Hi All, Some people are concerned about the weed growth in the lake this year. Maxine Pare and I have both checked with the VLMP. These grassy type weeds are native plants (pics were sent to confirm). Roberta Hill sent some information about native weeds and any potential controls that some would like to do. Please read as there are laws restricting what can be done and permits required.
Copied from a Roberta Hill, VLMP Invasive Species Program Director, email:
“I just want to clarify a couple of important points.
- “Good water quality” does not necessarily equate with “more plants.” However, some species (such as the slender pondweed species I mention below)do seem especially well adapted to growing at depth in clear waters where the sunlight penetration is optimum.
- ALL NATIVE AQUATIC PLANTS (such as those present in the photo we received) ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO LAKE ECOSYSTEM HEALTH AND THEREFORE STRICTLY PROTECTED BY MAINE LAW. It is illegal to manage an extensive native plant colony in the ways that have been suggested below. Very limited control of native plants is allowed under Maine’s Natural Resource Protection laws; but ONLY if a “Permit-by-Rule” permit is obtained from the Maine DEP, and PBR Standards are strictly followed. The Standards limit control activity to the clearing by hand of a 10-foot-wide swath oriented perpendicular to the shoreline of the applicant; essentially a corridor of plant-free access to deeper water for swimmer and boaters. In most communities, shorefront owners may obtain the PBR Standards for an the PBR Permit Application for this kind of activity from the local Code Enforcement Officer.
It may also help to note that extensive native plant communities (such as the one you have described below) often play an important defensive role for fresh water ecosystems; helping to fend off invasive plant introductions by taking up space that would otherwise be wide open to invasion.
To sum up, though native aquatic plants may seem like a nuisance from time to time, they play a tremendously important role in maintaining lake health, habitat value, and species diversity. They also help to fend off invasive species and to maintain excellent water quality. ”