November 15, 2009

To: Lakes Association of Norway (LAON)

Re: 2009 Invasive Aquatic Plant Screening of the Norway Lakes and Ponds

An invasive aquatic plant screening survey was conducted in September, 2009 Pennesseewassee Lake, and North, Sand and Hobbs (Little Penn) Ponds. A level 3 survey was conducted of the entire shoreline and littoral areas of each body of water.

The survey was conducted by LWRMA professional staff, each of whom have extensive experience in the field of invasive aquatic species assessment.

All sites were screened for the presence of the eleven invasive aquatic plants listed by Maine law as imminent threats to Maine waters: Brazilian elodea, curly-leaf pondweed, Eurasian water-milfoil, European Frogbit, European naiad, fanwort, parrot feather, yellow floating heart, variable water-milfoil, water chestnut, and hydrilla.

The survey was conducted under suitable conditions (good light, relatively calm water) using standardized methods and equipment.

None of the eleven invasive aquatic plants on Maines list of prohibited species were detected in the areas surveyed.

As has been reported in past years, the Chinese Mystery Snail was documented in North Pond and Pennesseewassee Lake. This non-native species is known to exist in a number of area lakes and ponds. The impact of this species on native flora and fauna is unknown.

Many native plants that are similar in appearance to the 11 target species were observed and documented during the survey. As has been done in past surveys, we documented virtually all of the native plants found in each area surveyed, indicating in our records the relative abundance of each. This information, along with the survey results, will be entered in the database of aquatic plants of the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program and Maine Department of Environmental Protection, and is available upon request.

Each of the areas surveyed had substantial habitat to support both native and invasive aquatic species. Given the recent discovery of Hydrilla in Damariscotta Lake, and Eurasian milfoil in Salmon Lake in the Belgrade area, we strongly recommend that screening surveys of the Norway lakes and ponds continue to be conducted on an annual basis. We also recommend that boats entering and leaving the lake be inspected whenever possible, and that information be made available to the public regarding the spread of invasive aquatic species at any point of public boat access.

Please let us know if you have any questions regarding the survey. We appreciate the opportunity to continue to work with LAON to protect the Norway lakes and ponds.

Sincerely,

Scott Williams

Senior Aquatic Biologist