By Lucas Willard
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-998950.mp3
Pittsfield, MA – It has been 15 years since the town of Stockbridge and the Stockbridge Bowl Association began planning the massive project in the iconic Berkshire reservoir. In addition to hosting the Tanglewood festival and Kripalu health center on its shores, the Bowl has also harbored an invasive plant species - Eurasian Milfoil - for the past 25 years. Years of harvesting the underwater plant to keep the lake clean will now be replaced by a new removal method, the freezing of the plants root system.
Richard Seltzer is the president of the Stockbridge Bowl Association - a group of over 400 residents of the area surrounding the lake
For the past half century, underneath the outlet to the Bowl, there have been three Tenneco gas pipelines, and a town sewer pipe. Over the years, silt has washed up against the burm surrounding the lines, and the natural outflow to the lake was compromised. Upon the introduction of the Eurasian Milfoil, the Bowl has been unable to clean itself, leading to its current choked-out weed problem.
Eurasian Milfoil first arrived in the United States as an aquarium plant in the 19th century. It has since spread across North America, and with no natural predators, it grows unchecked. The plant grows in shallow waters along the shore, and this project aims to lower the water level of the lake to combat the plant.
The first step of the project is to install a pipe below the gas lines to restore flow to the outlet. The work is being completed overseen by contracted firm Cairns & Sons of New Hampshire. Project Manager Robert Crosky explained the first steps at the site, while a raised plank construction road was being installed to protect the surrounding environment and the gas pipelines.
A second phase of the project after the outlet is repaired is the physical removal of silt deposits in various areas of the lake through dredging, which could cost up to $3 million.
The $1 million first phase of the project is being funded largely by the Stockbridge Community Preservation Act, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, support from the town of Stockbridge, and the Stockbridge Bowl Association. The Tenneco gas company which owns the lines is also contributing to the project. The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission also contributed coordination and fundraising efforts.
The lake is expected to look its best come spring 2013.