Maggie Shannon of Maine’s Coalition of Lake Associations and George Smith of Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine can agree on one thing: we have a problem. These unlikely partners came together at the 11th Annual Maine Milfoil Summit in Lewiston to share in discussion and look for solutions to a growing statewide problem with invasive milfoil.
The Milfoil Summit encourages communication & collaboration between unlikely partners, for only together will we be successful in engaging and educating a public that will actively become involved in the protection of Maine lakes. Maine anglers and sportsmen join boaters, swimmers, land owners, students, volunteers, DEP and lake associations in the recognition that we are fighting a formidable foe with far reaching consequences for centuries to come.
One message that came through loud and clear from our western neighbors in the Lake Champlain Basin is that this issue is much bigger than variable leaf milfoil alone. Invasive fish, algae, mollusks, crustaceans, and others are all part of the invasive package, and to paraphrase a famous song “once they check-in, they never leave”.
Management, prevention, research, and education components are all in the battle plan for Maine this year, thanks to a $500,000 federal funding award, which will be administered through the USFWS, and St.Joseph’s College. The grant initially includes management funds for seven of Maine’s 32 lakes with invasive aquatic plant infestations. The program also includes funds for research into identifying the best control strategies, as well as education on this invasively hot topic. Alone we are nothing in this fight, but together we stand a chance. Spread the word, not the problem.
