Beating back the milfoil monster

Imagine the edges of Sebago Lake so full of weeds boat travel is impossible. Imagine the same fate for Collins Pond or Crescent Lake and Thomas Pond, or the pond near you. Weeds so thick a motor can’t cut through. Sound like a fun afternoon on the lake? Not really.

While it may seem as though invasive weeds such as lake-killing milfoil are a far-away threat, the threat is closer than you think. Many groups such as the Lakes Environmental Association, Raymond Waterways Protective Association and Little Sebago Lake Association are deeply embroiled in the fight against invasive plants. And they’re doing the work before our pristine lakes become infested with the vile stuff, as so many other lakes around the country have become.

While lake associations are in full combat gear battling the milfoil threat, the time has come for the average Mainer to realize that milfoil can ruin their way of life as well. Simply put, people in Maine and the Lakes Region need to understand the threat and be sure others are aware as well. Awareness of the plant is the best prevention in the fight against milfoil.

Lakes are the organs of our state’s economic well-being with rivers and streams the lifeblood. It’s not enough to enact legislation that protects our waters from harmful pollution from farms and factories and leave the recreational uses to chance. Milfoil can wreak havoc with boating access points as well as traditionally abundant fishing grounds like many of the lakes in the area. Clogged waterways will suck the life out of local economies since lakefront property values and sales will sag, and the flow of recreation-seeking tourists will eventually dry up. Choking weeds will choke our economy as well.

But money isn’t everything. While there are clear economic pitfalls, milfoil’s quieter threat is to the health of our lakes. Fish love the protection of native weeds but along with milfoil comes thick canopies and algae blooms that can suck the oxygen out of a lake. A vibrant, clear and pristine pond will soon become a cesspool uninhabitable for native fish if milfoil gets a hold. Maine’s reputation for beauty will suffer if our lakes become infested. And Vacationland will certainly diminish in reputation.

So, what can we do? Should we be hopeless or hold out hope that this trend can be reversed? While the battle will be tough, efforts are under way to stem the tide. Groups are laying down sun-blocking barriers in an effort to snuff the life out of growing milfoil. Armies of volunteers have had success with hand-pulling methods. And some are using vacuums to literally suck these milfoil varmints from their sandy foundations.

But they need your help. If you see strange weeds, report them. Check your boat motor and hull. Remind your friends about this threat to our way of life. If you are able, join a mitigation team. Let’s all be vigilant. It’s going to be a long fight.

-John Balentine, editor