The town of Natick, Massachusetts has told the state that it's open to any technique to kill the weeds that are taking over parts of Lake Cochituate -- as long as chemicals are not used.
The Natick Conservation Commission voted unanimously last week to deny the state's request to use herbicides to treat the fast-growing Eurasian milfoil that is clogging the lake.
Instead, town officials gave the go-ahead to use biological methods such as introducing weed-eating weevils, or other methods such as pulling the weeds out by hand. The commission has asked the state to report quarterly on its progress.
The state sought to use chemicals in Wayland and Natick, but not in Framingham. Wayland directed the state to try all other options first, while Natick rejected any use of chemicals.
A plan is expected in the next few weeks. In the meantime, the state will conduct a full vegetation survey to determine the extent of the problem. Milfoil has spread rapidly in some areas, making it difficult to boat and swim.
The state also has the option of appealing the rulings. The agency has 10 days after the orders have been signed by the town boards to appeal.
The state wanted to use herbicides because officials felt chemicals would be the most effective way to kill the milfoil. The state proposed using Sonar, whose active ingredient is fluridone.
The state stands by US Environmental Protection Agency studies that have shown that fluridone is safe in drinking water. However, Natick health officials raised concerns about the safety of chemicals, pointing out that the lake is connected to ground water that feeds nearby town wells.