Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention: Beyond Lake Hosting

Transcription

1 Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention: Beyond Lake Hosting Lakes Congress 2016 Amy Smagula Exotic Species Program Coordinator Andrea LaMoreaux Vice President

2 THE PRESENT

3 Infestations 84 Infested Waterbodies 72 variable milfoil 6 Eurasian milfoil 9 Fanwort 5 European naiad 2 Water chestnut 5 Curly-leaf pondweed 1 Brazilian elodea 4 Asian clam Many, many Chinese mystery snails (not shown on map)

4 Knowing the vectors of spread will help us prevent and mange infestations. Species migrate on their own: Climate change Seeds Migrating animals Human induced spread: Purposeful versus accidental introductions We move very fast these days! Air travel Shipping industry Automobiles Boating Facts About Infestations

5 Facts About Infestations Most new infestations are still found near a boat launch or other type of access point. Motor boats are the primary vector of spread. BUT, all aquatic craft and gear can spread invasive species. Plant fragments, algae, and live animals (either adults or larvae) are introduced generally in small numbers from the vector and then drift or swim around the lake and reproduce.

6 The Law DES regulates the movement of listed aquatic invasive plants in New Hampshire. NH Fish and Game Dept. regulates the movement of listed aquatic invasive animals in New Hampshire. Activities that are regulated: Sale Distribution Importation Purchase Propagation Transportation Introduction NOTE: A NEW law coming soon more later in this presentation

7 Addressing the Problem of Invasives: The Mantra Education & Prevention Early Detection Rapid Response Long-Term Management

8 Spread Prevention is Critical! Prevention activities should be paired with education, outreach, and early-detection activities.

9 NH LAKES Lake Host Program. First line of Aquatic Invasive Species PREVENTION. Initiated in Volunteer and payroll grant program implemented by NH LAKES in cooperation with local groups. Funded in part by: NH Dept. of Environmental Services (boat registration fees) NH LAKES Federal Govt. ( ) Lake associations Foundations Municipalities Individuals Education

10 Lake Host Program Volunteers & hired Lake Hosts staff boat ramps to: Teach visiting boaters about aquatic invasive species plants and animals and how to prevent their spread. Conduct courtesy boat and trailer inspections to remove ALL plant fragments native and invasive - and other debris. Show boaters where to look for hitchhikers and encourage them to self inspect. Encourage boaters to pull drain plugs in launch vicinity where water won t flow back into lake. Send suspicious specimens to the NH Dept. of Environmental Services for identification.

11 Statewide successes : 761,735+ courtesy inspections have been conducted. 1,515 Saves have been made of aquatic invasive species either entering or leaving a waterbody. Innumerable additional saves made by training boaters to Clean, Drain and Dry on their own Program 83 participating organizations 104 ramp sites Lake Host Program

12 Outreach: Registered boaters & public ramp users

13 Outreach: On-water events & fishing tournaments

14 Early-Detection If you cannot prevent and infestation, finding one early is the next best option. Routine monitoring is best, by trained local entities and professionals NH DES Weed Watcher Program Volunteer based monitoring Focused on early detection at the fine scale Routine monitoring by trained volunteers to find new growth of plants, animals and algae early, before they spread and/or cause problems

15 If an infestation is found: Rapid Response and Long-Term Management are critical to prevent the spread within a waterbody and between waterbodies.

16 Long-Term Management Program Detect Survey Survey Plan Manage

17 Long-Term Management Program Management Options: Physical control Hand removal Diver-Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) Benthic barrier Drawdown Mechanical control Dredging Hydro-raking Mowing/harvesting Biological control Using an introduced species to control the milfoil (insect, fish, etc.) Chemical control Aquatic herbicide

18 Long-Term Management Program DES currently monitors the 84 infested waterbodies Mapping Providing recommendations for control Performing follow-up mapping DES also searches for infestations through other programs lake assessments volunteer monitoring ambient monitoring wetland monitoring

19 Long-Term Management Program Local Aquatic Invasive Species Committees Committee for local coordination Should be comprised of local officials, volunteers, residents, etc. Planning for prevention, early detection, fund raising, etc.

20 THE FUTURE OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PREVENTION IN NH?!

21 Enhanced Statewide Media Campaign Kiosks with Information at all waterway access points?

22 Enhanced Statewide Media Campaign? Public Service Announcements in major print media, and on TV, Radio, Internet?

23 Enhanced Statewide Media Campaign? Signage along major roadways into and out of the state?

24 Enhanced Statewide Media Campaign? Highway message boards?

25 Enhanced Statewide Media Campaign? Billboard signage along major roadways?

26 Enhanced Statewide Media Campaign? Clean, Drain & Dry Day Proclamation?

27 Enhanced Statewide Media Campaign? Our outreach efforts have been working!

28 Enhanced Statewide Media Campaign? Our outreach efforts have been working!

29 Enhanced Statewide Media Campaign? Our outreach efforts have been working!

30 Enhanced Statewide Media Campaign? Our outreach efforts have been working!

31 Expand the Lake Host Program? Longer season? More shifts per day? More participating groups & ramps?

32 Enhance the Lake Host Program? Provide boaters with clean, drain & dry kits? Towels? Sponges? Scrubbers? Wrenches? Plug docks?

33 Enhance the Lake Host Program? Canine Lake Hosts?

34 Enhance the Lake Host Program? Canine Lake Hosts?

35 Boat Wash Stations Do-it Yourself Boat Wash Stations (on site)? Community boat wash stations (off site)? (Voluntary)

36 Expand the Weed Watchers Program to more lakes?

37 Expand control programs to more infested waterbodies? No active management is currently happening on one-third of the infested waterbodies.

38 More Stringent Laws? Mandatory CLEAN Mandatory DRAIN

39 2016 NH Legislative Session House Bill 1589 Clean & Drain bill is on its way to the Governor s desk! Requirements: More Stringent Laws Boaters to remove ALL hitchhiking aquatic plant fragments invasive AND native from the outside of boat, trailer, and gear Boaters to remove ALL drain plugs before leaving the launch area Boaters will be encouraged to pull plugs in the launch vicinity where the water will not flow back into the lake. Enforcement Officers of the peace can issue tickets for non-compliance ($50, $100, $250) To be ticketed, boater would need to have been negligent Lake Hosts will not enforce this or report individual cases of noncompliance Will become law in January 2017.

40 More Stringent Laws? Boat Haulers Required to be AIS trained

41 More Stringent Laws? Decontamination Certification Program?

42 More Stringent Laws? Mandatory Watercraft Inspection Stations?

43 More Stringent Laws? Municipal Boat Wash Ordinances? (Silver Lake Association of Madison, NH)

44 More Stringent Laws? Mandatory decontamination for high risk vessels?

45 More Stringent Laws? Mandatory decontamination and boat seal stations?

46 Additional Funding Mechanisms for Education, Prevention & Control Programs? Mandatory Voluntary Sticker/Decal Programs to generate dedicated revenue? Other funding ideas?

47 Questions? Comments? Ideas?