Weekly Column: "Protecting Maine's Lakes and Ponds"

Weekly Column: "Protecting Maine's Lakes and Ponds"

Maine's lakes and ponds are under attack. Aquatic invasive species threaten our drinking water systems, recreation, wildlife habitat, lakefront real estate, and fisheries. Such plants as Variable Leaf Milfoil are crowding out native species. Invasive Asian shore crabs are taking over Southern New England's tidal pools and have advanced well up the coast, to the potential detriment of Maine's lobster and clam industries.

This invasion is occurring not just here in Maine, but throughout the country. That is why I recently joined with Senator Carl Levin of Michigan to introduce the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2007. This bipartisan legislation would create the comprehensive approach needed to combat alien species that invade our shores.

The stakes are high when invasive species are introduced into our nation's waters. They endanger ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, and threaten native species. In the 1950's, European green crabs swarmed the Maine coast and literally ate the bottom out of Maine's soft-shell clam industry, forcing many clam diggers into other fisheries or new vocations. In just one decade, this invader reduced the number of diggers in Maine from nearly 5,000 to fewer than 1,500. European green crabs currently cost an estimated $44 million a year in damage and control efforts in the United States.

Past invasions forewarn of the long-term consequences to our environment and communities unless we take steps to prevent new invasions. It is too late to stop European green crabs from taking hold, but we still have the opportunity to prevent other foreign species from invading Maine and the United States.

Senator Levin and I first introduced an earlier version of this legislation in late 2002. Unfortunately, during the five years in which Congress has failed to take action, a number of new unwelcome species have come to our shores. North America's most aggressive invader - hydrilla - was found shortly after we first introduced our legislation. This stubborn and fast-growing aquatic plant has infested in Pickerel Pond in Limerick, where it diminishes recreational use for swimmers and boaters.

Eurasian Milfoil is another new invader. Maine was the last of the lower 48 states to be free of this plant, which forms stems reaching up to 20 feet high that cause fouling problems for swimmers and boaters, and degrades water quality by displacing native plants, fish and other aquatic species. There are now 27 documented cases of aquatic invasive species infesting Maine's lakes and ponds.

While their contribution to our quality of life is priceless, the value of Maine's lakes and ponds to our economy is more measurable. Maine's Great Ponds generate nearly 13 million recreational user days each year, lead to more than $1.2 billion in annual income for Maine residents, and support more than 50,000 jobs.

With so much at stake, Mainers are taking action to stop the spread of invasive species into our state's waters. The State of Maine has made it illegal to sell, posses, cultivate, import or introduce 11 invasive aquatic plants. Boaters participating in the Maine Lake and River Protection Sticker program are providing needed funding to prevent, detect and manage aquatic invasive plants. The voluntary Courtesy Boat Inspection program is helping to keep aquatic invasive plants out of Maine lakes.

While I am proud of the actions that Maine and many other states are taking to protect against invasive species, these efforts are not enough. Protecting our lakes, streams, and coastlines from invading species cannot be accomplished by individual states alone: a uniform, nationwide approach is required. The National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2007 will help our state and states throughout the nation detect, prevent and respond to aquatic invasive species.

Our legislation offers the most comprehensive effort ever undertaken to meet this threat. Funded at $150 million per year, it would open numerous new fronts in our war against invasive species. The bill directs the Coast Guard to develop regulations that will end the easy cruise of invasive species into American waters through the ballast water of international ships, and would provide the Coast Guard with $6 million per year to implement these regulations.

The bill also would provide $30 million per year for a grant program to assist state efforts. It would provide additional funds for the Army Corps of Engineers and Fish and Wildlife Service to contain and control invasive species.

The best way to stop invading species is to attack them before they attack us. We need an early alert, rapid response system. For the first time, our bill would establish a national monitoring network to detect invaders, while providing $25 million to the Department of the Interior to create a rapid response fund to help states and regions react quickly. Finally, the Levin-Collins bill would provide $30 million annually for research, education, and outreach.

Our ponds, lakes, and coastlines are invaluable to our quality of life and essential to our economy. The National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2007 offers strong protection that is long overdue. This legislation can help prevent the next wave of invasive species from destroying what is so precious here in Maine and throughout the country.

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