Dear NEANS Panelists and ANS friends,
Please post to this page your Roundtable updates so that those not at the meeting will be able to read them and to keep the meeting summaries concise.
Thank you.
Michele L. Tremblay
Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel Forum
published by and for the Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel
Dear NEANS Panelists and ANS friends,
Please post to this page your Roundtable updates so that those not at the meeting will be able to read them and to keep the meeting summaries concise.
Thank you.
Michele L. Tremblay
National Park Service updates
Ballast Water:
• Our national AIS team published a National Resources Report (white paper) on ballast water treatment and transport of aquatic invasive species.
Kessenich, B. L., I. C. Irvine, and C. A. Lipsky. 2022. An overview of ballast water transport and treatment of aquatic invasive species. Natural Resource Report NPS/NRSS/WRD/NRR—2022/2482. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2294665
• We developed an interactive interpretive tool that demonstrates how ships’ ballast water transports AIS from port to port.
eDNA:
• CALeDNA created an NPS portal on their website that allows data access and provides other tools that simplify data analysis. They are developing assays for the NPS for:
o New Zealand mud snail
o Quagga mussel
o African clawed frog
o European green crab
o Alexandrium (dinoflagellate; causes harmful algal blooms)
o Elodea (common waterweed)
o Halophila stipulaceae (seagrass)
Other:
• Continuing work on a Director’s Order and Reference Manual on Invasive Species. These documents will update NPS IS policy, which was last updated in 2006, and will provide guidance on how to implement the policy in on-the-ground operations.
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area:
• Actively participating in MIMIC, and working with UMass Amherst to collect information on AIS near islands that don’t have rocky intertidal zones (previous studies have been focused on the rocky intertidal).
Cape Cod National Seashore:
• Major AIS issue is green crabs
Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation
Aquatic Invasive Species Program – Field Season Summary and Updates November, 2022
Early Detection – Another New Record for Seven New Introductions
The AIS Program received 15 reports of Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) events and of those, confirmed seven new introductions of AIS in waterbodies. These are Eurasian Watermilfoil found in Lake Eden, Half Moon Pond, and Silver Lake. Water Chestnut found in Champlain near Isle LaMotte, Arrowhead Mountain Lake and Gordon Bay at MNWR. A new species yet to be determined of its status, American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) found near Retreat Meadows area in Brattleboro. The number of EDRR reports has increased dramatically during Covid, from a few reports and one or two new introduction each year prior to Covid.
Greeter Programs Communications Success with new Data Dashboard
The AIS Team held five online and two in person trainings with 147 people attending in total. Public Access Greeter Programs utilized Survey123 to report the findings of 31,052 boats that either launched or returned from bodies of water, of which 502 AIS were intercepted. This was the first year that the program used the public accessible Greeter Dashboard, where the programs Survey123 results were available for users, and the data could be compiled and analyzed by the AIS Team in real-time.
Water Chestnut Effects of Climate Change and Population Increases
The AIS Team with contractors and partner organizations, effectively removed approximately 1,200 tons of Water chestnut from 96 sites on Lake Champlain and 30 other waterbodies in Vermont. Dramatic shifts in temperatures and water levels continue to affect the annual operations and the amount of material that can be accessed and harvested each year, though the overall progress remains successful. Data analysis has demonstrated a new phenomenon and dramatic increase in harvested spoils at locations where operations are close to inaccessible sites which cause an extreme effect of “seeding” sites due to large floating mats likely occurring from erosive events, that allow explosive growth in areas that have been historically monitored, or low in harvested materials. The discovery of five new sites in the last three years underlines the need for extensive monitoring, effective communication with the public, and aggressive control by hand pulling operations.
Faucet Snail at Georgia Industrial Development Corp Water Treatment Plant
This month an infestation of Faucet snail (B. tentaculate) was reported by the Georgia Industrial Development Corp Water Treatment Plant who requested State assistance to confirm the “invasive” species, and to provide technical information on how to manage and control the species found clogging intake pipes, proliferating settling ponds, and that may have caused engine failures. Research completed by the AIS Team found that there is unlikely any chemical or water chemistry manipulation applications that can be used for pre-treatment or within the treatment plant infrastructure, and that manual removal is the best, though the costliest method. Because the plant is relatively old, it is expected that any new treatment or potential technique, may need to be considered with a new plant upgrade. The AIS Program will continue to work with the Plant to confirm the species and alert them of any new technologies for management control.
Starry Stonewort Decreases in Population at Lake Derby
Annual surveys of a relatively new AIS population in Vermont, Starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) found in Memphremagog (2015) and nearby Lake Derby (2016), by the AIS Team has demonstrated a dramatic downward trend in the population since 2020. Research completed by the AIS Team has found no substantial evidence due to water chemistry, environmental factors, or species thresholds that would warrant such a decrease in the population at this time albeit much of the water chemistry data is lacking for these lakes. Ultimately, more detailed long-term monitoring and surveying of Memphremagog and Lake Derby must be done to come to more definitive conclusions.
Zebra Mussels in Memphremagog, in Vermont Likely?
The AIS Program partnered again with regional states and UNH to continue studying how eDNA may be used for early detection rapid response measures for AIS animals sampling/studying Bomoseen and Memphremagog in Vermont. The Vermont component of the study was/is analyzing the distance in which a Zebra mussel eDNA signal would be picked up from a known population. In Memphremagog in 2021, a population was found on the border, and the AIS Team completed eDNA surveys and worked with a contractor to complete physical surveys along the border. While the eDNA analysis and draft report showed eDNA hits at all the Quebec and Vermont locations, and veligers were also found in plankton-net tow samples, the results from the physical surveys have not yet been submitted but it is speculated that ZM may now be found in the Vermont side of Memphremagog.
CT River Hydrilla Surveys
The AIS Program surveyed the CT River between VT and NH in September and October and launched at 12 accesses from VT and NH. The team surveyed 309 points using the rake toss method, north and south of the accesses on both sides of the river and were successful in not finding any Hydrilla. The surveyors mapped all the Elodea sp. beds to potentially use in future surveys.
Vermont Invasive Patroller for Animals Program Introduction
The Vermont Invasive Patroller for Animals (VIPA) Program was launched by the AIS Program ECO AmeriCorps member, Carly Alpert, who developed a VIPA Manual, Field Workshop, VIPA Kits that include animal samplers, and online submission form. The program was well-received by interested citizens, especially those who are Vermont Invasive Patrollers for plants.
Department of Environmental Sciences and Forestry
Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
Efforts are ramping up to address the novel hydrilla biotype infesting the lower portions of the Connecticut River. Funding has been procured by the United Sates Army Corps of Engineers to conduct demonstration herbicide projects as early as next year. The protection of the state listed species within treatment sites will require considerable attention. The first treatment of the CT River hydrilla was performed by a private contractor in Wethersfield Cove this past summer. Diquat was the herbicide used and the results provided relief from the weed throughout the season, but regrowth was observed over time. Areas exposed at low tide after treatment appeared less affected as did hydrilla patches further from the treatment site where the cove’s outlet reached the river. Water chestnut is also a problem in the Connecticut River and is being addressed by robust harvesting. Unfortunately, hydrilla often replaces the water chestnut. Tests on the utilization of ProcellaCOR to control variable watermilfoil in Bashan Lake have shown excellent multiyear control after one application. Grass carp have been introduced into several larger Connecticut lakes to control nuisance vegetation. These lakes have exhibited depletion of nearly all submersed aquatic vegetation after five to seven years. In the case of Candlewood Lake, Connecticut’s largest lake, the vegetation loss was extremely rapid and occurred over the 2021/2022 winter. CT DEEP announced the recipients of the second round of grant funding through the Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program in June; $370,000 was allocated to 15 projects aimed at reducing the impacts of aquatic invasive species on inland waters. The maximum allocation was $50,000 and the minimum was $3,000. The third round of CT DEEP AIS grants should be announced this Fall. New legislation was passed which tightens notifications requirements for herbicide applications to the waters of the state. The biggest change is the requirement that all abutting landowners be personally notified twice prior to an application. The Connecticut legislature created an Office of Aquatic Invasive Species housed at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES). The office will coordinate research efforts throughout the state, serve as a repository for state-wide data on the health of rivers, lakes, and ponds in relation to aquatic invasive species, perform regular surveys on the health and ecological viability of waterways, educate the public about aquatic invasive plants and efforts reduce their impacts, advise municipalities on management of aquatic invasive species, serve as a liaison among organizations and state agencies pertaining to the eradication and control of aquatic invasive species, and coordinate with the Connecticut Invasive Plants Council.
Maine Invasive Aquatic Species Program Update, November 2022
Staff Change
DEP bid farewell to long-time colleague Karen Hahnel who retired in July after almost forty years of service to the State of Maine. Karen had been with Maine’s Invasive Aquatic Species Program since 2002. We are pleased to welcome new staff member Chris Reily. Chris has spent the past five years working for Maine DEP in other capacities. Before coming to Maine, he worked with US Fish and Wildlife Service in Maryland. Chris is taking over the Courtesy Boat Inspection Program and we are pleased to have him on board.
New Infestations
A concerning trend in Maine is the confirmation of several new infestations in 2022:
• A well-established infestation of variable leaf water-milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum) was discovered in Shapleigh Pond in southwest Maine.
• A DEP contractor discovered brittle naiad (Najas minor) during a plant survey of Sokokis Pond, also in southwest Maine. This appears to be an incipient infestation: only one plant was found and removed in fall 2022. Maine DEP staff will continue to work with local surveyors to understand the extent of the infestation and determine a plan of action. Sokokis Pond is two miles from Lake Arrowhead where brittle naiad was confirmed several years ago.
• Eurasian water-milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) was discovered by colleagues in Maine’s Natural Areas Program in the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The plant was found growing in three small ponds near – but not connected by surface water to – the Sebasticook River in central Maine. A late season herbicide treatment using ProcellaCOR was applied by SOLitude Lake Management. Maine DEP staff will continue surveys of area ponds and monitor efficacy of treatment in 2023.
To our north, zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) was very recently confirmed in Lac Témiscouata, Quebec. This lake flows into New Brunswick’s Madawaska River and then the Wolastoq (St. John) River. Lac Témiscouata is 20 miles from Madawaska, Maine. The water quality of Maine’s northern lakes is more likely to support zebra mussel populations than other parts of the state. This new infestation is a serious threat to Maine lakes that share use with our northern neighbors. Maine DEP will begin to strategize a plan to prevent the spread of this species to Maine waters.
Clean Drain Dry Campaign
The stakeholder group formed in 2021 by Maine’s DEP and Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIFW) recommended ways to improve invasive aquatic species spread prevention in Maine. A boater/angler survey was conducted to better target outreach efforts; more than 12,400 people responded to the survey. New ramp signage was created, and sign installation began late summer 2022. The stakeholder group will reconvene this fall and continue to work on a unified outreach message for the 2023 boating season. In addition, Maine DIFW is working to fill a new position for a full-time Invasive Aquatic Species Coordinator with a focus on invasive aquatic animals.
Courtesy Boat Inspection (CBI) Program
Preliminary data for the 2022 boating season show 121 saves in 2022. A save is when inspectors find and remove invasive aquatic plants from boats or before or after launching. Maine DEP awarded $289,000 in grants in 2022 to local and regional lake associations to organize and conduct inspections of boats entering and leaving lakes and rivers.
Infestation highlights
DEP’s effort to eradicate Eurasian water-milfoil from south-central Maine’s Cobbosseecontee Lake continued in 2022. DEP hired SOLitude Lake Management to apply herbicide (ProcellaCOR) in two new treatment areas. A combination of herbicide and diver removal will continue in 2023 and DEP will continue to work with local and regional associations to respond to this infestation, including determining if eradication remains feasible.
An incipient infestation of curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) confirmed in central Maine in 2021 is being successfully managed by diver removal. The population appears to be reduced and we are hopeful that this trend will continue in 2023.
Most of the continued manual removal of an incipient infestation of variable leaf water-milfoil in Androscoggin Lake (central Maine) was done in 2022 by the 30-Mile River Watershed Association. This invasive plant still appears confined to one cove of this lake where a surface use restricted was ordered by Commissioners of Maine DEP and DIFW to keep boaters out of the area while removal occurs.
The first and only known Maine infestation of parrot feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum), in a private pond in Liberty, was treated in July with ProcellaCOR by SOLitude Lake Management. The treatment appears to have been effective in reducing the population. We will continue to monitor this infestation in 2023 and retreat if necessary.
Late in 2021, genetic analysis by Luc Bernacki at St Joseph’s College in Standish confirmed variable leaf water-milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum) in Alamoosook Lake, located in mid-coast Maine. This plant morphologically appeared to be the native alternate-flowered water-milfoil (Myriophyllum alterniflorum). DEP is working with Dr. Bernacki and Ryan Thum (Montana State University) to get further clarification of exact species and investigate potential hybridity. Out of an abundance of caution, DEP staff removed all milfoil from the area where the apparent invasive plant had been seen previously. Stay tuned.
Local and regional lake associations continued tireless work to survey for and manage established infestations in Maine, supported in part by $543,523 in grants from DEP.
For more information, please check DEP’s website http://www.maine.gov/dep/water/invasives/
or email milfoil@maine.gov.
NAS Sighting reports:
– Hundreds of Round Goby were observed direct at the old barge canal aqueduct in Schoharie Creek, Schoharie Crossing boat launch, at confluence with Mohawk River. Goby were in the riffles created by the rubble of the old aqueduct. The Mohawk was drawn down for the winter. 40 voucher specimens were collected and are housed at SUNY Cobleskill.
– Three Round Goby collected on the Hudson River at Danskammer Point (Orange County) during impingement sampling at Roseton Generating Station.
– Two Rainbow Darters were captured via backpack electrofishing in the Hudson River, west side immediately downstream of Lock C1 dam.
– Zebra mussels were collected at Mariaville Lake, NY (Mohawk River drainage) attached to the underside of a rock on the shoreline, in approx. 30in of water.
– Two large American Bullfrog tadpoles were caught in a trap net set by an environmental consulting crew, and released back into the water in a small cove on the east side of Chesuncook Lake, near Gero Island, ME at the West Branch of Penobscot River.
New Brunswick Invasive Species Council reported an established population of zebra mussel found in Lac Témiscouata, Québec, in the St. John (Wolastoq) River drainage of New Brunswick, Canada and Maine, USA.
A number of alert-worthy plants from iNaturalist were identified by Ian
– Amazonian (West Indian) frogbit in Van Cortlandt Lake, NY (likely an aquarium dump along with Salvinia minima)
– Parrot feather milfoil near the Kennebec River, Augusta, ME (photo was taken at the DEP government building)
– Parrot feather milfoil at Camp White Conservation Area, north of Ludlow, MA
– European frogbit at Lake Témiscouata, Québec
– Flowering rush at Eel Weir State Park, NY in the Oswegatchie River drainage
– American lotus at Meshanticut State Park in Cranston, RI
– Swollen bladderwort at Bigelow Pond, CT in the Shetucket River drainage
and a Cuban Treefrog was identified in Burlington, VT, although likelihood of establishment is low.
USGS held a Future (Freshwater) Aquatic Invaders of the Northeast workshop in mid-October. The aim was to introduce the Northeast CASC-funded project to stakeholders and get some discussion started on a list of species to assess that may became invasive to the northeast U.S. due to changing climate. We will hold the next quarterly workshop meeting virtually on January 26th, 2023 at 10-11 am ET to share the proposed 100 species to assess and also to discuss future environmental predictors of these freshwater species.
The revised Flood and Storm Tracker (FaST) map of the northern impacted area from Hurricane Ida (Sept. 2021) was published. These risk maps show potential movement of aquatic species due to flooding based on species occurrences and water levels at streamgages, storm tide sensors, and high-water marks.
MassDEP Update
• Review and issue Chemical Application Licenses/Water Quality Certifications to projects of invasive species management. While issuing 401 Water Quality Certification to individuals/towns, providing conditions with best management practices on waterbodies with invasive species to prevent their further spread to other waterbodies
• Assessing MA waterbodies with invasive species infestation and add them to the CWA 303d List and 303b report
• Continuous technical supports to communities on invasive species prevention, detection, and management
• Provide several invasive species prevention and control associated presentations to communities: such as monitoring and treatment on invasive Asian clams in Onota Lake, Pittsfield, MA.
MA DCR Update
– Staff have still primarily been working from home, with the primary Boston office closing in spring 2023 for consolidation.
– DCR’s budget has been largely unchanged, though the agency has continued to receive important funding for aquatic invasive species work.
– Staff, while coordinating with other state agencies, have been working with Ken Wagner, Ph.D., of Water Resource Services to update the Practical Guide to Lake Management in Massachusetts, which is the companion document to the Final Generic Environmental Impact Report on Eutrophication and Aquatic Plant Management in Massachusetts. The current version of the Practical Guide was completed in 2004.
– DCR proceeded with 20 aquatic plant management projects using both chemical and mechanical approaches as appropriate; many projects are for the control of Eurasian watermilfoil and/or fanwort. Water chestnut management was ongoing in the Charles, Mystic and Nashua Rivers.
– DCR has also been continuing to collaborate and partner with other groups through its matching fund program, including developing a plan to address water chestnut on the Connecticut River.
– Cyanobacteria blooms have continued to be an issue in many MA lakes.
– Through the early summer of 2022, staff obtained permits for management of the Lakes District portion of the Charles River (approximately 250 acres). With all eight permits in hand for both upstream (Lakes District) and downstream (Lower Basin) portions of the Charles River, management was able to commence and approximately 150 acres of Eurasian and variable watermilfoil were treated with ProcellaCOR (florpyrauxifen-benzyl) in mid-August. Preliminary survey results are extremely positive. The Charles River has been plagued with aquatic invasive plant growth for decades which has only been historically managed in small, localized areas, primarily for water chestnut growth. A presentation on this project will be given at the annual Northeast APMS meeting in January.
– Since 2020, DCR has been working on a two-part eDNA project focusing on zebra mussels and hydrilla. Staff continued to search for zebra mussels in the Berkshires and Western MA, which are the most high-risk areas due to the water chemistry of the waterbodies and proximity to infestations in nearby states. However, to date there have been no new detections beyond the initial detection in Laurel Lake in Lee and Lenox in 2009. In 2021, the project included development of a new assay for hydrilla analysis; additionally, staff are evaluating the addition of an assay for Asian clams to the project next season.
– In collaboration with other state agencies and entities throughout New England, staff have continued to survey and evaluate the hydrilla infestation within the Connecticut River, to develop an appropriate and coordinated management strategy.
– Since 2021, staff have implemented use of iPads by Boat Ramp Monitors (BRMs) at seven monitored priority lakes in the state parks system. Each summer, the BRMs inspect vessels that are entering or exiting a waterbody to ensure no AIS are being transported. Utilizing the iPads and Survey123, species presence/absence, last waterbody entered and when, photographs and other qualitative data were recorded in real-time, which allowed for monitoring and rapid response if an organism was identified. All data are displayed live on a dashboard for staff to analyze and export as needed.
For more information or questions, please contact Jim Straub jim.straub@mass.gov or Kara Sliwoski kara.sliwoski@mass.gov
Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM)
CZM continued the Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative (MIMIC) volunteer monitoring program in the 2022 field season. Sites were monitored across the coast of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. The monitors sites are primarily docks, piers, and rocky shores, as well as 2-3 subaquatic sites monitored by SCUBA divers with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) on the North Shore of Massachusetts. Data from the 2022 season is still coming in to CZM, but data from previous years may be viewed on the ESRI Story Map on the CZM MIMIC website.
Lake Champlain Basin Program
LCBP has many FY22 grant opportunities including aquatic invasive species spread prevention grants (closed early November with expected awards to be ~$200k) – https://www.lcbp.org/about-us/grants-rfps/request-for-proposals-rfps/
LCBP has partnered with Lake Champlain Sea Grant to support a two year master’s student at University of Vermont to data gather and populate the Lake Champlain Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System that will mirror GLANSIS. Project advisors include USGS and NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.
LCBP continues to support the Lake Champlain Boat Launch Steward Program on Lake Champlain at high risk Vermont, northern New York, and Quebec. The summary data collected from 2022 =
13,210 surveys conducted for 14,014 watercraft
29,636 boater interactions
224 decontaminations (up from 196 in 2021)
1,147 interceptions of aquatic organisms (252 on launch, 895 on retrieve) or 8.3%
409 (66 launch, 343 retrieve) aquatic invasive species interceptions 3.1%
83% of boaters report taking one or more spread prevention behavior
LCBP, VTDEC, and VTDFW are working together to figure out how to implement a 4th decontamination station on Lake Champlain
LCBP supported the Lake Champlain water chestnut management program on Lake Champlain through a grant to VT state and through support of Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge harvest efforts, boat launch steward harvest days, and support of NYSDEC efforts.
Lake Champlain AIS Rapid Response Task Force has been meeting regularly in response to the threat of round goby to Lake Champlain. Rapid response funds have been used to support early detection monitoring in the Champlain Canal. QC Ministry of Environment has also been conducting early detection monitoring in the Richelieu River to the north. Round goby education and outreach materials are being developed and round goby may be reported in VT and NY through iMap Invasives. LCBP and USFWS partnered to support a new position (AIS Outreach Specialist) who sits at the NYSDEC Warrensburg office and conducts outreach to stakeholders along the Champlain Canal corridor about the threats of aquatic invasive species movement through the Champlain Canal.
LCBP has received $40M over 5 years ($8M/year) to support Infrastructure Bill projects. Some of these resources will support aquatic invasive species work. Details are under development.
LCBP hosted USACE NY District Office and ERDC staff over the summer to review various watershed projects including the Champlain Canal barrier study project and the water chestnut management program. LCBP continues to participate in meetings to support the CT River hydrilla response.
Rhode Island
On the marine side, CRMC funded an ongoing research project on the economic impacts of AIS on Rhode Island’s artisanal aquaculture industry. A final report is expected during the Spring of 2023.
CRMC funded a research project on the legal frameworks and operational aspects of state ballast water management plans and inspection programs (BWMP) for the states of Washington, Oregon, and California. A final report has been submitted to CRMC by the project’s Principal Researcher, Dr. Richard Burroughs, with the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Marine Affairs. The CRMC will next fund the second phase of this work, that is, to promulgate a BWMP for Rhode Island based on the results of the first phase. The second phase will include a strong emphasis on regionalism, with the RI BWMP serving as a model for states in the NEANS Panel Region to develop their own plans. To that end Michele Tremblay and Kevin Cute produced a point of contact list of NEANS Panel colleagues to act as liaisons between their states and the Panel, which will serve in its coordinating functions for this task.
CRMC continues to conduct an eelgrass monitoring program to determine the presence, distribution, and abundance of AIS in this ecologically critical habitat in Rhode Island’s coastal waters. For eelgrass beds in Narragansett Bay, video surveys are conducted to efficiently record visual data over relatively large areas. In the coastal salt ponds along the state’s south coast, SCUBA divers collect eelgrass specimens that are examined in the lab for the presence of AIS, which are identified to species. Other data includes AIS percent cover on eelgrass blades, blade length and width, and in situ physical data. The video method is used in Narragansett Bay as this ongoing investigation has shown AIS to be generally sparse if not absent in the Bay, and occasional surveys have continued to show the same. For the coastal salt ponds, AIS have been much more abundant, and eelgrass specimens collected by divers has provided several years of data that shows a significant presence of AIS, with new species being regularly recorded. The spread and increased abundance of certain species over several years of study may indicate that some are relatively established.
New York State Updates
Prevention/Education and Outreach:
-This season the watercraft inspection steward program performed more than 230,000 inspections with 8,113 detections of AIS. Hydrilla was intercepted several times. Eurasian watermilfoil, curly leaf pondweed, and zebra mussels were the most frequently found species. We participated in both the Great Lakes and Northeast AIS Landing Blitz from July 1st to July 10th.
Monitoring and Detections:
-Aquatic plant surveys of the Peconic River have been completed for this season. Twenty-three native plants were found along with the following aquatic invasive species: Brazilian elodea, Curly-leaf pondweed, European frogbit, Fanwort,
Floating water primrose, and Parrot feather
-The 2022 aquatic plant survey of select sites along the southern extent of the Hudson River were completed. No hydrilla was found.
– Hydrilla was found in four new locations: Lake Sebago in Harriman State Park (Rockland County), East Pier Marina and Shores Waterfront Marina and Restaurant in Tonawanda (Erie County), and Sheldrake Point (western side of Cayuga Lake in Seneca County)
– Floating water primrose (Ludwigia peploides) has been confirmed in Wolfes Pond on Staten Island (Richmond County)
– Water spangles (Salvinia minima) have been confirmed in Van Cortlandt Lake in the Bronx (Bronx County) and Silver Mine Lake in Harriman State Park (Rockland County)
– DEC has funded USGS to conduct additional efishing to supplement eDNA sampling and surveys for detection and tracking of round goby in the vicinity of the Champlain Canal
Control and Management:
-Additional hydrilla was found north of the treatment area in the portion of Cayuga Lake near Aurora.
– October 2022 marks the completion of the Croton River Hydrilla Control Project. The last Sonar treatment ended on September 6th and aquatic plant surveys in early October found no hydrilla in the river. Monitoring will continue for an additional three years.
-Hydrilla control projects continued at Spencer Pond and Kuhlman Pond in Tioga County, Green and Hickory Lakes and Erie Canal/Tonawanda Creek in Erie/Niagara Counties, and at multiple locations in Cayuga Lake in Cayuga and Tompkins Counties. Work on Lake Sebago in Rockland County will begin next year.
-A total of 61 acres of surface area in the Peconic River were treated to control floating water primrose (Ludwigia peploides) and European frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae) using a combination florpyrauxifen-benzyl and imazamox on July 27, 2022.
Research:
-Application of NYSDEC developed water chestnut biomass estimates to statewide management efforts
o Enables comparison between years within a site and across sites.
-Comparison of plant communities at waterbodies with and without history of copper-based herbicide use
-Comparison of plant communities at waterbodies with and without public access
-Viability of hydrilla fragments, tubers, and turions with differing exposure to freezing temperatures