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
Lake Champlain Basin Program/New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission:
– Watercraft inspection and decontamination program/boat launch stewardship: 21 stewards covered the VT, QC, and northern NY side of Lake Champlain (most other NY sites are covered by Adirondack Watershed Institute and NYSDEC). 4 watercraft decontamination units are supported on the VT side of the lake (AWI supports an additional 5+ units on NY side). Field season started Memorial Day weekend and reduced staffing continued through October 14th, 2024. Data is still under quality control review. Fanwort was intercepted before entering Lake Champlain on a watercraft coming from MA.
-Corbicula fluminea (golden or basket clam) has been detected in the South Bay of Lake Champlain. The Lake Champlain AIS Rapid Response Task Force has been activated and NYSDEC and VTDEC crews are out sampling at other high use access sites in the South Lake.
– Lake Champlain AIS Rapid Response Task Force – experts from NYSDEC, VTDEC, VTFWD, APA, USFWS, QC MENV, meet to respond to introduction or spread of existing AIS to new bodies of water:
* Round goby- Lake Champlain AIS Rapid Response Fund used to support USGS eDNA, trawling, and electrofishing early detection monitoring in Champlain Canal. eDNA qPCR detections confirmed above lock C2, round goby collection has occurred below Lock C1. NYSDEC conducts significant additional eDNA and electrofishing sampling in the Champlain Canal. USFWS conducts eDNA metabarcoding, including for round goby around Lake Champlain with no detections (over 70 samples). QC MENV detected a positive eDNA qPCR sample in the Richelieu River that triggered USFWS, LCBP, VTFWD, and NYSDEC to collect 100 round goby qPCR samples near the Lake Champlain Canadian border.
* Grass carp- observation of two grass carp in the St. Ours Dam fish ladder along the Richelieu River 2023 and one collection of a grass carp in Kelly Bay, Lake Champlain in 2022. RR Task Force is meeting to conduct sampling and explore possible source of fish.
Champlain Canal AIS barrier solution- NYSDEC and LCBP/NEI partnering to provide local match for a USACE Section 542 assistance program to conduct Phase 2 of the Champlain Canal AIS barrier solution. Education and outreach continue with baitfish signage, social media posts, meeting presentations with various interest groups, and collaborations with NYPA Canals. World Canals conference will be held September 2025 in Buffalo, NY
Champlain Hudson Power Express Remediation Funding is targeted to address permitting and design of an electric barrier at Lock C8 on the Champlain Canal, an assessment of AIS transport through the Chambly Canal and other fish and wildlife habitat assessments.
State of the Lake 2024 report was release in June 2024 covering healthy ecosystem and AIS issues: https://www.lcbp.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-State-of-the-Lake-Report.pdf
Lake Champlain water chestnut management updates in VT and NY state updates – mechanical harvesting continues to hold the line in the Southern end of Lake Champlain. Hand harvesting efforts have been successful in reducing certain populations, while other new populations have been discovered that require priority management.
AIS grant funding – LCBP offers AIS spread prevention grant funding and BIL funding for AIS management and spread prevention that support projects including watercraft inspection and decontamination programs, management equipment replacement and upgrades, rapid response management, etc. Clean water and healthy ecosystem research grants have been selected to support projects including watermilfoil surveys and hybridization surveys, surveys for crayfish and other AIS in tributaries to the lake, and American eel predation on sea lamprey.
National Park Service updates:
In 2024 we collaborated with Olympic National Park, CALeDNA, and H2O Molecular to perfect and run digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) assays on 23 AIS. The assays are available and free.
Asian Clam, Corbicula fluminea
Bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus
Bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus
Eastern Brook Trout, Salvelinus fontinalis
Eurasian watermilfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum
New Zealand Mudsnail, Potamopyrgus antipodarum
Northern Crayfish, Orconectes virilis
Quagga mussel, Dreissena bugensis
Red Swamp Crayfish, Procambarus clarkii
Redside Shiner, Richardsonius balteatus
Rusty Crayfish, Orconectes rusticus
Smallmouth Bass, Micropterus dolomieui
Zebra Mussel, Dreissena polymorpha
American Shad, Alosa sapidissima
Black Crappie, Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Brown Bullhead, Ameiurus nebulosus
Common Carp, Cyprinus carpio
Goldfish, Carassius auratus
Grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella
Pumpkinseed, Lepomis gibbosus
Walleye, Sander vitreus
Yellow Bullhead, Ameiurus natalis
Yellow Perch, Perca flavescens
NPS/NRSS/WRD gave a presentation to NAISMA describing the NPS Invasive Species program and highlighted several success stories. We also gave a presentation to parks on the USFWS/ANSTF Rapid Response Fund.
We’ve been active in the Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (SOST) eDNA subcommittee of the Biodiversity Working Group, working on the National Aquatic eDNA Strategy and Implementation Plan. We developed 5 Individual Species Strategies for DOI that describe the aquatic invasive species and include phenology, identification, look-alikes, and treatment.
Participated in the ANSTF Outreach Community of Practice, the Joint ANSTF/US Coral Reef Task Force Invasive Coral Working Group, and several focus groups for the National EDRR Information System/Siren which was recently launched.
Rhode Island’s Aquatic Invasive Species Priority Tasks
NEANS Panel Semi-Annual Meeting
November 20-21, 2024
Marine AIS Tasks
Develop State Ballast Water Management Plan per Vessel Incidental Discharge Act
CRMC has contracted a URI professor to develop BWMP for the state to be consistent with USCG regulations regarding on-board inspections of commercial vessels that make ports-of-call in Rhode Island. The BWMP hall include a new set of regulations based on existing regulations promulgated by the states of Washington, Oregon, and California. These regulations shall be consistent with new regulations currently under development by the USGS per VIDA.
Monitor eelgrass beds in RI coastal waters for the presence of aquatic invasive species
CRMC has contracted Fathom Resources, a professional diving company to conduct surveys of eelgrass beds in Narragansett Bay and the coastal salt ponds along the states southern shore. SCUBA divers will collect samples of eelgrass along randomly selected 100 meter-long transects, which shall be examined for the presence of AIS at University of Rhode Island lab facilities on the Narragansett Bay Campus.
Conduct public outreach and education activities regarding the problem of AIS in RI
CRMC has contracted The Big Nazo Lab to conduct public outreach and education on the problem of AIS in the state’s coastal waters. The Big Nazo Lab was founded by Erminio Pinque, a professor at the Rhode Island School of Design. Human-scale creatures are fabricated by Big Nazo, with a kinetic Chinese Mitten Crab puppet named “Mitzilla” worn by a professional actor, to attend various public events to educate people on the problem of AIS in the state.
Fresh Water AIS Tasks
Conduct surveys of lakes and ponds throughout the state to determine the presence, distribution and abundance of freshwater AIS public in RI
CRMC will partner with the RI Department of Environmental Management to conduct surveys of lakes and ponds to determine the presence of AIS and select certain waterbodies for follow-up activities to remove plant species that have had a significant effect on the native biota.
Conduct eradication efforts at selected freshwater bodies
CRMC will partner with the RI Department of Environmental Management to hand-pull invasive water chestnut plants from freshwater bodies heavily impacted by the fast-growing species that can rapidly cover the water surface with a thick mat of plant growth. This can render a water body unavailable for recreational activities such as fishing, swimming, and boating, and as such this task is an effort to restore water bodies to their natural state.
US Geological Survey
National EDRR Framework development updates:
https://siren.fort.usgs.gov/
The Siren website is now live. It will integrate invasive species resources for the nation such as maps, contacts, and tools. There is also a published storymap of the EDRR Framework here:
Morningstar, C., 2024, National Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) Framework: ArcGIS Online StoryMaps, https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/75dcffd9b27543268a92dfee4e4ad6b6.
Two new Flood and Storm Tracker (FaST) maps published (Hurricanes Helene and Milton):
https://nas.er.usgs.gov/viewer/Flooding/
The process for creating these maps has recently been published here:
Pfingsten, I.A., Reaver, K.M., Dean, E.M. et al. Combining storm flood water level and topography to prioritize inter-basin transfer of non-native aquatic species in the United States. Biol Invasions 26, 4105–4120 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-024-03430-2
Environmental DNA in the NAS Database:
https://nas.er.usgs.gov/eDNA/
The NAS team now accepts eDNA reports that pass the rigorous guidelines presented here:
Ferrante, J.A., Neilson, M.E., Daniel, W.M., Freedman, J.A., and Hunter, M.E. 2023. Guidance for Submitting Environmental DNA (eDNA) Data to the U.S. Geological Survey Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Database: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/eDNA/Guidance_Document.pdf. V1.2 June 2024
Maine Invasive Aquatic Species Program Update, October 2024
John McPhedran, Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MEDEP)
Strategic Plan and Funding Increase
The MEDEP Aquatic Invasive Species Program drafted a 10-year strategic plan during late 2023 into 2024 to better allocate and direct resources. One goal is to expand prevention programs to underserved areas of the state. The Maine State Legislature approved an increase in boat registration sticker fees on April 10th, 2024. This new funding is integral to implementing the new strategic plan.
Sticker fees will increase from $15 to $25 for Maine-registered boats and from $45 to $60 for out-of-state boat registrations starting in 2025. There will be an additional increase of $10 and $15 respectively in 2028 resulting in a total of $35 for Maine-registered boats and $75 for boats with non-Maine registrations. The funding will be split 70% to The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MEDEP) and 30% to Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MEDIFW) as the two agencies continue their united front against flora and invertebrate fauna throughout the state and beyond our borders.
Grants in 2024
Twenty-three community organizations conducted aquatic plant removal utilizing grant funds received from MEDEP. Plant removal grants totaled $570,362, increasing from $522,406 in 2023. Lake groups contribute significantly more monetary and in-kind contributions than what is awarded in grant funds.
The Courtesy Boat Inspection Program (CBI) saw 58 groups receive $344,025 in grant awards, almost a $10,000 increase from the previous season. As with previous years, Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) and Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) received funding for overall program support including survey and training efforts. LSM conducted surveys and plant identification workshops throughout the state, including a concentrated effort in the sparsely populated, but vulnerable, Aroostook County. LEA continued their CBI trainings and arranged another successful Maine Summit on Aquatic Invasive Species to kick off the season.
Courtesy Boat Inspections
The 2024 inspection data are still coming in as Courtesy Boat Inspection groups finish their reporting process. To date, there have been over 87,000 inspections, 2,300 of which had plant fragments found on boats entering or leaving a waterbody. Of the inspections in which plant fragments were found, 105 were confirmed as invasive. Moving forward, discussions by MEDEP and cooperators will be taking place to address rising operational costs and a widespread difficulty in finding enough individuals to fully staff their scheduled inspection shifts.
Clean Drain Dry
The Clean, Drain, Dry (CDD) message continues to be spread throughout the state via signage and outreach by state personnel and citizens concerned with lake health. MEDEP staff respond to requests for signage and coordinate the delivery of CDD and Infested Lake signs to boat access sites that have obtained permission from the site owners and need updated signage. Following a recent RFP process, MEDEP staff will soon begin work with the selected bidder to use social marketing principles to determine public attitudes and ultimately participation in the CDD process.
Zebra Mussel Infestation Monitoring
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (MEDIFW) hired an aquatic invasive animal staff member in May 2023, recently after the discovery of zebra mussels just 20 miles north of the Maine border in Lac Témiscouata, Quebec. In the late summer of 2023, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, as well as their NGO partners, confirmed the presence of adult zebra mussels on the dam in Edmundston, New Brunswick, near the confluence of the Madawaska River and the shared United States/Canada border water, the Saint John River. Additionally, zebra mussels have since been confirmed through environmental DNA work in the Saint John River as far downstream as the Mactaquac Dam in Central York, New Brunswick.
MEDIFW continues their environmental DNA sampling in other inland lakes and rivers to monitor any potential spread of zebra mussel, particularly to high-risk waters. In sampling conducted in both 2023 and 2024, the MEDIFW has yet to detect zebra mussels in any water other than the main stem of the Saint John River. MEDIFW is also looking at future expanded monitoring efforts, including a community science based settling plate program for zebra mussels.
New Invasive Plant Infestations in 2024
Swollen bladderwort (Utricularia inflata) was added by Maine’s Legislature to the State’s list of aquatic invasive plants in 2023. This statutory change immediately added two previously confirmed infestations in Lake Arrowhead in the south and Horseshoe Pond in the central portion of the state to Maine’s list of infested waters. However, a total of six new infestations of U. inflata have been confirmed: Little Ossipee Lake upstream of Arrowhead, Mousam Lake in Shapleigh, Tilton Pond in Fayette, Spaulding Pond in Lebanon, Milton Pond on the NH/ME border, and Murdock Pond in Berwick.
Management of Existing Infestations
Most established infestations in Maine are managed by community organizations using DASH (Diver Assisted Suction Harvest) and bottom barriers. Lake groups conducting removal record their progress using the ESRI Survey123 product hosted by MEDEP.
Per Maine Statute, only MEDEP may obtain a permit to apply herbicide in state waters. Following are brief summaries of MEDEP herbicide applications in 2024. Treatments were planned by MEDEP and executed by SOLitude Lake Management in consultation with SePRO.
The difficulty containing the spread of Eurasian water-milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum, EWM) on Cobbossee Lake continued through 2024 as individual plants and small patches were found in other areas of the lake. Just over 11 acres were treated in 2024 with ProcellaCOR to combat the infestation. Other areas of infestation were managed with manual removal. EWM was documented in the outlet stream of Cobbossee in 2023. During the 2024 surveys of the stream no Eurasian water-milfoil was found. This surprising result may be related to scouring by extremely high flows from intense storms during last winter and spring. MEDEP and local partners will continue to survey and monitor in 2025. Local partners continue to survey for and remove variable water-milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum) and European frog-bit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae) in Cobbossee.
The Collins Pond hybrid (Myriophyllum heterophyllum x laxum) received a follow-up treatment with ProcellaCOR this year. A total of 10.7 acres were treated in the ongoing effort to manage the infestation and reduce it to a level where annual manual removal is a viable option.
This season saw herbicide treatments of Aquastrike on Lake Arrowhead (Waterboro and Limerick, ME) and Milton Three Ponds (Lebanon, ME) in an effort to mitigate the spread of brittle naiad (Najas minor). ProcellaCOR was applied to an additional 54 acres of Lake Arrowhead to reduce the variable leaf water-milfoil. While Lake Arrowhead continues to be the single greatest exporter of invasive plant fragments in our CBI program, residents have noted fewer fragments floating around the primary boat ramp since the 2023 and 2024 herbicide treatments.
For more information, please check DEP’s website http://www.maine.gov/dep/water/invasives/
or email milfoil@maine.gov.
Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VTDEC)
The VTDEC Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program was incredibly busy this season as we were challenged by an overabundance of water chestnut, flooding impacts (loss of our equipment building again!), and many rainy field days. However, the crew also found healthy populations of Vermont State listed rare, threatened, and endangered species that included aquatic plants, and native mussels and clams, in an abundance that we had never seen. Thanks to advocacy work from state and local partners, the team has grown to four full-time staff members, welcoming Elizabeth “Lizzy” Gallagher and Isabel “Izzy” Anderson this year. With a background in water quality sampling from Maine, Lizzy, coordinated the Zebra Mussel Survey team this season and assisted with Aquatic Nuisance Control Grant in Aid Program, the Vermont Invasive Patrol Program, and inland lake cyanobacteria monitoring. Helping out the Lakes & Ponds Monitoring program the past two years, Izzy, will work on AIS initiatives within the Lake Champlain Basin, and will be focusing on the Water Chestnut Management Program.
• House 31 Act 57 Study Committee: An act relating to aquatic nuisance control was approved to establish a study committee to assess the environmental and public health effects of the use of these chemicals as well as their efficacy in controlling aquatic nuisances. The study committee was charged with assessing the environmental and public health effects of the use of pesticides, chemicals other than pesticides, biological controls, and other controls to control aquatic nuisances in Vermont. The committee was comprised of members from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, Vermont Department of Health, University of Vermont, Vermont Senate, and Vermont House of Representatives. The results and link to the final report from this committee work is available on the Act 57 Study Committee webpage.
• Vermont Wakeboat Rule: As of April 15, 2024, a new rule regulating wakeboating and wakesports on Vermont’s inland lakes went into effect under Vermont’s Use of Public Waters (UPW) Rules whereby wakesports using a wakeboat shall only occur within defined wakesport zones in designated inland lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. “Wakesports zone” were defined as an area of a lake, pond, or reservoir that has a minimum of 50 contiguous acres that are at least 500 feet from shore on all sides, at least 20 feet deep, and at least 200 feet wide. Agency-approved wakeboat decontamination guidance was developed for wakeboat operators when moving between different bodies of water.
• Water Chestnut Management Program Update: The 2024 season for hand-pulling water chestnut (Trapa natans) began on June 20th and continued through September 27th, marking a second straight year with an increased season length. Similar to last year, Vermont experienced flooding events in July which had a slight impact on hand-pulling operations, but thankfully didn’t interrupt field crews. Hand-pulling crews logged 2,524 total hours on Lake Champlain, slightly fewer than the 2,565 hours in 2023 and 2,627 hours in 2022. Crews also logged over 500 hours on Vermont’s inland waterbodies, compared to over 750 hours in 2023. Hand-pulling crews harvested 187,394 total rosettes (seed-producing plants) in 2024, a stark increase from 134,354 in 2023. This increase was anticipated from last season, as many sites were unable to be harvested due to flood disturbance in 2023.
Due to the exponential population increases from the flooding effects, some sites were not able to be fully completed before the end of the field season, which we anticipate will lead to a population increase for next year’s season.
A dense, approximate 3-acre water chestnut infestation in Gander Bay on Lake Champlain (a new site from 2022) was heavily targeted and harvested with an estimated 99% effectiveness thanks to the hard work from VYCC crews, help from local volunteers, and USFWS staff.
• AIS ArcGIS Field Maps: VTDEC launched an ArcGIS Field Maps application to assist AIS Program staff and partners to record aquatic plant surveys, including the water chestnut surveying and harvesting. This tool allows staff, partners, and contractors to note point data in real time, which greatly assists and directs field staff of plant locations and management activities.
• Annual Monitoring Surveys: The AIS section continues to monitor for new invasive threats and respond to reports of potential new introductions. In 2024, a new introduction of Eurasian watermilfoil was found in Joe’s Pond in Danville and reported to a Vermont Invasive Patroller. After confirming the species, the AIS Program implemented an Early Detection Rapid Response Event to help eradicate the species that consisted of plant surveys, diver assisted hand pulling, and the installation of a benthic barrier in the pond. A population if Eurasian watermilfoil was also found in Lake Lamoille in Morrisville, which was extensive throughout the lake. A new population of water chestnut was found in Indian Brook Reservoir in Essex, which the AIS Program was made aware of through an iNaturalist report and was subsequently hand pulled. Chinese Mystery Snail was found for the first time in Silver Lake in Barnard and Banded Mystery Snails were found in Little Pond (Wells), Hough Pond (Sudbury), and Lake Iroquois (Hinesburg & Williston). Annual surveys of Starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) in Lake Derby yielded different results from last year with a seemingly increase in population. Surveys for a new species reported in Vermont on the Connecticut River, the American lotus (Nelumbo lutea), has increased based on initial observations. Early detection Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) surveys were conducted from Vernon to Thetford in the Connecticut River with no new findings, as the species continues to make its way north through Massachusetts. Zebra mussel veliger and spiny water flea monitoring took place in 18 high priority waterbodies, totaling 97 samples.
• Greeter Data and Maps: The AIS Program continues to improve the Survey123 Program used to collect the Public Access Greeter Program data and will be implementing improvements based on feedback to better track data and reduce the amount of work required by Greeters. In 2024, over 32,000 boats were greeted through this program with 35 lakes reporting. From the data, we continue to build our Geographical Information System (GIS) files to develop maps for the public on the Agency of Natural Resources Atlas. We hope the data and maps will provide better public opportunities to monitor and track AIS throughout the state.
• Noxious Weed List Additions: Three new aquatic plant species, Waterwheel (Aldrovanda vesiculosa), Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), and Water Soldier (Stratiotes aloides) were designated plant pests on the Vermont Noxious Weed List by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets based on recommendations provided by the Vermont Invasive and Exotic Plant Advisory Committee. These designated plant species either have very small populations or are not currently found in Vermont and present an ecological and/or economic threat.
Connecticut Update
Sixty percent 60% of 286 surveyed waterbodies in Connecticut contain one or more invasive aquatic plant species. The most common are Eurasian watermilfoil (66 waterbodies), curlyleaf pondweed (45 waterbodies), variable-leaf watermilfoil (44 waterbodies), fanwort (33 waterbodies), water chestnut (32 waterbodies), and northern hydrilla (Connecticut River and 10 other waterbodies).
Connecticut River hydrilla, now officially named Northern hydrilla, dominated Connecticut’s aquatic plant management concerns in 2024. The unique strain infests the river from Agawam, MA southward to within a few miles of Long Island Sound. The spread of Connecticut River hydrilla to lakes and ponds continued in 2024. With Pachaug Pond in Griswold, CT, Gardner Lake in Montville, CT, Bashan Lake in East Haddam, CT, and Holbrook Pond in East Hampton, CT added to the list. This brings the total number of infested waterbodies outside the river system to ten. Many of these populations are adjacent to public boat ramps. Connecticut River hydrilla was found in East Twin Lake Salisbury, CT in 2023. That fall the site received a high-dose ProcellaCOR treatment, followed by a fluridone treatment in the summer of 2024. The efficacy and non-target plant response is being evaluated. Led by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in conjunction with the CT Office of Aquatic Invasive Species (OAIS), herbicide trials with diquat, endothall, and ProcellaCOR occurred at five hydrilla locations in the Connecticut River. Initial results appear promising. OAIS has successfully received colonies of the Asian hydrilla leaf-mining fly (Hydrellia pakistanae) from the USACE. Experiments are planned to assess the fly’s potential as a biological control agent for Connecticut River hydrilla. Field trials are planned for 2026.
In 2024, CT DEEP awarded $545,000 in grants to 13 projects through the Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Program. Proposals for the fifth round of these grants are due December 6, 2024. The protocol for obtaining these funds in 2025 will change from a mandatory fee on boat registrations to a separate fee paid much like a fishing license. Whether this mechanism results in a change in revenue is to be determined. Lauren Kurtz PhD was hired as Connecticut’s Invasive Aquatic Plant Coordinator and will be affiliated with UCONN.
OAIS launched its new CT AIS Web App. This app features informative pages about the aquatic invasive species affecting Connecticut’s freshwater ecosystems:
• Aquatic Invasive Species page: Learn to identify the invasive and potentially invasive plants and mollusks threatening Connecticut’s lakes, ponds, and rivers.
• Home page: An overview of the distribution of aquatic invasive species in Connecticut.
• Survey Data page: Access OAIS aquatic vegetation survey data from 2011-2023, with data from 2004-2010 coming soon.
• Connecticut River page: View invasive species survey data for the Connecticut River.
• Report AIS & Update Database page: Report sightings of aquatic invasive species, update or correct our database, or share your comments and suggestions.
You can access the web app via the OAIS website by clicking ‘Explore CT AIS Data’ on the left-hand side. It is best viewed on a laptop or desktop but is also compatible with mobile phones and tablets. Expect additional updates over the next year as we process and upload more data. OAIS encourages private consultants, lake associations, municipalities, universities, etc. to submit reports and other lake information for inclusion in the web app using the ‘Report AIS & Update Database’ page.
Updates from New York State
Prevention
• NYS Watercraft Inspection Steward Program (WISP) surveyed 214,846 recreationists and intercepted 9,956 AIS.
• NYS WISP also participated in the Great Lakes and Northeast Landing Blitz from June 29-July 6.
• NYSDEC, USFWS, USGS, and Farmingdale State College are working together on a pilot live market education and outreach program in NYC metro area.
• NYSDEC is continuing its pilot life release education and outreach program in the NYC metro area.
• NYSDEC has retrieved moss balls tainted with zebra mussels from select distributors as per USDA APHIS PPQ instructions.
• NYSDEC is currently developing AIS spread prevention education and outreach products for divers and dive shops.
Monitoring & Detection
• The first confirmed infestation of water soldier (Stratiotes aloides) in the United States and New York was found in Putnam County close to the eastern shore of the Hudson River. NYSDEC is working to delineate the infestation and develop a treatment plan.
• Frogbit was also found at two new locations in Sullivan County, in the Delaware watershed. We’re working with the lake association to educate their members and prevent it from spreading to surrounding lakes. The one location is a mix of water chestnut and European frogbit and almost completely covers the ~20ac lake.
•
• Red swamp crayfish were found within Two-Mile Creek, which is a tributary of the Niagara River. This new site is approximately 6.5 miles from the only other known population within the WNY PRISM region.
• In spring of 2024 NYSDEC began biweekly backpack electrofishing surveys to monitor upstream invasion front of round goby (RG) in the Hudson River/Champlain Canal, taking over from USGS (2022-2023).
• Survey area: Focus on seven sites from Lock C2 in Mechanicville to Peebles Island, with particular attention to the area up- and downstream of C1.
• Results to date: Since April 2024, these sites have been surveyed eleven times and no RG have been found upstream of C1.
• In June 2024 an eDNA sample (USGS) from jetty upstream of Lock C2 tested positive for RG DNA. Follow-up electrofishing (DEC) and further eDNA tests (DEC & USGS) returned negative results.
• In August 2024 Another eDNA sample (USGS) at jetty upstream of C2 showed weakly positive detection. Further upstream sampling (electrofishing and eDNA by DEC) yielded no RG or DNA detections.
• Monthly eDNA sampling at multiple sites in Lower Mechanicville (C2-C3) pool through November.
• Monthly backpack electrofishing at jetty above Lock C2, where positive RG eDNA samples were collected.
• Expanding sampling efforts and identifying new potential RG habitat in Champlain Canal pools above Lock C2 for future surveys and for updating Rapid Response protocols in RRP.
• Working with DEC partners (USGS, USFWS, LCBP, VT Fish & Wildlife) to implement coordinated sampling in northern Lake Champlain in response to positive RG eDNA detection in Richelieu River near US/Canada border. USGS, USFWS, and VT are conducting eDNA sampling and NYSDEC will follow up with traditional sampling methods if eDNA samples test positive for RG DNA.
• Continuing biweekly electrofishing surveys between Lock C2 and Peebles Island through November.
• A population of brittle naiad was found in East Sidney Reservoir which is the second population found in the Catskill Region. It’s widespread throughout the waterbody and the campgrounds staff said they have been seeing it for a few years now but it went unreported.
• Monitoring for hydrilla with point intercept surveys in the Susquehanna River upstream and downstream of know populations found no additional hydrilla outside the mouth of the Owego Creek.
Management
• Fanwort removal at Black Creek (Mexico NY) dam removal site with SLELO PRISM and Region 7 Fisheries staff. Efforts are underway to determine how far it has spread beyond the pond and extensive community outreach is planned to reduce spread to other areas as it is not yet in Lake Ontario / Great Lakes ecosystems.
• Region 9 AIS coordinator is Cat 5A certified and began first season of new management of the Erie Canal Hydrilla Control Project using a 90-day metered injection of Sonar Genesis. Seeing promising results of the sporadic patches of hydrilla that remain in the canal. Treatment is not having any observable non-target impacts to native vegetation, which appears to be growing at higher densities this season under the new treatment. Point-intercept plant monitoring is completed with one previously unrecorded patch of hydrilla found outside of fluridone exposure area. Tuber sampling and manual removal of one remaining patch as well as installation of benthic mats at the two small patches not impacted by treatment. Other control projects include European frogbit at Green Lake in Erie County, water chestnut in the Erie Canal and New Albion Lake in Cattaraugus County.
• Removed water chestnut from Lake Alice and Lake Champlain
• Removed Eurasian watermilfoil at three boat launches in Lake Champlain (Port Douglas, Willsboro, Port Henry) as part of research project on spread prevention.
• NYSDEC worked with US FWS to remove Water chestnut at Montezuma wildlife refuge. On workdays that NYS DEC participated, over 5000 lbs. of Water chestnut were removed.
• Assisted Region 8 wildlife staff with water chestnut removal and harvesting on the Seneca River.
– Continuation of monitoring and management efforts in the Sheldrake area, Ladoga Bay/Myers park, and the south Aurora area (Cayuga Lake).
– R7 coordinator oversaw hydrilla treatments of 127 acres using Sonar H4C by Little Bear Environmental (Subcontract Tigris) in the South Aurora area of Cayuga Lake
– NYSDEC continuing to work with USACE, USFWS, and FL PRISM on the large-scale Aurora and Ithaca point intercept monitoring efforts (Cayuga Lake).
o Hydrilla was detected outside of current treatment areas near known populations at Sheldrake, South Aurora, and Ladoga Bay.
– Management and monitoring of hydrilla in a private pond ( Spencer Pond), Little Nanticoke Creek, and Owego Creek using Sonar H4C.
– Currently working on NYS Hydrilla Management Plan, Hudson River Water Chestnut Management Plan, and Region 7 Water Chestnut Management Plan
Research
• DEC Region 9 Grass Carp eDNA sampling planned in several lakes in the next two weeks as a result of a connectivity mapping assessment conducted by AIS Coordinator and seasonal staff from 2022-2023, where all Region 9 stock locations of grass carp were mapped and assessed for connectivity to wild lakes and rivers via stream intersections. The goal of the project is to narrow down potential sites for traditional fish sampling (efishing, etc.) in search of wild/escaped grass carp, as sites with connectivity to stocked lakes would be more likely to have occurrences of escaped (and possibly non-sterile) grass carp.
• APIPP worked with Paul Smith’s College Adirondack Watershed Institute and Protect the Adirondacks to coordinate 5 lakes that are managing invasive milfoils in the Adirondack Lake Assessment Program (ALAP) to monitor water quality. Collected samples on Middle Saranac Lake and Follensby Pond.
• APIPP continued the second year of monitoring and management on the Lake Champlain boat launch AIS removal project that was funded by the LCBP.
• SUNY Albany intern is wrapping up data collection for a comparative study of AIS burdens in waterbodies with and without public access.
• NSYDEC is working with the Long Island Invasive Species Management Area, NYS Department of Health, and University of Georgia to streamline detection of the cyanobacteria Aetokthonos hydrillicola.
Restoration
• Piloting Region 9 Aquatic Plant Restoration Program which includes wild stock collection, greenhouse cultivation, and installation of restoration plots (currently testing four locations in the Erie Canal). Primarily focusing on Vallisneria americana, which has been planted and monitored since June as well as grown in the greenhouse to monitor and collect turions for future growing seasons, but also testing cultivation of other native species including several large-leaf pondweeds, Stuckenia spp., and water stargrass. Vallisneria that has been planted has grown 200-500% in height throughout the restoration plots and has begun spreading throughout and outside of cages. We were also able to work with a local girl scout troupe to have them learn about the importance of native plants, design their own restoration plots and install them in the canal.
• Restoration efforts in St. Lawrence-Eastern Lake Ontario PRISM continue in riparian areas where phragmites and knotweed have been chemically treated, and yellow iris is being manually removed. Monitoring is being conducted to determine successful/unsuccessful treatment methods, planting methods, and which species are growing best in these habitats in our region. Plans for additional restoration efforts in 2025 are underway with hopes to expand waterfront property owner engagement.
• Vallisneria plantings in the Croton River and Croton Bay have been successful but are experiencing a lot of herbivory.
Capacity: NYSDEC now has Regional AIS Coordinators in Regions 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 9.
What MassDEP has done since Fall 2023:
• Reviewed and issued 460 Chemical Application Licenses and amendments for invasive species management in Massachusetts. In addition, 401 Water Quality Certifications were also reviewed 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
• David Wong and colleagues presented the following talks on invasive species monitoring and management:
David Wong (Invited). Freshwater Invasive Species Management: Can Parrot-feather be Controlled by Native Beavers? Close Encounters of the Beaver Kind: Beavers and Invasive Alien Species. Beavers Institute. December 1, 2023. Virtual.
David Wong. Invasive Animals and Plants in Massachusetts Lakes and Rivers: The Fact that Climate Change has Changed the History of Invasions. International Invasive Species and Climate Change Conference (IISCCC). January 30-31, 2024. Virtual
David Wong. Freshwater Invasive Species in the Face of Climate Change: Monitoring and Management in Massachusetts. Northeast Aquatic Biologists (NAB) Conference, February 14-16, 2024. Fairlee, Vermont.
David Wong. Aquatic Invasive Animals and Plants in the Neponset River Watershed. Conservation Conservations: Non-native Invasive Species in the Neponset Watershed. March 14, 2024. Sharon, Massachusetts.
David Wong. Invasion of Hydrilla to Massachusetts Lakes and Rivers. ANS Task Force Meeting. May 8-9, 2024. Saratoga Springs, New York. Virtual
David Wong, Katie Goulder. Chemical Treatment Options and Efficacy on Invasive Asian clams Corbicula fluminea. Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). July 9, 2024. Virtual.