July 28, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Waldwick Following up on a resident’s suggestion, Waldwick officials recently researched the use of a fish known as the grass carp as a means to rid Whites Pond of weed and algae growth. However, Borough Administrator Gary Kratz reported last week that the use of the nonnative fish species is a “no go.” “We did the research and they (the fish) do work; however, they have drawbacks,” Kratz said. “They are invasive and before they are released they must be neutered. They are a non-native species, and we would have to receive Department of Environmental Protection approval. Once you introduce them into a body of water, they have to be kept in place, and we can’t do that.” Whites Pond is not a self-contained, spring fed lake, but has a stream running both into and out of the main body of water, making containment of the fish difficult, if not impossible. Now that the fish concept has been researched and rejected, Kratz said he will pursue the agreement with Princeton Hydro, LLC, which he was authorized to execute at a recent council session. The administrator said he would ask Princeton Hydro to obtain permits for the algae treatment program. The initial cost would be $3,000 for the first spraying, he said. Next year, the program would continue as a harvester – a debris collecting piece of equipment - would be released into the pond. The debris collector would be used in various sections of the pond. “It will be a couple of years before we can get the pond under control,” Kratz said. “This is a multi-year project and should take two to three years and periodic monitoring.” Asked to comment on the estimated total cost of the pond work, Kratz said the price tag was difficult to estimate because it would be based on the number Algae-eating fish rejected for Whites Pond of treatments and how much debris clearing would be necessary. He stressed that the equipment that clears the bottom of the pond would not be dredging the body of water, but would instead be raking up plant debris and litter. The goal of this project is to remove weed and algae growth and debris to increase the depth of the water along the shoreline and use chemicals to control the offending algae. Princeton Hydro, LLC will provide weed and algae control for the pond at the heart of Borough Park on an as-needed basis. Cleanup of the 7.8-acre pond will include the use of the harvester, dumping of the material at the edge of the pond to be subsequently removed by the Waldwick Department of Public Works, and applying algaecides when needed to control the future algae growth. Kratz previously reported that the borough would be able to use Open Space Trust Fund moneys to fund the operation. Due to the amount of weed growth now in the pond and the amount of time required to receive an approved NJDEP aquatic pesticide permit, the company proposes to use a fast-acting herbicide for submerged weed growth, with half of the lake treated at each application. Any drinking and irrigation restrictions associated with the herbicide would be posted. The algaecides are reportedly not toxic to fish, specifically trout, and no water restrictions will be needed. Products are EPA-registered, and all applications would be conducted by NJDEP licensed aquatic pesticide applicators and operators. Princeton Hydro charges $2,200 per day for its harvester, not including labor or materials or loading and disposal of material dumped on the shoreline into a dumpster. Each algaecide application is $630, with $745 for an herbicide application. Aerators installed in the pond did the job for a while, but they are constantly burning out as they suck the sediment from the shallow bottom. This led to seeking the chemical alternative. About 10 years ago the borough had an offer from the Mosquito Control Commission to dredge the pond and dump materials at Overpeck Park free of charge. The borough would have borne the cost of transporting the sediment to the park at a cost or nearly $3 million, which led to the installation of the aerators instead. MIDLAND PARK Farmers Held in the parkand-ride behind Rosario’s Trattoria 29 Central Ave Midland Park Now through October 30th. Market Bulk rates available for college shipping! NEW LOW SHIPPING RATES! The Packaging Depot Every Saturday from 9AM-2PM $1 Off Fresh Mozzarella with this ad HARDING WINE&SPIRIT Wow! We knew it was good, but not in our wildest imagination did we think Coastal Vines would become such a success in our store. We have people coming from towns all over Bergen County buying cases of Coastal Vines. Thanks to Coastal Vines and this newspaper, at our last count we have sold almost 3000 bottles. 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