A notice concerning the recent discovery of hydrilla in Damariscotta Lake was sent to some (but apparently not all) of you on September 28. Here are some updates on the situation. ( For those of you who did not receive the earlier announcement, it is pasted to this message below the dotted line.) Our apologies for any duplication. Damariscotta Lake Hydrilla Infestation Updates: • DEP divers have installed benthic barriers on patches of hydrilla that have spread to the cove just outside of the infested lagoon. No tubers have been detected on the plants outside of the lagoon. • The DEP is currently placing stone riprap across both entrances to the infested lagoon to create a strong physical barrier between the infestation and the rest of the lake. • This week, DEP will begin the process of manually removing and disposing of the hydrilla in the infested lagoon. • Roberta Scruggs has written an excellent article on the hydrilla infestation in the recent issue of the LEA Milfoil Update newsletter –To view the article on line please visit http://www.mainelakes.org/documents/Milfoil%20newsletter%209_09.pdf • According to Damariscotta Lake Watershed Association’s Alice Phillips, “Volunteers have come out of the woodwork to help survey the lake and help us determine if there are any other infested areas. Roughly 50% of the lake has now been surveyed. We are so appreciative of the help!” • Forty individuals have answered DLWA’s call for help. Members of the DLWA survey team include trained VLMP Invasive Plant Patrollers and others from the Damariscotta Lake area, plus a cadre of certified Plant Patrollers from” away.” To date no additional invasive plants have been observed. • This year’s survey season is swiftly fading, but we may be lucky and get a few more days of prime survey weather. WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR TRAINED PLANT PATROLLERS TO ASSIST WITH THIS SURVEY. If you think you can help, please contact Alice Phillips at DLWA (549-3836, dlwastaff@roadrunner.com. • There are other ways you can get involved as well. Is your lake community actively working to prevent the spread of aquatic invaders? Do you have a “well oiled” system in place for detecting aquatic invaders as soon as possible after introduction? If the answer to either of these questions is no, please call the VLMP at 783-7733 or vlmp@mainevlmp.org today. We look forward to working with you! Thanks again! Roberta Hill Program Director Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program's Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants