Aquatic Invasive Species Final Report 2015

Town of Leicester & Lake Dunmore Fern Lake Association

Aquatic Invasive Species

Final Report 2015

Photo courtesy of Jim Meyersburg The Town of Leicester and the Lake Dunmore Fern Lake Association respectfully submit the 2015 Final Report for Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Grant in Aid AQ16-11.

Table of Contents

Overview ...... 2 AIS Operations ...... 2 Looking Forward ...... 4 Lake Dunmore ...... 5 Plants Harvested From Lake Dunmore (In Bushels) ...... 6 Fern Lake ...... 6 Plants Harvested From Fern Lake (In Bushels) ...... 7 Detailed Map of Harvesting data by Month ...... 7 June 2015 ...... 8 July 2015...... 8 August 2015 ...... 9 September 2015 ...... 9 Attachment D ...... 10 Attachment D Supplemental Sheet ...... 10 2015 Shoreline Watch & Invasive Species Patrollers Volunteer Hours ...... 12 Other Invasive control Volunteer hours ...... 12 Supplemental Milfoil Control Programs ...... 13 Weevil Program ...... 13 Member Education...... 13 2015 Greeter Program ...... 13 2015 Greeter Program Reporting Data ...... 14 2015 Greeter Program Inspection Results ...... 16 Press Release ...... 17 Addendum A: LDFLA Member Communications ...... 18 Addendum B: Milfoil Training Workshop ...... 22 Addendum C: Darrin Fresh Water Report ...... 23 Addendum D: Aquatic Control Technology Contract ...... 30

2015 Aquatic Invasive Species Final Report 1

Overview

The 2015 milfoil abatement program was somewhat successful in helping slow the spread of milfoil in our lakes. We had prepared for increased growth by adding new equipment and staff, but nature taxed our resources. We barely kept up with the explosive new growth by season's end.

We had suspected this might happen at our early strategy sessions and concluded that stopping new patches from expanding was a better use of limited resources than cutting the existing forests. We therefore marked the biggest patches with buoys asking the public to avoid them.

This strategy would result in a holding pattern for the 2015 season while we applied for an herbicide permit for the 2016 season. The LDFLA board created a new AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) committee this season with a team that provides a wide range of skill sets. This adaptation was greatly appreciated and will enhance the efforts in the long-term.

AIS Operations

We built a fourth harvester based on a decision made last fall. Construction started in February and was completed by mid May. We also completed spring maintenance at this time, and all four harvesters were ready by May 20. The boats received new roofs and fresh paint along with needed repairs.

We decided to implement a marine radio two-way communication system for all four harvesters plus the support Lund skiff. This significantly improved efficiency.

We began crew hiring in mid April. Operations Manager Troy Carr interviewed 28 prospective workers, of which 14 were hired. We lost 3 during the training period. We then hired 3 more. Training started June 1st for the new crewmembers, but seasoned crew manned 2 boats immediately to begin survey work and hand harvesting. We had another staffing setback when Keewaydin Camp, who provides our dock space and base of operations, implemented a crew background check policy due to new insurance requirements. This resulted in the further loss of 2 crewmembers. Again, these positions were eventually filled.

Mechanical failures plagued the beginning of the season. One boat broke its transom, dropping the motor overboard. We had it working again within two days. Another boat overheated its motor, putting it out of commission for a week. We repositioned the orphaned extra crews to the Lund skiff to hand pull in shallow areas during these times. Most other issues during the season were resolved immediately.

Early June surveys showed surprisingly heavy growth in Bridge Bay in the north end. The East side had the expected forest, but the West side was the heaviest we had ever seen. We had to employ two harvesters for most of two weeks to cut a channel for boats in this heavily travelled area.

Fern Lake had so little early growth that it didn't warrant a full time harvester till July 13th. We kept it there until August 3rd, when it was required back on Dunmore. It returned to Fern Lake August 15th for

2015 Aquatic Invasive Species Final Report 2 an additional 8 days. We concentrated on keeping the homeowners’ docks and swimming areas clear. As part of the master isolation plan, we decided to leave the two stable forests on the lake in anticipation of treating them with herbicide in 2016. Since there is almost no motor traffic, we didn't need to buoy the areas.

The two major dense growth forests of milfoil in Lake Dunmore are on the undeveloped shoreline on the East side of Bridge Bay and an area called The Spine, which extends south from the outlet of Sucker Brook which feeds the lake from the two reservoirs upstream. Both these areas are fed nutrients from the mountain rivers. These are well-developed, stable stands. We decided to leave them, mark them, and isolate them from boat traffic to allow us to concentrate our limited resources on expansion patches.

We first cut a channel to the east of the Spine to allow homeowners access to the lake, and then concentrated on the west, which had significant growth in an area previously free.

For this reason, if you compare the raw bucket counts from the 2014 season to the 2015, you will see an actual decrease in numbers. It is much easier to plow through a dense forest and produce impressive numbers, than to harvest individual plants in a wide area. Those individual plants, though, have the propensity to develop dense growth if given the opportunity.

We used isolation techniques on two other areas; the shallows to the south of the state launch ramp, and another area outside the launching area, which we eventually were able to clean out completely.

The area north of Branbury Beach was worked and cleaned out twice during the season.

The very south end of the lake was a challenge, and we had limited success harvesting it. The bottom was too muddy and murky and shallow to allow a hand puller or a diver to completely work it. Both the extreme north and south points of the lake had similar properties, probably a catch all from the wind. We did have effective Photo courtesy of Jim Meyersburg local homeowner hand pulling.

We implemented a new pickup service for the full buckets with the implementation of a two way VHF communication system. Previously, when a harvester filled all baskets onboard, the crew had to coil the hoses, return to base, and unload before they could continue harvesting. This process took over an hour. We put the Lund skiff to work relieving the harvesters of full buckets and replacing them with fresh empties. This worked brilliantly, keeping the harvesters on station all day.

Another change to improve efficiency was the implementation of the 4 day/10 hour workweek. Since it takes up to an hour to commute to the worksite and prepare the boat for work, and another hour

2015 Aquatic Invasive Species Final Report 3 to put it away, this prep time was a significant part of an 8-hour day. The prep time stayed the same, but was a smaller percentage of a 10-hour day, so more time per day was spent harvesting. This made for more complicated crew scheduling, but was worth it.

We had good community involvement this season. In both the north and south ends, homeowners formed neighborhood kayak outings on Monday morning to pick up floating fragments, resulting from heavy weekend boating. We called them Frag Mondays, and had designated areas that they would pile the frags and a boat would retrieve them. We encouraged homeowners to police the areas around their docks, and had some success with that. One individual, Cab Hatfield (also an AIS committee member) did a significant amount of work hand picking the entire North Cove all season, relieving the crews from a good portion of that job. See the maps on pages 8/9 for further details.

We had acquired a permit to apply a benthic barrier this season. Since we had limited experience with this method, we were determined to experiment with it. We had one homeowner in Bridge Bay whose property was completely isolated by dense growth. August 1st we proceeded to lay a barrier 14' by 100' from her dock to open water. It cost $1,400, and took most of a day to install. It did provide the homeonwer some relief, but the dense growth on either side eventually bent inward and reduced the path width. On September 15th, we did a GoPro underwater survey of the barrier. It had over an inch of silt on it and many milfoil plants growing on the Aqua Screen. To be fair, it was right in the nutrient path of an inflow stream. In retrospect, it was not the best place Photo courtesy Jim Meyersburg to have tried this.

We had lost most of the crew by the end of August due to school starting, and early September saw only one crew working. The weather was unusually hot and sunny, so the milfoil exploded again. They were overwhelmed, but beavered on for two weeks.

Looking Forward

This season was a holding pattern. It was designed to hold the line until we can obtain a permit to incorporate herbicides into our mix. We spent over 30 percent more than in previous years, and with 5 crews keeping 4 fully crewed boats working 50 hours a week, we barely kept the growth at bay. We are at a point where we need to start using other methods like herbicide, as the battle is unsustainable as it stands now. We have contracted with Aquatic Control Technology for support in our efforts to pursue incorporating herbicides for future milfoil control. (See Addendum D)

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Lake Dunmore

Zone 1: By June 1st this year North Bay was heavily infested with milfoil. This area had started to become a problem in 2014 but nothing like what we saw in 2015. We spent the good majority of a month with two full time harvesters in Zone 1 - approximately two weeks of which were spent creating a channel through the dense growth, allowing boaters to pass through. The usual area along the undeveloped shoreline of the bay was buoyed off this year to allow for appropriate use of resources in hopes we would be able to treat this area with herbicide in 2016.

North Cove saw more growth than usual. The majority of this cove is taken care of by Cab Hatfield, a volunteer of the lake. He was hard at work all summer doing his usual hand harvesting but at times was overwhelmed with the new growth and our crews helped accordingly. See the maps on pages 8/9 for further details.

Zone 1 resulted in a total of 721 bushels this season.

Zone 2: The Branbury beach milfoil patch stayed around the same size as it did in 2014. There was however a new smaller bed of milfoil closer to shore which was quickly removed. We will have to keep our eyes on this area next year.

The large dense patch to the west of Branbury beach we have had in past years has become quite a bit larger. This area was hit hard early on by our suction harvester and again in early September in hopes of knocking the growth back for next year.

We are now starting to see more growth on the west shore in this zone. A small cove south of the boat ramp had significant growth which we quickly buoyed to minimize plant disturbance while we worked on the high traffic boating areas. The milfoil in the cove was removed in mid August.

Zone 2 resulted in a total of 668 bushels this season.

Zone 3: The “Spine” which is our usual battle every year on the east shore continues to grow outwards. This area was hit two different times in 2014 in hopes of slowing down this monster infestation.

With all the new growth around the lake we knew we were not going to be able to tackle this whole area as in years past. For this reason we only hit the shoreline outwards 100' to give residents a milfoil free zone.

Since the majority of the area was going to be left untouched we buoyed the spine to eliminate the thousands of fragments that were going to be created by boat traffic. This is an area we are hopeful to use herbicide treatment if permitting allows.

On the west shore, just south of the island, we had some growth in 2014, but were quite surprised to see all the new growth that was showing up come July. The milfoil growth in this part of the lake was usually two days work in previous years. This year it took the good part of a week to eliminate all the

2015 Aquatic Invasive Species Final Report 5 new growth, which was also followed up by two days work in early September.

Zone 3 resulted in a total of 1588 bushels this season.

Zone 4: When we talk about zone 4 on the lake we are always talking about work done in South Cove and a little bit of shoreline work. This year was different! We had a major problem on our hands. The center of the lake, which has never given us any problem, had exploded with milfoil growth. It wasn't anything like we had ever seen. It wasn't a bed of milfoil; it was just large plants scattered around a huge area. The sediment in the area is very silty with no bottom to stand on making it extremely hard to work for our crews. We spent a good portion of the summer working this area with new growth popping up all the time.

South Cove was hit numerous times throughout the summer by a crew of hand harvesters. The growth in this area of the lake has not changed compared to years past. Hand pulling is very slow tedious work with very limited visibility from the sediment below.

Zone 4 resulted in a total of 502 bushels this season.

Plants Harvested From Lake Dunmore (In Bushels)

Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Zone 1 390 300 175 875 721 Zone 2 50 175 425 400 668 Zone 3 677 2000 2900 4150 1588 Zone 4 17 150 100 75 502

See detailed mapping of harvest locations later in this report.

Fern Lake

Fern Lake had so little early growth that it didn't warrant a full time harvester until July 13th. We kept it there until August 3rd, when it was required back on Lake Dunmore. The shoreline was covered with its usual milfoil. This section is extremely difficult to suction with the harvester as overhanging

2015 Aquatic Invasive Species Final Report 6 branches clog the hose. For this reason, we left much of this shoreline alone.

The harvester returned to Fern Lake August 15th for an additional 8 days. We concentrated on keeping the homeowners’ docks and swimming areas clear. As part of the master isolation plan, we decided to leave the two stable forests on the lake in anticipation of treating them with herbicide in 2016.

See detailed mapping of harvest locations later in this report.

Plants Harvested From Fern Lake (In Bushels)

Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Zone 1 25 300 200 100 297 Zone 2 50 525 625 600 Zone 3 150 1000 700 615 Zone 4 75 500 275 250

The milfoil was transported and disposed of daily, by the milfoil crew, in a vacant field approximately one half mile from the Lake Dunmore boat launch.

Detailed Map of Harvesting data by Month Key: The Yellow numbers represent milfoil operations crews’ efforts.

The yellow box / blue # represent the exceptional efforts of one of our most dedicated volunteers, Cab Hatfield. He provides extensive hours of hand harvesting, mapping of infestation and workshops for others.

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June 2015

July 2015

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August 2015

September 2015

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Attachment D

Final Expenditure Form PROJECT: AQ1 6-11 WATERBODY: Lakes Dunmore and Fern TOWN OF: Leicester

A. PERSONNEL SALARIES Total $131,097 B. FRINGE BENEFITS (Percent of paid salaries, e.g., social security, etc.) Total $19,527 C. TRAVEL 2591 miles @ $0.575/mi Total $1,490 D. EQUIPMENT Total $22,217 E. SUPPLIES Total $10,609 F. CONTRACTUAL Total $11,729 G. OTHER Total $12,360 H. INDIRECT COSTS Total $0 I. IN-KIND PERSONNEL Total $47,634 J. IN-KIND SERVICES Total $14,100 K. TOTAL EXPENDITURES Total $270,763

Attachment D Supplemental Sheet

A. Personnel Salaries: Includes current payroll expense and anticipated payroll expenses through December 31, 2015.

a. Supervisor annual compensation at $41,100. (Estimated equivalent (1500 hours @ $27/hour) b. 19 Divers using “hooka” air systems at hourly rates ranging from $11 to $20 / hour = $85,557 c. 1 Greeter at hourly rate of $12 / hour = $4,440 d. 1 Education Coordinator (planned paid position) who worked as a volunteer.

Total Milfoil Removal = $ 126,657 Total Greeter Program = $ 4,440 Total Salaries = $ 131,097

B. Fringe Benefits:

Total Milfoil Removal Benefits = $ 18,905 Total Greeter Benefits = $ 622 Total Benefits = $ 19,527

C. Travel: Between lakes, to haul milfoil, acquire fuel & obtain repairs & inspections. 2591 miles @ $.575/mile = $ 1,490

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D. Equipment:

Additional Suction Harvester including Boat, Trailer, Motor, Pump, High Pressure Kit & Controls Total new boat cost = $ 20,553 Additional Dock Footage = $ 1,664 Total Equipment = $ 22,217 E. Supplies:

Gas & Oil = $ 3,293 Tools, signs, boat/trailer registrations, buoys = $ 2,625 Miscellaneous Parts & Supplies = $ 4,691 Total Supplies = $ 10,609

F. Contractual Services: Includes contracts for Lakes Surveys by Darrin Fresh Water Institute and Aquatic Control Technology.

Local mechanical repair = $ 2,031 Accounting services (payroll) & team meeting = $ 4,698 Program review and counsel = $ 3,700 (Darrin Freshwater Institute, L. Eichler) Aquatic Technologies survey & consultation = $ 1,300 Total Contractual Services = $ 11,729 G. Other: Insurance (Workers Comp, General Liability & Auto, Equipment (boats/trailers) = $ 11,400 Telephone, Office Supplies & Printed Flyer = $ 960 Total Other = $ 12,360

H. Indirect Costs: None

I. In-Kind Personnel: In-kind personnel has increased this season due to improved awareness and concern by members and types of services including: Engineering, Hand Pulling, and Education.

Shoreline Watch Volunteers: 72 people for a total of 3527 hours @ $12/hr =$ 42,324 Shoreline Hand pullers: 2 people for total of 165 hours @ $18 / hr =$ 2,970 Engineering Support: 2 people for 31 hours @ $50/hr =$ 1,550 Program Coordinator: 1 person for 35 hours @ $20/hr =$ 700 Education Coordinator: 1 person for 6 hours @ $15/hr =$ 90 Total In-Kind Personnel =$ 47,634

J. In-Kind Services:

Storage for boats and trailers: J. Blake Enterprises: Four 24’ pontoon boats & 16 ft Lund = $ 3,600 Milfoil disposal: J. Blake Enterprises (30 hrs w/tractor & dump truck @ $50/hr) = $ 1,500 Office building, lakefront, dock and parking by Keewaydin Camps 18 wks@$500/wk = $ 9,000 Total In-Kind Services = $ 14,100

2015 Aquatic Invasive Species Final Report 11

2015 Shoreline Watch & Invasive Species Patrollers Volunteer Hours Chris Pray 30 Sigrid Valkenburg 75 Chris Naylor 50 Shane Baron 30 Jan Dilworth 65 Chet Williamson 15 Peter Mackey 40 Margaret Neuse 15 Karen Kenna 2 Susan Patterson 20 Carol Campell 4 Alan Campell 20 Jonathan Blake 10 Neil Mackey 70 Beth Wahlig 30 Harold Zimmerman 25 Heather Bierschenk 45 Nate Bierschenk 25 Whitney Durivage 10 Jason Durivage 15 Nancy Malcolm 150 Brian M. Pray 100 Sarah Voigt 100 Marion Bauer 5 Renee Hendricks 30 Dave Miller 30 Chris+Cathy Joyce 70 Cab Hatfield 75 Jim Meyersburg 100 Garfunkel family 15 Dennis Borchardt 40 Tom Pala 23 John Izzo 23 Sandi Everitt 150 Kelly Churchill 130 Ann Scornavacca 80 William Dilworth 75 Suzie Crews 45 Jim Bosman 65 Harry Anderson 24 Scott Egner 10 Joe Zeccardi 170 Dede Snyder 45 Jeff Benton 10 Matt Brush 50 James Paison 170 Adam LaPerle 10 Jay Michael 160 Chip Malcolm 10 Kathy Mackey 50 David Callum 50 Ira Lewis 50 Jerry Wood 5 Maryann Hatfield 50 Jane Meyersburg 10 John Ebert 90 Donna Brett 60 Jim Foley 40 John Everitt 25 Brett Zimmerman 125 Elaina Mitcham 10 Jack Hooker 46 Sandy Hooker 52 Tom Goelz 15 Eva+Rich Dahlgren 48 Katie Gellenbeck 20 Brian Bond 100 Rick+Beth Swartz 10 Jack Willis 8 Lynne Peck 40 Ashley Wolff 12 Sharon Borchardt 50 Total hours 3527

Other Invasive control Volunteer hours Hand puller Cab Hatfield 115 James Paison 50 Engineer Support Jim Meyersburg 25 James Paison 6 Program Coordination Jim Meyersburg 35 Education Cab Hatfield 6 Total hours 237

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Supplemental Milfoil Control Programs

Weevil Program

The weevil population introduced into Fern Lake in 2013 was not monitored this season. The company formed by Austin Ritter was closed based of his observations that weevil populations necessary to effectively control EWM would be cost prohibitive. The AIS committee didn’t have the resources to explore local connections to a biologist with the skill set to evaluate the progress of this program.

Member Education

In early February, we held a symposium to education the board on the details of the AIS problem. The panel consisted of state representatives, personnel from Aquatic Control Technology, and Darrin Fresh Water Institute. We had an in-depth discussion of the laws, techniques, and expected problems. It was very helpful.

We created a member communication flyer regarding AIS (See Addendum A) and sponsored a Milfoil Training Workshops (See Addendum B).

2015 Greeter Program

Our greeter program, operating only 4 days a week, was successful again this year. We operated Thursday through Sunday from June to Labor Day. We inspected all boats launching and retrieving. We operate exclusively from the Magoon public launch on Lake Dunmore. Fern Lake is so rarely used by boats that we just have signage and a literature stand.

The greeter was well versed on the problem with invasives and communicated effectively with the public. She was well received and we had excellent cooperation from boaters. She found that a large majority of boaters were aware of invasives control. The AIS committee kept her up to date with the operations on the lake and had her visit the harvesters periodically so she could understand the operations. This was useful when we implemented the isolation area so the visiting public knew what to expect on the lake. She especially inspected fishing tackle, looking for Spiny Flea. She found none.

The 2015 season resulted in 1278 boats being inspected, with 33 instances of invasives discovered.

The AIS committee is concerned again this year with the limited hours of operation. The challenge is that the vast majority of launchings happen during the busy times, which are currently covered, but we are exposed the rest of the time. We have to weigh the risks against our budget.

We are also planning to organize a Road Captain program, where neighborhood leaders would hand out literature and educate people on their street about invasives. We did start a small pilot program but we need further involvement from the public.

The board continues to seek a site where we can establish a boat wash station, but has found none.

2015 Aquatic Invasive Species Final Report 13

2015 Greeter Program Reporting Data

Program Training History Summary:

The 2015 season started off with a training session conducted by Josh Mulhollem in Castleton, VT. In attendance for the LDFLA was: Kathleen McLoughlin.

Troy Carr helped train our new greeter including review of the 2014 greeter training manual, report and handouts.

Name Coordinator, Volunteer, or Paid Staff? Training Year Troy Carr Coordinator & Paid Staff 2013 Kathleen McLoughlin Paid Staff 2015

Troy Carr e-mail: [email protected]

Number of Launches and Retrievals Boats Launched: 801 Boats Retrieved: 477 TOTAL: 1278 Canoes Launched: 45 Canoes Retrieved: 33 Inboard Motor Launched: 5 Inboard Motor Retrieved: 20 Kayaks Launched: 198 Kayaks Retrieved: 129 Outboard Motor Launched: 483 Outboard Motor Retrieved: 254 Paddle boards Launched: 18 Paddle boards Retrieved: 19 Pontoon Launched: 21 Pontoon Retrieved: 9 PWCs Launched: No data collected PWCs Retrieved: No data collected Rowboat Launched: 1 Sailboats Launched: 30 Sailboats Retrieved: 9 Misc. WC Retrieved: 4

2015 Aquatic Invasive Species Final Report 14

Last Water body Visited by Boaters in the Previous Two Weeks

Amherst Lake-Plymouth, VT 1 Lake Groton- Barre, VT 1 Atlantic Ocean (RI, MA, 2 undefined) 4 Lake Hortonia-Hubbarton, VT 1 Averill Pond-Averill, VT 1 Lake Iroqouis-Hinesburg, VT 7 Bear Pond, VT 1 Lake Massabesic-Concord, NH 1 Big Hosmer Pond-Craftsbury, VT 2 Lake Memphomogog- Canada 1 Bigelow Lake-Stafford Springs, CT 1 Lake Metacomet-Belchertown, MA 1 Blueberry Lake-Warren, VT 1 Lake Morey-Fairlee, VT 3 Bristle Pond-New Haven, VT 11 Lake Ontario 2 Burr Pond-Sudbury, VT 1 Lake Ossipee-NH 1 Cedar Lake-Hinesburg, VT 3 Lake Pearl, Wrentham, MA 1 Chittenden Reservoir-Chittenden, VT 17 Lake Rescue-Ludlow, VT 1 Congamond Lake-Southwick, MA 1 Lake Saint Catherine-Poultney, VT 7 Connecticut River 1 Lake Seymour-Morgan, VT 1 Connecticut River-MA 3 Lake Sunapee-Sunapee NH 3 Connecticut River-Thetford, VT 1 Lake Umbagog-Errol, NH 1 Converse Bay-Charlotte, VT 1 Lake Willoughby-Westmore, VT 2 Dead Creek-Vergennes, VT 1 Lamoille River-Milton, VT 1 Dublin Lake-NH 1 Laplatt River 1 East Sidney Lake-Sidney, NY 1 Little Sodus Bay, Fair Haven, NY 1 Echo Lake-Plymouth, VT 4 Lowell Lake-Londonderry, VT 1 Fern Lake 12 Manasquan, NJ 1 First Use 14 Mascoma Lake-Enfield, NH 1 Glen Lake-Castleton, VT 4 Mollys Falls Pond-Cabot, VT 1 Goshen Dam-Goshen, VT 2 Moose Pond-Bridgton, ME 1 Green River-Underhill, VT 1 New Haven River-Beldon VT 1 Grout Pond-Stratton, VT 1 Ninevah Lake-Shrewsbury, VT 1 Highland Lake-Winsted, CT 1 Otter Creek- Ferrisburg, VT 7 Knapp Pond-Cavendish, VT 1 Private Pond 2 Lake Bomoseen- Castleton, VT 17 Promise Land State Park-PA 1 Lake Carmi-Enosburg Falls, VT 2 Saint Johns River-ME 1 Lake Champlain- Burlington, VT 83 Salt Water-Long Island, NY 1 Lake Champlain- North Hero, VT 1 Schroon Lake-NY 1 Lake Champlain- White Hall, NY 1 Shenango Lake-Shenango, PA 1 Lake Champlain-Button Bay, VT 2 Spectacle Pond-Brighton, VT 1 Lake Dunmore 1004 Sunset Lake-Orwell, VT 2 Lake Eden-Stowe, VT 2 Waterbury Reservoir-Waterbury, VT 2 Lake George-Saratoga, NY 9 Woodford State Park-Bennington, VT 1

2015 Aquatic Invasive Species Final Report 15

2015 Greeter Program Inspection Results Total number of boats inspected: 1280 Familiar with AIS: 1252 (98%) Number of inspected boats (launching or retrieving) that were found to be carrying any plant or animal material: 33 (2.5%) Number carrying plant/animal material when launching: 5 Number carrying plant/animal material when retrieving: 28 o Of these, 21 (75%) were Outboards, 1 Inboard, 1 Canoe, 2 Kayak, 3 Pontoon

Incidents in which invasive species were suspected and/or confirmed:

Date Launch/Retrieve Species Date Launch/Retrieve Species June 25, 2015 Launch Y August 2, 2015 Launch EWM June 25, 2015 Retrieve EWM August 2, 2015 Retrieve EWM July 2, 2015 Launch Y August 2, 2015 Retrieve EWM July 4, 2015 Retrieve EWM August 2, 2015 Retrieve EWM July 4, 2015 Retrieve EWM August 7, 2015 Retrieve EWM July 17, 2015 Retrieve EWM August 8, 2015 Launch EWM July 17, 2015 Retrieve EWM August 9, 2015 Retrieve EWM July 17, 2015 Retrieve EWM August 9, 2015 Retrieve EWM July 19, 2015 Retrieve EWM August 13, 2015 Retrieve EWM July 25, 2015 Retrieve EWM August 14, 2015 Retrieve EWM July 25, 2015 Retrieve EWM August 16, 2015 Retrieve EWM July 25, 2015 Retrieve EWM August 21, 2015 Retrieve EWM July 25, 2015 Launch EWM August 23, 2015 Retrieve EWM August 1, 2015 Retrieve EWM August 23, 2015 Retrieve EWM August 1, 2015 Retrieve EWM August 29, 2015 Retrieve EWM August 1, 2015 Retrieve EWM September 6, 2015 Retrieve EWM September 6, 2015 Retrieve EWM

Key: EWM – Eurasian Water Milfoil Y – Non Specific Natives (not AIS)

2015 Aquatic Invasive Species Final Report 16

Press Release

TOWN OF LEICESTER RECEIVES STATE GRANT TO CONTROL INVASIVE LAKE SPECIES

LEICESTER—July 9, 2015—The Town of Leicester has been awarded a $55,960 grant from the State of Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to help control invasive species on Lake Dunmore and Fern Lake, located in the towns of Leicester and Salisbury. The control program is coordinated and operated by the Lake Dunmore/Fern Lake Association.

The award from DEC’s Watershed Management Division will help the association fund Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) control in both lakes during the spring, summer and fall of 2015. The association, a 501c3 non-profit corporation, has a total annual project budget of $304,557, funded by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation grant-in-aid, the Lake Champlain Basin Program, lake residents, friends of the lakes and the towns of Leicester and Salisbury.

The grant supports a control project, which incorporates volunteer lake monitoring, the use of diver operated suction harvesting, the hand pulling of milfoil and a public boat access greeter program. A volunteer program was established in 1994 hand pulling Eurasian Water Milfoil in an effort to control the spread of the invasive species. Currently the program employs a staff of 22 who, with the help of volunteers, in 2014 harvested approximately 7,065 bushels of EWM and inspected in excess of 940 boats prior to entering our lakes for invasive species.

For more information about the DEC grant, contact Julie Delphia, Leicester Town Clerk, at (802) 247- 5961 x 3.

For more information about LDFLA and the invasive species control program, contact Jim Meyersburg at (239)272-5459.

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Addendum A: LDFLA Member Communications

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Addendum B: Milfoil Training Workshop

LDFLA Offers a Milfoil Training Workshop

Learn how to pull EWM (Milfoil) – snorkel or from surface (kayak/canoe)

The GOAL is to help people help themselves and the greater Lakes community. Bring your snorkeling gear and/or Kayak/Canoe and be prepared to go on or into the water.

Sign-up on Facebook, or by email or call to schedule private/semi-private A. Facebook events: Lake Dunmore Fern Lake, click on Events B. Email: [email protected] C. Call: 352-4276

Event 1: June 28th 2015 9:00 – 11:00 am F&W Magoon Public Launch (next to Waterhouses) Kayak / Canoe Technique Bring your canoe/kayak, a handheld rake, a net and bucket

Event 2: July 12th 2015 9:00-11:00 am Location TBD Snorkel Technique Bring your snorkeling gear and a mesh bag if you have one

Event 3: July 26th 2015 9:00-11:00 am F&W Magoon Public Launch (next to Waterhouses) Kayak / Canoe Technique Bring your canoe/kayak, a handheld rake, a net and bucket