With the arrival of Maine's boating season, state environmental officials are urging boaters to closely inspect their boats before launching them into lakes to prevent the spread of invasive species.
The Department of Environmental Protection says it has declared 2012 to be "The Year of the Boater Self-Inspection."
DEP estimates that less than 20 percent of boaters take the three minutes that are needed to conduct a self-inspection before launching their boats by reviewing and removing any plants from the anchor, lines, propeller, fishing gear and trailer.
Invasive aquatic plants such as milfoil and hydrilla are now present in 23 of the state's lake systems.
The DEP says courtesy boat inspectors conducted a record 76,000 inspections last year, but they're stationed on just 116 of the state's 6,000 lakes.
State Inspecting Boats for Invasive Plants
-
Maine Senators Oppose Border Crossing Fees
-
Energy Bill Targets Prices
-
Accused Murderer Heads to Psychiatric Hospital
-
Ignition Interlock Devices Designed To Reduce Drunk Driving
-
Gifford's Ice Cream Gets a Sweet Prize
-
Hundreds Attend Balloon Release For Cable Family
-
Pittsfield Students Honor Men and Women Who Serve
-
Bar Harbor to Boston Air Service is Back
-
UMaine Unveils Floating Buoy to help with Offshore Wind Power
-
Battlefield Cross Memorial Ceremony to Take Place in Augusta
Comments
Add your comments to the discussion. By submitting a comment, you agree to the terms of the terms of use and are 18 years of age or older.
Fields marked with a * are required.
Want a personal picture next to your comment? Sign up for a free Gravatar or post with your facebook account.
Facebook Comments
Breaking News from CBS
-
Video: Preview: "48 Hours" double feature
Saturday, June 1: At 9 p.m., a global manhunt for a top doctor after his wife's untimely death. Then at 10, an actress is dead and her preacher boyfriend prays for answers.
-
Video: Tornado-ravaged community holds graduation ceremony
Five days after a deadly tornado ravaged Moore, Oklahoma, three high schools in the community took a break from the clean up to hold graduation ceremonies for their seniors, some of whom like 18-year-old Sawyer Tumblson lost their homes. Bigad Shaban reports.
-
L.A. stoplights synchronized to improve traffic
Los Angeles became the first major city in the world to synchronize all of its nearly 4,400 stop lights
-
Video: Extra: Justice for Kari
When Kari Baker's death was ruled a suicide in April 2006, law enforcement thought the case was closed. And it might have been, if not for Kari's mother and a growing circle of family, friends, investigators, attorneys and others who were convinced Kari had been murdered by her husband, Baptist Preacher Matt Baker, and were determined to get justice no matter how long it would take.
-
Video: Extra: Vanessa Bulls talks to police
Four months after Kari Baker's death, police question Vanessa Bulls about her relationship with Baptist preacher Matt Baker. They believe she knows more than she's saying.
Add your Comments