How can we prevent the spread of invasive species?
By Kathleen Perrott
If you like to boat or paddle, you’ve probably heard the phrase Clean, Drain, Dry. These are the three simple and effective steps you can take to prevent aquatic invasives from spreading from one body of water to another. Please don’t bring anything new into our lake and don’t bring anything from our lake to another lake!
Beginning last June, a new NY State law requires all operators of motorized watercraft to obtain certification that they have cleaned, drained and dried boats and equipment each time they launch into a new waterbody in the Adirondack Park and within 10 miles of the Blue Line. Watercraft operators can receive a watercraft inspection certificate from a boat steward by accepting a free boat inspection or decontamination. Alternately, boaters may follow Clean, Drain, Dry steps on their own and fill out a self-issued certificate available on DEC’s website before launching.
Aquatic invasive species (AIS), from Eurasian watermilfoil to zebra mussels, can attach to and hitchhike on boats, motors, trailers and paddles. They can also be transported in bilge and ballast water, live wells fishing rods, and bait buckets.
What can we do?
- Clean– After each trip, inspect your boat, canoe, kayak, trailer and anything else that came in contact with water (buoys, anchors, ropes, etc.) for attached mud, plants and debris. Remove and dispose of anything found.
- Drain– Identify any standing water in boat compartments, bilge tanks, motors or live wells and drain the water from them.
- Dry– Let your gear and equipment dry completely for at least 48 hours, but ideally five days, before your next trip. For canoes and kayaks, you can also towel dry.
- One of the quickest ways to ensure your boat and equipment are Clean, Drained, & Dry is to stop by one of the free boat wash stations in the Adirondacks. You can find the nearest wash station at adkcleanboats.com. The nearest station for Peck’s Lake is right up the road in Caroga! It’s FREE and they will wash your boat, trailer, kayak, canoes, etc.
- With high pressure, hot water (120-140 degrees f), these boat wash systems reduce the chance of introducing AIS into pristine waterways and further harm partially infested waterways. Each wash station is run by individuals trained to identify invasive species and properly decontaminate any evident or suspected threat. A full wash/decontamination takes less than 15 minutes (faster than you could wash your boat at home)!
You can visit the DEC website for more information here. A copy of the DEC press release announcing the Invasive Species program can be found here. A self-issued certificate for launching your watercraft is available by clicking this link.