Before issuing a request for quotations to private contractors for the mechanical harvesting of macrophytes, or pond weeds, as part of cleanup efforts at Mill Pond in East Falmouth, the Falmouth Water Quality Management Committee will gather additional information about permitting requirements from the state as well as the permit process from the Town of Brewster, which has harvested weeds in its own ponds.
The committee reviewed a University of Massachusetts Dartmouth study which recommended harvesting Mill Pond’s macrophytes, or weeds that have roots growing down into the water into the pond sediments and remove nitrogen and phosphorus.
The area to be harvested is about 11 acres, and the Town of Falmouth will provide the necessary permitting and a location for weighing and disposal of the harvested material. The route from the pond to the truck scale at the compost area is about 7.5 miles.