At the leading edge statewide of mobilization against invasive plants, the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance has launched a proactive Courtesy Boat Inspection Program at seven of the public boat launch sites in the Belgrade Lakes. The program was initiated in 2002 and has been fully operative for the past two seasons. The results for 2004 as of July 7 include:
By public boat launch, the totals are available through the BRCA office in Belgrade Lakes by calling 495-6039 or writing to brca@gwi.net.
The following report concerning the BRCA Courtesy Boat Inspection Program for 2003 was prepared by Maureen Maslak, CBI Coordinator.
The enormous success we had in stemming the spread of invasive plants and in educating the boaters using our lakes and streams was due to the unstinting efforts of the Courtesy Boat Inspectors, both paid and volunteer on the six BRCA-member lakes in the Belgrades (East Pond, Great Pond, Long Pond, Messalonskee Lake, North Pond, and Salmon/McGrath Pond).
Each CBI, individually, spent many hours at the boat ramps meeting, greeting, and teaching boaters about the spread of variable leaf milfoil and hydrilla. They were responsible for preventing the spread of these invasives — and all of our CBI's, collectively, made it possible for us to report that we have had no new infestations in the Belgrades! Equally as important, we can report that almost every boater entering our lakes last summer encountered a CBI and was taught what role each and every boater plays in keeping our lakes clear of invasive plants.
Only one incident of finding invasive plants on a boat in the Belgrades was reported, and that happened during our first official weekend, on Memorial Day. The invasive plant was removed and disposed of and the owner then chose not to launch the boat into the lake until after he took it to be washed.
Each of our CBI's reported that, as the season went on, cleaner boats and more informed boaters were encountered at the ramps. In many cases, boaters thanked the inspectors for being on the ramps and doing such a good job of educating the public about the invasive plant problem.
More good news is that no invasive plants were found during the Invasive Plant Patrol dives and surveys on our six (McGrath Pond/Salmon Lake is grouped together) lakes.
We can all be proud of what we accomplished during the summer of 2003, but we must keep in mind that this is an ongoing battle that must continue as far into the future as we can see.
If you wish to be trained as a CBI, please call 495-3600 and reserve a spot. Dates and times of training sessions will be posted on the BLA web site.
