond. A barrier net, hand-fitted by WSWQC with groins to catch milfoil fragments Spot herbicide treatment where required. (hand-pulling was actually employed)
HISTORY: Dealing with new fall 2010 growth The Spring of the 2010 season after the 2009 triclopyr treatment found little milfoil. But by fall 2010, milfoil growth was noted in several areas. The plants appeared to be new growth rather than the multi-stemmed survivors. Contractor ACT and the DCR both surveyed the situation and the partnership consensus was that the areas were small enough that hand-pulling and spot herbicide treatment might be roughly equal in cost. Conscious of the desirability to avoid herbicide use unless it was necessary, the partnership chose to employ hand-pulling. Most areas were pulled, but one or two areas remained when the project ran out of funds. Although WSWQC was willing to provide the funds, there were permitting, logistical, and business issues that prevented what could have been a more complete treatment. In particular, the public boat launch where the Wayland-Weston crew team puts in could not be completed and should receive attention in 2011.
RELATED: 2011 Generic Order of Conditions may enable abutters to contract hand-pulling. DCR and the three towns’ Conservation Administrators are cooperatively working to develop a permitting and management system to enable abutters to contract for hand pulling under a “generic order of conditions”. This may provide relief to some abutters in Middle and South Ponds. Any reduction of milfoil in areas where boats must pass would mean fewer fragments eventually entering North Pond.
This 2011 grant application would continue this successful partnership and keep milfoil from returning to the North Pond of Lake Cochituate. This project will: Preserve DCR’s investment in a milfoil-free North Pond in Cochituate State Park, Serve the public’s interest in usable recreational areas, and Protect habitats of native plant and animal species.
12/17/2010
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