7357-R2_LSLA_2020_WinterNewsletter

Courtesy Boat Inspection Program 2020 Pam Wilkinson

As with any program this year, there were changes on how we continue our program regarding Covid safety. Jim and Jackie Fitzgerald were not able to attend the traditional milfoil summit due to cancellation in order to get their yearly certification. Instead, we watched a Covid training program provided by the State on new safe ways to approach boats and people entering/exiting Little Sebago Lake. Most people were receptive allowing distant checks for possible fragments of invasiveplantsandorganisms.Therewereseveral fishing tournaments in which they are required to have their own inspector prior to entering the lake but we like to be there, as well. Most tournaments go without any problems except for the limited parking. This year people needed an escape from the confinements of Covid and found the outdoors just that relief. It is nice to see families enjoying each other on our lake. Lakes in Maine found an increase of usage and ours was no exception. Last year during 59 days of inspection from Memorial Day to Labor Day we recorded 1667 boats; some motorized and a lot of canoes and kayaks. This year we saw a 43% increase in usage with 2387 boats

Friday through Sunday and the full week of the Fourth of July. What is not recorded are the days during the week and later in the fall when the weather is still good and people wait sometimes until the end of October to take their boats out of the water. What would be an ideal situation would be to have volunteers assist with these times. The training is simple and it would be an opportunity to educate those entering our lake of the impacts of our invasive hybrid variable milfoil. If you are finding you have a day or two and want something to do that would be extremely helpful to this program please contact Pam Wilkinson pwilkinson@littlesebagolake.com with any questions you may have. Love to have y ou join us!

during the same time. Boats are normally inspected

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