Southern Maine Invasive Aquatic Plants (2006)
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
2006 YORK COUNTY INVASIVE AQUATIC SPECIES PROJECT Final Report (Updated/Modified March 2007) Association members participating in a York County Invasive Aquatic Species Project aquatic plant survey on Bauneg Beg Pond, September 9, 2006 with biologist, Laurie Callahan (center, paddle extended). (Photo by Mike Cannon) Project Sponsored by York County Soil & Water Conservation District Funding Provided by Davis Conservation Foundation Report Prepared By Laurie G. Callahan, Project Coordinator & Aquatic Biologist Updated/Modified March 2007 (Original - December 2006) 2006 YORK COUNTY INVASIVE AQUATIC SPECIES PROJECT Final Report Updated/Modified March 2007 (Original - December 2006) Contents I. Introduction II. How Project Goals Were Accomplished III. Other Project Activities & Information IV. Future Plans & Directions Appendices A. List of aquatic plant species that are on Maine’s list of “Banned Invasive Aquatic Plants” and invasive plant species found in York County waterbodies B. List of Maine Waterbodies Screened for Invasive Aquatic Plants (York County listing from that document) produced by Maine Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants (MCIAP) in 2006 C. 3 YCIASP (2006) Workshop Agendas D. Maine invasive aquatic species information resources & contacts list E. Results of the 2006 YCIASP “pre-project” questionnaire & responses and summarized responses to the 3 workshops evaluation forms (The spreadsheet documents are not available in these Appendices if looking at an electronic document, but are available from the YCSWCD office or from Laurie Callahan.) F. Field Survey Data Sheets for 2006 YCIASP 10 IAP Screening Surveys Performed (Copies of the Field Survey Data Sheets are not available in these Appendices if looking at an electronic document, but are available from the YCSWCD office or from Laurie Callahan) G. Aquatic plant species lists for York County waterbodies surveyed/screened for invasive aquatic plants (IAP) & native species during the 2006 YCIASP and in the past few years by other individuals & agencies (Excel files of the spreadsheets are available from Laurie Callahan.) (The Grant Completion Report for the Davis Conservation Foundation was included with the original final report version as Appendix H , but is not available in this revised document. It is available at the YCSWCD office or from Laurie Callahan.) A pdf file of these document is available from York County Soil & Water Conservation District or from Laurie G. Callahan. 2006 YORK COUNTY INVASIVE AQUATIC SPECIES PROJECT Final Report Updated/Modified March 2007 (Original - December 2006) I. Introduction Invasive aquatic plants (IAP), because of their vigorous growth, can negatively impact aquatic habitats. They can out-compete native species, significantly alter aquatic habitats, slow water flow and degrade water quality - especially when their growth becomes dense or extensive. Competition with native species becomes an even more significant factor when the invasive species become established in habitats where rare, threatened or endangered native species occur. In addition to these environmental impacts, significant populations of these invasive plants in waterbodies can lead to decreases in property values, have a negative impact on local economies and reduce the aesthetic and recreational enjoyment of the affected water body. When invasive aquatic plants are detected early, before becoming well-established or dominant, control of their spread is easier and less costly, both monetarily and in terms of loss of quality habitat or species that may be out-competed. Over the past few years three species of IAP – variable, or variable leaf, milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum ), hydrilla ( Hydrilla verticillata) and curly leaf pondweed ( Potamogeton crispus ) - have been discovered in several waterbodies in York County, Maine. There are other infested waterbodies close-by in Cumberland County, Maine and in several New Hampshire and Massachusetts waterbodies relatively close to York County, Maine borders. Most of those infestations are variable leaf milfoil, but Eurasian milfoil has also been found in a private, un-named gravel pit pond in Scarborough and in a small pond in Brookfield, NH. The locations of these IAP populations highlight the vulnerability of waterbodies in York County to the introduction of aquatic invasive species. See Appendix A for a list of aquatic plant species that are on Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s (ME DEP) list of “Banned Invasive Aquatic Plants” and for IAP species found in York County waterbodies. York County Soil & Water Conservation District (YCSWCD), a member of the Maine Association of Conservation Districts, and Laurie Callahan (an aquatic biologist actively involved with IAP identification, outreach and management) applied for grant funds from Davis Conservation Foundation (DCF) to support the 2006 York County Invasive Aquatic Species Project (YCIASP). DCF awarded $ 4,000 to the project, which enabled YCSWCD and Callahan to bring IAS technical assistance and outreach activities to groups (primarily lake and watershed associations) and individuals in York County. There are approximately 110 lakes, ponds and impoundments in York County. An estimate indicates that about 25 York County waterbodies had some type of aquatic plant survey done by professionals, state agencies or volunteers between 2002 and 2005. See Appendix B for the York County portion of the Maine Waterbodies Screened for Invasive Aquatic Plants 2002-2005 by County – a list produced yearly by Maine Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants (MCIAP). Goals of 2006 YCIASP were to (1) raise awareness about aquatic invasive species concerns in York County, (2) inform residents and visitors about what they can do to detect infestations early and help prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species from one waterbody to another and (3) enable residents and visitors to develop skills in order to participate proactively in IAP prevention, early detection and infestation management activities. Most of the YCIASP activities occurred between June and October 2006. The project final report was written after all of the workshop and field activities were completed and after pending DNA analysis results for some suspicious milfoil samples were available from MCIAP. (See section “III. Other Project Activities & Information Generated “ for more information about the DNA results.) Debbie Mayo, YCSWCD district manager, and the many participants of the program cannot be thanked enough to express the gratitude for making this project successful and enjoyable during the past several months. 2006 YORK COUNTY INVASIVE AQUATIC SPECIES PROJECT Final Report Updated/Modified March 2007 (Original - December 2006) II. How Project Goals Were Accomplished Meeting the project goals was accomplished through a number of activities: (1) learning and networking opportunities provided through 3 workshops, (2) information provided about IAP resources in the state of Maine, (3) opportunities to learn and practice aquatic plant identification techniques, (4) visits to an infested waterbody and (4) providing biologist-led on-the-water field sessions to check for IAP. Three workshops were offered at the Alfred, ME town hall on June 17, August 3 and October 14. Just over 50 attendees participated in the workshops. See Appendix C for the workshop agendas. Pressed and fresh native and invasive aquatic plant samples were provided at each the workshops for participants to gain practice using plant identification resources provided. A presentation with overhead images or a Power Point presentation was given to attendees and a variety of aquatic invasive species informational materials was also provided. These materials included brochures and other materials from MCIAP, ME Dept. of Environmental Protection, NH Dept. of Environmental Services and NH Lakes Association. Networking opportunities arose as attendees discussed concerns and interacted during the workshop activities after the formal presentation segment. The workshop on October 14 was used, in part, to present information about the observations gathered from the field surveys that were done. Attendees at the second YCIASP workshop at the Alfred Town Hall on August 3. (Photo by Debbie Mayo) Lee Willson of Balch Lake and Joe Howes of West Pond gave presentations about the IAP management projects that are currently occurring in their respective waterbodies during the second workshop. These presentations gave them the opportunity to share the “trials and tribulations” of those control projects with other residents of York County and also provided attendees with a “close-to-home” connection to IAP concerns in York County. Resource information about invasive aquatic species in the state of Maine was provided through content of the 3 workshops and also by means of a hand-out provided to workshop participants. See Appendix D for this information resources and contacts list. Participants were asked to complete an evaluation form after each of the workshop sessions and most responses about the sessions’ content were very positive. Suggestions for future sessions were requested. II. How Project Goals Were Accomplished (cont.’d on the next page) 2006 YORK COUNTY INVASIVE AQUATIC SPECIES PROJECT Final Report Updated/Modified March 2007 (Original - December 2006) II. How Project Goals Were Accomplished (cont.’d) In addition to the plant identification practice during the workshops, attendees of the field IAP screening surveys were able to practice and learn