Proceedings of the Sixty-first Annual Meeting of the Northeastern ...

157
A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF AGENCIES AND COMPANIES WORKING TOWARDS
SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT OF INVASIVE PLANTS. L. Lyman, Lycott
Environmental, Inc., Southbridge, MA.
ABSTRACT
For a number of years the residents and community of Halifax, MA have
struggled with the invasive plants fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana) and variable milfoil
(Myriphyllum spicatum) in the eastern basins of Monponsett Ponds. After years of
studying and implementing various management techniques, it was decided that the
most effective means of solving the problem would be to conduct a treatment with the
herbicide Sonar AS.
A number of hurdles had to be overcome, including a denial by the Conservation
Commission in the Town for treatment that was overruled by a superceding Order of
Conditions from the Department of Environmental Protection in Lakeville.
Additionally, Natural Heritage Endangered Species Program (NHESP)
determined there were endangered and threatened species in the water bodies, both
dragonfly and fresh water mussels. With a unique cooperation and assistance from a
second consultant, Baystate Environmental Consultants, Inc. (BEC), and an expert
recognized by NHESP, a program was put together for the two endangered species by
the cooperative efforts of these organizations including Lycott Environmental, Inc.
Studies were conducted on the fresh water mussels before, during and after the
treatment and for the dragonfly nymphs that were collected and exposed to various
concentrations of Sonar. This unique combination of private and public entities working
together has proven to be very successful in treating and managing milfoil and fanwort
in the eastern section of Monponsett Pond without detrimental impacts to the non-target
organisms.
------------
Lee Lyman is president and founder of Lycott Environmental Incorporated, which
provides lake and pond management services. Lee majored in Biology at American
International College in Springfield, Massachusetts and began his career as an aquatic
biologist with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, subsequently
becoming its director of the pesticide research laboratory. Lee has published several
articles on pesticides, herbicides and lake management techniques.
139