Gearing up for hydrilla treatments this season, a team of experts gathered on May 7 to settle on a treatment plan that will start May 20 and run at least into September. Tiny new sprouts of the fast-growing invasive plant were found at the marina, reinforcing the need to begin immediately.
For the first time, the entire eastern cove will be treated with a low dose of the herbicide Sonar. The treatments will be frequent and closely monitored. They are designed to keep working on the plant without relief. This strategy proved effective in Coventry Lake, said Dominic Meringolo, project manager and environmental engineer at Solitude Lake Management.
The Twin Lakes Association hired Solitude to be the herbicide applicator. Solitude has extensive experience in hydrilla management in the Northeast. It is deeply involved in hydrilla containment in the Connecticut River, which is the presumed source of the plant (early sprout, right)now spreading in Connecticut lakes. All treatments are being conducted according to our permit and applied by licensed applicators. The impact is regularly monitored for herbicide concentrations and through plant surveys by our limnologist, George Knoecklein.
Last year, the TLA had permits to treat each hydrilla find individually. This worked on the plants found, but did nothing to curtail growth from tiny fragments that went undetected. This year, the TLA has permits to treat the entire bay and reach those small fragments.
Along with four TLA directors, at the meeting were representatives from Solitude Lake Management, the Connecticut Agricultural Experimental Station, a scientific arm of the state studying how to control invasive species, North East Aquatic Research, our limnologist, and SePro, which manufactures the herbicides used to treat hydrilla, milfoil, and Curly-Leafed Pondweed.
The Salisbury Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission will consider a proposed expansion of the upland review area at a meeting set for May 12 at 6:30 p.m. This is a remote meeting. You can find the Zoom link and the agenda on the town website or by clicking here.
The proposed expansion to 100 feet of review area from wetlands, up from 75 feet, was a key topic during the TLA’s spring update via Zoom on April 30. We encourage members to attend the wetlands commission meeting. For background, consider the TLA letter to the wetlands commission, our note on the 100-foot review area, and a description of allowed activities in the review area.
Boaters need a new Aquatic Invasive Species stamp from the state this year. This is in addition to the traditional registration sticker. You have the option of buying a stamp for the boat or individual permits for each boater. See details here and here. We encourage your cooperation. This new fee generates funds that will benefit Twin Lakes (and others) annually.
Please pay 2025 dues if you have not done so already. Dues are $50 per adult and can be paid on the TLA website or by mailing a check to Treasurer, P.O. Box 99, Salisbury, CT, 06068.
Dates to Remember: May 12 (Monday) public meeting of the wetlands commission via Zoom at 6:30 p.m.; June 14 membership meeting at Isola Bella at 10 a.m.; and Aug. 2 annual meeting at Isola Bella at 10 a.m. to be followed by the 125th Annual Twin Lakes Day at 1 p.m. and celebration dance at 7 p.m.