Lakefront Property Owners Receive Tax Break Due To Invasive Milfoil Infestation

In 2007, lakefront property owners on Arrowhead Lake in Limerick, Maine received a reduced assessment of their property values by at least 10% and as high as 20% due to the presence of invasive milfoil, according to an article appearing in the February 7th, 2008 edition of The Reporter. (For a copy of the complete article, click here.)

Through the years, we’ve received a number of calls from realtors and other property owners looking to have their weeds or algae controlled, in order to help facilitate the sale or purchase of a property. There’s little doubt that property located on a lake or pond infested with milfoil or other non-native plants (that is not being managed) will be less valuable than similar property on a lake with no use impairment from invasive weeds. Coincidentally, Pickerel Pond, which also situated in Limerick, has been under management for invasive hydrilla weed by Aquatic Control in recent years. That work is performed under contract to Maine DEP.

Foxwoods Casino and Resort - Lake of Isles

Casinos and gambling are not the only recreational opportunities available at Foxwoods Casino and Resort. Lake of Isles, a 92 acre waterbody, serves as a focal point for a 36-hole championship golf course. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation’s (MPTN) stewardship of the property includes management of Lake of Isles. In 2006-2007, ACT in close cooperation with MPTN, designed and implemented area-selective treatment of approximately 33% of Lake of Isles, targeting the invasive variable watermilfoil weed. This management program is being performed to enhance fish/wildlife habitat; however, restoring areas of open-water that were completely choked with milfoil will also enhance the golf course aesthetics. Annual inspections and monitoring of the lake will continue to help guide ongoing and future management work there.

Comprehensive Aquatic Vegetation Surveys Performed at MWRA Distribution Reservoirs

In 2006 & 2007, Aquatic Control was retained by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) to perform comprehensive aquatic vegetation surveys of seven open distribution reservoirs, including; Chestnut Hill Reservoir (Boston & Newton), Fells Reservoir (Stoneham), Norumbega Reservoir (Weston), Weston Reservoir (Weston), Spot Pond (Stoneham), Sudbury Reservoir and Framingham Reservoir #3 (Framingham). Recognizing the importance of establishing base-line data for the reservoirs and early detection of aquatic invasive plants, quantitative surveys were performed utilizing a “point intercept sampling method” developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Using Differential GPS with sub-meter accuracy, the aquatic plant communities of each reservoir were systematically inventoried along a sample grid. The point-intercept sampling method is intended to document the spatial distribution, percent cover and biomass of each plant species at geo-referenced data point that can easily re-located during future surveys. As part of the work conducted on the Framingham & Sudbury Reservoirs, Aquatic Control produced a waterproof Field Guide to Aquatic Plants present in these two waterbodies.