Courtesy Boat Inspections Important to Maine Lakefront Property Owners

Out and About for the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine July 10-15
July 9, 2015
Out and About for the Bangor Lakes Region of Maine July 16-22
Out and About for the Bangor Lakes Region of Maine July 16-22
July 15, 2015

Courtesy Boat Inspections Important to Maine Lakefront Property Owners

9621_Pemaquid-Pd-flowing-into-Biscay-Pdupper-right-looking-SE.Karen-Berg-photo-creditjpg-300x228

Pemaquid Pond and Biscay Pond in the Midcoast Lakes Region of Maine

When you launch your boat at the ramp near your Maine lakefront property, we trust you’ll partake in a Courtesy Boat Inspection.



Now in its 15th year, the purpose of the CBI program is to encourage boat owners to voluntarily inspect their vessels and reduce the spread of invasive aquatic plants. Boats, trailers and onboard equipment are all suspect.
Courtesy Boat Inspectors do the following:
• Discuss with boaters how invasive aquatic plants spread
• Show boaters how to inspect boats and equipment for plant fragments
• Urge boaters to inspect before and after every launch
• Distribute information about invasive plants
• Articulate Maine law regarding the transport of these plants.
It is illegal to transport ANY aquatic plant, native or non-native, on the outside of a vehicle, boat, trailer or equipment. Violations may result in fines up to $500, and $2,500 for subsequent violations (MRSA Title 38, Section 419-C).
Launching a boat carrying invasive aquatic plants, as defined in MRSA 38 Section 410-N, carries a more serious fine of between $500 and $5,000 (MRSA Title 12, Section 13068-A).
Courtesy Boat Inspection Results Summary 2014 Season
• 83,186 total inspections on both motorized and non-motorized boats
• 93% of the motorized boats had the Lake & River Protection Sticker
• 150 launch sites on 116 waterbodies had Courtesy Boat Inspections
• 14 infested waterbodies had a  Courtesy Boat Inspection Program
• 2196 inspections (2.6%) yielded plant fragments – native or invasive
• of these intercepted plant fragments, 105 (5%) were “saves” (invasive plants) found primarily on boats exiting infested waters
• 55 organizations conducted courtesy boat inspections – plus 46 bass clubs inspected at their permitted tournaments
• 710 courtesy boat inspectors (paid and volunteer) worked a total of 42,293 hours
We’re thankful to live in a state that recognizes the need to educate boaters about invasive species and what they can do to prevent the spread.
To learn more about lakefront properties for sale on Pemaquid Pond in Nobleboro and Damariscotta, click on the green box above.
To learn more about the Midcoast Lakes Region of Maine, check out the blog links below.
Pemaquid Watershed Association Protects Lakefront Properties in Midcoast Maine
Biscay Pond, Damariscotta, Maine: “Golden Pond” of the MidCoast Region
 

Stay Informed

Get the latest lake news delivered direct from Maine’s lake expert, Tom Ferent