Boaters Can Help Stop Spread Of Invasive Species

The state Department of Environmental Protection is training volunteers to educate boaters about invasive species on Candlewood Lake. Last fall the invasive zebra mussel was found in Lakes Zoar and Lillinonah. The mussel can be carried in boats from one lake to another. Eleanor Mariani of the D.E.P. says the volunteers will ask boaters to make sure they’ve cleaned their vessels if they’ve been in a lake that contains the mussel.

“What we need to do is really explain to them zebra mussels can cause problems for the boater, the mussels can end up clogging intake and overheating their engines. If they colonize in shallow waters they’re very sharp to walk on. And so they can also change the ecology of the water. So we definitely don’t want to see zebra mussels expand into other waters."

The D.E.P. would like to have volunteers at about 20 boat ramps on Candlewood Lake. The training for volunteers takes place at the New Milford Police Station on Saturday.

For WNPR, I'm Nancy Cohen.