The State Department of Environmental Conservation announced that Watercraft inspection stewards (boat stewards) are deploying across the state to educate and assist the public in cleaning equipment this season to prevent the introduction and spread of non-native plants and animals in New York waterbodies.

Boat stewards will be stationed at more than 200 boat launches and decontamination stations throughout the state by Memorial Day weekend. Identified by their blue vests, boat stewards can provide a refresher on how to inspect your boat and gear and offer information on aquatic invasive species in New York.

Last year, DEC’s boat stewards inspected more than 220,000 boats and intercepted more than 8,000 AIS, including hydrilla, which led to the discovery of a new infestation in the Niagara River. Efforts are currently underway to control the invasive plant and prevent it from negatively impacting the native ecosystem, as well as water recreation. The DEC is collaborating with local stakeholders and Federal partners to keep the infestation contained and prevent further spread.

Hydrilla negatively impacts recreation, tourism, and aquatic ecosystems and is one of the most difficult aquatic invasive species to control. This invasive plant breaks apart easily, and new plants can develop from pieces of stem that are no more than an inch long.

All water recreationists should follow these steps to make sure their equipment isn’t harboring AIS:
– Clean mud, plants, and animals off boating and fishing equipment (trailer bunks, axles, rollers, lights, transducers, license plates, motor props, tackle, waders, etc.) and discard the material in a trash can or at a disposal station;
– Drain all water-holding compartments, including ballast tanks, live wells, and bilge areas, before leaving an access site; and
– Dry everything thoroughly before using boats or equipment in another waterbody. Drying times can vary but a minimum of five to seven days in dry, warm conditions is recommended.
– When there’s no time to dry between uses, disinfect things with hot water that is at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit, or visit a decontamination site.

The guide for aquatic invasive species removal can be found here: https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/48221.html

Officials are asking residents to be on the lookout for two types of invasive aquatic plants in Chautauqua Lake: Water Chestnuts and Hydrilla.

STOW – Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards and Chautauqua County Watershed Coordinator Jeff Diers were in Stow Monday morning to announce that residents and visitors should be on the lookout for two invasive plant species in Chautauqua Lake.  The two types of plants that people should be aware of are water chestnut and hydrilla.

Edwards said that because of their ability to rapidly spread, the plants will pose a potential threat to the Lake if they are left to grow and are not properly eradicated.

Last summer the water chestnut was discovered in Chautauqua Lake when consultants for the county collected two specimens of the plant. The discovery sparked two mass searches for water chestnut. Through these sweeps of the Lake, 17 additional water chestnut plants were discovered in either the Bemus Creek area or the mouth of the Chadakoin River.

Although Hydrilla has not been identified in Chautauqua Lake yet, it was discovered last summer in Tonawanda Creek, which is less than 80 miles from Chautauqua County.

Diers said the discovery of Hydrilla in Tonawanda Creek last summer was alarming because it is considered by many experts to be one of the worst invasive aquatic species in the world. It has often been described as Eurasian milfoil on steroids. Dier said it is vital the county prevent this invasive species from becoming established in our local lakes and waterways.

More details about both plants, including photos, can be found on the county website. Individuals who see either of these plants are urged not to remove them, as experts need to analyze and properly remove them from the lake to prevent them from spreading. Instead, individuals should contact Diers at (716) 661-8915 to report the sighting.