A.8. SUMMARY OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT IN 
CONNECTICUT 
A.8.1. AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT PLAN 
The Connecticut Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Management Plan was approved in 
2006 (see Appendix B, State Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan Summaries for a 
general description of the Plan). 
A.8.2. AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES 
• Non-Native Invasive Plant Species Program, Connecticut Department of 
Environmental Protection (CT DEP). The program conducts the following activities: 
(1) Rapid response and eradication of newly-introduced aquatic plants, including water 
chestnut (the CT DEP Fisheries Division and Wildlife Division and the Office of Long 
Island Sound are working with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to carry out 
eradication projects and surveys); (2) Restoration of coastal habitats, including 
Phragmites control in saltwater tidal marshes; and (3) Implementation of a Rapid 
Response Plan for Hydrilla verticillata that was prepared by Wildlife Division staff. 
• Invasive Plant Council (IPC). The IPC was established in 2003 under Connecticut state 
law. Membership includes representatives from state agencies, universities, Invasive 
Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE), non-profit conservation groups, and the 
Connecticut Nurseryman’s Association. To date, a total of 81 non-native invasive plant 
species have been listed with prohibitions on importation, moving, sale, purchase, 
transplantation, cultivation, or distribution. The IPC is currently working on obtaining 
funding to create a non-native invasive plant program that will focus on early detection, 
rapid response, education, and prevention. 
• Wetlands Habitat and Mosquito Management (WHAMM) Program, CT DEP, 
Wildlife Division. The control of Phragmites australis through herbicide application has 
been a major component of recent wetland restoration efforts. The WHAMM Program 
also plans to research new alternative herbicides for Phragmites control. 
• Water Chestnut Harvesting Program, CT DEP, Fisheries Division and Wildlife 
Division, Office of Long Island Sound Programs, USFWS Connecticut River 
Coordinator's Office (Connecticut River Fisheries Program). The program conducts 
water chestnut management (surveys, removal, education) and monitoring for 
undiscovered water chestnut populations. 
• Lakes Management Program, CT DEP, Bureau of Water Management, Division of 
Planning and Standards. The program conducts the following activities: dredging of 
Silver Lake in Meriden/Berlin to hinder growth of Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM); 
funding to control variable watermilfoil in Bashan Lake with 2-4D; spot-treatment of 
EWM with limited amounts of herbicides; inventory and vegetation surveys of aquatic 
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