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The threat: Two types of water milfoil could threaten Maine's lakes and ponds: variable water milfoil and Eurasian milfoil. Variable water milfoil is less damaging than Eurasian milfoil because it grows close to the shoreline. It has been found in Sebago, Thompson and Auburn lakes and Cushman Pond. Eurasian water milfoil can overwhelm native vegetation, ruin water quality, destroy fisheries and affect recreational activities. It grows in water up to 20 feet deep. Its tendrils rise up to the surface of the lake or pond and form mats that choke native plants.
Reproduction: All milfoils have feather-like leaves arranged in whorls around the stem. Milfoil is spread mainly by boats and trailers hauled from water with infestations and then put into other lakes or ponds. It reproduces primarily through fragmentation. A lake or pond can be infested from a single fragment of milfoil.
The penalty: In 2001, the Legislature passed a tough invasive aquatic plant law that established an inspection system to check boats for plant fragments and created a rapid response protocol for lakes when invasive plants are discovered. The law made it illegal to transport any aquatic plant on the outside of a vehicle, or to sell, propogate, or introduce to Maine waters any of the eleven invasive aquatic plants. Violations may result in fines up to $500.
Eradication: States already infested with Eurasian water milfoil have had little success eradicating the invasive plant. Methods tried have included herbicides and mowing the plants.
Researched and compiled by Susan Butler, library assistant
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Milfoil is an invasive plant that the state would like to keep out of Maine's inland waters. Beginning in 2002, all motorized watercraft on inland waters must display a Lake and River Protection Sticker (tidal waters are not included). The green triangular stickers cost $10 for residents and $20 for nonresidents. You can purchase them at online at the IF&W online store.
For more on milfoil, see the Fish and Wildlife's Milfoil Web page or the Dept. of Environmental Protection Web pages.
Related stories:
Lake group asks state to close ramp to stem milfoil spread
The Messalonskee Lake Association is asking the state to shut down a popular boat ramp on Route 27 to stem the spread of variable-leaf milfoil.
[Central Maine Newspapers 1/15/06]
Weeders help keep milfoil at bay
Denise Blanchette surfaced next to a canoe and removed her mouthpiece.
[Central Maine Newspapers 8/13/05]
Inspectors finding lack of awareness of milfoil problem
Clearwater Lake Association has been awarded a $1,500 matching grant from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to help bolster its weekend inspection program by hiring two area students, Ben Wooden and Allison Saviello.
[Central Maine Newspapers 6/24/05]
Boat-wash idea is floated
The station would be built at the Norcross Point boat launch and funded by a grant from L.L. Bean.
[6/14/05]
Milfoil containment effort expanding
Boat inspections grew three times in 2004 over the previous year, capping a bumper year for conservation groups and the Department of Environmental Protection in the campaign to contain milfoil.
[3/7/05]
Milfoil campaign spreading
Many lake associations in Maine are raising more money to combat the invasive aquatic plants.
[2/14/05]
Little Sebago residents enlisted in milfoil fight
Locals fear that the aquatic plant infestation will crowd out native species and ruin recreational areas.
[2/9/05]
Wardens to fine milfoil violators
Maine will toughen enforcement of laws aimed at protecting lakes and rivers from the plant.
[2/28/04]
Bill to battle plants calls for boat inspection
Access could be restricted at ramps on some lakes.
[2/6/04]
Critics pan bill's milfoil solution
Introducing a foreign fish species will create new problems, they contend.
[1/21/04]
Survey confirms presence of milfoil in Shagg Pond
The state has confirmed the presence of variable-leaf watermilfoil in Shagg Pond in Woodstock, bringing bad news to those fighting to stop the spread of the invasive weed and other species like it.
[8/11/03]
Marine life gone bad: Scientists inventory invaders
A week-long survey of floating docks and piers is being held to find out how many exotic marine species have invaded the coast from Casco Bay to New York Harbor.
[8/5/03]
Town arms itself for war on invasives
The best thing about Bridgton's new boat wash station - Maine's first - is that it will make boaters aware of the invasive plant problem.
[8/3/03]
Groups ask state to close milfoil-infested boat ramp
Lake associations target a ramp on Messalonskee Lake in Belgrade.
[6/24/03]
State to treat pond to kill new invader
A rural pond that is being choked with the fast-spreading weed hydrilla will be treated with a herbicide Monday in an experiment to see if the chemical will eradicate the invasive plant.
[6/15/03]
Effort on to protect lakes from milfoil
AUGUSTA — Efforts to halt the spread of invasive aquatic plants and animals in Maine are gearing up again as state lakes and rivers lose their winter ice and boaters head for open waters.
[4/9/03]
State to up funding on lake invaders
Restricting access and increasing boat inspections are also being discussed as preventive measures.
[3/1/03]
Homeowners set to fight Lake Arrowhead's milfoil
But a group of residents disagrees with state environmental officials about strategy.
[11/11/02]
Milfoil found in Cobbosseecontee
WEST GARDINER — Variable-leaf watermilfoil has been found in sections of Cobbosseecontee Stream in the vicinity of Horseshoe Pond.
[9/19/02]
Biologist confirms presence of milfoil on Pleasant Pond
Boaters will receive maps of the infested areas so they can steer clear and avoid spreading the plant.
[7/23/02]
A victory declared against milfoil
But the weed is now in nearby Balch Pond, on the Maine-N.H. border.
[7/15/02]
Boaters find milfoil stickers are hard to get
Wardens will be monitoring boat landings and access points this holiday, to enforce sticker compliance.
[7/4/02]
State eyes ways to halt spread of milfoil
BELGRADE — Mounting fears that an exotic species of plant in Messalonskee Lake will spread have prompted the state to consider restricting use of the south boat launch on the lake.
[5/26/02]
Boats launching in central Maine lakes face milfoil test
BELGRADE — Lake association groups are planning to station "courtesy boat inspectors" at area boat launches this summer in an attempt to stop exotic plant species from spreading throughout the Belgrade Lakes.
[4/29/02]
Many boaters may lack stickers
Wardens are unsure how to enforce the new law meant to keep invasive plants out of Maine lakes.
[3/3/02]
Fighting the Milfoil War
AUGUSTA — As legislative panelists opened a new drive to craft ways to protect Maine waterways from invasive aquatic plants, debate revolved around whether to focus on mandatory inspections of boats or educational programs for boaters.
[4/28/01]
Hefty boat fine proposed to fend off milfoil
A bill proposes inspecting every out-of-state boat for the notorious invasive plant, Eurasian milfoil, which has choked lakes and ponds in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and almost every other state but has yet to reach Maine.
[4/25/01]
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