Specifications include, but are not limited to:DEC is seeking proposals for the handpulling of water chestnut plants from designated locations in the lower Poultney River system, Rutland County, Vermont (approximately 400 acres). DEC will provide a water chestnut management field supervisor to oversee and coordinate the management program in 2018. This element of the 2018 Water Chestnut Management Program will focus on the removal of water chestnut (Trapa natans) by hand from the lower Poultney River system in Rutland County, Vermont. These include areas on the Poultney River and surrounding marsh and pond areas between the confluence of Coggman Creek with the Poultney River and the confluence of the Poultney River with Lake Champlain. This also includes Coggman Pond. DEC’s full Management Program involves mechanical harvesting and handpulling to remove water chestnut plants before they reach sexual maturity. Both methods will be used in 2018. DEC will implement and oversee the program through contracts with selected vendors. Handpulling involves the use of crews to pull water chestnut plants from designated sites. Handpulling crews work from kayaks and motorboats, or wade directly in the water. Areas with scattered water chestnut growth as well as areas where chestnut plants are interspersed with native floating aquatic plant species are typically selected for handpulling. Handpulling crews also work in conjunction with the mechanical harvesting element of the program. Once an area has been mechanically harvested, the handpulling crews may follow and pull any remaining chestnut plants.
