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HomeMy Public PortalAboutREVISED PondManagementPlanAddendum_082919August 29, 2019 LAKE MANAGEMENT Newton Conservation Commission 1000 Commonwealth Avenue Newton, MA 02459 Re: Newton Commonwealth Golf Course Pond Management Plan Dear Commissioners: As requested please accept the following as supplemental information to the Notice of Intent filing (DEP File# 239- 0834) for the implementation of a pond management program at Newton Commonwealth Golf Course. As we outlined on our initial NOI filing the five golf course ponds suffer from a significant infestation of invasive aquatic plant species, specifically Eurasian watermilfoil - EWM (Myriophyllum spicatum), curly -leaf pondweed — CLP (Potamogeton crispus) and water chestnut (Traps natans). As a result, the management program will focus on the long-term control of these species and the maintenance of a balance aquatic ecosystem. With that cis the focus, our program, like any integrated pest management program, will be founded on routine monitoring and assessment. Frequent monitoring of conditions within these dynamic systems will allow for early detection and rapid response to potential management issues identified. This proven approach not only improves the potential long-term success of management, but also increases the number of viable management options and reduces disturbance and potential non -target impacts. The monitoring plan that represents the cornerstone of this management program is outlined in more detail in the following section. Monitoring Plan All ponds will be visually inspected twice per month during the period of April -September. Observations and data collected during each inspection will include the following. • Water levels • Water clarity and quality (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH) • Turbidity • Aquatic vegetation & Algae (beneficial, non-native, nuisance) • Pond physical components — above ground pipes, inlets and outlet structures, trash racks, emergency spillways and dam structures, cis applicable • Bank, shoreline, and buffer erosion • Shoreline and bank stabilization measures (rip rap stone, bulkheads, retaining walls, etc.) • Forebays and inflowing or outflowing swales, ditches, and stream channels • Vegetative buffers • Sedimentation • Nuisance animal activity • Fish Habitat • Mosquito breeding conditions and habitat In addition to these bi-monthly observations, surface grab water samples will be collected in the spring and late summer and analyzed for a suite of common water quality parameters (pH, hardness, total phosphorus, dissolved phosphorus, turbidity, alkalinity, and conductivity). Competitively Sensitive & Proprietary Materials — The information contained herein is the intellectual property of SOLitude Lake Management. Recipient may not disclose to any outside party err/ proprietary infarrnatian. processes. or pricing Contained in this document or any of its attachments without the prior written consent of SOLitude Lake Management. This document is provided to the recipient in good faith and it shall be the responsibility of the recipient to keep the information contained herein confidential 590 LAKE STREET SHREWSBURY, MA 01545 1 888.480.LAKE (5253) 1 SOLITUDELAKEMANAGEMENT.COM Newton Commonwealth Golf Course Management Program Addendum Page 12 This monitoring data and the trends and other site condition changes that it will illuminate will provide a basis on which to evaluate the success of management, the level of non -target impact, and necessary modifications in approach. Successful long-term management of invasive aquatic species is a multi -year process that will require flexible implementation of many techniques to effectively address the ever changing in -pond conditions. As a result, monitoring will be instrumental in determining the extent of management and the specific strategies employed during subsequent years of this multi -year program. However, based on current conditions, the initial phase of the program (Year 1) can be more easily outlined in a systematic way. As such, the section below provides a breakdown of the specific management tasks proposed for each pond in Year 1 of the program. Management Plan The fact that the subject ponds are located "in -play", however, many shoreline, buffer, and watershed management options are incompatible with the requirements of the play of golf. For this reason, many of the management techniques proposed in Phase I of the program are in -pond strategies. With that said, the golf course is committed to incorporating nutrient source and transport mitigation techniques (vegetative buffers) into this program when and where appropriate. In fact, effective immediately a 5 ft. "no mow/high mow" zone will be established around the perimeter of the ponds. The investigation and use of more robust native herbaceous vegetative buffers will become more of a focus in subsequent years once the established invasive plant infestation has been reduced to maintenance levels. Pond 1 This is a 0.08 ac. pond that supports the growth of invasive EWM, CLP and water chestnut as well as nuisance levels of waterweed (Elodea canadensis), filamentous algae and duckweed (Lemna minor). Management Task Description Timing Sonar (fluridone) Treatment Apply an initial dose of 30 ppb. Monitor residual herbicide concentration and maintain 20 ppb through low dose booster application for a period of 40-50 days Initial treatment — May Booster treatment(s) — June -July Hand -Pulling Manual hand removal of scattered low -density water chestnut plant June & July Hydro -Raking Mechanical removal of accumulated plant biomass and other organic debris in order to maintain the settling capacity of this pond October Pond 2 This is a 0.31 ac. pond that supports the growth of invasive EWM, CLP and water chestnut as well as nuisance levels of waterweed (Elodea canadensis), filamentous algae and duckweed (Lemna minor). The pond also contains desirable native pondweed (Potamogeton robbinsii and Potamogeton perfoliatus) growth that will be maintained to the extent possible by targeting herbicide active ingredient and dosing that provides selectivity of these species. Management Task Description Timing Aquathol K (endothall) Treatment Apply an initial dose of 2-3 ppm for the control of EWM and CLP. Native pondweeds present have proven to be tolerant of endothall doses in this range. June Hand -Pulling Manual hand removal of scattered low -density water chestnut plant June & July Captain XTR (copper) treatment Given the historic filamentous algae production a contingency treatment is included in the event growth exceeds 30% cover of the pond July -August (if required) Submersed Aeration Install Vertex Air III aeration system to prevent benthic anoxia and internal nutrient recycling. This will improve habitat quality and help prevent the growth of nuisance algae October Competitively Sensitive & Proprietary Materials — The information contained herein is the intellectual property of SbLitude Lake Management. Recipient rngry npt disclose 14 any outside party any praprielary information_ processes, or pricing ronlained in this dovumenl or any of its attaeJ rnents without the prior written consent of SOLitude Lake Management. This document is provided to the retipiarit ir5 goad falth and it shall be the responsibility of the recipient to keep the information contained herein confidential. Newton Commonwealth Golf Course Management Program Addendum Page 13 Pond 3 This is a 0.20 ac. pond that supports the growth of invasive EWM, CLP and water chestnut cis well as nuisance levels of waterweed (Elodea canadensis), filamentous algae and duckweed (Lemna minor). The pond is also experiencing encroachment of native cattails (Typha latifolia) along the northern and eastern shorelines. To the extent possible, the native pondweed growth present will be preserved by targeting herbicide active ingredient and dosing that provides selectivity of these more tolerant species Management Task Description Timing Sonar (fluridone) Treatment Apply an initial dose of 15 ppb. Monitor residual herbicide concentration and maintain 5 ppb through low dose booster application for a period of 40-60 days Initial treatment — May Booster treatment(s) — June -July Captain XTR (copper) treatment Given the historic filamentous algae production a contingency treatment is included in the event growth exceeds 30% cover of the pond July -August (if required) Hand -Pulling Manual hand removal of scattered low -density water chestnut plant June & July Hydro -Raking Selective mechanical removal of encroaching cattails growth. Removal of no more than 50% of existing or approximately 1500 sq-ft. October Pond 4 This is a 0.94 ac. pond that supports the growth of invasive EWM, CLP and water chestnut as well as nuisance levels of waterweed (Elodea canadensis), filamentous algae and duckweed (Lemna minor). The pond is also experiencing encroachment of native cattails (Typha latifolia) along many shorelines. The pond also contains desirable native pondweed (Potamogeton robbinsii and Potamogeton perfoliatus) growth that will be maintained to the extent possible by targeting herbicide active ingredient and dosing that provides selectivity of these species. Management Task Description Timing Sonar (fluridone) Treatment Apply an initial dose of 15 ppb. Monitor residual herbicide concentration and maintain 5 ppb through low dose booster application for a period of 40-60 days Initial treatment — May Booster treatment(s) — June -July Captain XTR (copper) treatment Given the historic filamentous algae production a contingency treatment is included in the event growth exceeds 30% cover of the pond July -August (if required) Hand -Pulling Manual hand removal of scattered low -density water chestnut plant June & July Pond 5 This is a 0.07 ac. pond that supports the growth of invasive EWM, CLP and water chestnut as well as nuisance levels of waterweed (Elodea canadensis), filamentous algae and duckweed (Lemna minor). The pond also contains desirable native pondweed (Potamogeton robbinsii and Potamogeton perfoliatus) growth that will be maintained to the extent possible by targeting herbicide active ingredient and dosing that provides selectivity of these species. Management Task Description Timing Sonar (fluridone) Treatment Apply an initial dose of 15 ppb. Monitor residual herbicide concentration and maintain 5 ppb through low dose booster application for a period of 40-60 days Initial treatment — May Booster treatment(s) — June -July Captain XTR (copper) treatment Given the historic filamentous algae production a contingency treatment is included in the event growth exceeds 30% cover of the pond July -August (if required) Hand -Pulling Manual hand removal of scattered low -density water chestnut plant June & July Competitively Sensitive & Proprletery Materials — The information contained herein is the intellectual property of SOLitude Lake Managernent. Recipient may not disclose to any outside party any proprietary inforrnatipn, processes, or pricing DonWined in this document or any of its attachments vrithout the prior written consent of SOLitude Late Management. This document is provided to the recipient in goad faith and it shall be the responsibility of the recipient to keep the information contained herein confidential. Newton Commonwealth Golf Course Management Program Addendum Page 14 Hydro -Raking The mechanical Hydro -Rake can best be described cis a "floating backhoe" with a York Rake attachment. The barge is paddle wheel driven to facilitate operation in shallow water (<2 feet) and it can effectively work to depths of about 12 feet. It works from the water, thereby avoiding damage to sensitive shoreline habitat and property. This machine "rakes" the upper sediment layer, collecting plants and their root systems. The Hydro -Rake is well suited for the removal of plants' large rhizome structures and, in that case, can provide multiple years of control. Mechanical removal of cattails was performed previously growing within the channel between the western basins of Pond #4. Shoreline populations of cattails were unmanaged to provide nesting habitat. While those populations are important wildlife habitat features, the cattails have encroached into open water habitat and could potentially fill in a majority of the ponds. Launching of the machine would occur from the side of the ponds using a tilt trailer to minimize disturbance to the bank area. Raked material would be off-loaded at a designated shoreline location. Removed materials would then be trucked to an upland composting/disposal site. Any disturbance of the bank or shoreline buffer area would be regraded to the original condition with shoreline erosion controls left in place until adequately revegetated/stabilized. Hydro -Raking efforts throughout the course of the program will be focused on the removal encroaching cattails and accumulated organic debris. Hydro -Raking operations will be rotated among the ponds over multiple years cis budgets allow. Attached is a map depicting the proposed hydro -raking areas based on current conditions. These are the proposed management tasks for each of the ponds in Year 1 of the program. A Year -End Report will be submitted to the commission in the fall/winter that outlines the monitoring observations and results, photographic documentation, management activities performed and recommended strategies for continued management in the coming year. We anticipate that additional aeration, nutrient inactivation and mechanical hydro -raking will be employed in many of the ponds in subsequent years on a rotating basis as conditions warrant and budgets allows. Long-term management of invasive aquatic species and effective maintenance of an overall balanced ecosystem through frequent inspection and the timely implementation of the strategies proposed here and in the initial NOI filing as applicable conditions warrant has been a proven approach for the countless other natural and manmade pond systems that we manage across the country. I trust that the above plan will satisfy your request for additional information; however, if you have any questions or would like to discuss things further please do not hesitate to contact our office. Sincerely, SOLitude Lake Management Kei Keith Gazaille Senior Aquatic Biologist Director of Lake Management: North & Mid -Atlantic Comp€tittvely Sensitive & Proprietary Materiels - The information contained herein is the intellectual property of SOLitude Lake Management. Recipient may npt disclose IQ any 4Ut5ide party any praprielary infprmati4n_ prooe5ses, or pricing contained irk this document or any of its attachments without the prior written consent of SOLitude Lake Management. This docurrrent is provided to the retipiant irk goad falth and it shall be the responsibility of the recipient to keep the information contained herein confidential.