February 28, 2001

Dear Commissioners:

I would like to request an opinion on the applicability of my current OOC for two water-chestnut harvesting changes I propose.

First, I would like to include Yates Pond in the areas to be harvested.  Last year one small patch was seen here which could easily be removed.   

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My MDC permit explicitly includes the entire Alewife Reservation.   Yates Pond was not listed in my original application because I had not found this patch.  My stated goal is the eradication of water chestnuts in the Alewife Brook watershed, so I would like to include this patch before it covers more of Yates Pond.

Second, I would like permission to use a small rake in Blair Pond during the last weeks of the anadromous fish run.  I already have permission to hand-harvest at any time, and believe the use of a rake to remove smaller plants before they reach hand-harvesting depth could actually reduce total sediment disturbance.  Smaller plants have smaller roots so less sediment is disturbed when each is pulled.  Also, the rake will not be used on sediment, but only on plants where clear separation from the bottom can be seen and maintained.  The rake will be floatable, so it will not impact the bottom even if dropped.

Partly because of my late start, Blair Pond was only 1/3 cleared last year.  I would like to start as soon as plants can be seen, and harvest plants as small as practicable with the added reach and efficiency of a rake, to try to ensure a complete harvest this year and in the future.

The bulk and weight of mature plants was a disposal problem.  Many more can be collected per kayak trip when small, so fewer total launchings will be required – also reducing total sediment disturbed.  Over six tons were harvested last year, but aggressive early removal should reduce this to between one and two tons total and allow the goal of complete removal to be achievable.

Blair Pond plants matured far ahead of all other sites last year, most likely due to elevated temperatures in the shallow waters.  I estimate I will start harvesting the first week in May.  I will start each day by looking for herring, and include data on any sightings in my next yearly report.  Any possible efforts to avoid impinging on spawning or migration will be implemented.  Last year I saw only carp, goldfish, and one minnow swimming at an angle with apparent vestibular problems.

Thank you for your continuing support,

Roger Frymire
22 Fairmont Avenue
Cambridge 02139-4423
617-492-0180
ramjet@alum.mit.edu