LETTER: SONAR Treatment to Environmentally Restore Baddacook Pond IS SAFE!

Dear Editor:

Last week, the Groton Herald posted an article that fearfully warned of a "risk of potential carcinogen in public well if Sonar used at Baddacook Pond". For those unfamiliar with the problem, non-native, invasive weeds have infested 35 acres of Baddacook Pond. Sonar is the herbicidal treatment needed for environmental restoration.

In that article, Dr. Barringer has neglected to include the most significant fact about carcinogenic byproduct. That byproduct can only be created in a lab and would not occur from treating a lake or pond. In the summary for Fluridone, found in the Mass Government Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) website, it specifically states the byproduct Dr. Barringer refers to "has not been identified as a breakdown product under normal conditions" and there are several verification studies sited in the summary.

Dr. Barringer warns of the risk to the water supply. However, Fluridone has never been known to migrate to wells, such as Baddacook. This is the reason that the Department of Environmental Protection doesn't require well testing as a condition of treatment. The Groton Water Commission is aware of this and has also received a letter to this affect from the Manufacturer. They have also received well testing results from Littleton and Foxboro which support this.

With regard to benefit, we are losing Baddacook Pond to these weeds as we speak. And, the DCR warns of drowning by entanglement in these weeds. Maintaining Baddacook Pond as an diverse native environmental habit and safe recreational resource is a significant benefit.

I'm concerned that Dr. Barringer's article is mis-characterizing a safe, well vetted solution and is spreading ill conceived fear. EPA approved Sonar has been safely and effectively used in potable waters supplies for 30 years and it never been known to even migrate to wells. I hope that we can focus on the real problem. Unless we environmentally restore Baddacook Pond, we will lose it.

Jim Luening

VP, Groton Lakes Association

Martins Pond Rd.