A.30. SUMMARY OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT IN 
NEW HAMPSHIRE 
A.30.1. AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT PLAN 
No plan available. 
A.30.2. AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES 
• New Hampshire Exotic Aquatic Plant Program, New Hampshire Department of 
Environmental Services (NHDES). The primary purpose of the program is to “prevent 
the introduction and further dispersal of exotic aquatic weeds and to manage or eradicate 
exotic aquatic weed infestations in the surface waters of the state.” The program focuses 
on submerged exotic aquatic plants, including variable milfoil ( Myriophyllum 
heterophyllum), Eurasian watermilfoil ( Myriophyllum spicatum), fanwort (Cabomba 
caroliniana ), Brazilian elodea ( Egeria densa), Hydrilla {Hydrilla verticillata ), and water 
chestnut ( Trapa natans), among other species. The program has five focus areas: (1) 
Prevention of new infestations; (2) Monitoring for early detection of new infestations to 
facilitate rapid control activities; (3) Control of new and established infestations; (4) 
Research towards new control methods with the goal of reducing or eliminating infested 
areas; and (5) Regional cooperation. The program is funded through the collection of a 
$5 fee derived from New Hampshire boat registrations. For each $5 collected, $4.50 is 
dedicated to tasks and projects associated with exotic aquatic plants. The program’s 
establishing statutes also list 27 prohibited aquatic plants and associated species. 
• Lake Host Program, NHDES and New Hampshire Lakes Association. The New 
Hampshire Lakes Association, under a grant appropriation from NHDES, hires summer 
staff to inspect aquatic recreational gear, such as boats, trailers, and personal water craft, 
for aquatic weeds at public access water sites across the state. Staff also distribute 
information and maps on exotic aquatic plant infestations. If detected, aquatic invasive 
species are sent to NHDES, which posts an online notice. The Lakes Association also 
educates boaters about self-inspections. 
• Weed Watcher Program, NHDES. NHDES trains volunteers to monitor water bodies 
for any new growths of exotic aquatic plants. If volunteers find aquatic weeds, they cull 
them and send to NHDES. New infestations are assessed and removed using hand- 
culling, bottom barriers, or herbicides following the principles of Integrated Pest 
Management. As of 2006, NHDES monitoring activities included surveys of over 300 
lakes, with over 600 trained Weed Watchers actively monitoring water bodies across the 
state. 
. Milfoil Control, Squam Lakes Association (SLA) and NHDES. SLA organizes 
trained volunteers to conduct surveys, remove fragments, and pull rooted variable milfoil. 
Questionable specimens are sent to SLA for identification and NHDES is notified of new 
infestation sites. Control is possible, but eradication is not. Since the discovery of 
milfoil, SLA has been working with the NHDES to develop management alternatives for 
A-77 
