8544-R5_ML&P_LSLA_2023_FallNewsletter_Web

2023 Courtesy Boat Inspection Program New Clean, Drain, Dry Legislation From Pam Wilkinson

In 1986 the State of Maine purchased property at 101 Mount Hunger Shore Road for the purpose of providing boat access to Little Sebago Lake. In 1987 they opened the boat launch for the public. In 2014 they built a concrete ramp and provided a dock for easy access. The boat launch is always available but the dock is removed each year usually in late October. As a precautionary measure the State introduced the Courtesy Boat Inspection program statewide to prevent invasive plants from entering lakes or to prevent spreading the invasive milfoil that is in our lake to other lakes. This program is partially funded by the State and mostly funded by our

lake membership donations. Our dedicated team includes Jim and Jackie Fitzgerald who have been inspecting since inception and now incorporates added days utilizing students from St. Joseph College who piggyback inspections with mandatory electronic data entry required by the State recording boats who enter and exit the lake. Through this process we can identify what boats may be carrying a plant and which lake they have visited last. There was a slight decrease in boat traffic this year due to the ugly weather we had over the summer. With this said here is a snapshot of the totals we have experienced over the past 4 years:

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