Invasive Aquatic Plants Cost Share Grants
Local Projects Cost Share Grants to Prevent the Spread of Invasive Aquatic Plants
A. Inspection and Education Programs. Boat inspections and boater education are cornerstones of the state's invasive aquatic species prevention program. Limited funds are available for locally initiated inspection and education projects during the summer of 2004. Grants up to $2000 are available to municipal and county governments, quasi-municipal organizations (including water districts) and 501C(3) eligible organizations (such as lake associations).
This cost share program is administered by the Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) in Bridgton, Maine under an agreement with the Maine DEP. Eligible projects include boat inspection programs and education efforts to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species. Boat inspectors will be trained by LEA and must follow protocol developed by the LEA.
B. Hand Removal of Invasive Aquatic Plants. Limited funds are available for hand removal of invasive aquatic plants. Lakes with documented infestations may apply for an additional $2,000 to be used for hand removal of invasive aquatic plants. Priority will be given to projects aimed at plant removal in small, isolated infestations near boat access points and in areas with high boat traffic.
Entities applying for hand removal work must have active education and inspection programs (whether or not funded by the cost share program) and must also have conducted a plant survey of the lake. See the list of documented infestations to confirm if your lake has an infestation (http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/topic/invasives/doc.htm).
The deadline for applications is April 23, 2004.
Contact Lakes Environmental Association for more information: lakes@megalink.net or
Lakes Environmental Association
230 Main Street
Bridgton, ME 04009
Attn: Cost share projects
Electronic submissions are encouraged. Contact Peter Lowell or David Welch at (207) 647-8580 with questions.
