Lake Dunmore / Fern Lake Association

2004 Environmental Merit Award

Leicester, Vermont and Lake Dunmore/Fern Lake Association, Eurasian Milfoil Control
The Town of Leicester, VT and the Lake Dunmore/Fern Lake Association demonstrated that it is possible to control Eurasian Milfoil in an environmentally friendly way, without herbicides or mechanical damage to lake bottoms. Eurasian Milfoil is a non-native aquatic plant that invades New England lakes and ponds, forming dense beds that degrade fish habitat and overall lake ecology. Traditional methods of control include herbicides, biological controls and mechanical harvesters and barriers, all of which have adverse effects. The Leicester and LDFLA program utilizes a small team of well-trained divers to hand-pull milfoil plants. The success of this program on both a small and large lake demonstrates the effectiveness of this program and its value as a model for the rest of the region. To that end, the project has produced extensive documentation and hopes to share it with other lake organizations in New England.
By: EPA New England

Jeff Wallin and Liam Powers accept the award at Faneuil Hall in Boston.