Invasive Plants and Courtesy Boat Inspections
Invasive Threats to Togus Pond and Stream
Like many of Maine's lakes and waterways, Togus Pond and Stream face numerous threats to the health and beauty of our water.
From invasive species, such as variable-leaf and Eurasian Milfoil, to aggressive northern pike fish, WLA is working diligently to prevent these invasives from degrading our water quality, lowering our home values and damaging our delicate ecological environment.
The costs for controlling these invasives, should they enter our pond, could be in the tens of thousands dollars a season. We educate our members and encourage every property owner and visitor to help protect Togus Pond.
Courtesy Boat Inspections
The first line of defense against invasive aquatic plants such as variable leaf and Eurasian water milfoil, hydrilla, water chestnut, and Brazilian elodea is Maine’s courtesy boat inspectors. Many new infestations occur in shallow waters near public boat launch facilities, so it’s obvious invasive plants move from lake to lake on the boats and equipment of unsuspecting boaters.
If people are the cause, they can also be the cure. Since courtesy boat inspections started, the number of boats inspected has risen from just 2,848 in 2001 to 89,425 in 2021.
What do courtesy boat inspectors, often call CBIs, do? As boaters launch and remove their boats from the water, CBIs:
Discuss with boaters how invasive aquatic plants spread
Show boaters how to inspect boats and equipment for plant fragments
Urge boaters to inspect before and after every launch
Distribute information about invasive plants
Articulate Maine law regarding the transport of these plants
We need your help! We are scheduling volunteers for 2 and 4 hours shifts on weekends and holidays. Even if you can only cover a few shifts over the summer it will help! If you are interested in becoming a Courtesy Boat Inspector contact the WLA at togusponds@gmail.com
