2012 DPA Spring Meeting
SWQC Dudley Pond –Health Report
Lest we forget: 2002 milfoil everywhere
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Lest we forget: 2007 milfoil out of control
Six weeks after mechanical harvesting‌ 04/29/2012
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Lest we forget: 2007 Cyanobacteria Nitrogen + Phosphorus + warmth => Algal Blooms
Blue-Green blooms are dangerous. Blooms Appear Quickly.
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If you see this, call me and Wayland’s Health Director immediately, stay out of the water, 4 keep kids & pets out of the water.
Remember this? In 2008, a vow of purpose. 2009-2010-2011, a reality. See any in 2011? Virtually none. Is it there Spring 2012? You bet. 04/29/2012
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Recent History – 4 year, dual strategy Herbicide to gain control when needed Aggressive Hand Pulling to remove the roots - pre & post herbicide
2008 – 2009 – 2010 – 2011 –
sonar whole lake treatment, hand pulling follow-up 6000 plants hand pull: 18,237 plants -- 7,026 were old growth, survived sonar hand pull: 6145 plants, triclopyr spot treatment hand pull: 10,485 plants , no herbicide,
2012 PLAN: Hand-pulling we hope – We’ll decide again in 4-5 weeks 04/29/2012
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2010 triclopyr: Where & How Much Treated 5/19 In six areas. 212ppb in whole lake, worked well.
Lasted longer than expected:
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Yellow areas funded 100% by DPA – thanks.
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2011 Diver Activities • Start of 2011 survey: can’t find any plants!
• Hand-pulling: – Near shores first, middle deeper areas later – Many pioneers, fewer stems, a few big survivors & ZOMBIES – 10485 plants, 274 hours, $10,960 - $1.05 per plant
• Late Season – pulling to late October • End-of-season survey: good control at year end A Fear – we control the milfoil – and the algae feast on the nutrients 04/29/2012
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2011 – Where was the milfoil?
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Mostly in the under-spot treated and not spot treated areas.
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4 years of treatment & Hand Pulling Dual-strategy gets results! Boating, fishing, and swimming enjoyed a milfoil-free 2011
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The way we like it!
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No ill effects to animals,
SWQC sponsoring
Touch-A-Turtle Touch-A-Swan Spring 2012 You keep wildlife distracted, so our divers can work. 04/29/2012
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E-coli Measurements SWQC, with the cooperation of the Board of Health, did a sampling / testing program for e-coli bacteria after a septic breakout at 123/125 Dudley Road
Still being pumped weekly by Board of Health 04/29/2012
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E-coli Measurements The real problem was at Mansion Beach, with Canada Geese a likely cause of two beach closings. Beach Closed!
Beach Closed!
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E-coli Measurements
E-coli tests cost $15 a sample – this should have been happening before. 2012: BoH may take over testing– if not SWQC will continue Thanks to Molly Upton for helping. 04/29/2012
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2011/2012 – Circulators • Only one working. • Vendor non-responsive • Possible benefit: algae control • Tentative sale May 10th pickup 04/29/2012
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2011 –Water Chemistry Measurement Program
SWQC kept talking about N&P – but we had NOT measured it! 04/29/2012
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2011 –Water Chemistry Measurement Program Measured: • Date/time/weather • Water temperature • Water clarity (Secchi) • ph • DO% & Saturation Samples Analyzed: • Total Phosphorus (P) • Orthophosphate (P) • Ammonia (N) • Total Nitrogen (N) • Chlorophyll a
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• Points correspond with historic sampling points • Sampling: April, September, November • April & September draft reports available
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2011 –Water Chemistry Measurement Program Carlson Trophic Index – measure of Eutrophication
Plants are starting to take up nutrients in April 04/29/2012
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2011 –Water Chemistry Measurement Program Carlson Trophic Index – measure of Eutrophication
Plants are still taking up nutrients in September 04/29/2012
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2011 –Water Chemistry Measurement Program Carlson Trophic Index – measure of Eutrophication
NOVEMBER 2011 – plants less active 04/29/2012
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2012 –Water Chemistry Measurement Program Carlson Trophic Index – measure of Eutrophication
2012 April 04/29/2012
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Getting at "ROOT” Causes: Phosphorus & Nitrogen feed the weeds • lawn fertilizer runoff • septic systems leaching through porous soils • decaying leaves & existing muck • recirculation of bottom sediments
SWQC seeks improvements: Septic Maintenance Practices Alternative, Shared Systems that remove N and P Lawn Chemical Practices Road Runoff Handling 04/29/2012
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House bill# 3270 – Phosphorus Fertilizers • No Phosphorus Fertilizer except for new lawns or when soil-test indicates P-deficiency
• No fertilizer use – 12/1 to 4/1 – Within 20’ of waterbody w/o vegetative buffer
• Town’s may adopt stricter controls Helps towns comply with new stormwater regs Please Write Tom Conroy in support of this bill
04/29/2012
Already Limits in: VT, NH, ME, NH, MD, NY, WI, MN, MI
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East Dudley Septic Study SWQC studied septic systems on the East side of the pond where groundwater movement is toward the pond. SWQC’s goal – reduce nutrients: • Better data base • Stricter regulations • Periodic Inspections • Appropriate technology • Funding alternatives for upgrades.
• Presented: DPA, DAAC, Conservation, Board of Health • Next: Planning Board, Selectmen, WWMDC 04/29/2012
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Neighborhood Septic Treatment? Connecting not required but need 4-5 homes to be viable. Max: 10,000 gpd each (20-25 homes) Connect when: home sold, system failure, improvements require, personal desire We’re seeking low cost financing, or 20 year betterments. 04/29/2012
Alternative designs: Conventional Leach Field Membrane Bioreactor (very low N, P discharge) Solar Aquatic greenhouse (like Weston) 25
2012 Politics , Funding & Permitting: Mostly Good News: • SWQC town budget in good shape. • Good relationships built with Selectmen and Conservation Commission, and Board of Health • All Wayland is aware of nutrient problems on DP. Mass permit extension act – 2 additional years on our permit. • DPA cost-sharing helps the town accept SWQC budgets for Dudley Pond • 2012 is the third year of the phosphorus ban in home cleaning products.
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2012 – Hand Pulling Started! • Allison has pulled 80 plants near the outlet • Preliminary surveys – 3-4 weeks ahead • Ted will be pulling after school – watch for diver down flag. • Could be a tough year, reassessing in 4 weeks.
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Follow the work at http://g.co/maps/npdq6
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Thanks to DPA for your support!
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SWQC salutes the dignity of work
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Dudley Pond Sunrise November 6, 2011
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