Importance of Invasive Species Prevention is Highlighted By Hydrilla Control Efforts in Niagara County and
Across the State
New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos
today reminded boaters to clean, drain, and dry their boats and trailers
and disinfect their fishing gear before recreating in New York's waters
to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic invasive species (AIS).
Watercraft inspection stewards (boat stewards) are deploying across the
state to educate and assist the public in cleaning equipment this season
to prevent the introduction and spread of non-native plants and animals
in New York waterbodies.
"The Watercraft
Inspection Steward Program continues to play a significant role in
defending lakes, ponds, and rivers against the spread of AIS," said Commissioner Seggos. "Our boat stewards
have successfully increased public awareness about the threats of AIS and
helping more New Yorkers participate in best management practices such as
Clean. Drain. Dry. I ask all New York residents and visitors to please
continue to do your part in protecting our waters from the negative
impacts of invasive species."
Boat stewards will be
stationed at more than 200 boat launches and decontamination stations
throughout the state by Memorial Day weekend. Identified by their blue
vests, boat stewards can provide a refresher on how to inspect your boat
and gear and offer information on AIS in New York.
Last year, DEC's boat
stewards inspected more than 220,000 boats and intercepted more than
8,000 AIS, including hydrilla, which led to the discovery of a new
infestation in the Niagara River. Efforts are currently underway to
control the invasive plant and prevent it from negatively impacting the
native ecosystem, as well as water recreation. DEC is collaborating with
local stakeholders and Federal partners to keep the infestation contained
and prevent further spread.
In August,
2021, DEC announced that the AIS plant, hydrilla was found at the city of
North Tonawanda marina. The discovery was made by a concerned citizen who
reported it to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). DEC and
partners, including USACE, are working to prevent the infestation from
spreading. There are no other known infestations of hydrilla along the
river.
Hydrilla negatively impacts
recreation, tourism, and aquatic ecosystems and is one of the most
difficult aquatic invasive species to control. This invasive plant breaks
apart easily, and new plants can develop from pieces of stem that are no
more than an inch long.
DEC continues to work with
the city of North Tonawanda, USACE, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
and the Western New York Partnership for Regional Invasive Species
Management (PRISM) to develop a long-term management plan that will
include aquatic plant monitoring, additional herbicide treatments, and
education and outreach efforts. In the short term, boaters visiting the
marina are advised to lift their motors and clean their props by
reversing and then forwarding several times to dislodge any hydrilla
fragments before entering the Niagara River.
In addition to Niagara
County, hydrilla infestations are being actively controlled in Erie
County (Erie Canal); Cayuga, Tompkins, and Seneca counties (Cayuga Lake);
and Tioga County (Spencer Pond, Little Nanticoke Creek, and Kuhlman
Pond). Hydrilla control efforts were successfully completed in Green and
Hickory lakes in Erie County, as well as the Croton
River in Westchester County. Visit DEC's website for more information on hydrilla and a step
by step guide for ridding boats and equipment of AIS.
Julie Barrett-O'Neill, DEC
Region 9 Director said, "Our stewards will
be helping with public education and outreach along the Niagara River
this season. Look for the blue vests and learn how you can prevent the
spread of AIS and protect our natural resources."
All water recreationists should
follow these steps to make sure their equipment isn't harboring AIS:
·
Clean mud, plants, and animals off
boating and fishing equipment (trailer bunks, axles, rollers, lights,
transducers, license plates, motor props, tackle, waders, etc.) and
discard the material in a trash can or at a disposal station;
·
Drain all water-holding compartments,
including ballast tanks, live wells, and bilge areas, before leaving an
access site; and
·
Dry everything thoroughly before using
boats or equipment in another waterbody. Drying times can vary but a
minimum of five to seven days in dry, warm conditions is recommended.
·
When there's no time to dry between uses,
disinfect things with hot water that is at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit,
or visit a decontamination site.
All New York residents and
visitors have a role to play in protecting state waters from invasive
species. Visit DEC's website for more
tips on how to clean, drain, and dry watercraft, fishing gear, and other
equipment and for more information about New York's Watercraft Inspection Steward
Program.
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