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Milfoil at Willand Pond

At a Glance
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Ward 6
Environment

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The City Council received an update during Wednesday’s Workshop regarding Willand Pond milfoil removal. Divers extracted roughly 61,000 gallons (30 acres) of invasive milfoil over 30 days. NHDES was pleased with the harvest but raised concerns over fragments rerooting near the boat launch. City staff mobilized boats to clear floating mats in August and prepared a $110,000 grant application due September 15 for 30 additional diving days in 2027 while awaiting final NHDES inspection results.

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Milfoil is an invasive aquatic plant that can grow up to an inch per day. A years-long infestation has been spreading inward from the pond’s edges, reaching a point where urgent attention is needed.

Why it Matters

  • Dover residents live by the pond, and the spreading milfoil is harming their quality of life.
  • If left untreated, the milfoil will destroy the pond’s ecosystem and make it unusable for recreation by Dover residents.
  • The pond needs remediation now; otherwise, future remediation will be more costly.

The Big Picture

Residents who have provided feedback broadly agree the milfoil needs to be eliminated from the pond. There’s disagreement on the method that should be used for its removal.

  • The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) recommends that Dover treat Willand Pond with the pesticide ProcellaCOR with following regular maintenance to be done with Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH.)
  • Dover Resolution R–2018.02.28–015 — the “Commitment to Organic Land Management Practices” — prescribes the use of the “least toxic pesticides in a way that minimizes health, environmental, and economic risks.”
  • The NHDES and EPA classify ProcellaCOR as safe to use, as far as pesticides go.
  • The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) classifies ProcellaCOR as a PFAS due to its active ingredient, florpyrauxifen-benzyl. However, it is not considered a “forever chemical” like PFOA or PFOS.
  • The Minnesota Department of Agriculture also considers ProcellaCOR to be a PFAS.
  • Being chemical-free, DASH is easily the most environmentally friendly solution. However, NHDES does not believe it will be effective at the scale needed for Willand Pond.

Take Action

Please reach out to your City Council with feedback. Attend a City Council meeting and share your input during the Public Forum. In the meantime, the City is working to identify DASH vendors and address outstanding questions:

  • Can a vendor or vendors deliver DASH remediation at the required scale?
  • Can a vendor or vendors deliver DASH remediation this year?
  • How much would DASH cost?