The Lake Quassapaug Association (LQA) plans to use the chemical herbicide known as ProcellaCOR to target invasive weed growth rather than continue with the non-chemical hand pulling weed efforts that have been employed for several years to eradicate invasive milfoil. The Lake Quassapaug Sportsman’s Club (LQSC) voted NO to ProcellaCOR
What you should know & why the Sportsman’s club voted NO
● ProcellaCOR herbicide is an effective treatment for milfoil eradication but also targets non-invasive native plants including pond-lillies necessary to sustain aquatic life (fish and invertebrates) while providing potential cover to crowd out the spread of invasives
● Research states that Procellacor spreads throughout the lake beyond the targeted area of concentration.
● Per studies ProcellaCOR is insufficient as a stand alone measure to combat weed growth and therefore needs to used in conjunction with other eradication methods including other non-ProcellaCOR chemicals along with other eradication methods to be truly effective
● Research from other lakes highlights the potential for Environmental Hazards with Procellacor use, as “under certain conditions, treatment of aquatic weeds can result in oxygen depletion or loss due to decomposition of dead plants, which may cause fish suffocation”
● Gaps in Research yet to be determined due to the relative newness of Procellacor include endocrine-disrupting potential (reduced ovary weights and mammary gland tumors) in 90 day mice study and 2 year rat study. Other gaps yet to be determined in long term studies include the magnitude of pollen and bee products along with groundwater exposure
● The European Union and most recently Lake George voted down Procellacor use based on the limited data tied to the above listed concerns. The Lake George Lake Commission along with over 900 signatures collected on a change.org petition voted no to the use of ProcellCOR.
● Lake George at 28,000 acres plans to employ more of a wait and see approach to gather more data on the impact of this herbicide on other lakes currently using ProcellaCOR before employing its use on their lake.
● Lake Quassapaug at only 296 acres would serve as a case study eventually for Lake George down the road as the LQA (Lake Quassapaug Association) plans it use for this coming Spring
● Lake Quassapaug Association represents a handful of clubs and donors and is not an inclusive body representing all entities on the lake and/or residents of Middlebuy, acting as the sole steward over the future of Lake Quassapaug. No direct vote was provided to non LQA members and no town referendum vote occurred as many citizens and lake dwellers remain uninformed
Summary Statement: The Lake Quassapaug Sportsman’s Club opposes the use of any/all herbicides on Lake Quassapaug in favor of continued hand pulling methods. We seek to follow the same wait and see approach employed by Lake George whose acreage stands at 90 times the size of Lake Quassy to better measure the impact of Procellacor use on other bodies of water overtime. The Sportsman's Club has been a true friend to Lake Quassy investing $35K-$40K annually. This includes Fish Stocking Trout for sport which promotes lake health by controlling zooplankton and lake vegetation while preventing algae blooms. We are also involved in yearly lake testing and aquatic species monitoring in conjunction with State Agencies and reputable private firms . It is our contention that based on feedback we have received from monitoring that Lake Quassapaug is not overrun by invasives, and that lakes indeed need at least 30% vegetation to sustain a healthy ecosystem ranging from baitfish and invertebrates to waterfowl, sportfish and eagles. Have your voice heard reaching out to your clubs, social media and local/state officials to oppose ProcellaCOR use in Quassy.
~ Lake Quassapaug Sportsman’s Club Board of Directors