Milfoil Update, September 22, 2024

From Barry Cahoon: 

On 09/20/24, a team of divers under the direction of the VT Aquatic Invasive Species section (AIS) of the Agency of Natural Resources completed a third day of hand pulling Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) in the known areas of infestation along Sandy Beach Road.
> Over the 3 days, the state dive team was supported by Joes Pond Association (JPA) members Joe and Pam Hebert, Jamie and Joanne Stewart, and Barry Cahoon.
> These hand pulling operations have not fully eliminated the EWM plant population.  Many small young plants remain and likely the root systems of many harvested plants remain as well.
> For this reason, the AIS is considering whether to install a benthic barrier on the lake bed in the area where established plants are most dense.  This would serve to smother and kill the plants including the roots under the barrier.  Hopefully, a decision will be made on this soon in time for the barrier to be put in place before freeze-up.
> On 09/21/24, Joes Pond member Jim Bernotas and his niece Josie volunteered to do a scuba dive survey in a portion of the lake along Old Homestead Road.  This area was selected for a focused survey because several floating EWM plant fragments have recently been recovered by a vigilant JPA member near the north end of Old Homestead Road; each time with the wind transporting them from the east or southeast.
> Thankfully, no established EWM was found by Jim and Josie.
> Many thanks to them.  This is the kind of selfless volunteer effort (not necessarily scuba diving but any survey, observation and vigilance we are capable of) that will help us beat this serious threat.
> Please do whatever you can to search any portion of the lake you can get into or on.
> The Joes Pond Association website has been recently updated with a Milfoil page containing a significant body of information and resources critical to upgrading the JPA and its member’s capabilities to respond effectively to the EWM infestation.  Please visit this site.
https://www.joespondvermont.com/milfoil.html