2:00 pm, Dept. of Agriculture Conference Room G8-AHartford, CT
Council members present: Theodore Andreadis, Paul Larson, Richard McAvoy, Tom McGowan, Darryl Newman, John Silander, David Sutherland, Katherine Winslow
Others present: Nelson DeBarros (representing William Hyatt), Donna Ellis, Brad Weeks
R. McAvoy called the meeting to order at 2:07pm.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
The meeting minutes from March 8, 2016, were distributed and reviewed. P. Larson moved (second: J. Silander) to approve as distributed. Motion Carried.
Updates from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP):
Hydrilla: N. DeBarros informed the group that $24,500 (State Energy Program funding) and
$20,000 (Federal Aquatic Nuisance Species funding) were used for follow-up survey and treatment (on 7/8/16) of a 9-acre cove at Coventry Lake where Hydrilla was confirmed in 2015. Any future costs will need to be covered by the municipality. DeBarros commented that additional plants were observed beyond what was found in 2015. A public meeting was held 7/21/16 to discuss future herbicide treatments, which were met with some resistance. There are concerns with nutrient releases that can trigger algal blooms. DeBarros stated that Elodea is the other plant material found in the cove, and it is resistant to the herbicide, so they don’t expect a high amount of nutrients being released. DEEP has concerns with delaying treatment, as Hydrilla would produce turions (reproductive structures) in the fall when it would be too late to apply herbicides.
A BioBlitz was organized at Two Rivers Magnet Middle School in East Hartford on July 3-4, 2016. A global record was set for the number of species collected in one day. A new record for Hydrilla was confirmed in Upper Keeney Cove in the Connecticut River, which was surprising as this location is inaccessible to boats. Waterfowl may have been the source of movement of this aquatic invasive. Water chestnut was also found but was not a new occurrence. There were no immediate plans to address these aquatic invasives.
(D. Sutherland [2:10 p.m.] and T. Andreadis [2:18 p.m.] arrived)
DEEP is losing staff with retirements. There has been a 14% loss of staff the past few years. Wildlife Biologist Paul Capotosto is retiring in September. The loss of seasonal staff positions is having an impact on Phragmites control. The aquatic invasive species (AIS) grants to municipalities funds must be spent by the June 30th deadline.