PROVIDENCE - The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced today that starting next week, Shippee Sawmill Pond in Foster and Breakheart Pond, located within the Arcadia Management Area in Exeter will be treated to help control invasive weeds that are a nuisance to fishermen and boaters. The chemical treatment, which will be applied three times throughout the summer, poses no public health risk nor harm to fish or other aquatic life.
Treatment will get underway on Friday, July 8 and will target nuisance plants such as white and yellow waterlily and variable water milfoil. The public should avoid fishing and boating on the ponds on treatment days. Signs will be posted around the ponds regarding temporary water-use restrictions during these times.
To help control the spread of invasive species, the use of external felt soled or any natural or synthetic porous material capable of absorbing water is strictly prohibited in Rhode Island's freshwaters. This includes any waters shared with adjacent states in which Rhode Island fishing regulations apply. For more information on Rhode Island waterways and fishing regulations, visit www.dem.ri.gov.
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