Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Invasive Species topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
After volunteers find 2-acre infestation, commission authorizes boards, spillway cleanup and canoe storage to fight water chestnut
Summary
Volunteer lead reported a new ~2-acre water-chestnut infestation in the lower Greeno Pond and the commission authorized raising boards, clearing the emergency spillway debris, and temporary onsite canoe storage to support an intensive volunteer harvest this summer.
Volunteer coordinator Jonathan reported a large new patch of water chestnut in the lower Greeno Pond, describing extremely shallow channels that make harvest logistically difficult and asking the commission for a set of limited emergency measures: add boards to raise the lower-pond water level, clear debris from the emergency spillway to ensure a defined overflow path, and permit temporary storage of canoes on site to ease repeated harvest trips.
Jonathan said he had already pulled many bushels and planned to enlist Scouts and other volunteers; he asked the commission to allow use of compost cubes to hold harvested material and to put additional boards in place so that "next time we get some rain, the water level goes up." Commissioners voted to permit the three emergency measures and encouraged staff to coordinate safe and minimal-impact removal of spillway debris and secure, short-term storage for a small number of boats. Jonathan offered to provide tours for commissioners to view the infestation and explain harvest logistics.
