BRIDGTON – In an attempt to corral the efforts of disparate groups concerned with the spread of milfoil on Sebago Lake, the Bridgton-based Lakes Environmental Association is holding a Sebago Lake Milfoil Summit on Friday, Jan. 25, at Saint Joseph’s College.

The Sebago summit is a chance for interested parties to band together and devise a plan to rid Sebago Lake of 18 known areas of infestation, according to Adam Perron, milfoil program coordinator for LEA. Perron has spent years working to remove milfoil in the Songo River and Brandy Pond in a battle he says the LEA is winning against the invasive plant,

“We’ve learned so much about milfoil control through our work on the Songo that we’re trying to set up and empower some other groups to use our techniques to do similar work,” Perron said.

Perron said LEA-sponsored teams of divers have removed milfoil from all of Brandy Pond as well as three-quarters of Songo River, which runs between Brandy Pond and Sebago Lake. While the group is getting a handle on the Songo, the work on Sebago is daunting, he added.

“There are 18 sites on Sebago and that’s too big of a project for us, especially since we’re still finishing up on the Songo,” Perron said. “But we’re thinking if we can share some of the knowledge we’ve gained and get some of our business partners and get the towns involved that maybe we can set up some clones of our project, working in places like the Jordan River, the Northwest River, Kettle Cove or Turtle Cove, to tackle some of these large infestations.”

There are organizations that have worked to remove milfoil in Sebago Lake’s coves, but their efforts are usually not enough to wipe out an infestation. Perron said such efforts, which can cost thousands of dollars, have removed the milfoil temporarily, but the plant quickly grows back. Coordinating the effort will lead to better success, he said.

“So far on Sebago Lake, it’s all been work done by individuals or groups, there hasn’t been any coordination or targeted effort,” Perron said. “For example, there are three different organizations on the Jordan River: Panther Run Marina, the condo association and marina association. And they’re all doing a little of their own work. And our idea is why not get all these guys together. Because what’s worked best for us is a consistent effort, and they’re kind of striking these different areas independently.”

Peter Lowell, the founder of LEA, has been watching milfoil infect area lakes for more than a decade now, and says the situation on Sebago Lake is at a tipping point.

“Sebago Lake is seriously infested with variable leaf milfoil after years, and perhaps decades, of unchecked growth. LEA believes the infestations on the lake will soon reach the point of no return unless more resources are brought to the fight,” he said.

“This is the time to act to reverse the invasive plant mess on Sebago Lake before it is totally out of control,” Lowell continued. “We no longer have the luxury of time, but we do have the skills and knowledge to make an impact if significant resources are marshaled. That is what we hope to do at the Sebago Lake summit.”

Lowell’s organization is teaming up with the nonprofit Raymond Waterways Protective Association, which has worked on the milfoil issue for years in the Raymond area.

Betty Williams, executive director of the Raymond group, has high hopes that Jan. 25’s milfoil summit will better coordinate the milfoil fight.

“In working with LEA and learning what they’ve been doing and understanding that they’ve had some success over the years, they are wanting to share that information and empower groups around Sebago Lake to step up and try to combat this issue with oversight from [our group] and LEA,” Williams said.

Williams said the upcoming summit of stakeholders will be a round-table discussion on how to eradicate the infestations, which Williams said can range from a few plants to several thousand.

“We want to hear what people have to say. Folks may have some great ideas on how to deal with this or how we can share resources and supplies. There’s a plentitude of things we might be able to do together if we open up that line of communication,” she said.

Williams, similarly to Lowell, said now may be the last chance to effectively tackle the spread.

“I think we’re at the point that if we don’t do something soon, the plants are just going to consume these coves and you’ll just have to mow it at that point. And that’s not fun,” she said.