Exotic Aquatic Species Program Report
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NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPART MENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES EXOTIC AQUATIC SPECIES PROGRAM REPORT 2009 - 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...........................................................................................................................3 SECTION 1 - PROGRAM OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................5 1.1 Purpose and Overview.....................................................................................................................5 1.2 The Problem....................................................................................................................................5 1.3 History ....................................................................................................................................................8 1.4 Partnerships...........................................................................................................................................10 SECTION 2 - PROGRAM ACTIVITIES .................................................................................................14 2.1 Prevention of New Infestations – Education and Outreach...................................................................14 2.1.1 Presentations......................................................................................................................................14 2.1.3 Milfoil Prevention Activities..............................................................................................................15 2.1.4 Listing of Exotic Aquatic Plants as Prohibited..............................................................................16 2.2 Early Detection- Monitoring and Identification....................................................................................16 2.2.1 Field Monitoring by Biologists ..........................................................................................................16 2.2.2 Pet and Plant Nursery Store Monitoring ............................................................................................17 2.2.3 Volunteer Weed Watcher Program ....................................................................................................18 2.2.4 Lake Host Program ............................................................................................................................19 2.3 Control Activities..................................................................................................................................19 2.3.1 Restricted Use Areas and/or Fragment Barriers.................................................................................20 Table 4: Locations of Restricted Use Areas and/or Fragment Barriers (2009-2011) ..................................21 2.3.2 Diver Hand Removal .........................................................................................................................21 2.3.3 Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) ......................................................................................22 2.3.4 Benthic Barriers .................................................................................................................................22 2.3.5 Dredging ............................................................................................................................................22 2.3.6 Targeted Application of Aquatic Herbicides......................................................................................23 2.3.7 Extended Drawdown..........................................................................................................................23 Table 5a: Exotic Plant Control Activities in 2009.......................................................................................24 Table 5b: Exotic Plant Control Activities in 2010 ......................................................................................25 Table 5c: Exotic Plant Control Activities in 2011.......................................................................................26 Table 5d: Exotic Plant Control Activities in 2012 ......................................................................................28 2.4 Research................................................................................................................................................29 2.4.1 State Funded Research Projects .........................................................................................................29 2.5 Regional Cooperation ...........................................................................................................................31 SECTION 3 – PROGRAM REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES...........................................................34 3.1 Funding History....................................................................................................................................34 3.2 Control Grants.......................................................................................................................................34 3.3 Prevention and Research Grants ...........................................................................................................35 SECTION 4 – THE FUTURE ....................................................................................................................37 4.1 Education and Outreach Goals..............................................................................................................37 4.2 Prevention, Monitoring, and Identification Goals.................................................................................38 4.3 Rapid Response and Long-Term Management Goals...........................................................................39 4.4 Research................................................................................................................................................39 4.5 Regional Cooperation ...........................................................................................................................40 4.6 Legislation and Regulations..................................................................................................................40 APPENDIX ONE- PROGRAM LAWS AND RULES.............................................................................41 CHAPTER 487 CONTROL OF MARINE POLLUTION AND AQUATIC GROWTH ..........................41 NEW HAMPSHIRE CLEAN LAKES PROGRAM ..............................................................................................41 APPENDIX TWO: CHRONOLOGY OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES..................................................69 2 APPENDIX THREE: INTERAGENCY MOA ON INVASIVE AQUATIC SPECIES MANAGEMENT.........................................................................................................................................86 APPENDIX FOUR: FACT SHEETS AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS......................................91 APPENDIX FIVE- EXOTIC PLANT SIGNAGE....................................................................................92 APPENDIX SIX: EXOTIC AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL TECHNIQUES.....................................93 APPENDIX SEVEN: CRITERIA FOR CONTROL TECHNIQUE SELECTION.............................94 APPENDIX EIGHT: SFY 2009-2012 BUDGET SUMMARY ...............................................................98 APPENDIX NINE: GRANT RATING SUMMARY ............................................................................102 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report summarizes the spread and distribution of exotic aquatic species in New Hampshire and the activities of New Hampshire’s Exotic Aquatic Plant Program to control these species. The program history is summarized in this report, and activities that occurred from 2009 through 2012 are described in detail. “Exotic aquatic species” are plants or animals that are not part of New Hampshire’s native aquatic flora and fauna. Since the first exotic aquatic plant infestation in New Hampshire was discovered in 1965 in Lake Winnipesaukee, exotic aquatic plant infestations have increased to a total of 87 infestations in 78 waterbodies in 2012. Species present include variable milfoil (70 waterbodies), Eurasian milfoil (6 waterbodies), fanwort (9 waterbodies), water chestnut (1 waterbody), Brazilian elodea (1 waterbody), Curly-Leaf Pondweed (3 waterbodies), European Naiad (3 waterbodies), and Didymo (4 waterbodies). Most of these exotic plants can propagate by fragmentation as well as by seed. Exotic aquatic plant fragments can easily become attached to aquatic recreational equipment, such as boats, motors, and trailers and can spread from waterbody to waterbody through transient boating activities. Infestations can have detrimental effects on the ecological, recreational, aesthetic, and economic values of the state’s surface waters, limiting use of the waterbodies and potentially decreasing shorefront property values by as much as 10-20 percent according to a UNH study (Halstead, et al., 2001). Since its inception in 1981 with the passage of RSA 487:15, the Exotic Aquatic Plant Program has grown to become a cooperative effort among state agencies, lake organizations, and concerned citizens. At the state level, this involves a partnership among the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, the Fish and Game Department, the Department of Safety, the Department of Resources and Economic Development, and the Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Foods to prevent the spread of exotic plants