For fiscal year 2015 we applied for and received grants from the CT Department of Energy Environmental Protection and the Environmental Professionals of Connecticut, along with matching funds from the Town of East Haddam. Our project goal for 2015, detailed in our grant applications, has been a focused study of the contact herbicides Clipper and Reward applied to 25 acres of the reservoir to test their effectiveness in controlling Fanwort and Variable Milfoil. Please see the accompanying white paper concerning this project.
For Fiscal year 2016 we focused our efforts on a whole lake water chemistry and aquatic vegetation survey conducted by CT Agricultural Extension Station (CAES) continuity with prior surveys conducted in 1980, 1984, 2009, 2012. The report concluded that there are 34 native plants and 4 invasive plants with a significant increase in number and density of invasive weeds. There also was a new invasive species called identified as "Large Floating Bladderwort" which has never been seen in Connecticut until now. We also began to look at treatment options to combat the invasive weeds including Benthic Barriers and weed Harvesting Machines.
For Fiscal year 2017 we decided to move forward with the purchase of the eco-harvester and associated accessories for a budget amount of $100,000.00. We also established two subcommittees:
1. The Equipment Operations Subcommittee
2. Fund Raising Subcommittee
For Fiscal year 2018 The MRPG is focused on primarily on fundraising. Numerous events were attended including Lakeside Dan's Save the Lakes, MRPG Picnic, East Haddam Events, we also began to sell Tee Shirts & Raffle tickets. There has been numerous donations from property owners and businesses. As of January 8, 2019, $41,000 has been raised for the equipment purchase.
For Fiscal year 2019, The MRPG continued with fundraising. By October 2019 we have raised over $90,000 and put down a deposit for a June 2020 delivery of the ECO Harvester. Our focus now will be on organizing our harvesting operations, continued fundraising for operational costs and getting all paperwork finalized to operate.
For Fiscal Year 2020, the harvester has been delayed due to Covid 19. A spring 2021 delivery is anticipated. All fundraising events have been cancelled as well.
For Fiscal Year 2021, the harvester was delivered in May. The machine was only used for a couple of days when there was a failure of a critical weld. The machine was send back to the factory in Minnesota for repairs and returned within a couple of weeks. No further problem have occurred. The summer of 2021 provided a learning curve on the use and operation of the machine. 2022 should be a good year for weed removal.