By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — The Friends of Lake Quannapowitt plan to install receptacles around Lake Quannapowitt this spring for the collection of discarded monofilament fishing line. Last week the Town Council was very receptive to the idea after a presentation by Brie Reynolds and Bill Spaulding of FOLQ.
Monofilament fishing line is a single-strand line, primarily made from nylon. Discarded monofilament line can present serious environmental problems. These lines are extremely difficult to spot when submerged in water, and fish, birds, and other marine life can easily become entangled, causing starvation, amputation and death. Ingestion is also a serious threat to wildlife. Monofilament lines also present a risk to swimmers and scuba divers.
Programs have been started to recycle fishing line, to keep it out of the environment. Specialized containers have been designed to collect fishing line for recycling.
Reynolds told the Town Council that members of FOLQ had worked with Parks Supervisor Dennis Fazio to identify the best locations for the placement of receptacles. They settled on four locations frequented by local fishermen: the berm at the end of Willard Road, the Hall Park/Veterans Field area, the Lower Common and Belanger Park at the head of the Lake.
FOLQ will purchase the material to create the receptacles, which will be made of PVC pipe. The receptacles will be painted green to blend in with the environment. The Department of Public Works will install the receptacles and FOLQ volunteers will monitor and empty the contents. The collected monofilament line will be sent to the Berkley Conservation Institute in Iowa where it will be recycled into pellets used for packing materials and other applications.
Reynolds and Conley said that FOLQ will publicize the receptacles in as many ways as possible, including social media, at town events and by handing out flyers.
Due to the town’s “Lake Structure Policy,” the receptacles cannot be installed until after a 30-day public comment period. The Town Council voted to initiate the comment period in anticipation of voting on the receptacle program at its April 14 meeting.