Preventing the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species

One of the environmental challenges facing New England is the threat of invasive aquatic plants (e.g., milfoil and hydrilla) that are present in a number of the region’s lakes. Throughout the region, there are a number of initiatives being conducted by state and local officials and by a number of environmental organizations in a effort to prevent the further spread of these plants and to remove or lessen the threat of the plants already present.

One of these initiatives is in Maine, where, to bolster its ongoing efforts to proactively protect Maine’s lakes from infestations of the invasive aquatic plants that are now present in 23 of the state’s lake systems, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection has proclaimed 2012 “The Year of the Boater Self-Inspection” and is urging the owners of both motorized and people-powered boats to inspect their vessels and related equipment both before and after they float.

Maine DEP estimates that less than 20 percent of boaters take the three minutes needed to conduct a self-inspection, which should include reviewing and removing any plants from the anchor, lines, live well, bilge, motor prop, all fishing gear, and the trailer and its parts where plants could be caught including the hitch, trailer axle, and license plate.

Related resources/recommendations:

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection: Preventing the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species

Maine Department of Environmental Protection: Courtesy Boat Inspections

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation: Lakes and Ponds Program: Weed Watchers Program

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services: Volunteer Weed Watcher Program

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management: Management Options for Controlling Invasive Plants

Vermont Watershed Management Division: Aquatic Invasive Species Sticker Program

Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIP) Program

Background information:

U.S. Department of Agriculture: National Invasive Species Information Center: Aquatic Species

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection: Environmental Protection: Invasive Species

Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group

Maine Department of Environmental Protection: Invasive Aquatic Plants

Maine Congress of Lake Associations

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation: Lakes and Ponds Program: Invasive Aquatic Species

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services: Exotic Species Program

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management: Aquatic Invasive Plants

Vermont Watershed Management Division: Aquatic Invasive Species in Vermont