Eurasian Watermilfoil
Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) tolerates a variety of conditions; it can grow in fresh or brackish waters, a range of temperatures and soil pHs, and disturbed and polluted areas. It is typically found in ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers at depths of 3 to 33 ft. In Vermont, Eurasian watermilfoil is widespread throughout Lake Champlain and the state in general with populations documented in more than 80 waterbodies.
Description
Eurasian watermilfoil is a submersed, rooted perennial plant. It has bright green, feather-like leaves arranged in groups of four around the stem. Each leaf is finely divided into 10 to 20 pairs of leaflets.
Each plant can have multiple stems and stems branch near the water surface. Both stems and leaves often turn red in color at the water surface. Milfoil flowers in July and August and produces small, reddish flowers a few inches above the surface on spikes grown from the tips of the stems.
Control and Prevention
Despite a variety of treatment methods, Eurasian watermilfoil is nearly impossible to eradicate once it has invaded. Current control efforts include benthic barriers, mechanical harvesting, diver-operated suction harvesting, biological control using watermilfoil weevils, and chemical treatment. Due to the high costs and continuous effort required, the best management option for milfoil is spread prevention. Eurasian watermilfoil was originally brought to North America through the aquarium trade and was introduced to lakes and ponds through aquarium dumping. The plant species is on the Vermont Noxious Weed Quarantine list, making it illegal to buy, plant, or transport milfoil in the state.
Milfoil easily spreads due to its ability to establish new plants from small fragments. Plant fragments are dispersed by water currents, animals, and people.
Because milfoil fragments can easily stick to boats and equipment, practicing the Clean, Drain, Dry spread prevention methods is very important. Drain all water from your boat, canoe, kayak, and other vessels and any equipment used in the water. Clean vessels and gear and remove all plant fragments and dispose of them properly. Dry all damp areas of boats and vessels, such as live wells and bilges, with a towel and let air dry in the sun for at least five days before using in another waterbody. If this is not possible, rinse the equipment with hot, high-pressure water.
Impacts
Eurasian water-milfoil competes aggressively to displace and reduce the diversity of native aquatic plants … (Madsen et al. 1991). Canopy formation and light reduction, are significant factors in the decline of native plant abundance and diversity observed when Eurasian water-milfoil invades healthy plant communities (Smith and Barko 1990; Madsen 1994) … And although fish may initially experience a favorable edge effect, the characteristics of Eurasian water-milfoil's overabundant growth negate any short-term benefits it may provide fish in healthy waters. At high densities, its foliage supports a lower abundance and diversity of invertebrates, organisms that serve as fish food (Keast 1984). Dense cover allows high survival rates of young fish, however, larger predator fish lose foraging space and are less efficient at obtaining their prey (Lillie and Budd 1992; Engel 1995). Madsen et al. (1995) found growth and vigor of a warm-water fishery reduced by dense Eurasian water-milfoil cover.
Articles pertaining to milfoil and milfoil control.
https://vtfishandwildlife.com/learn-more/landowner-resources/liep-invasive-species-program/aquatic-invasive-plants/eurasian-watermilfoil
http://nyis.info/invasive_species/eurasian-watermilfoil/
https://www.maisrc.umn.edu/ewm-control
http://www.huronlakesweedcontrol.com/harvesting-vs-chemicals.html
Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds
Vermont law requires AIS prevention: In 1978, Vermont lawmakers recognized the critical threat posed by aquatic invasive species and passed Vermont’s Aquatic Nuisance Control law (10 V.S.A. Chapter 50). This law states: “It is the policy of the state of Vermont to prevent the infestation and proliferation of invasive species in the state that result in negative environmental impacts, including habitat loss and a reduction in native biodiversity along with adverse social and economic impacts and impacts to the public health and safety.” (10 V.S.A, Chapter 50. §1451)
How many lakes in Vermont? There are approximately 800 lakes and ponds in the state.
What is AIS? Aquatic invasive species are a form of biological pollution. Extremely difficult if not impossible to contain, control, or eradicate, they are a serious environmental threat to our surface waters as well as interfering with our ability to enjoy lakes, ponds, and rivers. As defined by the 1999 Presidential Executive Order 13112, invasive species are “non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.”
Invasive species are considered one of the ten major stressors on Vermont’s surface waters as identified under the Vermont Surface Water Management Strategy.
Aquatic invasive species are one of the top risks to natural resources globally, and few places are spared the impact of these species. This makes having a dedicated state-level program, with adequate staff and resources even more critical.
What AIS are known in Vermont? Both invasive plants and animals have been confirmed in Vermont. In addition to the AIS depicted in the following graph, European frog bit, Asian clams, spiny and fish hook water fleas, alewives as well as others (click here) are known from some of Vermont’s waters. Vermont’s most problematic aquatic invasive species is the invasive aquatic plant, Eurasian watermilfoil.
How does AIS spread? The spread of AIS is caused primarily by humans. AIS “hitchhike” on (and in) boats and other aquatic gear that are moved from waterbody to waterbody.
How many public boat and fishing accesses are in the state: According to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website, there are 196 public accesses on Vermont waterbodies.
What is the best way to prevent the spread of AIS? All boats and gear should be inspected and properly cleaned before moving to another waterbody. This is what greeters do and why greeter programs are so important. By inspecting boats entering and leaving lakes, greeters ensure that AIS is not carried into and out of lakes.
How many Greeter programs do we have? There are currently 30 active greeter programs on inland lakes with three covering more than one access point. Many are not able to operate seven days per week. Only four have hot water, high pressure boat washers (the best way to ensure AIS is not carried in or out of a waterbody). Compare this to the number of public accesses in the state.
The state’s General Fund provides only $25,000 for AIS prevention and control.
Source of ANC Funds: By statute, DEC is allocated 37% of the Motorboat Registration fees (MBR). 17% of this is used for staff salaries for AIS prevention and permitting (due to lack of general fund support as noted in #2 above) with the remainder, 20%, funding the Aquatic Nuisance Control (ANC) grant-in-aid program. For at least a decade, this program has been level funded and has consisted of $250,000 from the MBR fees, $100,000 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (for projects in the Lake Champlain Basin only), and $100,000/year from a one-time surplus.
2023 Reduction: The one-time surplus is now depleted reducing the funds to $350,000. This represents a 22% decrease while the need continues to increase.
The need: In 2022 the ANC program received $1.2 million in requests for AIS prevention and control projects.
The cost of prevention vs. remediation: Estimated costs for a greeter program operating 7 days per week throughout the summer is approximately $30,000 (example from the Harvey’s Lake program). While to clear one acre of Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) using diver-assisted suction harvesting costs approximately $10,000. A small lake may have a littoral zone (the area where aquatic plants can grow) of perhaps 100 acres. If it becomes infested with EWM, remediation of even 10% (10 acres) would cost $100,000 – far more than running a greeter program. And once infected, EWM will spread in that lake and can be carried from infected lakes to uninfected lakes unless prevention programs are in place.
What about the $50 million in the Clean Water Budget? According to DEC policy, AIS prevention and control is NOT eligible for any of these funds.
https://vermontlakes.org/event/lake_wise_program/
The Federation of Vermont Lakes and Ponds, Inc. P.O. Box 766
Montpelier, VT 05601
www.vermontlakes.org
LBA herbicide application update
On July 3rd, 2023, the Lake Bomoseen Association (LBA) and Lake Bomoseen Preservation Trust (LBPT) received a ‘draft’ denial of the herbicide application (submitted in January 2022. The final denial was issued April 3rd, 2024. All information on the process can be found on the Vermont DEC website.
The LBA was proposing a three-year integrated program for milfoil mitigation.
- Utilize ProcellaCOR EC application to largely eradicate milfoil from the Lake
- Administer annual surveys and water testing to identify new problems early
- Diver-assisted harvesting, benthic barriers and localized herbicide treatment to mitigate regrowth
- Expand and enhance current Greeter program to better ensure against reintroduction
- Ongoing community engagement and education
- Considering addition of boat washing stations at two public access launch points
To learn more about the Lake Bomoseen Weed Survey Results: Weed Survey PDF
To learn more about ProcellaCOR EC please go to:
https://sepro.com/aquatics/procellacor-product#ProductOverviewButton
Lakewise
WHAT IS LAKE WISE?
The Lake Wise Program is an Agency of Natural Resources initiative that awards lake-friendly shoreland property, including that of state parks, town beaches, private homes and businesses.
Program Goal
The goal of Lake Wise is to establish a new normal, a new culture of lakeshore landscaping that is proven to help protect the lake. A property that earns the Lake Wise Award will represent a "model" shoreland property. The Lake Wise Award certifies a property is well managed, using shoreland Best Management Practices, and is maintained to care for the lake.
Why Lake Wise?
Recent Vermont lake science from the National Lake Assessment studyshows that Vermont ranked lowest in the north east ecoregion and in the nation for degraded shallow water habitat. Vermont's degraded conditions for aquatic habitat is directly related to harmful impacts from lakeshore development. The Lake Wise Program aims to inform, teach, and change the current lakeshore development practices from clearing shores and building sea walls to practices that are more lake friendly and known to effectively protect the lake. Through Lake Wise, participants receive technical assistance for fixing erosion, dirty runoff problems, and diminished shoreland vegetation which will protect lake quality and wildlife habitat.
Lake Wise is based on social science research that shows people are most influenced by their neighbors - monkey see, monkey do. So by using the beautiful Lake Wise Award sign to showcase lake friendly properties, others along the shore will be inspired to make improvements and changes so they too can earn the Award and help protect their lake. Lake Wise is modeled after Maine's successful social marketing program called Lake Smart, which has inspired many lakeshore owners in the Belgrade and Rangely Lake Districts as well as throughout the state (Maine has over 6000 lakes) to use lakeshore best management practices for shoreland development. Similar to the results of Maine's Lake Smart Program, Vermont lakeshore owners earning the Lake Wise Award will help create a movement towards more lake friendly living around Vermont lakes, thereby greatly improving protection for wildlife habitat and lake water quality.
Technical Assistance
The Lake Wise Program offers technical assistance to shoreland property owners who want to learn more about making their property as lake friendly as possible. Take advantage of free technical assistance through the Lake Wise Program and have your shoreland property assessed for controlling runoff and preventing erosion. The Lake Wise Program offers solutions - Best Management Practices - for managing shoreland property and making it lake-friendly for all.
Participation
If you are a lakeshore owner and think you are or would like to become Lake Wise eligible, then just contact the Lake Wise Program. Or, if you have a question about how to encourage others around your lake or members of your lake association to participate in the Lake Wise Program, then contact us so we can help support you. Any lakeshore owner can participate in the Lake Wise Program, including state parks, town beaches, private homes and businesses.
To Earn the Lake Wise Award a property is evaluated in four categories: Shoreland; Recreation Area; Driveway; Septic and Structure. If a property has excellent stormwater runoff practices, but no native shoreland vegetation, then it may earn a Lake Wise Certificate, but not the full Award sign. Passing two of the four categories earns a Certificate, but to post an Award sign that show cases a property as a model for lake friendly living, the property must pass all four categories. A property must have a functioning septic system to pass as well as this would be a "show stopper" from receiving the Award sign.
Lake Associations or lake groups with 15 percent Awarded participation in the Lake Wise Program will receive the Gold Lake Wise Award. Marketing research shows that once 15 percent of a set population partakes in a similar action, a trend is set, and others will be attracted to follow the same actions. The Gold Lake Wise Award is an impressive accomplishment for a lake community, and lake residents living on such a lake should take tremendous pride in their actions to keep their lake clean and healthy now and forever.
Lake Wise Leaders
Lake Wise Leaders serve as the local, volunteer Lake Wise contact. The Leader's job is to encourage shoreland owners to follow the Lake Wise BMPs and ultimately earn the Lake Wise Award. Lake Wise Leaders conduct preliminary assessments of anyone's shoreland property to advise them on what needs to be done, if anything, before the official Lake Wise Evaluator is called out to assess the property. Contact us if you would like to serve as the Lake Wise Leader for your lake.
Lake Wise Evaluators
Lake Wise Evaluators have a background in natural resources management, including managing stormwater runoff and protecting wildlife habitat.
All Evaluators use the same methods and impartiality for each assessment.
Evaluators spend up to one and half hours assessing and providing technical advice on each property. Properties are evaluated according to the Lake Wise criteria for shore; recreation area; driveway; and structure and septic. If all the appropriate shoreland Best Management Practices are in place, then the property earns the Lake Wise Award, otherwise, the Evaluator gives the landowner a copy of recommendations for how to become Lake Wise certified in the future. Landowners have up to three years to make the improvements and to be assessed a second time for earning the Lake Wise Award, after which time, a whole new evaluation would need to be done.
Lake Wise Award Sign
Lake Wise participants managing their shores with good practices in the four categories of driveway; structures and septic systems; recreation areas; and shorefront will receive the Lake Wise Award and Beautiful Sign. This sign can be proudly displayed on model lake friendly properties.
Lake Wise Logo Design by Ann Linde, Shooting Star Designs
Ann methodically considered all aspects and benefits of a healthy, natural shore. She then crafted the lovely Lake Wise logo depicting a lake friendly property.
Lake Wise Award Informational Sign
Informational Lake Wise signs get posted at public areas around the lake to alert others on what the Award sign represents and to look for them on lakeshore properties. Lake Associations are awarded the "Gold Award," depending on the percentage of shoreland owners participating in Lake Wise.
Open the 25 page pdf