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Candlewood Lake Authority asks towns for weed mapping money

The Candlewood Lake Authority has written to the leaders of the five towns surrounding the lake asking for help in funding an unanticipated expense this fiscal year.  The $20,000 would pay for results from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station for weed mapping in 2019 and 2018. 

The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, which has done the work for the past 10 years, started weed mapping and studying aquatic nuisance plants without knowing that FirstLight changed vendors in 2018 to Northeast Aquatic Resources. Historically the vendor was chosen by First Light's Technical Committee, which includes DEEP, CLA, the Lake Zoar Authority and Lake Lillinonah Authority.  First Light, without consulting the Technical Committee, changed vendors.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was notified when the issue came to light and FERC issued a Notice of Violation to FirstLight for not getting Technical Committee approval first.  Last year, FirstLight asked the committee to approve the change of vendors, but CAES started the mapping. 

CLA says the methodology used by NEAR is substantially different and believes it's critical that the monitoring stays as consistent as possible.  CLA says the information is important to ensure the continuity of the sterile grass carp program evaluation. 

CLA asked that each municipality chip in $2,375 or greater, by the end of February.  New Fairfield has already approved a contribution, as has the CLA Board. 

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Brian Kilmeade

Local Headlines