Eurasian milfoil is a problem. Introduced to this country a century ago as aquarium decoration, it is a fast-growing plant with no natural predators. It has been a huge problem in such states as Washington, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Vermont, completely covering some lakes and requiring expensive remedies. Those states also have conducted extensive research on milfoil control and eradication. Maine is one of just three states with no Eurasian milfoil colonies, or at least no known colonies, and so has the opportunity to learn from other states and avoid their expensive, and in some cases disastrous, mistakes.
Milfoil spreads primarily through cuttings.
What other states have learned is that the best defense is to educate boaters and anglers to clean boats, trailers and other equipment of all vegetation before use, and to educate all outdoor enthusiasts to recognize milfoil and to know where to report it. Although herbicides have been effective, they are also controversial and harmful to desirable species. Research elsewhere has had success in introducing insect predators, such as the milfoil weevil and a particular type of caterpillar, which feed on milfoil and nothing else. No state with successful milfoil control employs such punitive measures as proposed by the Natural Resources Committee. The successful model is widespread and persistent education and close coordination between relevant state agencies and citizen groups, such as lake associations and fishing clubs.