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Commission approves buffered alum treatment for Baker Pond (DEP 054-2712) with monitoring and conditions
Summary
After a technical presentation from BSC Group, the commission approved a subaqueous alum treatment for Baker Pond to reduce bioavailable phosphorus and algae, adopting draft facts, findings, and special conditions and incorporating comments from the Division of Fisheries & Wildlife. The vote was unanimous.
Hannah Raditz, wetland scientist with BSC Group, summarized supplemental responses to commissioners' earlier questions and recommended a subaqueous alum application for Baker Pond that targets the deepest, most impaired portions of the basin. She explained application and pH-control methods, noting the team will use a combined aluminum-sulfate and sodium-aluminate approach to limit pH excursions: “We've just decided that we're going to be pursuing subaqueous method only, so that takes powder off the table,” she said, and described a typical 2:1 ratio for aluminum sulfate to sodium aluminate in the field testing phase.
Commissioners reviewed monitoring design, zooplankton baseline questions, timing (spring vs. fall), and Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife recommendations. Staff circulated draft facts, findings, and special conditions (dated 08/04/2026) that fold in MassWildlife observation/reporting requirements. After discussion the commission voted to close the public hearing and approved the buffered alum treatment for Baker Pond (DEP file 054-2712), with the staff-prepared special conditions and requested monitoring and notification protocols.
