7357-R2_LSLA_2020_WinterNewsletter

Milfoil Militia Status on Invasive Hybrid Variable Milfoil 2020 Coordinators: Pam Wilkinson & Tim Greer

feeding the larger predators. These critters love the invasive milfoil for habitat, as well, but this invasive plant will create an imbalance that will choke the lake making it unstable for lake life including humans. Please educate yourselves by visiting our website as well as others to learn what invasive plants and organisms look like and how you can do your part to discourage invasive growth. In June the team met to discuss updated protocols for the upcoming year and Covid protections. Surveying existing milfoil beds began the last week of June with full operation running from July to the end of September. Two divers who live on the lake were added to the team. We encourage more divers to take the class to further assist us. The diver digs the roots of the milfoil from the bottom, feeds it into the suction hose to be retrieved into the trough and deposited into onion bags after filtering the water back into the lake. We are lucky to have a team of crew and captain returning each year to avoid retraining and continue consistency.

This article has to begin with thanking all those who reported suspicious plants or algae in their area. Without those eyes focusing on the bottom of the lake while kayaking, “SUPing”, or just going slow we would have missed some areas leaving rapid invasive growth to continue into next year. We just cannot cover the 30 mile perimeter plus the surrounding areas of the islands without all this help. It is so valued and we encourage more eye patrols in our battle against this invasive plant. For those who are new and have just purchased property on Little Sebago, we have battled a hybrid form of variable milfoil for over 20 years. We are proud to tout that the 80 to 100 bags per day hand pulled from the bottom of the lake in the first few years of operation has dwindled to the highest count in one day being 13 onion bags. While this is a great accomplishment we cannot be complacent with this fast growing relentless plant. What is encouraging is the large milfoil bed areas after years of harvesting are now showing carpets of native vegetation. This is good for the whole ecosystem of the lake; microorganisms and tiny fish live here Jim MacNaught, Pam Wilkinson, Tim Greer, Megan Wilkinson, Peter Dollard, Tom Hamann (Adelia). Missing Katie Martin.

Last Day of Milfoil Remediation

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