Common Areas — Planned
Weed Control Progress
Currently, each member's boat motor minces and redistributes weeds throughout the shoreline and Queechy Lake. A plan to address this is being worked on.
MEMORANDUM
Overview
I am writing to formally request permission to clear invasive Eurasian Water milfoil from the water immediately surrounding the Community swim area. The total area to be cleared is less than 1,500 square feet. This project will improve water safety and restore the natural shoreline aesthetic without using any chemicals.
Method and Environmental Compliance
The clearing will be done entirely by hand (hand-harvesting). I will follow strict environmental guidelines to ensure the lake health is protected:
- No Chemicals: No aquatic herbicides or chemicals will be used.
- No Heavy Machinery: No mechanical dredgers or motorized tools will be used.
- Root Removal: Plants will be pulled fully by the roots to prevent rapid regrowth.
- Fragment Control: I will use fine-mesh nets to catch all floating plant fragments so they do not drift and root elsewhere.
- Shore Disposal: All harvested material will be bagged and disposed of safely on dry land, well away from the water.
Permit Status
According to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) guidelines, small-scale, localized hand-pulling of invasive weeds does not require a state permit.
Requested Action
I kindly request the Board's written approval to proceed with this manual cleanup. I am happy to coordinate the timing so it does not interfere with any community lake activities.
Thank you for your time and your dedication to keeping our lake beautiful.
Sincerely,
James Gaudette
Follow-Up Communication
July 6–7, 2026
Please find a communication from PRISM providing assistance for permit writing and best practices.
During my phone conversation he seemed to think the best option is a chemical treatment that specifically targets the milfoil. He stated the cost is around $2,000 for 2 acres. This method would require significant buy in from the larger community. A mechanical or hand harvesting method is more costly but less burdensome on getting approvals. I have an upland location approximately two miles away to take the plants if that method is chosen.
Many times the company will assist in the permitting process.
I encourage QSBC to address this issue to improve the commons for the membership (docks are becoming unusable and the swim area dangerous with entanglement), to become responsible members of the larger lake community by addressing the problem that is being exacerbated by club members' boating habits, and to demonstrate that you can be champions for the very lake that we all purchased property to enjoy.
I will continue to pursue the application process and research companies upon your request and direction but the Board will need to be the leader and sign the application.
Sent from my iPhone
PRISM — Aquatic Invasive Species Management
July 6, 2026 at 11:16 AM EDT
James,
Thank you for the call today. A few quick notes:
Define the problem and make people aware.
- Identify the specific problem: Name and type of plants
- Identify the location(s) and size of infestation(s)
- Prioritize those what areas need to be controlled
- Identify the method of treatment and why it needs to be done
- You will need photos
- Share fact sheets to relevant communities to gain support
Here is the NYS DEC General Permit for Managing Invasive Species: dec.ny.gov — General Permit for Managing Invasive Species
Best Management Practices: nyisri.org — BMP Guides (Water Chestnut, Eurasian Watermilfoil)
Sincerely,
Kristopher Williams
Invasive Species Coordinator
Capital Region PRISM
Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management
Please find my last correspondence from NYSDEC.
Please find more information regarding more immediate solutions for QSBC shoreline. As you can see, other lake property owners are also concerned about the invasive weed build up. This is a good time to address our most immediate issue.
NYSDEC Correspondence
July 7, 2026
Hi Jim,
Yes you could use Jim McNamee's service to clear vegetation around your dock/right of way/access. We have someone else on Queechy Lake who has applied with Jim as their contractor for the same work. This would require an individual permit, and could be applied for by filling out the Joint Permit Application form attached here. The only way this could be done with multiple landowners on one permit would be that they need to be contiguous landowners, and each would need to sign. That is one reason that a collective Lake Association can be a valuable tool for the long-term planning and management of the lake. We can do it for each individual person this way, but it certainly takes more time and likely isn't as effective.
Another permitting alternative is the attached General Permit for Invasive Species Management. This is however restricted to other kinds of management activities such as hand harvesting or suction harvesting.
Our primary concern with these kinds of projects is water quality. Whatever method is undertaken, there should be no turbidity, or murkiness, within the water itself. The McNamee's are familiar with this and employ a floating turbidity curtain to minimize any adverse impacts.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Sincerely,
Carrick Palmer
Environmental Analyst 1
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Region 4 | Division of Environmental Permits
1130 North Westcott Road, Schenectady, NY 12306
518-357-2389 · [email protected] · dec.ny.gov