**Notice to boaters on the Lower Mystic River**
On Monday, August 30, Groundwork Somerville will oversee the application of aquatic herbicide to selected patches of water lilies that have become overgrown on the Lower Mystic River around the Riverside Yacht Club and the Mystic Wellington Yacht Club in Medford, and the Winter Hill Yacht Club in Somerville. The controlled spraying will be conducted by Aquatic Control Technologies, which specializes in the removal and management of aquatic plant species. In addition, all aspects of the herbicidal treatment have been approved by the City of Medford and the City of Somerville, as well as state authorities.
In order for the treatment to be effective, there must be little to no water-surface disturbance near the application sites, thereby allowing ample time for the herbicide to be absorbed into the plant tissue and then into the roots of the water lilies.
In full support of the project goals, the three area yacht clubs have agreed to remain closed on August 30. The DCR public boat launch adjacent to the Mystic Wellington Yacht Club will also remain closed on that day.
We are urging all recreational boaters to refrain from any boating activity on the Lower Mystic River on August 30th. If this is not possible, we ask that boaters at the very least maintain a “no-wake” speed limit near the three yacht clubs. Your cooperation will be crucial to the success of the herbicidal treatment.
A rain date of Tuesday, August 31, has been set for this project.
For more information about the herbicidal treatment or the Mystic Invasives Removal Project, please feel free to contact Brad Arndt, Mystic River Projects Manager, at (617) 455-1127 or brad@groundworksomerville.org.
Many thanks for your support and cooperation!