Update From JPA Board Re.: Milfoil

 

Eurasian Water Milfoil Update April 2025
I wanted to take this opportunity to update the JPA membership on the current status of the Joes
Pond Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) situation. Barry Cahoon, our Milfoil Response Coordinator, and
the JPA EWM Management Committee have spent numerous hours planning on our approach for
this coming spring and summer. The committee has met monthly on zoom meetings and individually
each member has contributed a significant amount of work.
In May, we have contracted for an extensive survey which should determine the extent of
infestation. Once we have this data, we have arranged with another contractor to harvest, in late May or
early June, the existing plants by a combination of hand pulling and diver assisted suctioning (DASH).
It is anticipated this will take 3-5 days to complete, again depending on the level of infestation.
You may be aware that another option is the use of an herbicide called ProcellaCOR. Currently the
Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) requires a special permit for its use and will only consider such
permit after all other options have been attempted. It is the opinion of the committee based largely on
the experience of other lakes and ponds that this approach is significantly flawed, as in almost every
case, the level of infestation spreads when EWM management is restricted to hand pulling, DASH
and bottom barriers; all methods which result in higher annual costs. To date only one lake in
Vermont has successfully eradicated EWM. Consequently, the JPA with the support of the Federation
of Vermont Lakes & Ponds and several other individual lake associations, has submitted a proposal to
the ANR requesting they consider liberalizing their approach to permitting the use of ProcellaCOR
which could include allowing the JPA to conduct a pilot project to ascertain if early use of the
herbicide results in an increased potential for eradication. Additionally, earlier application would
necessitate less herbicide if applied before there was significant spread. If our proposal is supported
by ANR, it is possible that a late summer (August) treatment could be implemented. We have also
held preliminary discussions with the company that applies the herbicide and they are prepared
should approval be forthcoming.
You may review the minutes of the committee meetings and all other pertinent information about
our plan on the JPA website https://www.joespondvermont.com/
Please take the time to read and review the documents relating to ProcellaCOR, including the JPA
proposal to VT ANR, at: https://www.joespondvermont.com/ewm-treatment-alternatives.html.
Additional information will also be included in the spring newsletter.
We anticipate an extensive and open discussion regarding the herbicide treatment option for EWM
at the annual spring meeting on Saturday, May 24th. Herbicide use in Joes Pond is not a decision to
be taken lightly and only should be made with support of the JPA membership. Please plan to attend
and participate.
Immediately following our spring meeting we plan on an educational workshop to assist in
identifying EWM and proper response to any plants that are found and other EWM management
protocols that are essential to containment of this aquatic invasive
We have also divided the shoreline and adjacent littoral zone (shallow water areas) into sections and
are actively recruiting Lakeshore Section Coordinators. These important volunteer positions will be
key to finding and identifying and managing EWM as it may proliferate around the lake. Please see the
map and descriptions of the lakeshore sections, the responsibilities of the Lakeshore Section

Coordinators, and how to volunteer at: https://www.joespondvermont.com/lakeshore-sections-map--
coordinators.html Please consider stepping up to assist in the JPA in our struggle to save Joes Pond.
Joe Hebert
President JPA

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This is an important issue and I hope everyone who is even remotely interested in the welfare of Joe's Pond will come to the meeting on May 24th and participate in any way possible to help contain, if not eradicate, the EWM that was discovered here last summer. If not controlled, this invasive weed will change Joe's Pond forever, clogging our shallows and overtaking native plants that offer food and shelter for fish. It will no longer be a pleasure to swim, paddle, or fish here.

 I am very proud of our JPA Board, the committee that was so quickly and efficiently formed and now chaired by Barry Cahoon, the numerous JPA members, and others who have already stepped up to address this dire situation. They have not only kept us informed, they have thoughtfully assessed the situation and lost no time in taking action. We all need to join and support them in every way possible. This is undoubtedly going to be a long and expensive process; but if one Vermont lake (Shadow Lake in Glover) has been able to eradicate EWM, I am confident Joe's Ponders can do it, too!