On an early July morning, a group of four young men worked near the locks of the Songo River. Two manned a pontoon boat, and two swam in the water, among a tangle of brightly colored tubes.

Suited in Scuba gear, the crew was a curious sight to onlookers who watched from their riverside yards. A few residents were not too shy too ask; “What are you guys up to?” The men explained that they worked for the Lakes Environmental Association, and were suction harvesting the highly invasive variable-leaf milfoil that had made the Songo River its home a few years ago.

Going about their task, sucking the offensive weed through a hose and filtering it out through a trough on board. By noon, the crew had already filled four onion bags full of this seemingly innocuous plant.

But the plant is anything but innocuous. Variable-leaf milfoil is an invasive aquatic plant species. And it, along with several other types of invasive species, is taking root in the Lakes Region.

Being a non-native species, milfoil can quickly infest a body of water once introduced. Aquatic plants that are not native to a pond, lake or river are dangerous, because they do not have natural predators.

A plant like variable-leaf milfoil will grow rapidly, crowding native species and stripping the water of oxygen. It will also form dense mats on the water’s surface, blocking sunlight from underwater life. Not only can milfoil make water recreation difficult. Under the right circumstances, an entire body of water can be decimated.

Milfoil’s spread

How did these threatening species make their way to the Lakes Region? Most types of milfoil are not native to the United States, let alone Maine. Invasive species are mostly native to Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia. It is believed that these plants were brought to North America through the shipping and trade industries during the 19th century.

More recently, milfoil spread through the United States by smaller, recreational boats. Plants stick to the sides and propellers, and are washed off upon arrival in different ponds and lakes. New England was not affected by milfoil and other invasive species until relatively late, probably in the mid-1950s. And milfoil barely registered on Maine’s radar until the 1970s.

Private organizations were the first to bring the milfoil problem to light. In 2000, after hearing from concerned residents, the Maine Legislature voted to make it illegal to intentionally transport any aquatic plant, and to impose fines on those who do. Then, in 2001, the legislature passed an aquatic plant law that works to prevent new infestations, educate Maine residents about the threat of milfoil, and provide funds to private organizations working to fight milfoil.

One way the state raises money is through a “land and rivers” sticker program, also known as the milfoil sticker program. All motorized boats on inland water must have an invasive plant sticker, the proceeds of which fund milfoil prevention.

Since these laws were passed, the state has partnered with lake associations to correct infestations and prevent new ones. According to John McPhedran of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, it is difficult to eliminate an already existing infestation, but the state is focusing on curtailing further spread.

“We have a great chance to prevent infestations. On the other hand, once the plants are in there, it’s rare that you can eradicate it,” said McPhedran.

McPhedran said that he was not sure how long milfoil has been in the Lakes Region, but that some plants have likely been here for decades.

“How long those plants have been there, it’s very hard to say,” said McPhedran.

Making progress

The Lakes Environmental Association, a Bridgton-based group that monitors the lakes in Naples, Bridgton, and Harrison, has taken a bold approach to milfoil. Most recently, the association began its Songo River Project. Crews take a donated pontoon boat out on the river and “suction-harvest” milfoil. Last year, crews worked on Brandy Pond in Naples, which is fed by the Songo River. Using pulling and benthic barriers, Lowell said they think they were able to wipe out all milfoil in the pond. The Songo River Project poses more of a challenge, with a larger infestation of roughly three acres. According to Lowell, an infestation this size is on the brink of becoming out of hand.

“I think the Songo River is a fairly good test case…the ability to wipe out an infestation at more than three acres, the jury is still out,” said Lowell.

Crews are working near the locks, near Sebago Lake State Park. Lowell is pleased with the progress made so far.

“We think we reduced (the infestation) by at least half,” said Lowell.

Other organizations are not so optimistic about the prospect of eradicating an existing infestation. Tom Williams, of the Little Sebago Lake Association, believes the best way to deal with milfoil is to treat it as a maintenance issue. Little Sebago has hybrid milfoil, which is a cross between variable-leaf milfoil and another non-native species. Colonies have been found in shallow coves, as well as deeper waters.

Before 2005, the Little Sebago Lake Association used a hand pulling method to get rid of milfoil. But realizing it was ineffective, and after receiving two donated boats, they designed the suction harvesting system that the Lakes Environmental Association based their design on.

“The state was really interested in our design and how it would work,” said Williams.

Williams said that his association is now using benthic barriers along with suction harvesting, and feels good about having these methods available.

“This is the first year where we’ve felt like we’ve had the right tools. We’re still in full-court press to get ahead of it,” said Williams.

The Department of Environmental Protection has by most accounts taken the milfoil problem seriously. In place is the Rapid Response Program, where the department acts quickly to eradicate a new infestation sending crews out to suction-harvest and lay barriers. The department also oversees the Maine Lakes Volunteer Monitoring Program, which trains residents to monitor lakes, and awards grants and funding for milfoil prevention projects. But the state is not without its critics.

Roger Wheeler, president of the Friends of Sebago Lake, believes that the current water levels on Sebago encourage the spread of milfoil. He feels the state has been irresponsible in allowing S.D. Warren in Westbrook to continue conducting a hydropower project that keeps the water high. Wheeler said that until water levels are allowed to naturally fluctuate again, its useless to attempt maintenance.

“First, you’ve got to get (the lake) back to the way it used to be, then combat milfoil. An unnatural regulation is just what invasive species like,” said Wheeler.

Wheeler and many others are concerned about their lakes, not only because a possible infestation affects the natural beauty of their homes, but also because milfoil threatens the backbone of the Lakes Region economy.

Charlie Tufts, owner of Coldwell Banker Real Estate in Raymond, said that though he has not seen significant decrease in property values yet, he takes the milfoil threat very seriously.

“What it will do is it will basically ruin your waterfront and that would definitely impact your values. We need to jump on (the milfoil problem) and take care of it,” said Tufts.

State Rep. Rich Cebra, of Naples, echoed Tufts’ concern. Cebra co-sponsored a bill passed this April that combines milfoil sticker program fees with other boat registration fees, which will increase milfoil funding by roughly $80,000. Cebra owns Steamboat Landing Golf Course in Naples, and, as a business owner, is mindful of the harm milfoil could potentially do.

“I know how fickle the tourism industry can be,” said Cebra.

“We can spend some money now, or spend a ton of money later, and we might not be able to fix it,” he added.

Residents of the Lakes Region do not need to look any further than nearby Lake Arrowhead for an example of what can happen when milfoil goes unchecked. Split between Limerick and Waterboro, Lake Arrowhead is a fairly shallow lake, with a surface area of 1,100 acres. It has been infested with variable-leaf milfoil for 10 years. Its shallow depth made Lake Arrowhead susceptible to a massive infestation, and it is now 80 to 90 percent infested.

Though it has the most extensive infestation in the state, Lake Arrowhead is still a popular spot for fishing and swimming, because the plants are generally below the water’s surface. But Fitzpatrick said that property values on the lake have decreased by 10 to 20 percent over the last five years.

“Eventually, milfoil does kill out a lake…you need to have a proactive plan in place,” said Fitzpatrick.