Exotic Species Inventory and Control |
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See the entire presentation (thanks to parks' resident Marc Bourque) at
Youtube in a
7 part series.
Amy Smagula, (271-2248)Fresh Water Biologist with the NH Dept. of Environmental Services presented information about
the presence of exotic species in the Piscataquog basin, eradication methods, and eradication planning for The Parks area to about 40 residents on Saturday, April 19, 2008. The following is information provided
during the meeting and web-links to State grant application and the NH DES Exotic Species Program. It was clearly explained that the goal of exotic species planning is generally weed control, as very few areas reach complete eradication.
Two local residents Kristen Carroll and
Michele Strople volunteered to help coordinate information and activities related to eradication planning in our area. Further information will
be posted here as it becomes available. It is anticipated that additional meetings will be held.
Residents of The Parks area first noticed exotic weed overgrowth in the river after the 2006 Mothers' Day flood. Staff of NH DES mapped the presence of Exotic Milfoil during the summer of 2007 and identified
approximately 95 acres out of 192 acres as having the weed which is found in both the Goffstown and Manchester areas of this section of the river. The source of the milfoil is considered to be Skobie Pond which feeds into the Piscataquog River basin. A several acre patch has also been identified
and surveyed at Glen Lake in Goffstown and is expected to be treated in 2008. There are dozens of water areas in the State of NH where exotic milfoil is found and the State of NH currently has a program
funded at approximately $100,000 per year. Generally the local area must match state funding at 50%, however some new outbreaks can be funded at 100% (as in the case of Glen Lake). Several water areas are targeted each year for treatment. Treatment can include a mix of herbicide ("2, 4-D")which is spread in pellets by licenced and permitted contractors, manual
weed removal by certified and trained divers, mechanical systems that essentially mow the area, and water drawdowns with liquid herbicide treatment. Pellet, in-water Herbicide treatment, perhaps will followup removal by divers was suggested as the
recommended treatment for this area of the Piscataquog.
A rough estimate of the total cost of treatment for our area is $40,000. A five year strategy covering 2009 to 2014 will need to be developed. A request for State funding will need to be
submitted through a
State grant application due Sept 15, 2008. Matching funds can come from several sources: local resident contributions, town contributions, local fundraising, and perhaps any private
grants or donations that can be identified. Some possible sources discussed included St. Anselm College, the Town of Goffstown, resident fundraising etc. Grant applications will also require bids to be collected for more precise cost estimates. Bids will be requested based on the plan for eradication that NH DES drafts. Amy Smagula
estimated that she will have the plan for our area done by summer. Local resident volunteers will be responsible for getting bids and coordinating the application. Applications for funding must be from a formal
group such as a homeowner association, nonprofit or government entity that is qualified to recieve and administer the funds. Residents in attendance at the meeting discussed several groups that could possibly serve in this or other capacities including
St. Anselm college, the Piscataquog River Local Advisory Committee
, and the Town of Goffstown.
If the grant is successful and grant funding is identified, chemical treatment is likely to be done in the Summer or early Fall of 2009, possible followed up by additional treatment of another type in 2010.
Funding for the eradication will probably not be available from the DES to implement this plan until 2009, if awarded, NH DES provides 50% of the eradication costs.
For additional information, visit the Exotic Species Program page on the NH DES website and check back to this page
for future postings.