Saturday, March 20, 2004

On Separate Shores

The Boston Globe is reporting on the interesting debate going on over the management of Eurasian water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) in Lake Cochituate, part of Cochituate State Park, which is bordered by the towns of Framingham, Natick and Wayland, MA. The Natick Conservation Commission granted permission a while back for the application of herbicide in parts of the lake to kill the milfoil, an invasive aquatic weed. The response was delayed by people concerned about the effect that chemicals could have on a nearby water supply. In the meantime, the milfoil invasion has gotten so bad, a stronger herbicide must be used. While recreational use of the lake is definitely being impeded by the weeds, the application of herbicide would only be a temporary fix, and a long-term management plan is in the works.

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