By CRAIG FREILICH

NORWOOD – A contractor will spend the day Monday, July 1 on Norwood Lake looking for and pulling up as much of the invasive plant species Eurasian watermilfoil as they can.

Aquatic Invasive Management, Inc. will conduct a survey and remove Milfoil during a planned 10-hour day, according to Norwood Lake Association President Jim McFaddin.

“As you know Norwood Lake Association members approved expending necessary funds to attempt to control growth of milfoil,” McFaddin said in a letter to association members.

Research by Clarkson University and supported by experts predict that in 10 years, if left unchecked, milfoil would cover 80 percent of the lake, McFaddin said. “If this happens property values would reduce at least 15 percent, boating, swimming, fishing and life as we know it would be negatively affected,” he said.

Aquatic Invasive Management told McFaddin they are experienced with protecting divers and those working in water. They said they would welcome observers but cautioned that any onlookers would have to follow their directions. DEC officials have supported hand harvesting.

“Because milfoil in Norwood Lake was discovered early, we stand a good chance it will cause little damage,” said McFaddin.

But the lake is just part of the Raquette River system, and there is a concern that this infestation is just part of a developing larger problem.

McFaddin said he expected any problem in the balance of the river “will be addressed by major stakeholders in those communities.”

Eurasian watermilfoil is destructive to native plants by taking up space and blocking sunlight from native species. It can also disrupt the behavior of native aquatic animal species with its density. Its density can also cause problems for boats and things such as municipal water intakes.

It can be spread by boats that pick up some in one water body and, when taken to another water body, deposit them there.