Courtesy Invasive Plant Trailer Inspections - Will it Help?

Rattlesnake Gal · 04-24-2008, 09:02 AM

Today there is an article in the Citizen about Lake Winnisquam Watershed Association starting a new program “Lake Host Program”. I really like the idea, but will it really help? Do you think boaters will cooperate if their trailer or boat has any invasive hitchhikers on it?

KBoater · 04-24-2008, 06:10 PM

Lake Wentworth has been doing this for years. They have inspections at ramps and people have been corporating

chipj29 · 04-25-2008, 07:00 AM

I boat occassionally on Lake Massasecum in Bradford. A couple year ago they had the inspections at the launch ramp. Looked to be college age kids doing it. They come over, ask a couple questions, ask if you are aware of the invasive plant problem, and take a look at your trailer and boat. I never noticed any boaters not cooperating, but then again, I was not at the ramp all day long either. It definately raises the level of awareness, therefore it can certainly help.

mcdude · 04-25-2008, 07:53 AM

This is a program sponsored by NH D.E.S. - I've seen them at Suncook Lake and I believe that the Merrymeeting Lake Association also participates. Here's a link...
WEED WATCHER PROGRAM

SIKSUKR · 04-25-2008, 01:21 PM

I've been inspected many times at the Glendale launch over the last 4 years.Good idea I think.

Seeker · 04-25-2008, 01:40 PM

The NHLA runs it and it appears very successful. (maybe I should say funds it instead of runs it?)
More info here:
www.nhlakes.org/lake-host-program/
Unfortunately too late to sign up for this year.

Dave R · 04-29-2008, 01:19 PM

Inspections are common in Maine, as are free, fairly high-pressure, washdown stations near the ramps on lakes without weed problems. I think it's a good idea. The inspections are very unobtrusive (they do it while I am prepping the boat for launch), the inspectors are friendly volunteers, and they help make people aware of the potential problems they can cause and easily prevent. I have to pay $20 per year to fund the program (I assume it funds the program, may just go to the general fund) in Maine, but I don't mind. The lake where we have property is milfoil free and I hope it stays that way.

jrc · 04-29-2008, 06:30 PM

It's has to be better for the lake and cheaper to stop the millfoil from getting in than to try to remove it afterwards.

Sounds like a good plan even for a cheapskate yankee like me.

Chris Craft · 05-21-2008, 07:04 AM

It is a great plan and is working very well in Maine!!!

http://www.mainelakes.org/documents/...20May%2008.pdf

EllyPoinster · 05-21-2008, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcdude

This is a program sponsored by NH D.E.S. - I've seen them at Suncook Lake and I believe that the Merrymeeting Lake Association also participates. Here's a link...
WEED WATCHER PROGRAM

You are right, mcdude - Merrymeeting Lake does participate. In fact, the MML Lake Host team was credited with two "saves" last year. Here's the story: http://mmlake.org/forums/showthread.php?t=218

MAXUM · 05-22-2008, 03:42 PM

I've been checked at both back bay and Libby's in Wolfeboro all summer long last year. I think it's a great idea and in talking with the kids that are doing the checking, they said everyone has been more than willing to cooperate. This is good to see, every part we can take to stop spreading that crappy weed around the state the better off we'll be. Plus it educates those that may not be familiar with the problem.

Chris Craft · 05-22-2008, 08:09 PM

I forgot that if you are towing into Maine on the turnpike they give you a milfoil pamplet. It shows you what to look for and what to do. I am sure that a lot of them go unread but while I drove my wife read it and pointed out a few things that I did not know about it. We get it at the end of our dock each summer. They just came over last year with a huge vacume and sucked it all up. Since then I have not seen any. I am sure it will be back but I sure to appreciate all the effort that they put into it. Unfortunately they ussually do the volunteer thing durring the week so I can never help. Great group of people that is for sure!!!

04-24-2008, 09:02 AM	#1
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,447 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	Courtesy Invasive Plant Trailer Inspections - Will it Help? Today there is an article in the Citizen about Lake Winnisquam Watershed Association starting a new program “Lake Host Program”. I really like the idea, but will it really help? Do you think boaters will cooperate if their trailer or boat has any invasive hitchhikers on it?

04-24-2008, 06:10 PM	#2
KBoater Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 521 Thanks: 10 Thanked 29 Times in 15 Posts	Lake Wentworth has been doing this for years. They have inspections at ramps and people have been corporating __________________ Home Permanently in NH

04-25-2008, 01:21 PM	#5
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	I've been inspected many times at the Glendale launch over the last 4 years.Good idea I think. __________________ SIKSUKR

04-25-2008, 07:00 AM	#3
chipj29 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bow Posts: 1,874 Thanks: 521 Thanked 308 Times in 162 Posts	I boat occassionally on Lake Massasecum in Bradford. A couple year ago they had the inspections at the launch ramp. Looked to be college age kids doing it. They come over, ask a couple questions, ask if you are aware of the invasive plant problem, and take a look at your trailer and boat. I never noticed any boaters not cooperating, but then again, I was not at the ramp all day long either. It definately raises the level of awareness, therefore it can certainly help.

04-25-2008, 07:53 AM	#4
mcdude Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME Posts: 5,359 Thanks: 374 Thanked 1,041 Times in 489 Posts	This is a program sponsored by NH D.E.S. - I've seen them at Suncook Lake and I believe that the Merrymeeting Lake Association also participates. Here's a link... WEED WATCHER PROGRAM

04-25-2008, 01:40 PM	#6
Seeker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Effingham Posts: 408 Thanks: 37 Thanked 19 Times in 15 Posts	The NHLA runs it and it appears very successful. (maybe I should say funds it instead of runs it?) More info here: www.nhlakes.org/lake-host-program/ Unfortunately too late to sign up for this year.

04-29-2008, 01:19 PM	#7
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,974 Thanks: 246 Thanked 736 Times in 438 Posts	Inspections are common in Maine, as are free, fairly high-pressure, washdown stations near the ramps on lakes without weed problems. I think it's a good idea. The inspections are very unobtrusive (they do it while I am prepping the boat for launch), the inspectors are friendly volunteers, and they help make people aware of the potential problems they can cause and easily prevent. I have to pay $20 per year to fund the program (I assume it funds the program, may just go to the general fund) in Maine, but I don't mind. The lake where we have property is milfoil free and I hope it stays that way.

04-29-2008, 06:30 PM	#8
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	It's has to be better for the lake and cheaper to stop the millfoil from getting in than to try to remove it afterwards. Sounds like a good plan even for a cheapskate yankee like me.

05-21-2008, 07:04 AM	#9
Chris Craft Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 120 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	It is a great plan and is working very well in Maine!!! http://www.mainelakes.org/documents/...20May%2008.pdf

05-22-2008, 03:42 PM	#11
MAXUM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kuna ID Posts: 2,755 Thanks: 246 Thanked 1,942 Times in 802 Posts	I've been checked at both back bay and Libby's in Wolfeboro all summer long last year. I think it's a great idea and in talking with the kids that are doing the checking, they said everyone has been more than willing to cooperate. This is good to see, every part we can take to stop spreading that crappy weed around the state the better off we'll be. Plus it educates those that may not be familiar with the problem.

05-22-2008, 08:09 PM	#12
Chris Craft Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 120 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I forgot that if you are towing into Maine on the turnpike they give you a milfoil pamplet. It shows you what to look for and what to do. I am sure that a lot of them go unread but while I drove my wife read it and pointed out a few things that I did not know about it. We get it at the end of our dock each summer. They just came over last year with a huge vacume and sucked it all up. Since then I have not seen any. I am sure it will be back but I sure to appreciate all the effort that they put into it. Unfortunately they ussually do the volunteer thing durring the week so I can never help. Great group of people that is for sure!!!