LAKE QUINSIGAMOND COMMISSION Wednesday, June 28, 2017 Old Selectmen’s Room, Shrewsbury, Municipal Office Building

Present: Chairman, P.Collins, K. Polito, Amanda Amory M. Paika, Scott Conway, Cpt. Steele Absent: S. Valliere Call to order at 7:00 p.m. Motion to approve minutes of May 31, 2017, seconded and unanimous Approval of Bills and Expenses: none Commissioner’s reports: Chairman: Thank you for generous donation from Lake Quinsigamond Community (Richard Starvos) and appreciate for all that you do & your full co-operation. b. Our charter bill, is still in the legislature committee. They had question on our geographical perview or how far down . Response – as far as the dam at Hovey Pond. The overall status- There was a delay due to the death of the Joint Committee chairman. c. report from a resident that Asian clams have been found & confirmed. They are an extremely aggressive & invasive and need to be add to our 5yr plan & permitting process. d. submitted paperwork to DCR, Senator Moore requesting $25,000 for LQC on weed management, public safety from an educational standpoint . Money was transferred as an Earmark. Town Manager assisting, in transit by 6/30/17 e. Wildlife is not allowing people on Drake Island due to the eagles nesting. Received several complaints to date.

Commissioner M.Paika: Noticed last Sunday, the eagles & eaglets may be flying away soon. Then, with conservation commission assistance, signs will be removed & back to normal enjoyment of the island. b. Identified Asian clams at Half Moon Cove c. Worcester fireworks are scheduled for Friday evening, June 30th and reminder to everyone to act appropriately d. Officer Valliere: absent

Chairman: received correspondence from anonymous individual & will not address issue at this time. Please include your name & address before any discussion can be made.

Worcester Police Cpt. Steele: Reporting that Worcester will accommodate patrolling of the lake with Shrewsbury and Environmental Police for this upcoming weekend. b. report from the mounted unit, had a good start, and we’re scheduling to patrol Lake Park this summer. Commissioner Polito - no report Commissioner Conway: no report Commissioner Amory: no report 7:15pm: Dr. David Wong, DEP –presentation of Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea) a. Showed photos and viewed different shell sizes. Power Point Presentation :::: INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive species Exotic species Non-native species Non-indigenous species Alien species Introduced species Nuisance species Translocated species a. INVASIVE SPECIES •Not native & potential harmful to environment •Economic Cost of Invasive Species- $138 billion/ yr in the USA. According to FEMA, the budget in 2015 was $10 billion • Asian Clam or Corbicula fluminea - is an invasive species. CLEAN WATER ACT: Aquatic Life Use- programs to monitor and quantify. •Federal Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Strategic Plan (2013-2017) the Asian Clam is in the top 8 species: New Zealand Mudsnail, Invasive clams and mussels, Mitten crab, Hydrilla, Carp species, European Green crab and Purple Loosestrife. Susan Mulchay found clams at Sunset Beach & 2 other locations, measuring and determined these are approximately 2 to 2.5 yrs old. •6/19/17 Barbara Kickham found clams in all 3 locations: 42 deg 15’ 9.96” N 71 deg 44’ 24.69” W, 42 deg 15’ 10.65”N 71 deg 44” 26.71” W, and 42 deg 15’ 9.74” N 71 deg 44’ 27.05” W. •Invasives in Lake Quinsigamond and Shirley Pond: Curly Pondweed or Potamogeton crispus; Fanwort or Cabomba caroliniana; Variable milfoil or Myriophyllum heterophyllum; Eurasian Water Milfoil or Myriophyllum spicatum; Water Chestnut or Trapa natans and sacred lotus. •photos by David Wong showed Variable Milfoil in the North Nashua River & a highly abundant Fanwort in Arcade Pond •The Asian clam in Lake Quinsigamond is: BAD NEWS , It is considered to be one of the most Ecologically and economically important aquatic INVASIVE species in global aquatic ecosystems (Sousa et al. 2008) •$ 1 (one) billion/ year to control in USA (Pimentel et al. 2005) • A single adult can produce 1,000 – 10,000 juveniles per year. •Ecological damage: Filter feeders and a dominant species •Ecosystem service- the Ecosystem shift and ecosystem service change: picture of a CLAM feast •Map of North America of locations of Cobicula fluminea between 1938 and 1970- noting none in North west instead south and west (California and north to Seattle) 2 •North America map of 1990, still none north of New York, but increased in south and west coast. And in 2000 increasing in south and some increase in west coast. •distribution of Cobicula fluminea in North America 2017- found in New York up to Vermont. •Clam distribution, between 2001 and 2016, recorded due to temperature. Lower & much warmer region- population higher. They do not like cold temperatures. •The Asian clam in Lake Quinsigamond : good news New infestation: Isolated populations with low abundance & it is not zebra mussel or quagga mussel. •Photos of Zebra mussel and Quagga Mussel in Lake Erie, a Mussel Tree, and Water Intake, Hoover Dam Intake, by Bryan Moore; Photo of Davis Dam by Dave Arend •Photos by David Wong, included: hull of boat, and propeller covered by these clams not mussels.

•RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Boat Inspection and Decontamination Stations: The spread of AIS to the inland water bodies of North America is most likely be attributed to the unintentional overland transport of trailered boats contaminated with the invasive organisms into an uninfested body of water (Bossenbroek et al. 2001; Johnson et al. 2001; Leung et al. 2006) •Example of Recreational Boating in Idaho – Home residence of boaters coming through the inspection stations Based on ZIP Code in 2010. Showed points from Maine south to southern Florida, as far as Alaska & Hawaii. Map produced by (Ferriter and Anderson 2015). Both Boat Inspection and Decontamination will work. Dr Wong recommends: 1. Boat inspection and decontamination stations to prevent zebra mussels/ spiny waterflea to Lake Quinsigamond. 2. Signage/ for awareness and education to prevent it from further spreading. 3. Lake-wide survey; if only isolated satellite populations are found, treat them with benthic barrier or enclosed chemical treatment (KMn04); 4. Hand removal using divers. Prevention is always the best. Question & answer: Origin? These clams where brought over from Asia for food. What is the average life span? Response- 3yrs and max size is that of a dime. Commissioner Paika-At the public ramp, one could power wash a boat before launching, but how could runoff be controlled or suggest entering into a detention basin and concern of cost. Where is this being done? Response- DCR has 2 stations and the cost is not cheap, between $30,000 to $50,000 per station. Most communities use hot water temperatures & pressure. There are many tiers of inspection and decontamination. Boats are the biggest problem. 3 The younger clams are in the sediment, very tiny, looks like sand. Spreading of this species, is easy, as some can attach to a paddles while rowing. Dr. Wong stated that a cover barrier is most effective than chemical treatment, usually in shallow water areas for at least 6 months. Breeding is usually in their second year, and produce twice depending on moisture and temperatures. Suggests getting volunteers to survey lake. Cpt Steele : recommends to look at an existing station and cost. Susan M noted more clam sites : all around islands, near Bay Edge View, Half Moon Cove and South bay. Questioned when washing boat & using the stormwater component would the clams survive? Response- Not recommended, be cautious. Chairman: Priority standpoint- address clam issue first •For $5,000 do an entire survey and call Solitude or call Dr. Padgett, Earlier detention recommended and Barbara Kickham to assist with volunteers. Question- any natural predators? Response- muskrat, some fish, and some birds Need additional education of all invasives to volunteers doing the survey. Cpt. Steele made motion made to prepare a survey, seconded, and unanimous. Amendment made - Not to spend more than $5,000.00, seconded and unanimous. Chairman & commissioners: thanked Dr. Wong for a very informative presentation

Representative from LQ Community Rowing, Richard Starvos - 2 fall rowing events the annual New England Jr and High School Head race plus MA State Fall Championship Regatta Head race. Schedule is 10/8 and 10/7/2017- all paperwork, check submitted, awaiting insurance form. Motion to approve, seconded and unanimous. Chairman informed everyone, that DOT is in charge of the color changing on the new Burns Bridge.

Old Business: Chairman:

LAKE MANAGEMENT update:

a. Lake Plan has changed again to include the Asian clam at top of list. b. We have been approved $35,000 - received & have possession in Shrewsbury account. c. To Meet Friday with Jacquelyn Burmister & team to discuss Worcester’s participation- d. Next challenge, we need to have all Conservation Commissions to meet w/ Natural Heritage. Chairman is requesting all 3 Conservation Commissioners to assist in the permitting process, set up appointments to complete NOI. All agreed to get submittals filed as soon as possible. Identify all invasive species , a more dynamic plan- continue drawdown & 5 yr permits

4 NEW BUSINESS: Rule #32 of LQC Rules & Regulations- requires all rowing boats to have distinctive identification of their organizations or schools. (stating persons or vessels)

Patrick Diggins discussed with Angela Snell, Director of Parks & Rec., Few rules are effective and some are against Coast Guard Rules. Important to look into the Coast Guard rules & enforcement issues. Suggested to form a sub-committee to review the rules and possible revise them including both Police Departments & someone from each rowing community. All launches should be marked. Good opportunity in the meantime to receive a color chart of oars for all the schools who use the lake and post on the town website. Chairman in agreement. Chairman thanked Barbara for making arrangements with Dr. Wong.

Lake Quinsigamond Watershed: Barbara Kickham: Adding a new project, working with Jacquelyn Burmeister (Worcester liason Lakes & Ponds) myself, Mike Liberty & Steve Cronin started monthly bacteria lake monitoring of 4 lakes. (Indian Lake was treated yesterday) Grants status- Jackie did apply for 604B federal grant for water monitoring. All money from EPA was cut by 30%.

Motion to adjourn at 8:40pm Seconded and unanimous

Motion to adjourned at 8:40pm, seconded and unanimous

Respectfully submitted, K.Hemmerdinger

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