There’s a tool on the web called the Way Back Engine. It snapshots previous versions of websites. I spent some time recently reading Stockbridge Bowl Association’s old websites.
Three observations struck me: first, SBA has worked hard to manage the lake over the years; second, events outside the control of the Town and SBA have derailed past efforts, and third, historically, how well the Town and SBA worked together.
Summer 2015: SBA advocated for the 3D management plan: drawdowns, diversion drain, dredging. Drawdowns helped control weeds, diversion allowed for deeper drawdowns, and dredging corrected the silting of the lake. It was a strategy that Town and SBA together endorsed and worked hard to fund.
It was a great plan, until it wasn’t. In 2017, researchers began to find that drawdowns had a negative impact on creatures like our endangered snail. The state began discouraging drawdowns and indicated they would not approve a traditional dredging project. Through no fault of either SBA or the Town, the facts on the ground completely derailed the 3D plan.
Town and SBA regrouped, embracing a plan to implement more expensive hydraulic dredging, which removes silt without drawdowns. SBA added another component, herbicide, after the court and DEP ruled in their favor.
State regulators won’t definitively say it (without a formal submission) but are now hinting that they may not concurrently allow dredging and herbicide. Add to that the fact there have been some pockets of milfoil, but in two years, not enough to begin the herbicide test. Then there’s the worrisome emergence of the fast-spreading, invasive water chestnut, Finally, a new chemical, ProcellaCor, is now available. It’s better than fluridone for spot treatment.
The facts on the ground have changed again.
The Town and SBA need to continue their long history of working together. If the SBA wants to pursue both concurrently, we first should hire an engineer, develop a plan and get approval from regulators before either project begins.
Another option, at the sole discretion of SBA, is to delay herbicide and try to complete dredging first.
A final option: renegotiate the herbicide deal. The parties might consider the removal of the whole lake option in exchange for immediate permitting of ProcellaCor to treat pockets of invasives.
Let’s ask the tough questions and regroup with a plan that can be successful in light of new realities. There’s no dishonor in changing strategies as conditions change. Let’s debate these options in good faith and in public. Everyone needs to be open to compromise so the best ideas prevail.
