Our “Mil-Foiler” program is designed to prevent the spread or introduction of Invasive Aquatic Plants (IAP) like milfoil and hydrilla into the Cobbossee Watershed.  Although Maine has largely been spared the devastating effects seen in other states, the “Eleven Most Unwanted” IAP’s are now in 29 Maine water bodies, including variable-leaf milfoil in our own Pleasant Pond and Cobbossee Stream.  Two of the most aggressive IAP’s – Eurasian Water-milfoil (discovered in a Scarborough gravel quarry – Fall, 2006) and Hydrilla (discovered in Pickerel Pond, Limerick – Fall, 2002) are now in Maine waters. The short window of opportunity has closed fast and we must react swiftly and aggressively.

In 2003, we began our Mil-Foiler program by mailing 5 Postcards over an 8-week period to 15,000 Cobbossee Watershed residents. The post cards, produced and subsidized by J.S. McCarthy, accomplished our objective – awareness was raised dramatically by the shocking photographs of IAP’s in other states where they have taken over.  Today, the Mil-Foiler program has expanded to include several components and is sponsored in part by the  Wolfington Group and Dave's Appliance.

COURTESY BOAT INSPECTIONS are recognized by the State of Maine as the “first line of defense” against invasive aquatic plants.  It is believed that the greatest chance of new infestations results from “hitchhiking” plant fragments carried on boats and trailers. 

This summer, eight different launch sites will be staffed by paid staff and volunteer CBI’s overseen by the Friends, with training, scheduling and administration conducted by Program Director Patrick Killeen, an AmeriCorps*State volunteer provided by the Training Resource Center (TRC)

Training sessions last just 1 hour, and typical shifts for CBI’s are two hours long. All attendees also receive a free T-Shirt, complete with our Mil-Foiler logo.  Contact Patrick today to see how you can become a CBI! 

A web-based scheduling system will once again be utilized for all Cobbossee Watershed CBI’s. Click Here to enter the CBI Scheduling System – you’ll need an ID and password to view or edit the schedule – to get yours, Contact Patrick today. 

Since 2003, over 250 CBI’s have been trained by Friends staff, conducting nearly 8,500 boat inspections!  Has it paid off?  AND HOW! On Labor Day, 2005, CBI Buffy DeMatteis of Litchfield prevented variable-leaf milfoil from entering Woodbury Pond. Click Here to read more about Buffy’s “Save”.

BOAT WASH STATIONS – On May 25, 2006, dedication of a pilot Boat Wash Station took place at the Norcross Point boat launch site on Maranacook Lake in Winthrop. L.L. Bean provided a 2-yr, $30,000 grant to spearhead the construction – other significant contributions were provided by the Boat U.S. Foundation and the Maine B.A.S.S. Federation; area businesses and contractors including Eco-Cycle, Jon Knowles Custom Sheds & More, DR Struck Landscape/Nursery, Lloyd Bryant Plumbing & Heating, Winthrop Electric and A.E. Hodsdon Consulting Engineers.

Seen as another tool in the fight against IAP’s, the grant from L.L. Bean’s also provided funding for the production of a How-to-Guidebook, and monies for additional wash stations to be built in Maine. To see if your group is eligible for funds to construct your own wash station, Contact Patrick today.

INVASIVE PLANT PATROLS – Offered by the Maine Center of Invasive Aquatic Plant, Invasive Plant Patrols (IPP) are seen as the second line of defense against IAP’s.  In 2005, the Friends co-hosted an IPP workshop that attracted 35 people interested in furthering their plant identification skills. During the summer of 2006, the training of these volunteers was put to the test when a boat leaving the Tacoma Lakes chain was discovered to be carrying variable leaf milfoil.  The IPP “rapid response” verified that there was no additional plant growth, confirming the assumptions that the fragment had “hitchhiked” from nearby Pleasant Pond, where the boater had previously visited.

Providing a “hands-on” learning experience to those individuals who wish to expand their knowledge base of IAP’s even further, the MCIAP has certified over 2000 patrollers who survey lakes, ponds and streams for IAP’s while they enjoy their kayak or canoe.  If you would like to know more about how to become an Invasive Plant Patroller, please Contact Patrick or the Maine Center of Invasive Aquatic Plants directly.

PLANT CONTROL EFFORTS – With funding provided by the Maine DEP, the Friends have conducted several projects aimed at lessening the spread of variable-leaf milfoil on Pleasant Pond, with additional efforts ongoing.

• On October 7, 2006 a bottom barrier was installed on Upper Pleasant Pond – Click Here to read more about this project.

• On August 12, 2005, divers and volunteers from the Four Towns Watershed Association conducted a plant removal project. Click Here
to read more about the removal of 72 cubic yards of variable-leaf milfoil from the Upper Pleasant Pond boat launch area.

• On August 3, 2005, two milfoil ‘warning’ buoys were installed in parts of Upper Pleasant and Horseshoe Ponds to warn boaters to avoid these areas of heavy infestation – Click Here to read more about this project.

This summer, the bottom barriers will be relocated to an additional infested area, with the previous area examined for success.  Volunteers are always needed to assist with these type projects – contact Project Manager Patrick Killen if you are interested in helping out.