Moodus Reservoir Preservation Group Discusses Weed Control Options and Funding

After what became a very much discussed herbicide treatment in the Moodus Reservoir, lakeside homeowners came together on August 1 to discuss options for weed control on the lake, including what treatments should be used, how the association will make decisions, and where funding will come from.

Sam Guy, who heads up the Group, kicked off the meeting by announcing his hopes to put together a weed management team.

"We know that weed control is an issue, and we formed this group in 2010 to represent homeowners and maintain the lake," Guy explained. "This is the most well-attended meeting we've had. We do have some money in the budget and we continue to look at our options, and the town is receptive to maintaining all the lakes in the town."

Guy then introduced Greg Bugbee, who presented a study he had been a part of in 2012. The study included an Aquatic vegetation survey, a Water chemistry, and Aquatic plant management options.

Various resident's presented treatment options, from weed raking individual's have conducted themselves, to using Karp or a harvesting machine. The main point of contention, or confusion, was where the funding would come from to pay for the treatments. 

"If the state owns the lake, why don't they take care of it?" one resident asked at the meeting. Two residents responded by saying they had called the DEEP and were told that "The DEEP likes the lake just the way it is."

"We have to put money into this," Guy stated. "We will get some matching funding, and the town is willing to consider putting money in the budget, and there may be an opportunity to apply for grants as well."

Selectman Walter stated that the first key step was to get all the members of the group on the same page.

"The town paid for the study, which is a great start," Walter said at the meeting. "But before you can use town funds, you have to be a team with a single voice; you can't all be factions debating. You need to come together as a group."

Both State Rep Melissa Ziobron and State Senator Art Linares, who attended the meeting, were determined to support the group as they moved forward in looking at treatment options.

"If there is funding available, I will go after it," Ziobron stated at the meeting. "I'll be your advocate. But I can't go to the state without you having an approved solution. You need to be part of the process."

"The sooner we can unify and come up with plan of action, the sooner we can bring this to Hartford," Linares stated. "This is exactly the type of project that can succeed and we’re willing to help that get done."

It was pointed out that other local lakes, namely Lake Hayward and Bashan Lake, has strongly organized lake associations, and had several ways of obtaining funds for the work they did on their lakes. Unlike Moodus Reservoir, Hayward is a tax authority, which is the means through which they fund their weed control. Bugbee stated that a matching grant from DEEP started some of their treatments, and that Lake Hayward spends about $20,000 a year on just lake treatments.

For Moodus Reservoir, the main ways of obtaining funding will be fundraising, donations, and state and town funding if it is available, Guy explained. 

It was also stated that many more extensive studies and research would need to be conducted before the group could get funds. 

"You will need a full watershed study, nutrient study, turnover times, oxygen demands, and more," Ziobron stated. "These are all things that DEEP can require or they will shut you down for funds. Knowing this information is starting to give you power by understanding, then you can leverage that understanding to get funds."

Currently, the group has a president, treasurer, and secretary, as well as some bylaws and meetings. The next steps they will take will be to seek a non-profit status and form a weed management team with 5-7 residents out of the 483 homeowner that live on the reservoir. Both Linares and Ziobron stated they will provide checklists to the group with grant and funding benchmarks. 

For more information, just visit the group's Facebook page.