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MTP further threatened as invasive weed continues to spread

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Map shows European Naiad infestation as of last fall. It has grown since then. (Courtesy image)

The area of Milton Three Ponds in which the invasive European Naiad plant has been observed has grown since it was first discovered last fall, according to a director of the Three Ponds Protective Association.

Bob Myrick, president of the TPPA, said while the European Naiad has still not been spotted in either Depot or Townhouse pond, it has increased its presence in Northeast Pond and in the channel that connects Northeast Pond to the other two bodies of water.

Myrick, who is heading up a local effort to recruit volunteer European Naiad spotters, said he has about 25 people who have come forward to help, but needs about 25 more.

"Volunteers get out on the lake and spend an hour or so doing a small quadrant once a week," Myrick said on Friday. "But we need this done on all three ponds, so there's a lot of area to search.

The European Naiad

Milton Three Ponds comprises nearly 1,200 acres spread out over three ponds and what's known as the channel, or river, that connects Northeast Pond to Depot Pond.

Another challenge is that the European Naiad can't necessarily be spotted on top of the water, but must be observed below the water line.

Spotters have to look down in the water, using polarized sun glasses, to positively identify the plant, which is similar in appearance to the ponds' native naiad, which is beneficial.

Myrick said the European Naiad, however, is different in at least two ways. Its leaves curl on itself rather that lay flat, and its leaves have sawtooth edges while the native naiad's are smooth.

Spotters have to be careful not to disturb potential European Naiad as just brushing against them can release thousands of seeds into the water.

State environmental agencies in both New Hampshire and Maine are taking the leads in attempting to eradicate the plant, which is usually done in a couple of ways.

The plants can be pulled out by professionals and then sucked out by machines or large tarps can be stretched over them to block out sunlight necessary for their survival. The tarps provide ample space for fish and other aquatic life to escape.

The European Naiad is an annual plant, which means it sprouts anew each year.

In the short term it poses no immediate threat to Milton Three Ponds due, in part, to its relatively slow growth, but that has a two-edged sword, Myrick said.

"We can't become complacent," he said. "The plant may be slow in its growth (it's not as aggressive as milfoil), but it's persistent and puts out a large number of seeds. In the short term it's not so bad, but over a longer time, it can be bad."

European naiad was also confirmed in one small pond in Kittery and in a handful of New Hampshire water bodies last year.

The invasive plant had been documented previously in two New Hampshire water bodies, but populations declined on their own without management, according to Amy Smagula of the New Hampshire DES. "European naiad has not been a common problem species in this area, though with several new infestations documented in New Hampshire in 2015, that may be about to change. It warrants further investigation."

Maine DEP and NH DES have distributed invasive species warning signs to be posted at boat ramps urging boaters to inspect for and remove plant debris before and after accessing Milton Three Ponds. Also notified were boat ramp and other land owners, fishing tournament organizers, and fisheries and warden services from both states.

Maine has been fortunate in recent years to remove water bodies from the statewide list of infestations, according to its DEP website. To date, of Maine's 5,700 named water bodies, only 46 are now documented as infested.

Myrick said the next survey begins this week. If you would like to volunteer to help monitor the growth of European Naiad, click here.

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