FIVE STEPS for 2023

Here are our initiatives for this year. Please join us in making them happen!

1. Dredging

The SBA will assist the Town in working with GZA, a firm that provides geotechnical, environmental, ecological, water, and construction management services. Together, we will: (a) finalize plans for dredging as per the Bullard Woods dewatering site design; (b) obtain cost estimates and a timeline for completion of the project; (c) consult with the Town to determine how much of the dredging it will fund. If Town funds combined with monies already raised by the SBA are insufficient for the dredging project, we will work with the Town to determine how to close the financial gap.

2. Mechanical harvesting

The SBA will help the Town obtain a more robust mechanical harvesting permit that will allow for more cutting than the 10 acres allowed under the current permit. The SBA will provide the resources of our lake management consultants as well as legal review to draft a new Notice of Intent for mechanical harvesting to be reviewed and filed by the Town.

3. Hand harvest

(a) The SBA will continue its partnership with the Town to monitor and hand harvest the invasive water chestnut that has been found behind the Kwuniikwat Island and down the outlet.

(b) The SBA is piloting a program to offer financial assistance (of up to $5,000 in matching funds) to our member lakeside residential organizations to hand pull invasive and nuisance vegetation from their communal swimming and boating areas.

4. Herbicides

Rather than pursuing possible use of the herbicide Fluridone, The SBA will pursue the use of a newer herbicide, ProcellaCOR, which is more targeted and allows for spot treatment of Eurasian Watermilfoil rather than full lake treatment. This approach provides more flexibility in terms of the area of application, timing, and cost. We will seek approval of the use of ProcellaCOR by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. Once granted, we will file a new Notice of Intent for the project.

5. Bullard Woods

The SBA will establish programs for Bullard Woods that will protect the old growth trees and remove invasive plants.

Planning, permitting, funding and fundraising for these five projects are currently part of the core mission of The SBA.