Concord, NH - Governor Maggie Hassan recently signed a proclamation designating June 2016 as Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Month.

New Hampshire is known across the nation as a premier destination for fishing, boating, swimming, and observing wildlife. Residents of, visitors to, and businesses in New Hampshire value and depend on our beautiful and healthy lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. Aquatic invasive species pose threats to income from tourism, values of shorefront properties, and sheer enjoyment of the state's natural resources.

"NH's lakes, ponds and rivers are cherished by residents and visitors--whether boating, fishing, swimming or paddling," comments Representative Suzanne Smith, chair of the legislatively enacted Exotic Aquatic Weeds and Species Committee. "The declaration of June as Aquatic Invasives Species awareness month will not only educate the general public, but will inspire to those who volunteer at their local lakes to keep up the fight against aquatic invasives."

Aquatic invasive species of plants, animals, and algae have the potential to choke out native species that provide essential food and habitat for fish, birds, and other animals, and can cause millions of dollars in damages to underwater infrastructure, and in management costs. Invasive aquatic plants like milfoil and fanwort can be spread by as little as a single fragment of plant that is just a few inches in length. And some invasive aquatic animals like Asian clam, spiny water flea, and Chinese mystery snail can spread unseen, as microscopic larvae in drops of water.

"Invasive species aren't just for lakes anymore," said Michele L. Tremblay, President, New Hampshire Rivers Council, "River systems and the vital habitats they provide along with infrastructure including drinking water intakes and dams are threatened by increasing numbers of non-native plants and animals."

According to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), New Hampshire currently has 84 waterbodies infested with some type of invasive aquatic species. Eleven of these are river systems, and seventy-three are lakes and ponds of all sizes, including some of the state's largest lakes and rivers, such as Lake Winnipesaukee and the Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers. Overall, invasives impact roughly 8% of New Hampshire's lakes and ponds, and somewhat less than 1% of its river systems. Although these numbers might seem low, the impacts are significant and the degree of infestation continues to increase.

Extensive prevention, early detection and rapid response initiatives are in place in New Hampshire, but more can be done.

Tom O'Brien, President of the New Hampshire Lakes Association comments that "The designation of June as a month-long awareness of aquatic invasive plants and animals is a clear sign that this threat to our lakes and other water resources is indeed serious and urgent. At NH LAKES we hope that this call to action on the part of the Governor will prompt every boater to clean, drain and dry their boat, trailer, and aquatic gear after exiting any water body. New Hampshire depends on clean lakes and we can all play a part in protecting them."

Boaters and transient recreationists are urged to clean and drain all of their gear that comes in contact with surface waters, before using it in another waterbody. Clean off any mud, plants, animals and algae from boats, trailers and equipment. Drain boats and equipment away from the waterbody. Drying the gear for as long as possible between waterbodies is also encouraged, if feasible.

New Hampshire is fortunate to have dedicated agency staff, nonprofit professionals, and citizen scientists throughout the state who are dedicated to preserving these natural resources through prevention, early detection, and rapid response initiatives for aquatic invasive species. Nevertheless we still need the public's support and action to help stop the spread of these invasive threats. Some ways in which you can participate include:

Practice Clean, Drain, Dry with your own transient recreational gear

Volunteer on your local waterbody as a Lake Host to help prevent new infestations

Volunteer on your local waterbody as a Weed Watcher to help find new infestations early

Report unusual plant or animal growth in freshwater bodies to DES

If you rent out waterfront property, encourage renters to clean, drain and dry their transient watercraft

For more information on invasive aquatic species or any of the activities suggested above, visit the NHDES website at www.des.nh.gov Under the programs listing, click on the Exotic Species Program link. You may also contact the Exotic Species Program coordinator at 603-271-2248 or Amy.Smagula@des.nh.gov


Posted 6/15/16