Important Information

 The following is from JPA secretary Jamie Stewart: (Thank you, Jamie - this is very helpful.)

In a blog this past week you had a question on what was going on with the harvesting on Joe's Pond of the Eurasian Water Milfoil.  I would like to direct you to:  https://www.joespondvermont.com/ewm-committee-meeting-minutes.html

     I encourage all of your readers to keep up with the JPA website and the meeting minutes which should answer a lot of the questions.  The milfoil committee is determined to be as open and communicative as possible.  Below is an explanation of our rationale with respect to harvesting for 2026.  We do not want to wear out our divers and snorkelers.  The below is within the 6/9 milfoil meeting minutes:

2026 EWM Harvesting Plan & Priorities - Below is the draft plan by Barry that was discussed:
 In recognition that the pond is taking its sweet time warming up this spring, it is anticipated that EWM growth will also lag a bit and may not become easily observable until mid-late June at which time the harvesting team’s efficiency would be enhanced.  Therefore, it is likely the Harvesting Team may not be mobilized until the 3rd or 4th week of June.
It is important to consider conserving the team members’ energy level and commitment over a long season.  If we shorten it up by a few weeks on the front end, we might be able to better maintain our participation and effectiveness later. The DASH work by VTHozers should be focused on the 1st and 2nd ponds scheduled for July 13-17 (unless the June aquatic vegetation survey by AE reveals unanticipated growth in the 3rd pond.
Prior to July 13-17, we may choose to mobilize the harvesting team only if we are seeing EWM (on the 1st and 2nd ponds) approaching the surface where it is most vulnerable to boat-induced fragmentation or in close proximity to a dock.  The marked navigation channel and the warning signs should provide some level of protection here and this becomes another measure to conserve our limited harvesting resources.  If it can be left to the DASH operation with minimal risk, we should consider it.
If EWM growth is observed in the 3rd pond at any time (including early June) the harvesting team's priority will be to hand pull those areas as soon as they can be visited.
 

The main concern about our dive teams is burnout.  We need to wait until the plants are more visible.  If we find plants in the 3rd pond we need to get them fast.  We will have DASH concentrate in the First and Second pond.  If we do find plants in the littoral zone, we could let it go until the DASH team arrives.  In any event, we need to wait for next week’s survey.  Jim Bernotas wants to do an exploratory dive 2 weeks before DASH.  This would not be a full-blown harvest day.   He wants to get in a reconnaissance dive prior to the Fireworks when we can expect boats to crowd into the 2nd pond and not stay out of the littoral zone.  Discussion then occurred about benthic barriers.*  They will likely be used in the second pond but not the first pond.  These barriers will be staged on Jim Bernotas’ lawn.  We are not to cut the rebar.  Leave them at 20-foot length.  Lake Eden has extra barriers for our use, and we need to pick them up.

 

As an update:  Harvesting has happened in the upstream area of the inlet channel.  This is upstream of the 2025 treatment area.  Fully grown plants were at the top of the water and beginning to mat over.  There are orange buoys up there to be geolocated and 2 warning signs placed there to keep people out.  Kayakers are the hazard here.  Their paddles will fragment the plant.  This will be very difficult for the kayakers to stay away from that area as it is so  beautiful to kayak in.  

Hope this helps and please encourage your readers to stay away from the channel area, stay within the navigable water way delineated by the yellow buoys in the middle pond, and stay completely out of the 1st pond.  Many thanks.

Jamie

 

* Benthic barriers (often called lake blankets, bottom screens, or weed mats) are physical sheets or screens placed directly on the bottom of lakes, ponds, or rivers to suppress the growth of aquatic plants. They act as an underwater "sunblock," depriving plants of light and physically pinning them down. 

 

 

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I thank Jamie for this information and add a note to remind readers that the dive teams  work very hard and continuously, and they will appreciate any help you can give them. If you are interested in diving - GREAT! They will train you in the procedure being used; but if you aren't a diver, there are a variety of  supporting teams that can use your help. Just ask what you can do. They are a dedicated and serious but fun-loving group, and I'm sure you will enjoy being part of this important work. Even if you are here for only a short period of time but want to help - get in touch with Barry Cahoon or Jim Bernotas. 

 

Barry: bear817@hotmail.com, or 802-748-5333.

Jim: 802-684-1205, or 413-665-5044