Pottapaug and O'Loughlin Ponds AIS Management Public Meeting 2/2/2026

Since 2023, Pottapaug and O'Loughlin ponds in the Quabbin watershed have been closed to public boat fishing as DCR, MWRA and private contractors work to control swollen bladderwort, an aquatic invasive species. The private contractor (TRC) finalized their 2025 report that summarized control efforts and made recommendations. This report was provided to the Quabbin Watershed Advisory Committee on January 5, 2026 and was also made available to the public. 

This meeting is to provide the public an opportunity to hear a summary of the issue from DCR’s aquatic biologist, ask questions, get clarifications and provide input to DCR before DCR makes a decision on recreational boat fishing access to both water bodies. 

The public will be invited to provide comments during the meeting and after the presentation. After the meeting, the presentation will be available for viewing on DCR’s Past events for DCR Public Meetings Information web page. DCR encourages the public to share additional feedback, with a deadline for receipt of comments by DCR of February 20, 2026. Comments may be submitted via the DCR public comment portal. Please note that the content of comments you submit to DCR, along with your name, town, and zip code, will be posted on DCR's website. Additional contact information required when commenting, notably email address, will only be used for outreach on future updates on the subject project or property. 

If you have agency-related questions or concerns or would like to be added to an email list to receive DCR general or project-specific announcements, please email Mass.Parks@mass.gov or call 617-626-4973.

Online or in-person live language interpretation is available upon request via DCR's Translation and Interpretation Request Form. For reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities, please email Melixza G. Esenyie, ADA and Diversity Manager at the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, at Melixza.Esenyie2@mass.gov and include a description of the accommodation that will be needed in as much detail as possible. Last minute requests will be accepted, but it may not be possible to fulfill the request.