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We have investigated the practicality of contracting for <br />commercial aquatic weed harvesting service for these <br />portions of Silver View Pond. Commercial harvesters we <br />contacted generally indicated that the acreage to be treated <br />within Silver Lake Pond was too small for normal mechanized <br />harvesting to be undertaken. Per hour costs for harvesting <br />service are normally $90 to $100/hour on harvesting projects <br />requiring a week or more. Since harvesting of Silver View <br />Pond with normal, mechanized means would take less than one <br />day, it would not be economically feasible to bring in weed <br />harvesting machinery for so short a period. <br />Also, weed harvesting machines require excellent access <br />facilities (preferably a concrete ramp) to gain entry to the <br />waters to be harvested. Since Silver View Pond does not <br />have such facilities, it appears that lack of access <br />precludes the use of such heavy machinery. <br />An alternative to normal weed harvesting techniques which <br />appears more suitable for small scale projects is a simple <br />winch and cable system used to encircle the area to be <br />harvested. This method could be carried out by City <br />maintenance personnel or by a private contractor. It is <br />important that any personnel handling aquatic plants wear <br />rubber gloves due to the high likelihood of contracting <br />swimmer's itch. <br />Harvesting should be undertaken up to twice the first <br />season; once in June and again if and when the macrophytes <br />have shown substantial regrowth. Since the sandy pond <br />substrate is not highly conducive to macrophyte re- <br />establishment, future harvests probably can be undertaken <br />with decreasing frequency. Harvested macrophytes can be <br />composted and used as a soil additive in agricultural, <br />garden and horticultural applications. This method has been <br />successfully been utilized in Massachusetts as an <br />alternative to landfill disposal of harvested macrophytes. <br />S. Wildlife Habitat Measures <br />1. Reduced Mowin <br />There are a number of upland areas adjacent to the pond <br />which could provide improved upland nesting habitatifor <br />waterfowl if mowing were substantially reduced. Potential <br />areas for mowing reduction are shown in Figure 9. Such <br />areas should be mowed once every 4 to 5 years to hold back <br />encroachment by woody vegetation. In addition to improving <br />nesting habitat, reduced mowing would also reduce the pond's <br />attractiveness for Canada Geese, thus helping to forestall <br />problems commonly Fssociated with large goose numbers. <br />Also, any artificial feeding that might be occurring on <br />91 <br />