The fundamental purpose of the Old Lyme Conservation Commission (OLCC) is to protect the natural resources of the Town of Old Lyme.  We believe that Rogers Lake is one of the most important natural resources we have and that it deserves the attention of not just those taxpayers who live around the lake, but the attention of the entire town.

The OLCC is the first to admit that Rogers Lake presents a host of problems, the greatest of which is invasives entering the lake.  We are convinced that there are other viable methods to be tried, before resorting to the ongoing application and expense of using questionable chemicals.

Clean water is a precious resource that should be preserved scrupulously.  Rogers Lake is the next best thing to have to a town reservoir.  Porous sand and gravel underlie much of Rogers Lake, so lake water supplies many of the shallow wells in the Rogers Lake area and in the Lieutenant River and Black Hall River watershed to the south.

The Position of the Old Lyme Conservation Commission:

The OLCC is against the current proposal to apply herbicides to Rogers Lake vegetation before other options are thoroughly explored.

The situation:

Currently, the use of herbicides to control growth in the lake is being promoted.  The Selectmen of the Towns of Lyme and Old Lyme favor this approach, as do many lakeside homeowners.  It may appear to be an expedient solution to the complaints of swimmers and boaters, who see the burgeoning growth of both natural as well as invasive plants in the water.

However, the OLCC believes that there are other viable solutions that should be explored.  Before any final decision is made, the townspeople of Old Lyme and Lyme should understand options, provide input and ask questions before being taxed for the ongoing and ever-rising expenses.

This will be the very first time that a pesticide is introduced to the lake.  Once the chemistry of the lake is changed, there will be no way to retreat from this plan.  It is long-term.

While some people dismiss the application of a pesticide as nothing more than what they apply regularly to their lawns,  much of these lawn chemicals quickly drain into the lake, and continue to support plant growth in the lake.

The history of this problem:

Over the last 20 years, the OLCC has applauded the Rogers Lake Authority (RLA) for their efforts to improve conditions in and around the lake. These efforts have included an aggressive program to reduce the number of water fowl that yearly account for a rather startling amount of raw sewage. The RLA has used minor drawdowns, raking, harvesting, even scuba divers in attempts to control weeds.  One of their most successful tactics has been the use of benthic mats which block the sunlight so that the invasive plants die out.  Each of the techniques did what they were advertised to do, but the weeds returned, and now we even have two new invasive weeds, as well as green algae.

So, after various efforts over 20 years at a cost of about $400,000, Rogers Lake is worse off than before, according to Rogers Lake Authority and George Knocklein of Northeast Aquatics.

Addressing the problem:

To face the new challenge, the Towns of Lyme and Old Lyme formed a committee in 2014.  A Massachusetts firm provided input, and, in the end, recommended using the pesticide Clipper (flumioxazin) as the most effective approach to killing the invasive weeds (what weeds?)

The problems with this approach are:

• This chemical quickly disperses, forming two metabolites APF and THPA (by-products).
• While Clipper is not supposed to be very toxic to humans and “moderately to highly” toxic to fish, there have been no tests for toxicity or bioaccumulation on the two metabolites as of 2012.
• Rogers Lake is considered a trophy trout lake. The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) annually restocks the lake, which attracts fishermen and tournaments.  In addition, the DEEP salmon project on Lower Mill Pond raises salmon eggs.  The DEEP has recently constructed a fish ladder on Town Woods Road to introduce alewife fish.  It’s possible that yearly applications of Clipper may impact these programs.
• New England Environmental, Inc. (NEE) admitted that they didn’t have a lot of experience with Clipper, and they readily admit that treatments with the herbicide will have to be repeated regularly for the foreseeable future.
• New England Environmental, Inc. has not established a dollar cost for the first treatment.

In addition to the unresolved effects of chemicals, these questions remain:

• To help curb additional growth in Rogers Lake, the Old Lyme Health Department has maintained an active program that requires residents to adhere to septic system pumpout and inspection. However, why doesn’t the Town of Lyme have any requirements like this?

• Has NEE thoroughly explored the feasibility of a major drawdown of the lake? This would provide an opportunity to remove muck along the shoreline.  This would expose the sand and gravel bottom, which is a poor host to vegetation.

• Even more important, has NEE identified the sources of the nutrients entering the lake each year? These nutrients nurture unlimited growth of vegetation.  An example of this is Uncas Lake, just one mile north, which is regarded as one of the cleanest lakes in Connecticut.  There is almost no weed growth, and very few houses.  Compare this to Rogers Lake’s growing beds of vegetation.

• Five streams flood Rogers Lake with fresh nutrients, which contribute to this rich crop of weeds. Has this committee explored establishing silt ponds at each stream’s entrance, which will reduce the inflow of phosphorous from lawn and garden fertilizers in the larger watershed.

• Building lots around the lake were divided when owners used small homes only during summers. Many septic systems near the lake may be substandard, and those in Lyme are not inspected or pumped out on a regular basis.

• Additionally, many lake residents live year-round, putting additional strain on septic systems.

• There’s an increase in waterfowl, and now they remain through the winder. These 40-50 Canada geese average three pounds of feces per day….more than a human!  Do the math and be shocked at this amount of raw sewage!

• And, primarily, why don’t the two towns consider hiring a manager, one who would have a long-term personal investment in establishing good water quality in Rogers Lake, as well as arrange improved and continuing education for residents to be conscious stewards of the water resource?

Rogers Lake is important for several reasons:

• It is the major source of drinking water for the Town of Old Lyme;
• Its watershed extends for miles beyond Old Lyme into East Lyme and into Long Island Sound.
• Its presence and availability provides added value to nearby homes. This also provides added tax revenue to both towns.

Conclusion:

While the current problem of vegetative growth is serious, the OLCC sees this as an opportunity to educate residents and raise awareness of the long-lasting effects of human convenience on the environment, for both the present moment and for the future.

The OLCC is prepared and willing to assist in carrying out solutions that will address these issues, as well as treat the current need to control vegetative growth.