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- Stop Aquatic Invasive Species
Stop Aquatic Invasive Species
It is illegal to transport ANY aquatic plant, native or non-native, on the outside of a vehicle, boat, trailer or equipment. Violations may result in fines up to $500, and $2,500 for subsequent violations (MRSA Title 38, Section 419-C).
Aquatic invasive species are plants, animals, and microbes that have been introduced into new ecosystems and have environmental, recreational, economic or health impacts. These invasives compete with native species and can damage ecosytem health leading in fish die offs, decreased property values, and degraded water quality. Anglers and boaters may unknowingly introduce invasive species into new waters, including Pushaw Lake at the Goulds Landing boat launch. If people are the cause, they can also be the cure. Take these simple steps to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Arrive Clean. Leave Clean.
Many boaters and anglers take their boats onto many different lakes throughout the season. Please be sure to inspect, clean, and dry your boat and equipment (waders, decoys, traps, etc.) thoroughly before leaving and entering any body of water.
Before entering or leaving a waterbody, you must:
✓ INSPECT boats, trailers, equipment and anchors
✓ REMOVE plants, animals and mud
✓ DRAIN livewells, bilges, and coolers with your catch (Do not dump unused bait into water!)
✓ NEVER MOVE live fish or water
✓ DRY everything for at least 5 days before entering new water
DOWNLOAD THE 2023 COURTESY BOAT INSPECTOR HANDBOOK HERE
VOLUNTEER AS A COURTESY BOAT INSPECTOR FOR PUSHAW LAKE AT GOULDS LANDING
The Town of Orono and Greater Pushaw Lake Association have teamed up to reinstate the Courtesy Boat Inspector (CBI) program at Gould’s Landing this summer to educate lake users on aquatic invasive species (AIS). Pushaw Lake is an important economic, environmental, and recreational resource to the greater Bangor region. Due to its accessibility, heavy recreational use, large surface area, and shallow depth, Pushaw Lake is ranked high (51) by Maine Department of Environmental Protection on vulnerability to invasive infestation. Therefore, the threat of invasive aquatic plants (e.g. Variable Leaf Milfoil) is taken very seriously as an infestation would have a devastating impact to the region including impairing native aquatic life, impeding swimming and fishing, and decreasing property value. The CBI Program helps to implement volunteers at boat launches to educate boaters on how AIS spread, how to inspect boats for AIS, and tips on best practices to keep our lake free of invasive plants and animals. If you would like to volunteer as a CBI for Gould’s Landing this summer, please contact the Town’s Environmental Services Coordinator at the bottom of this page to learn more or set up a training session.
This program is partially funded by the Courtesy Boat Inspection Program cost share grant from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
NEW SIGN AT GOULDS LANDING
Know How To Identify Common Invasives
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has great resources to learn how to identify invasive aquatic species in Maine and where impacted lakes are located.