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DIFW outlines surface‑use restriction plan, education and monitoring in invasive aquatic species report back
Summary
DIFW reported on implementation of Public Law 2025, ch.116, describing expanded authority for surface‑use restrictions (including animals), proposed 2026 restricted areas under consideration, plans to strengthen signage and inspections, development of an educational certification for aquatic invasive species inspections, and ongoing eDNA monitoring for zebra mussels (no detections in sampled northern lakes to date).
Dakota Stankowski, the aquatic invasive species coordinator for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, presented the department's report back on Public Law 2025, chapter 116, which strengthened the state's tools to respond to aquatic invasive plants and animals.
Stankowski said statutory changes now allow surface‑use restrictions to be applied for invasive aquatic animals as well as plants, and authorize the commissioners to require watercraft inspections on entry to restricted waters (not only on removal). She said the departments typically set surface‑use restrictions seasonally and that four possible restricted areas are under consideration for the 2026 open‑water season (Anabessacook Lake/Androscoggin Lake portions, North Pond in Smithfield, and a cove on Sebago Lake), though none were finalized at the January meeting.
The department recommended removing travel‑through exemptions for waterfront property owners where they create inconsistent access, strengthening documentation and the memorandum of understanding used to set restrictions, improving on‑site signage and buoy consistency, and expanding courtesy boat inspection coverage and outreach. Stankowski described a plan for an online aquatic invasive species education course that could certify inspectors.
On zebra mussel monitoring, Stankowski described eDNA sampling in northern Maine and the Fish River watershed; zebra mussels have been detected downstream in the Saint John main stem on the New Brunswick side, but department sampling to date has not found established zebra mussels in the sampled northern Maine waters. Stankowski said monitoring will continue and be expanded.
Next steps: Departments will continue spring planning for any surface‑use restrictions, improve communication and signage guidance, expand inspection and education efforts and report back as the rapid‑response plan review proceeds (interagency report due January 2027).
