Vermont Lakes & Ponds Section - Aquatic Nuisance Species

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Surface Water Management Strategy Chapter 1-Intro Chapter 2-Stressors Chapter 3-Next Steps Chapter 4-Tactical Planning Process Appendix A-Regulations Appendix B-Pollutants Appendix C-Activities Appendix D-Programs Lakes and Ponds Aquatic Invasive Species AIS Sticker Program Aquatic Invasive Species in Vermont Grant-in-Aid Program Transport Law Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIPs) Data & Information Depth Charts Lake Champlain Monitoring Program data Lakes Scorecard Lake Water Quality summary reports Lay Monitoring Data Spring Phosphorus Monitoring Vermont Invasive Species Map Watershed and Lake Associations of Vermont Education & Outreach Cyanobacteria Lake Protection Series Lakes Scorecard Mercury and other persistent pollutants Out of the Blue Newsletter Project Wet Healthy Lakeshores and Watersheds Lake Protection Series Lakeshore vegetation and buffers Lakes Scorecard Lake Champlain Champlain TMDL Long-Term Monitoring Program Water Quality data - Lake Water Quality data - Tributaries Zebra mussel monitoring Cyanobacteria Permitting Aquatic Nuisance Control Shoreland Encroachment Monitoring/Volunteer Monitoring Lakes Scorecard Lake Water Quality Summary Reports Lay Monitoring program Spring Phosphorus Monitoring Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIP) Vermont's Lakes and Ponds Monitoring programs Water Quality Division Monitoring Strategy Permitting Aquatic Nuisance Control Shoreland Encroachment Small Pond Information Contacts Public Notices Publications/Resources Monitoring, Assessment & Planning Program Overview Monitoring Acid Rain Biomonitoring Fish Sampling & Metrics Macroinvertebrates, Processing, & Metrics Malformed Frogs Vernal Pools Public Notices Resources Data Portal Assessment TMDL Info Basin Planning Process Education & Outreach FAQ's Specific Basins & Planning Activities Public Notices Resources River Management Publications & Resources Corridor Planning, Protection & Restoration Flood Hazard Management Geomorphic & Habitat Assessment Permits Streamflow Protection Public Notices Division Resources Stormwater Permit Information, Applications & Fees Statewide Map of Existing Stormwater Permits Impaired Waters Green Infrastructure Public Notices Resources Wastewater Wastewater Treatment Facility Operator Certification Legal Authority General Policy Facility Classification Types of Certification Training Requirements Training Contacts Training Opportunities Exam Information Reciprocity Links to related items including Certification Application Form Discharge Permits NPDES Federal Pretreatment Permit General Permit for Discharges From Petroleum Related Remediation Activities Stormwater Permit Application Forms Links Operations Management Reported Sewer Overflows O&M Highlights Wastewater Facility Operator Certification Monitoring Report Forms Laboratory Assistance Emergency Pollution Permit Links Residuals Management Overview Solid Waste Rules Certifications & Plans Indirect Discharge Rules Application Forms & Fee Information Quarterly Monitoring Forms Contacts Links Permit & Certification Forms Public Notices, Fact Sheets, Draft Permits Appeal Info & Recent Decisions Wetlands Vermont Significant Wetland Inventory Maps Education and Outreach Functions & Values Identification & Delineation Regulations What is a Wetland? Public Notices Resources Contacts

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Aquatic Invasive Species in Vermont

To Report an Aquatic Invasive Species Sighting in Vermont Call: 802-338-4822

New! The transport of all aquatic plants is now illegal in Vermont. Click here for more information.

VT Aquatic Invasive Species Sticker Program

This Aquatic Invasive Species section of the of the Watershed Management Division web site presents information regarding aquatic nuisance species. The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation manages the Vermont Aquatic Nuisance Control Program. The goal of the Program is "to prevent or reduce the environmental and socio-economic impacts of nuisance (primarily non-native) aquatic plant and animal species." Many species are included in the Program; however, the priority species at this time are listed below.

Click on an image for more information on each species.

	Water Chestnut (Trapa natans) is a glossy, green, triangular-leaved plant can easily choke the waterbodies it invades, out-compete native plants, and reduce oxygen levels which can increase the potential for fish kills. Dense, nearly impenetrable water chestnut growth can make fishing, hunting, swimming, boating, and other recreational activities nearly impossible. Its sharply spined fruits wash ashore and can be hazardous to people who step on them.		Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) is a stringy, submerged plant that quickly proliferates. It is highly invasive and aggressively competes with native plant communities reducing biodiversity. Dense mats clog propellers, impair swimming, restrict boating and fishing accesses, and affect water quality.
	Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are small barnacle-like mollusks. They have caused some very serious economic and environmental problems in many areas. They are highly prolific and able to form dense colonies out-competing native species. They feed by filtering plankton out of the water which impacts water clarity and alters the food web.		Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a wetland perennial plant. It is highly successful and able to out-compete native vegetation due to it's high germination rate, and its abundant and easily transported seed. Dense growth can eliminate food and shelter for wildlife including shallow water fish spawning grounds.
	Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) is a marine fish from the herring family capable of surviving in freshwater. They reproduce quickly and can soon become the most dominant fish species in a lake. They are very efficient feeders and consume huge quantities of zooplankton which enable them to out-compete other species.		Variable-leaved watermilfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum) is a rooted, submerged perennial plant that was first confirmed in a Vermont water in 2008. Like its cousin Eurasian watermilfoil, variable-leaved watermilfoil is aggressive and grows rapidly. Dense growth can crowd out beneficial native aquatic plants reducing biodiversity. It can also impair recreational uses including swimming, boating and fishing.
	Rusty Crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) can be identified by their robust claws with black bands on the tips, and dark, rusty spots on each side of their carapace (body). They can out-compete native species, forcing native crayfish from daytime hiding areas and destroying aquatic plant beds. They have likely been spread into numerous waterbodies in Vermont by anglers using them for bait.		Didymo (Didymosphenia geminata) is a non-native algae (diatom) species capable of forming thick nuisance mats on river and stream bottoms with potentially significant impacts to fisheries and other habitat. (Picture at left from New Zealand)

What is the State Doing?

The State of Vermont is working in a number of ways to control and prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS):

Vermonters and visitors to our state are learning about AIS through a variety of educational materials: pamphlets and newsletters, slide shows, identification posters, metal boater warning signs, and public meetings.
Surveys that assess the types and amounts of aquatic plants growing in a lake are conducted to monitor existing nuisance plant growth and to detect newly introduced invasive plant populations.
A citizen-based, early detection program called the Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIP) Program has been established to search lakes for new AIS infestations. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in this program.
The Department of Environmental Conservation is keeping abreast of current research to learn of improved AIS control methods and their applicability for use in Vermont.
Demonstration projects have been implemented on a number of Vermont lakes to evaluate new control methods as well as to refine established techniques.
Technical assistance on AIScontrol is provided to towns, lake associations, and others.
Financial assistance (pdf, 375 KB) is available through the Aquatic Nuisance Control Program in the form of grants to municipalities for qualified applicants to implement restoration, management, or protection projects.

Vermont Aquatic Invasive Species Program 2011 Update, November 2011 (pdf, 373 KB)

Vermont Aquatic Invasive Species Program 2010 Update, November 2010 (pdf, 495 KB)

Vermont Aquatic Invasive Species Program 2009 Update, November 2009 (pdf, 236 KB)

Vermont Aquatic Invasive Species Program 2008 Update, November 2008 (pdf. 224 KB)

Stop the Spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species sign...posted at public access areas

You Can Help!

Prevent the introduction and spread of nonnative invasive species.

Contact the Watershed Management Division immediately if you think you have found a new occurrence of an aquatic invasive species.
Join the VIPs! Vermont Invasive Patrollers help search for new infestations so we can respond immediately and prevent them from becoming established.
Learn to identify aquatic invasive species. Know which waterbodies are infested. Review identification and distribution information on this website. The Maine Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants - Virtual Herbarium website also has identification information for many invasive aquatic plants found in the northeast, including a Maine Field Guide to Invasive Aquatic Plants, and their common native look alikes.
Spread the word, not aquatic species! Public participation is essential to the success of AIS spread prevention efforts.

Before moving boats between waterbodies:

Inspect boat, trailer, motor and other equipment for attached plant or animal material.
Remove all plant and animal material.
Discard removed material in a trash receptacle or on high, dry ground where there is no danger of them washing into any water body.
Drain all water from boat, boat engine, and other equipment.
Rinse all boat and trailer parts with tap water (preferably hot, high pressure).
Dry boat, trailer and equipment out of water and in sun for at least five days.

Additional Resources