PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 18, 2022
A broad coalition of conservation groups and property owners is pushing for legislation to strengthen Maine’s protections against invasive freshwater plants and animals before it’s too late. Thus far, Maine’s thousands of pristine lakes and ponds have largely avoided widespread infestations that degrade water quality, choke out native species and obstruct boats and swimmers. But the state’s luck could run out without more protections, said Colin Holme of the Lakes Environmental Association. Once an infestation sets in, it is extremely expensive, and sometimes impossible, to remove. A bill before lawmakers this session would try to bridge that gap by establishing a new state-level committee that would report regularly to the Legislature and recommend new laws and regulations to combat and prevent freshwater invasives.