Follow Up Noxious Weed Inspection For North Kingstown Lake

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced Thursday an inspection and possible follow-up treatment for noxious weed infestation at Silver Spring Lake.

The inspection is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 25. Please refrain from fishing and boating that day.

According to DEM, the first treatment in June significantly reduced milfoil and fanwort, the two poisonous weeds found. The weeds are detrimental to aquatic plant life, which are important habitats for fish and food sources for birds and some mammals.

"The inspection will be conducted by Solitude Lake Management LLC, the company contracted for the earlier treatment," DEM said in a press release. "If there has been substantial regrowth of the invasive weeds, the lake will be treated using the herbicides Reward and Clipper."

If noxious weeds are found again. The following restrictions will be put in place:

• No use for irrigation for five days

• No direct drinking for three days

• One-day restriction for livestock watering

There are no restrictions for swimming and fishing other than the day of treatment.