DRAWDOWN - FALL 2006.

In August 2006 the Lake Quinsigamond Commission hired Lycott Environmental to prepare Notices of Intent for submission to the Conservation Commissions in Shrewsbury, Grafton and Worcester for a winter drawdown and spring/summer herbicide applications in both Lake Quinsigamond and Flint Pond to control and reduce the nuisance aquatic vegetation in those water bodies. Notices were sent to the lake abutters in the three communities and the first of the hearings was held in Grafton on October 3, 2006.

On Monday, October 16, 2006 the Worcester Conservation Commission was to review the Notices of Intent. However it received notification that day from the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife that they had reviewed the information contained in the Notices of Intent and determined that the proposed project is located within the habitat of Potamogeton vaseyi, a protected aquatic plant. This notification further stated that "No work, vegetation disturbance, drawdown or herbicide application or other such activities associated with the proposed project should be conducted until the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program has completed its review pursuant to the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act".

The Worcester and Shrewsbury Conservation Commission hearings were continued to a later date due to the correspondence from NHESP. Lycott Environmental contacted Natural Heritage and determined that once the necessary form was filed and a fee was paid the drawdown would be allowed. The botanist agreed that the proposed drawdown of 24" to 30" would not have a detrimental effect on the protected plant. The Conservation Commissions held the required hearings and issued Orders of Conditions allowing the drawdown proposed for this fall to go forward. The hearings on herbicide treatments were continued and will be re-considered during the summer of 2007.

Abutters to Lake Quinsigamond and Flint Pond are reminded that the drawdown will provide a good opportunity to clean their shorelines. Any work that involves the use of more than hand tools must first be approved by the Conservation Commission in their community.

The drawdown of Lake Quinsigamond and Flint Pond will be underway on November 21, 2006. By early December, the surface of the water in the lake and pond should be 24" lower than its usual elevation. Refilling will begin in late February.