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Conservation commission continues Forbes Pond herbicide plan after water‑supply questions
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Summary
Consultants proposed targeted herbicide and monitoring treatment for invasive milfoil at Forbes (Ice) Pond; the commission continued the hearing to March 12 after staff flagged potential impacts to the adjacent town water supply and DEP raised questions about temporary impacts to land under water.
Consultants for an ecological‑restoration limited project at Forbes (also called Ice) Pond presented a multiyear aquatic vegetation management plan to the Needham Conservation Commission on Feb. 26 that would target Eurasian and variable milfoil and other aquatic plants.
Jackie Boyer of Beals & Thomas described proposed actions including targeted spray application for water lilies, direct contact herbicides for milfoil, algaecides, and hand‑pulling if water chestnut appears. “The proposed treatments include spray application of herbicides for water lily management…direct application of contact aquatic herbicides for milfoil management,” Boyer said. She said monitoring and annual reporting to the commission and abutters would be part of a long‑term plan.
Why it matters: The pond sits adjacent to town water‑supply lands connected to the Charles River well field, prompting staff to ask Needham Water & Sewer and DEP to review chemical choices and impacts. Tim (Town staff) flagged that some listed chemicals’ product literature notes drinking‑water concerns, and DEP told staff it may consider the work to involve temporary impacts to land under water that must be quantified on the WPA form.
Key exchange: Colin Goslin of Water and Wetland, the planned licensed applicator, described the pond as "highly eutrophic" and said the project team plans to use fluridone (Sonar) in some applications, which he characterized as a systemic herbicide that is used in drinking‑water reservoirs. “We chose actually a product, called, sonar or floridone… it's approved in drinking water reservoirs,” Goslin said. Nevertheless, staff requested written comments from Needham Water & Sewer and DEP before the commission issues an order.
Outcome: The commission voted to continue the hearing to March 12, 2026 and requested additional information, including the town water department and DEP comments, sampling or water‑quality data, a plan for long‑term best‑management practices (BMPs) to reduce nutrient inputs, and a quantification of any temporary impacts to land under water.
What remains unresolved: Consultants agreed to follow up with DEP and acknowledged quantifying temporary land‑under‑water impacts may be difficult without updated mapping, but they committed to working with DEP and staff to provide the requested documentation before the continued hearing.
