A global positioning unit. A special permit to apply chemicals. A dive team to hand-pluck weeds at the depths of the lake, $86,000 and a group of scientists at the University of New Hampshire for research.
State officials and lake associations hope the money, earmarked for research, will do what chemicals, harvesting and containment cannot: eradicate an invasive and exotic weed that chokes off other plants, alters habitat and could cause waterfront property values to plummet.
Webster Lake in Franklin literally turned green in September when toxic bacteria invaded. While repaving a stretch of Route 3 in Belmont this year, the Department of Transportation polluted Lake Winnisquam for five months.