The success of a low-risk herbicide treatment to choke invasive milfoil in Great Meadow Stream will not be fully known until early August. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection applied the herbicide, ProcellaCOR, on June 16, using an airboat. The herbicide is an intentionally slow-moving solution that is gradually absorbed by the entire plant, including its roots. The success of the effort cannot be fully measured for five weeks.
Sharon Mann, Invasive Aquatics Director for the 7 Lakes Alliance, stressed the treatment is not a “silver bullet” cure-all. The one-time treatment is meant to stymie invasive milfoil so 7 Lakes divers can continue to sustainably remove the milfoil infestation while preventing its spread. The 7 Lakes Alliance and the Belgrade Lakes Association supports the DEP’s decision to treat Great Meadow Stream after studying the herbicide’s effectiveness and safety. ProcellaCOR is not toxic to humans and aquatic life at recommended dosages, and only temporarily impacts native plants. 7 Lakes is monitoring the treatment’s impact on plants. The DEP, with assistance from 7 Lakes, is gathering water samples from three checkpoints along the stream; results of the samples are pending.
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