RFQ/RFP #3-2021 Lake Quonnipaug Management Plan Town of Guilford, CT - March 16, 2021 // ESS Proposal 17776
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QUALIFICATIONS FOR
RFQ/RFP #3-2021
Lake Quonnipaug
Management Plan
Town of Guilford, CT
March 16, 2021 // ESS Proposal 17776
© 2021 ESS Group, Inc. Environmental Consulting & Engineering Services | www.essgroup.com |
March 16, 2021
Mr. Matthew Hoey, III
First Selectman
Office of the First Selectman, 2nd Floor
31 Park Street
Guilford, Connecticut 06437
Re: Request for Qualifications and Proposals for Lake Quonnipaug, Gilford, CT
RFQ/RFP #3-2021
ESS Proposal No. 17776
Dear Mr. Hoey:
ESS Group, Inc. (ESS) is pleased to provide this proposal to the Town of Guilford in response to the
Request for Qualifications and Proposals (RFQ/P) for Lake Quonnipaug. We have organized our response
to include all of the requested information in your RFQ/P.
ESS routinely works with lake associations, state agencies, waters suppliers and municipalities such as
yours to advise on lake management actions that maintain or improve on in-lake conditions using a variety
of management approaches. Our approach to lake management is based on science and our
recommendations will be tailored to meet the needs of the lake and the community based on the latest
understanding of the science while working within the financial constraints of the town. ESS believes that
we will set ourselves apart from the competition in the following ways:
1. The size and diverse capabilities of our company allow us to provide a highly qualified and experienced
project staff, including two Certified Lake Managers (CLM), as well as other scientists and engineers
to help prioritize actions for moving forward to solve management issues.
2. We have experience with every type of lake or reservoir in southern New England including lakes in
southern Connecticut.
3. ESS’s Project Manager for this work will be Carl Nielsen, a CLM with over 30 years of experience
managing lakes in the region and with a long history of working as the “limnologist (lake scientist) of
record” for the Town of Guilford at the Guilford Commons site. This familiarity with the Town and local
experience will be an asset to the project.
4. Carl will be joined on this team by Matt Ladewig, also a CLM. Matt has worked with Carl for over 12
years at ESS and they have worked on numerous lakes in Connecticut over that time.
5. Lastly, ESS does not apply herbicides or nutrient inactivation products, we do not design sewer
systems, we do not perform any construction activities, we do not sell or install aeration systems, nor
do we own weed management or dredging equipment. We are solely a science and permitting
company. Therefore, we can provide the Town with a truly unbiased evaluation of the best management
options for Lake Quonnipaug.
Town of Guilford – Lake Quonnipaug
March 16, 2021
Although the work envisioned for this project will be conducted by several staff from ESS’s two northeastern
offices (Waltham, MA and East Providence, RI), Carl Nielsen, a Connecticut resident, will serve as the lead
scientist and principal point of contact for ESS on this project. Mr. Nielsen can be reached at the following:
ESS Group, Inc.
10 Hemingway Drive
East Providence, RI 02915
Office: 401-330-1224
Mobile: 401-524-5108 (preferred)
Email: cnielsen@essgroup.com
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this response to the Town of Guilford’s RFQ/P. Please do not
hesitate to contact Carl Nielsen at (401) 524-5108 with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
ESS GROUP, INC.
Carl Nielsen, CLM
Director of Water Resources
Attachments: ESS Proposal
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Town of Guilford – Lake Quonnipaug
March 16, 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 QUALIFICATIONS .................................................................................................................................. 1
2.0 PROJECT TEAM .................................................................................................................................... 2
3.0 EXPERIENCE & CLIENT REFERENCES .............................................................................................. 3
Aquarion Water Company, Aquatic Macrophyte Surveys of Ponds and Reservoirs ............................. 3
Quaboag/Quacumquasit Lake Association (QQLA) – Sturbridge, MA................................................... 4
Memorial Pond Restoration – Walpole, MA ........................................................................................... 4
White Pond & Warner’s Pond Watershed Management Plans – Concord, MA ..................................... 4
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) Aquatic Macrophyte Survey and Management
Recommendations for Ten Reservoirs ................................................................................................... 5
4.0 SCOPE OF SERVICES .......................................................................................................................... 5
Task A. Review of Prior Studies and Data ............................................................................................. 5
Task B. Summary of Site Resources...................................................................................................... 6
Task C. Recommendations for Monitoring Lake Water Quality ............................................................. 6
Task D. Recommendations for Management of Non-Native/Invasive Species ..................................... 6
Task E. Recommendations for Southern Section of Lake and Dam ...................................................... 7
Task F. Recommendations for Watershed Management ....................................................................... 7
Task G. Text, Tables, and Maps ............................................................................................................ 8
Task H. Lake Management Report and Five-year Implementation Strategy ......................................... 8
5.0 SCHEDULE AND WORKLOAD .............................................................................................................. 8
6.0 ASSUMPTIONS ...................................................................................................................................... 9
7.0 COSTS .................................................................................................................................................... 9
APPENDIX A: REQUIRED FORMS
APPENDIX B: KEY PERSONNEL RESUMES
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Town of Guilford – Lake Quonnipaug
March 16, 2021
1.0 QUALIFICATIONS
ESS is a locally based mid-size, full-service environmental consulting and engineering firm with extensive
experience in aquatic resource management that has been in operation since 1979 and under the current
ownership since 1997. Our team of lake managers, aquatic ecologists, fisheries biologists, geologists and
engineers in our Waltham, Massachusetts and East Providence, Rhode Island offices excels at conducting
accurate analyses and developing solutions to vegetation and water quality issues that will provide both
immediate results and holistic, long-term success.
ESS completes multiple lake management plans for southern New England water bodies every year. We
regularly work with state agencies, municipalities, and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) on lake and
watershed studies to locate pollutant sources, develop nutrient budgets, and prepare appropriate
management strategies to meet ecological, recreational, and water quality goals specific to each water
body. Our experience ranges from small mill impoundments to large drinking water reservoirs. As such, we
approach each lake and pond with a respect for the uniqueness of the water body and its watershed.
ESS is distinguished from our competitors by having two Certified Lake Managers on staff. Our reports are
prepared by a Certified Lake Manager, ensuring that you receive high-quality deliverables and expert,
custom-tailored management recommendations every time. Carl Nielsen, the proposed project manager
for this work, is a Certified Lake Manager, a Fisheries Manager, a Connecticut resident, and has been
working for the past 10 years in the Town of Guilford at Guilford Common’s Spinning Mill Brook site as the
“Limnologist of Record”. Carl has been with ESS working on water resource projects since 1998. Carl is
ideally suited to help the Town of Guilford move forward with effective solutions for the lake.
Lastly, ESS does not apply herbicides or nutrient inactivation products, we do not design sewer systems,
we do not perform any construction activities, we do not sell or install aeration systems, nor do we own
weed management or dredging equipment. Therefore, we can provide the Town of Guilford with a truly
unbiased assessment of work performed to date and a sound evaluation of management options that will
work in the future.
Organization Name ESS Group, Inc.
Incorporation State Delaware
Incorporation Year 1997
Chief Executive – Name/Title Charles J. Natale, Jr., President & CEO
Telephone 781-419-7701
Email cnatale@essgroup.com
Headquarters Street Address 404 Wyman Street, Suite 375
Headquarters City/State/Zip Waltham, MA 02451
Lead Point of Contact for Quote – Name/Title Carl Nielsen, VP Water Resources
Telephone 401-330-1224
Email cnielsen@essgroup.com
Street Address 10 Hemingway Drive, 2nd Floor
City/State/Zip East Providence, RI 02915
Town of Guilford – Lake Quonnipaug
March 16, 2021
2.0 PROJECT TEAM
For this project, ESS envisions the need for a range of scientific expertise. The ESS team proposed here
specializes in lake and watershed assessment and management and routinely permits, designs, and
oversees lake improvement and restoration projects of all kinds. The ESS team has been developing Lake
and Watershed Management Plans for over 22 years.
The key personnel identified to provide these services for the Lake Quonnipaug project are listed below;
detailed resumes for each are also attached to this proposal in Appendix B. Please note that additional
qualified senior, technical and support staff are available to assist with this project should expanded
capacity be required to meet project goals. Their resumes are available upon request.
Carl Nielsen, CLM – Limnologist & Primary Point of Contact: Mr. Nielsen has over 30 years of
experience in the assessment and evaluation of lake and pond ecosystems. He has worked extensively in
identifying and understanding the ecology of most aquatic organisms including aquatic plants, algae,
zooplankton, aquatic invertebrates, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. By understanding the ecological needs
of an aquatic system, Mr. Nielsen is able to tailor management recommendations and mitigation strategies
that are appropriate and help to develop community consensus. Mr. Nielsen is actively involved in the
restoration of aquatic systems and has worked to improve water quality and aquatic habitat conditions in
numerous lake and river systems throughout New England. As part of these efforts, Mr. Nielsen regularly
uses water quality data collected to develop customized scientific watershed models to assist in locating
sources of pollution and to evaluate the potential effectiveness of a variety of watershed management
strategies including storm water improvements, sewering, dredging, sediment management, biological
controls or other alternative approaches. Mr. Nielsen has designed and permitted a wide range of aquatic
plant management programs including the use of nearly every known approach including herbicides,
harvesting techniques, biological controls (carp, weevils, enzymes, etc.), drawdown, dredging, and
aeration.
On this project, Mr. Nielsen will serve as the lead scientist and limnologist responsible for evaluating all
existing information, studies, and data, providing expert guidance on design and execution of any future
field program and in the development of the lake and watershed management plans.
Matt Ladewig, CLM – Limnologist and Fisheries Biologist: Mr. Ladewig is a Certified Lake Manager
and ecologist with more than 16 years of experience in the monitoring, modeling, and management of
aquatic ecosystems. He is directly involved in field work, laboratory work, data analysis, modeling, reporting,
and permitting phases of lake management projects and has studied over 75 lakes and ponds to date. Mr.
Ladewig is proficient in the taxonomy of a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial organisms and is a certified
aquatic macroinvertebrate taxonomist through the Society for Freshwater Science. He has conducted rare
species surveys for several aquatic species, including aquatic plants, freshwater mussels, dragonflies, and
damselflies.
On this project, Mr. Ladewig will serve the Town by working with Mr. Nielsen to provide additional analysis
of past studies, compile new data, and offer appropriate management recommendations for the lake.
Scott DeHainaut – Senior Data and Graphics Manager: Scott DeHainaut is a recognized expert in GIS
with more than 30 years of diverse training and experience in geospatial data management, analysis, and
system design. This includes more than a decade developing GIS and data management systems at the
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Town of Guilford – Lake Quonnipaug
March 16, 2021
municipal and county levels, and almost two decades supporting the use of GIS for environmental
restoration and management. Mr. DeHainaut’s expertise has an emphasis on ESRI applications and
includes advanced spatial analysis, database management, GIS/CAD integration, visual impact
assessments and simulations, and multimedia graphics presentations. Additionally, he brings experience
in the development of client web portals and data collection using mobile platforms, as well as fluency in
several programming languages which he leverages for data automation, integration, and analyses.
On this project, Mr. DeHainaut will serve as Senior Data and Graphics Manager. He will also oversee GIS
analysis and figure production.
Morgan Proko – Environmental Scientist: Ms. Proko has been with ESS for over 4 years working almost
exclusively on assessments of aquatic systems. Morgan has worked to implement a range of field and
reporting duties including aquatic plant mapping, water quality assessment, and other field data collection.
For this project, Morgan will aid in the preparation of data tables and graphics for the final report.
3.0 EXPERIENCE & CLIENT REFERENCES
ESS’s experience in lake and pond management is a key differentiator from our competition. We regularly
work with diverse user groups to identify concerns and goals, build consensus toward a prioritized
management action plan, and continue to provide support in locating funding, obtaining permits, and
implementing the recommended actions.
In this section, we highlight selected recent or current projects that are similar in many ways to the requested
Scope of Work. Reference contact information is provided for each of the clients/projects detailed on the
following page. Examples of our work products are included electronically on the CD-ROM.
Aquarion Water Company, Aquatic Macrophyte Surveys of Ponds and Reservoirs
ESS has worked with Aquarion Water Company for over 15 years, but
most recently we have been conducting an extensive watershed wide
assessment of the Mianus River and North Stamford Reservoir
watershed systems. As part of these assessments, ESS was asked to
map aquatic plants within twelve of the larger ponds and reservoirs in
the region in order to identify potential threats from non-native species
and to make recommendations for controlling their spread. ESS is now
working with Aquarion to design a suitable 5-year management plan for
each system where non-natives were found. ESS has been asked to
look at an additional six
reservoirs in 2021 for this Name: Ingrid Jacobs, PE
Title: Manager/Water Resources
same purpose. Organization: Aquarion Water
Phone: 203-362-8119
Email: ijacobs@aquarionwater.com
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Town of Guilford – Lake Quonnipaug
March 16, 2021
Quaboag/Quacumquasit Lake Association (QQLA) – Sturbridge, MA
ESS developed a comprehensive Vegetation Management
Action Plan for the QQLA over 12 years ago to manage milfoil
and fanwort. Over this time, ESS has worked annually with
QQLA and Solitude Lake Management to customize weed
control efforts through a range of options including herbicides,
harvesting, benthic barriers, hand pulling, diver assisted hand
harvesting, and biological controls. Over time, ESS has been
able to reduce non-native growth in Quacumquasit Pond from
over 35 acres at the start to less than 1 acre in total now. ESS
designed this program, permitted the work, and oversees all Name: Don Taft
Title: President
contractor work at this 225-acre waterbody. As part of this Organization: QQLA
project, ESS attended multiple meetings with committee Phone: 508-274-9492
members and conducted training for hand harvesting. Email: dtaft9492@verizon.net
Memorial Pond Restoration – Walpole, MA
ESS assisted the Town of Walpole and the Walpole Ponds
Management Committee in evaluating Memorial Pond and
developing a long-term management plan for its preservation.
ESS conducted field investigations to develop conceptual
engineering designs and cost estimates for moving forward with
permitting a restoration program at the pond. Permits were
granted for the dredging of over 14,000 cubic yards of
sediment. This work was completed under direct supervision
by ESS. ESS has since worked with the town to implement a Name: Landis Hershey
shoreline vegetation restoration planting program at the site. Title: Conservation Agent
Organization: Town of Walpole
Conservation Commission
White Pond & Warner’s Pond Watershed Management Phone: 508.660.7253
Plans – Concord, MA Email: lhershey@walpole-ma.gov
ESS has completed two
lake management plans for
the Town of Concord including the 56-acre Warner’s Pond and the 40-
acre White Pond. These projects involved design and implementation of
a comprehensive sampling program to address concern over perceived
declines in water quality and emerging threats to each of the ponds’
health including invasive plant species, loss of fish habitat, etc. The
results from these efforts were used to complete a watershed
management plan with
Name: Delia Kaye prioritized short- and long-
Title: Natural Resources Director term recommendations.
Organization: Concord Division of
Natural Resources ESS is now assisting the
Phone: 978.318.3285 town with the
Email: dkaye@concordma.gov implementation of these
recommendations.
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Town of Guilford – Lake Quonnipaug
March 16, 2021
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) Aquatic Macrophyte Survey and Management
Recommendations for Ten Reservoirs
ESS provided aquatic macrophyte and bathymetry mapping
services in the ten-reservoir system managed by MWRA and
the MA DCR. The final report provided MWRA with a prioritized
list of recommended management and monitoring actions for
each reservoir. The system-wide surveys were conducted in
2010 and again in 2013 and annually
since then through 2020. Each year Name: John Gregoire
ESS makes recommendations to Title: Reservoir Operations Manager
manage the non-native vegetation Organization: MWRA
Phone: 508.424.3608
without the use of any herbicides in Email: john.gregoire@mwra.state.ma.us
these drinking water reservoirs.
4.0 SCOPE OF SERVICES
ESS has reviewed several of the prior available reports identified in the RFQ/P in preparation for this bid.
There is a large amount of existing and readily available information covering many of the critical physical,
chemical, and biological aspects of the lake and its watershed. We will be able to use these data combined
with additional data we propose to collect to evaluate the lake’s current condition and to provide
recommendations for the long-term management of the lake. Our recommendations for the lake and
watershed will be based on the needs of the stakeholders but also on what is practical, affordable, and
most importantly what is ecologically appropriate and sustainable over the long-term.
The scope of work proposed by ESS below follows the outline of the Town’s RFQ/P to facilitate review.
Based on the information requested in the RFQ/P, ESS believes that we will be able to adequately assess
the physical, chemical, and biological features of Lake Quonnipaug at a sufficient level of detail to provide
sound management recommendations for protecting and improving the lake.
Task A. Review of Prior Studies and Data
The basis for much of our work on this project will be the work previously done by others, which we feel is
thorough and, at least for the plant mapping, up to date. The most recent plant surveys by CAES will be
extremely valuable and will not need to be repeated by ESS for us to make our management
recommendations. Any additional data collection needs by ESS, such as water or sediment quality, will be
part of our recommendations in our 5-Year Implementation Strategy.
Existing Data Review: ESS will use the range of readily available data and reports to create a summary
of the lake’s historical and current condition. Data will be gathered during our initial kick-off meeting as well
as separately during a file review. We will use previous reports identified by the Town along with available
GIS data layers to describe and summarize recreational use, community use, and ecological conditions
over the years as well as the system as it exists today. Aerial images from today as well as historic aerial
images available for the area may also be used to show how the lake and its watershed may have changed
over the years, perhaps in response to watershed development, ongoing lake management actions or even
climate change.
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Town of Guilford – Lake Quonnipaug
March 16, 2021
Deliverables: ESS will provide the Town with a summary narrative regarding the lake that will describe
public access, surrounding land use within the watershed, watershed changes over time, and past and
current lake activities. ESS will describe prior lake management efforts and their relative success.
Task B. Summary of Site Resources
Site Resources: ESS will review the current weed control efforts and most recent vegetation surveys to
assess whether these are the most appropriate approaches for the future. We will evaluate all options and
will use existing data, our own surveys of the lake and consider the impact of prior management attempts
to develop recommendations for managing, removing, or otherwise controlling the spread of existing or
potential invasive species at Lake Quonnipaug.
As part of our assessment, ESS will:
Review water quality data available to us.
Review previous plant mapping by CAES and build new GIS map layers as a basis for
recommendations on non-native species control.
Compile a list of known and expected wildlife resources at the lake including any special species
of concern or endangered species.
Prepare a watershed map in the form of several GIS layers that will include topography, land use
categories, soils information, and sub-drainage basins within the larger watershed.
Deliverables: ESS will prepare a narrative describing the above resources within the watershed along with
a detailed summary of how these resources may impact management options that would be appropriate. If
additional field sampling is required, ESS will make a recommendation to the Town and be willing to perform
the required sampling during the summer months.
Task C. Recommendations for Monitoring Lake Water Quality
ESS will make recommendations for present and future water quality
monitoring based on the previous studies and on our analysis of the
watershed and in-lake resources determined under Task B.
Recommendations will include appropriate frequency, locations,
depths, and individual water quality parameters that should be
assessed each year. If additional monitoring is required, ESS will
make recommendations to the Town and we will be prepared to
provide this sampling and analysis during the summer of 2021 if
necessary.
Task D. Recommendations for Management of Non-
Native/Invasive Species
Our management recommendations for non-native or invasive
species will consider the range of options available and will be
recommended based on the amount of invasive species present and
the level of control desired. ESS will consider hand-harvesting, mechanical harvesting, diver hand-
harvesting, diver assisted suction harvesting (DASH), drawdown, a variety of possible herbicide
6Town of Guilford – Lake Quonnipaug
March 16, 2021
applications, a variety of biological or natural alternative controls, and the no-action alternative. We
understand that some or all of these may have been considered previously, but perhaps having a fresh look
at these will be advantageous. ESS will identify potential permitting constraints, and work to design a
conceptual program to allow us to determine the costs and potential benefits of each approach as well as
to identify potential risks so that stakeholders can understand the true value of each an approach.
Task E. Recommendations for Southern Section of Lake and Dam
ESS has extensive experience with the management of in-lake sediment for the purpose of deepening a
waterbody through dredging. ESS has performed dredging feasibility assessments for over 40 waterbodies
in southern New England and have been responsible for designing and permitting over ten in the past five
years. We even have worked in Connecticut to evaluate sediment removal for the sale of gravel in two
ponds located in Burlington, Connecticut and understand how such a project would need to be permitted
and what a project of this nature would cost to implement. More recently, ESS has assisted Aquarion with
evaluating a dredging project in their Mianus River water supply reservoir.
For this project, ESS will review prior studies regarding sediment removal from the southern section of the
lake and provide the Town with a realistic assessment of what may be appropriate and what would be a
reasonable cost estimate for sediment removal and disposal. ESS can also provide a realistic estimate for
the costs that may be offset by any sale of material removed from the lake.
In addition to the feasibility and cost implications, ESS will provide an assessment of the nature of the short-
term impacts and potential long-term benefits to the fish and wildlife resources within the lake from such a
project.
Deliverables: ESS will prepare a narrative summarizing prior assessments of the southern section
regarding sediment removal. Our narrative will include the value of such an extensive project to the ecology
of the lake and its future management as well as the ecological and financial costs of this approach. ESS
will summarize the next steps including additional sediment testing, engineering design, and permitting for
the approach should it be deemed feasible.
Task F. Recommendations for Watershed Management
ESS routinely develops strategies for improving the water quality that
enters a lake using a variety of watershed management approaches.
A key to understanding which approaches are most appropriate and
the degree to which these must be implemented is to understand the
nutrient budget for the lake. A nutrient budget is a tool based on
modeling of the lake and its watershed that can predict how much
nutrient (phosphorus and nitrogen) a lake is receiving from its
watershed and from internal recycling of its nutrients from bottom
sediments. Once this is understood, the model can be used to
predict how much nutrient a particular lake can process before it
begins to suffer from excessive nutrient loading (aka eutrophication).
Then ESS will be able to tailor watershed management actions to the
level of nutrient reduction that may be required to ensure good water
quality and clarity.
7Town of Guilford – Lake Quonnipaug
March 16, 2021
Deliverables: ESS will prepare a nutrient budget model for Lake Quonnipaug based on the previously
collected data and reports.
Task G. Text, Tables, and Maps
Our Lake Management Report and Five-year Implementation Strategy will include tables summarizing
previous studies, data, and our findings along with associated text to describe our analysis and
recommendations. The report will also include custom graphics, aerial imagery, and GIS date
presentations. These will be provided as described under Tasks A through F above.
Deliverables: If the town would like, ESS would be willing to share draft data and figures we compile as
they are completed.
Task H. Lake Management Report and Five-year Implementation Strategy
The Lake Management Report and Five-year implementation strategy we will prepare will be presented in
draft format for review by the Town and interested stakeholders. ESS will submit the draft as a hard copy
and in electronic format specified by the Guilford Conservation Commission by September 30. 2021. Upon
receipt of feedback, ESS will make any necessary changes to the document and submit a final plan by
October 30, 2021 assuming that the Town returns their comments to us within two weeks of our draft
submittal.
Mr. Nielsen will prepare a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation to summarize our study, its findings and the
recommendations made for improving Lake Quonnipaug following the submittal of our Draft Report.
Deliverables:
• One electronic copy of a draft final report for review and comment by the Town.
• Electronic copy of the final project presentation.
• Presentation by ESS to interested stakeholders (virtual meeting).
• One electronic copy of the final report that incorporates the Town revisions, if any.
5.0 SCHEDULE AND WORKLOAD
ESS is prepared to begin work on this scope of work immediately upon execution of a contract with the
Town. We do not have any current workload commitments that would prevent us from meeting this
proposed schedule. The kick-off meeting and desktop portion of this project may proceed at any time, once
written authorization is received. The proposed timeline is presented in the table below.
Task April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct.
A. Data Review and Kick-off
X
B. Site Resource Assessment
X X X
C. Recommendations for Water Quality
X
Sampling
D. Recommendations for Management of
X X
Non-native weeds Concept Designs
8Town of Guilford – Lake Quonnipaug
March 16, 2021
E. Recommendations for Southern Section
X X
and Dam
F. Recommendations for Watershed
X X
Management
G. Test, Tables and Maps
X X X
F. Lake Management Report and Five-year
X X X
Implementation Strategy plus Presentation
ESS will keep the Town apprised of significant findings throughout the project. ESS is not responsible for
delays in performance caused by circumstances beyond our control, or which could not have reasonably
been anticipated or prevented.
6.0 ASSUMPTIONS
The proposed compensation described in this proposal is predicated on the Scope of Work described above
and the following assumptions:
• Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, meetings will be held remotely in teleconference or
videoconference format.
• To reduce costs and impacts to the environment associated with paper deliverables, ESS
deliverables will be provided in PDF format unless otherwise noted.
7.0 COSTS
ESS is providing costs under separate sealed cover. Costs include all anticipated expenses for travel, report
production, and communication/mailing fees.
9Appendix A Required Forms
Appendix B Key Personnel Resumes
CARL D. NIELSEN, CLM
Vice President and Director of Water Resources
Qualifications
Experience
ESS Group, Inc.:1998 to Mr. Nielsen has over 30 years of experience in the assessment and
present
evaluation of marine and freshwater ecosystems. Mr. Nielsen has worked
Years of Prior Related extensively in identifying and understanding the ecology of most aquatic
Experience: 8 organisms including aquatic plants, algae, zooplankton, aquatic
Education invertebrates, corals, fish, reptiles and amphibians. Mr. Nielsen is also
MS, Fisheries and Wildlife, actively involved in the restoration of aquatic systems and has worked to
University of Missouri - improve water quality and aquatic habitat conditions in numerous lake and
Columbia, 1994
river systems throughout New England. As part of these efforts, Mr.
BA, Biology, Colgate Nielsen regularly uses water quality data collected to develop customized
University, 1990
scientific watershed models to assist in locating sources of pollution and to
Tufts University, Water evaluate the potential effectiveness of a variety of watershed management
Quality Modeling for strategies. Mr. Nielsen has been Senior Project Scientist for more than 200
TMDLs, 40-hr. Workshop,
2001 aquatic resource studies which have been performed for numerous clients
including: federal, state and local governments, municipal water districts,
Professional
local lake and watershed associations, industrial facilities, property
Registrations and
Affiliations developers, major corporations, utilities, golf courses, ski areas, and
North American Lake airports.
Management Society –
Certified Lake Manager Representative Project Experience
(CLM)
Wilcox & Barton, Inc. – Water Quality and Biomonitoring Surveys and
New England Chapter – Ongoing Monitoring Reporting to Inland Wetlands Commission in
North American Lake Support of Major Retail Development – Guilford, CT: Mr. Nielsen was
Management Society
responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive
Northeast Aquatic Plant biomonitoring program in Spinning Mill Brook adjacent to the construction
Management Society site for a 155,000 square foot retail development. Work has performed for
NAUI Open Water SCUBA two-baseline years of assessment and five post-construction years and is
Diver Certification likely to continue annually throughout the operation of the proposed
American Heart development. The project was designed to ensure that the stream system
Association – CPR and was not impacted by the operation of the on-site wastewater treatment
First Aid system with a groundwater discharge that had potential to negatively
impact the brook. Monitoring includes fishery assessment, detailed habitat assessments, water quality
measurements, benthic macroinvertebrate community analysis, and periphyton (attached algae)
monitoring. Mr. Nielsen has made several presentations to the Guilford Inland Wetlands Commission as
part of this effort.
Woodridge Lake Property Owners Association – Diagnostic/Feasibility Study – Goshen, CT: Mr.
Nielsen provided field assessment of water quality and the aquatic plant community as part of a
diagnostic/feasibility study of Woodridge Lake and its watershed in Goshen, Connecticut. The project
was designed to evaluate existing conditions as a basis for management decisions. Management
recommendations included a harvesting program tailored to the specific growth and reproduction cycles
of the plant species creating nuisance conditions within the lake.
Builders Concrete East, LLC – Bathymetry and Sediment Evaluation of Lake Como, Burlington,
CT: Project manager and lead scientist for a pre-dredging feasibility assessment of a 15-acre lake in
Burlington, Connecticut. As part of this study, ESS evaluated the flow and hydrodynamic characteristics
of the pond’s watershed to determine flows during peak flow periods and how these may impact dredging
construction and the ability to dewater the system. ESS worked with Design Professionals, Inc. to develop
engineering plans for the dredge project and coordinated efforts for permitting through the local Inland
Wetlands Commission, CTDEEP and the USACE.Carl D. Nielsen
Page 2 of 6
Aquarion Water Company – Reservoir and Watershed Assessment for the Mianus River System –
Greenwich and North Stamford, CT. Mr. Nielsen designed and oversees an ongoing study of the
Mianus River and North Stamford watershed systems for Aquarion Water. The work has included aquatic
plant mapping of six pond and reservoir systems in the watershed along with assessment of 18 stream
locations. The program was designed to evaluate these sites quarterly for one year and analysis has
included detailed flow measurements, aquatic plant mapping, extensive water quality assessment,
sediment quality assessment, and the establishment of remote long-term flow monitoring locations. Work
is ongoing, but two interim presentations have been made to date to communicate initial findings of the
study.
Aquarion Water Company – Aquatic Plant Management Plan for Six Connecticut Reservoirs.
Southwestern CT. Mr. Nielsen was the project manager for an assessment of six pond and reservoir
systems in southwestern Connecticut that are located within the watersheds managed by Aquarion
Water. These assessments were done to locate non-native aquatic plant species that could pose a threat
to these waterbodies and was the first time in many years that these systems were assessed in such
detail. ESS found several non-native species including Hydrilla verticillata, a species that is relatively new
to Connecticut and extremely aggressive. Mr. Nielsen has worked with Aquarion to develop
recommendations for control. In addition, Mr. Nielsen has been asked to conduct similar assessments for
Aquarion at six additional waterbodies in the state in 2021.
MassDCR – Harold Parker State Forest Aquatic Plant Management, 2018: Mr. Nielsen has designed
and overseen a program to restore open water habitat at Field and Collins Ponds within Harold Parker
State Forest through the management of non-native aquatic vegetation. Mr. Nielsen and the ESS team
evaluated the ponds, designed a program with local input to manage the non-native weeds, and then
obtained permits for this work. Aquatic plants were initially controlled through a hand harvesting program
carried out by volunteers and then subsequently through herbicide application. The goal of the program is
to use herbicides to get non-native species in the pond under control so that hand-harvesting can be used
to reduce or eliminate the need for herbicide over time. This multi-year program is now in its fourth year
of a six year program funded by the State. All work is overseen and managed by Mr. Nielsen.
Town of Concord - White Pond Limnological Investigation – Concord, MA: Mr. Nielsen was the
Project Manager and lead scientist for a year-long study of this 50 acre kettle pond. The goal of the study
was to identify sources of nutrients to the pond that were likely contributing to algal blooms and
threatening water quality. ESS studied the pond to model hydrologic and nutrient inputs, utilized
innovative sheet-flow stormwater sampling devices, and assessed groundwater inputs with seepage
meters. Additional work focused on an extensive analysis of the history of the pond and development
within its watershed. The report prepared now serves as the basis for the long-term protection and
improvement of the system.
Providence Water Supply Board – Limnological Studies of Moswansicut, Barden, and
Westconnaug Reservoirs – Scituate and Foster, RI: Principal Director as Scientist for a limnological
investigation at Moswanicut, Barden and Westconnaug reservoirs in the Providence Water Supply
system. ESS conducted watershed assessments, water quality surveys, groundwater seepage surveys,
bathymetric mapping, sediment sampling, biological surveys, and aquatic macrophyte mapping for all
three reservoirs and issued separate reports on each. The objective of the studies was to characterize the
current trophic status, identify the probability of “turning,” and provide specific management
recommendations to maintain or improve the water quality of each reservoir. ESS is continuing to work
with Providence Water to manage water quality at these and other reservoirs within the system.
Town of Weymouth – Whitman’s Pond Vegetation Management Action Plan – Weymouth, MA: Sr.
project manager for a comprehensive Vegetation Management Action Plan for the Whitman’s Pond
Working Group, a town-appointed committee charged with task of identifying a restoration strategy for the
190-acre pond. Although Whitman’s Pond suffers from excessive growth of invasive plants,Carl D. Nielsen
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sedimentation, and water quality impairments, it supports a significant run of anadromous alewife (Alosa
pseudoharengus), provides diverse recreational opportunities for the public, and serves as a backup
water supply for the town. The Vegetation Management Action Plan was developed to address the
problems in Whitman’s Pond while being protective of the multiple resources it provides to a diverse
group of stakeholders. Bathymetric and sediment isopach mapping, biological surveys (plants, fish, birds,
and invertebrates), sediment sampling, water quality sampling, and hydrologic assessments were
conducted to support the development of the Vegetation Management Action Plan. The final plan was
presented to the town at a public meeting and is currently being implemented.
Quaboag and Quacumquasit Lake Association – Quaboag and Quacumquasit Long Term
Management Plan Development and Implementation – Brookfield, East Brookfield, and Sturbridge,
MA: Mr. Nielsen worked with QQLA to develop a comprehensive Long Term Management Plan for the
Quaboag and Quacumquasit lake system. The plan included efforts to improve water quality, reduce algal
growth, and manage rooted weed growth. As part of these efforts, an extensive public education
component was developed and advanced by Mr. Nielsen through the QQLA organization and with the
three town Conservation Commissions. This multi-year project has successfully reduced non-native
plants in one of the ponds from over 35 acres to under 1 acre through the use of herbicides and hand
harvesting.
Vespera, Inc., Darrow Pond Baseline Assessment – Nutrient Modeling and Long-Term
Management Plan – East Lyme, CT: Responsible for design and implementation of a pond study to
establish baseline conditions at a pond in East Lyme, CT that was downgradient of an innovative Low
Impact Development (LID) consisting of over 1,200 acres and 600 individual residences. Mr. Nielsen was
responsible for modeling the benefits of LID vs. standard design runoff management practices and
making additional recommendations for further enhancing the projects ability to infiltrate runoff and treat
pollutants. The project is still currently in the permitting process.
Northeast Retail Management Co. LLC, – Nutrient and Stormwater Loading Analysis for Inland
Wetlands Commission – East Hampton, CT: Responsible for designing a storm water management
plan to make a proposed 3 acre development site net-neutral with regard to phosphorus load to Lake
Pocatopaug in pre- and post-development site conditions. This was achieved through the use of a
custom-designed stormwater infiltrations system with multiple removal processes built into the stormwater
“treatment train”. The project received approval from the Inland Wetlands Commission.
Town of Norton – Diagnostic and Feasibility Assessment for Management of Lake Winnecunnet –
Norton, MA: Mr. Nielsen was responsible for conducting an assessment of Lake Winnecunnet and its
watershed which are located within a Massachusetts ACEC (Area of Critical Environmental Concern).
The deep-water habitat associated with the lake is threatened by the invasive and exotic plant Cabomba
caroliniana (fanwort) which has spread throughout the lake to the detriment of native plants and
potentially native fauna. The need to manage this situation while protecting the potentially rare or
threatened species that exist within the lake required extensive survey of the lake shoreline, the major
tributaries to the lake (Canoe River and Mulberry Meadow Brook), and the lake outlet (Snake River). Mr.
Nielsen conducted a survey of freshwater mussels, aquatic macroinvertebrates, minnows and young-of-
the-year fish, aquatic and semi-aquatic plants, reptiles, and amphibians. Based on these detailed
surveys, Mr. Nielsen developed a comprehensive lake and watershed management plan for the Town
which is now being implemented by a contractor and overseen annually by ESS.
Town of Westford – Baseline Characterization, Drawdown Feasibility Assessment, and Long-term
Monitoring Program for Nabnasset Lake – Westford, MA: Mr. Nielsen is serving as Project Manager
and lead scientist in an investigation of the baseline characteristics of Nabnasset Lake and a
hydrologically-linked wetland system known as Shipley Swamp. The purpose of the investigations was to
determine the nature of impacts that could be anticipated as a result of a proposed winter lake drawdown
for the purpose of controlling nuisance aquatic plants. As part of the baseline assessments, Mr. NielsenCarl D. Nielsen
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established numerous plant monitoring plots within the wetland, biological monitoring stations within the
wetland and lake, and established aquatic plant transects within the lake. These stations are currently
being monitored annually to determine the response to drawdown (if any) to allow for immediate
management actions to be taken as necessary to prevent significant damage from occurring to the
ecosystem. Mr. Nielsen also prepared and filed a Notice of Intent for the control of nuisance aquatic
plants at Nabnasset Lake by lake drawdown.
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation – Diagnostic/Feasibility Assessment –
Big Pond, Otis, MA: Mr. Nielsen designed and conducted an investigation of Big Pond and its watershed
to gather baseline information on water quality, stormwater quality, macroinvertebrate community
composition, aquatic and wetland plants, fish, and wildlife. Mr. Nielsen made recommendations for
monitoring and preserving the ecological integrity of this relatively healthy aquatic system.
Town of Hinsdale – Diagnostic/Feasibility Assessment of Ashmere Lake and Plunkett Reservoir –
Hinsdale, MA: The Hinsdale lakes are located in a Massachusetts ACEC (area of critical environmental
concern). Mr. Nielsen designed and carried out an assessment of the physical, chemical and biological
characteristics of these lakes which included water quality assessment, fish and wildlife evaluations,
rare/threatened/endangered species investigations, and wetland plant assessments. The work served as
the basis for making recommendations for controlling nuisance aquatic vegetation within the lakes while
minimizing the potential to cause adverse effects on sensitive or rare species common to the ACEC and
their watersheds.
Aquarion Water Company – Biological Survey in Response to Fish Kill – Easton, CT: ESS
responded quickly to design and conduct a biological (fish and macroinvertebrates) assessment of
numerous sites upstream and downstream of a reported chlorine spill downstream of a water supply
reservoir managed by Aquarion Water Company. Work was initiated immediately following reports of a
fish kill in order to characterize the true nature of impacts to Mill River and to develop an appropriate
remedial response. Results seem to indicate that the effects of the spill on the macroinvertebrate
community was minimal and that a natural recovery of the stream would be expected within a very short
period of time. ESS recommended that baseline macroinvertebrate data be collected for other key
streams within the watershed so that any future problems within the water supplier’s watershed could be
easily evaluated.
Aquarion Water Company – Fish and Fish Habitat Survey – Kent, CT: ESS responded to design and
conduct a biological (fish and macroinvertebrates) assessment of sites upstream and downstream of a
release of sediment from an impoundment in the water supply drainage system managed by Aquarion
Water Company. The sediment was released as a result of construction activities associated with a dam
removal project and the sediment was believed to have impacted one of the few native trout spawning
habitats in Connecticut. Mr. Nielsen characterized the true nature of impacts and developed an
appropriate remedial response. The scope of work was coordinated directly with CTDEP fishery staff.
Town of Wrentham – Multi-Lake Diagnostic/Feasibility Assessment – Wrentham, MA: Responsible
for designing and conducting an assessment of the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of
Lake Pearl, Lake Archer and Mirror Lake in Wrentham, Massachusetts in order to determine the cause of
lake eutrophication. A key concern was the potential for the groundwater entering these lakes to be
contaminated by septic systems within their watersheds. The investigation focused on answering this
question through the use of seepage meters (to measure groundwater quantity) and littoral interstitial
porewater sampling (to measure groundwater quality). Results from this study were used to evaluate the
potential benefits of installing sewer lines through portions of the watershed.
Town of Wayland – Biological Assessment of Heard and Mill Ponds – Wayland, MA: Designed and
implemented a diagnostic/feasibility assessment of Heard and Mill Ponds in Wayland, Massachusetts for
the purpose of determining effective treatment methods for the control of nuisance aquatic weed growth,Carl D. Nielsen
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and in particular the exotic species water chestnut (Trappa natans). Methods of treatment will rely on
mechanical harvesting within key areas of the ponds to ensure that the natural plant community will not
be disrupted and can continue to provide valuable habitat to fish and wildlife.
Lake Monomonac Association – Drawdown Feasibility Assessment – Winchendon Springs, MA
and Rindge, NH: Conducted a feasibility assessment of Lake Monomonac to ascertain the potential
effectiveness of lake drawdown as a method for controlling the nuisance aquatic weed variable leaf milfoil
(Myriophyllum heterophyllum). Based on the potential impacts of drawdown on the surrounding wetlands
and the relatively small area of actual plant infestation, drawdown was not recommended as an
appropriate control method at the time.
Town of Ayer – Diagnostic Feasibility Assessment of Spectacle Pond – Ayer and Littleton, MA:
Designed and Implemented a diagnostic/feasibility assessment of Spectacle Pond in Littleton,
Massachusetts for the purpose of determining effective treatment methods for the control of nuisance
aquatic weed growth, and in particular the exotic species fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana). Two possible
methods of treatment were recommended. One feasible method was chemical treatment of the pond with
flouridone at a dose specific to the control of fanwort. This precision approach will ensure that the natural
plant community will not be disrupted and will continue to provide valuable habitat to fish and wildlife. As
second, non-chemical alternative that was recommended was to control nuisance plant beds through the
use of hydro-raking equipment in selected areas.
Town of Dartmouth – Nuisance Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan – Lake Noquochoke,
Dartmouth, MA: Conducted an assessment of the physical, chemical, and biological conditions within
each of the five basins of Lake Noqochoke and the associated watershed for the purposes of
recommending measures for controlling excessive aquatic plant growth. Recommendations for plant
control were tailored specifically to meet the needs and goals for each of the lake’s five basins.
Recommendations included herbicides, hydro-raking, and dredging, as well as measures for improving
factors within the watershed which have been affecting conditions within the lake.
City of New Haven, – Impact Assessment of a Proposed Water Diversion from the Mill River – New
Haven, CT: Provided third party review of a report entitled “Lake Whitney Water Treatment Plant
Environmental Evaluation”, dated January 1999. This report was prepared by an environmental study
team contracted to the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority to evaluate potential impacts
and propose mitigation associated with the withdrawal of up to 15 million gallons per day of water from
Lake Whitney. The area of evaluation included the Mill River system below Eli Whitney Dam, much of
which flows through East Rock Park, a significant resource located in an urbanized area of New Haven.
The third party evaluation was prompted in response to concern by the City of New Haven and members
of the community over decreased flows and reduced water quality in Mill River below the Eli Whitney
Dam.
AES Enterprise – Aquatic Habitat Impact Assessment – New Britain and Southington, CT:
Downstream resources associated with the New Britain Water Supply System were evaluated by Mr.
Nielsen as part of a water diversion permit application for a proposed power generating plant in the Town
of Southington, Connecticut. Mr. Nielsen designed studies to determine impacts associated with the
withdrawal of four million gallons per day (gpd) of water for evaporative cooling and ultimately the
discharge of over 100,000 gpd of cooling water back into the Quinnipiac River. Fish, aquatic
invertebrates, water chemistry and habitat were assessed to determine means by which the water supply
system could be operated to deliver the required volume of water while minimizing environmental impacts
associated with the project.
Major Property Developer – Biomonitoring – Waterbury, CT: Conducted the biological assessment of
areas upstream and within a segment of relocated stream channel. The artificially created habitat within
the stream channel was allowed to be recolonized for a one-year period prior to investigation. Habitat,Carl D. Nielsen
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water quality, macroinvertebrate and fish data were collected within each stream 100 meter segment to
quantify differences between stream reaches. Differences were detected between the macroinvertebrate
communities collected from each stream segment; however, no differences were observed between the
fish communities collected from each stream segment. Recommendations were made to further enhance
habitat with specific consideration being given to improving macroinvertebrate habitat.
Town of Wilton – Biomonitoring – Wilton, CT: Project manager for an ongoing macroinvertebrate
monitoring program for two urban streams in southwestern Connecticut. Macroinvertebrates have been
collected semi-annually for more than five years in Silvermine River and Comstock Brook, establishing an
excellent baseline data set from which to evaluate any future impacts to this area as a result of ongoing
development.
Presentations
Ladewig, M.D. and C.D. Nielsen. Is Your Pond’s Algal Bloom Harmful? Observations of Blue-green Algae
in Southern New England. Massachusetts Congress of Lake and Pond Associations Winter Workshop.
January 2013. Worcester, MA.
Nielsen, C.D. and M.D. Ladewig. Use of Limno-barriers as a Tool to Assist in the Control of Small or Early
Stage Invasive Weed Beds. New England Chapter of the North American Lake Management Society,
2011 Annual Meeting. June 2011. Kingston, RI.
Ladewig, M.D. and C.D. Nielsen. The Ups and Downs of Winter Lake Drawdown as Part of a Long-term
Invasive Weed Control Program in a Massachusetts Lake. New England Association of Environmental
Biologists 34th Annual Meeting. March 2010. Newport, RI.
Nielsen, C.D. and M.D. Ladewig. Boating Channel Pilot Study: Feasibility versus Acceptance. North
American Lake Management Society 29th Annual Symposium. November 2009. Hartford, CT.
Nielsen, C.D. and M.D. Ladewig. The Next Aquatic Invaders? Invasive Didymo and Water Fleas in the
Berkshires. Berkshires Aquatic Invasive Species Forum. November 2009. Pittsfield, MA.
Nielsen, C.D. Lake Management and the 319 Grant: How to Make Your Grant Application Rise Above the
Rest. January 27th, 2007. Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Coalition of Lakes and Ponds.
Nielsen, C.D. DNA Ribotyping as a Tool for Bacterial Source Tracking: A Narraganset Bay Watershed
Case Study. April 2003. New England Association of Environmental Biologists Annual Conference.
Nielsen, C. D. How to Develop and Implement a Lake and Watershed Management Program. December
2002. Town of Walpole Lakes and Ponds Committee.
Nielsen, C. D. The Quaboag River watershed non-point source pollution assessment, a modeling
approach. April 2001. New England Association of Environmental Biologists Annual Conference.
Nielsen, C. D. Water Quality and Sediment Quality within the Deerfield River Watershed. March 2001. 2nd
Annual Deerfield River Watershed Conference.
Nielsen, C. D. Innovative watershed study design – Techniques for locating sources of non-point source
pollution. April 2000. Environmental Protection Agency – Region 1.
Nielsen, C. D. An investigation of the sources of non-point source pollution affecting water quality within
the lower Westfield River watershed. March 2000. 6th Annual Westfield River Symposium.
Nielsen, C. D. Impaired Waters. April 1999. 5th Annual Westfield River Symposium.You can also read
