Timeline of events
July 31 2021:
The Lake Bomoseen Association gave a presentation on the potential use of ProcellaCOR in Lake Bomoseen at the LBA annual meeting. This meeting was held in-person at Castleton University and was open to the public. Between 75 and 100 people were in attendance, most of them LBA members. The presentation about potential herbicide use was not explicitly stated on a public agenda prior to the meeting; instead, the event notification on Facebook said, “We are announcing an exciting new plan for controlling our milfoil.” The minutes of this meeting were not disseminated to the public.
August 2 - 3 2021:
Solitude Lake Management, hired by the Lake Bomoseen Association, conducted a point-intercept survey of the submersed aquatic vegetation in Lake Bomoseen. (The report from this survey can be found within the permit application, linked below.)
August - December 2021:
Several changes to the LBA board composition occurred. Board meetings stopped being advertised to LBA members or the public.
January - February 2022:
The Lake Bomoseen Association submitted an Aquatic Nuisance Control Permit Application to the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. The application was first received on February 1, 2022. The Town of Hubbardton was listed as a co-signer on the application. On February 10, the LBA Interim President and the Director of Technical Services at SOLitude Lake Management added their signatures, and the application was stamped by the DEC with a received date of February 11, 2022.
January - February 2022:
Members of the general public found out about the application after it had been submitted. A change.org petition was started, and on February 9, the Keep Lake Bomoseen Herbicide Free Facebook group was started (original name: Don’t Poison Bomoseen).
February 6 2022:
The LBA held the first of its “Town Hall Meetings” to discuss milfoil mitigation with the public. The meeting was held over Zoom.
Late February 2022:
The Town of Hubbardton withdrew its support for the application, stating they didn’t initially realize it was a herbicide application.
March 6, 2022:
“Don’t Poison Lake Bomoseen” rally was held at the Castleton Town Office. An estimated 150 people attended.
March 2022:
The LBA removed the list of their board members and previous meeting minutes from their website.
March 22, 2022:
The Fair Haven Select Board signed a letter opposing the use of ProcellaCOR in Lake Bomoseen. The letter was sent to the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation and the Agency of Natural Resources.
April 10, 2022:
The LBA sent new proposed bylaws to their members. Among other changes, this outlined new procedures for election of board members.
April 11, 2022:
The Lake Bomoseen Preservation Trust became a co-applicant with the LBA on the herbicide permit application. The DEC marked the application Received on April 15, 2022.
April 27 2022:
The Castleton Select Board held an Informational Meeting with the topic Lake Bomoseen - Potential Herbicide Use - Public Discussion. The Lake Bomoseen Association presented their case by calling upon (over Zoom) an out-of-state herbicide scientist who helped develop ProcellaCOR and employees of the herbicide treatment company. The Don’t Poison Lake Bomoseen group was well represented by local scientists, naturalists, fishermen, business business and property owners, and lake users who gave over an hour of testimony and comments. The recording is available on
June 7, 2022:
The Don’t Poison Lake Bomoseen group changed its name to Keep Lake Bomoseen Herbicide Free.
August 2, 2022:
The Lake Bomoseen Association notified its members through email that their Annual Meeting would be held on Sunday, August 14 over Zoom, citing COVID-19 concerns. Pre-registration was required, and current paid members would receive an agenda and a link to the meeting.