The Save our Lake Initiative is a partnering between the PA DCNR and the PLCOA to reclaim our waters from the aquatic invasive species (AIS) Eurasian Water-Milfoil. We are not only concerned about our lakes but also the introduction of any invasive species to Promised Land that may compromise our forest. The following page is for the benefit of our members and any visitors so they be educated on how to help prevent the spread of invasives in our Park and in your own neighborhoods.
Please visit responsibly!
Invasive alien species are plants, animals, or other organisms that are introduced to a given area outside their original range and cause harm in their new home. Because they have no natural enemies to limit their reproduction, they usually spread rampantly. Invasive alien species are recognized as one of the leading threats to biodiversity and impose enormous costs to agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and other human enterprises, as well as to human health.
People can accidentally spread invasive species when they go for a hike, take their boat out on an infested lake or go hunting. Seeds from some invasive plants can stick to clothing or get lodged in the tread of boots and shoes. Some aquatic invasives have tiny larvae that can spread on fishing tackle, waders and boats. Preventing the spread of these invasive species is much easier than trying to control them once they have become established, so it is essential that when people spend time outdoors they are cautious about where they travel.
HELP PREVENT
THE SPREAD!!
Check out these fact sheets below for tips to reduce the chance of spreading invasives when you recreate on DCNR lands and in your own backyard.
Invasive Beetles found in Firewood Threaten Forests!
To protect the high quality and
native character of our State Parks from exotic invasive species DCNR highly encourages all visitors to:
- Burn/buy locally cut firewood (within 25 miles)
- BURN ALL firewood brought from another area. Do not leave it. Do not take it with you.
- Encourage friends and neighbors not to move firewood
- Do not remove firewood from a Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Area. If you are not sure if you live in a quarantine area, click the link and check the interactive map from the PA Department of Agriculture https://padeptag.maps
General Firewood Quarantine: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has enacted a quarantine order for untreated firewood of any kind coming into the state. Any firewood brought into the state must be kiln dried, heat treated, fumigated, and/or USDA Certified.
Help Reduce the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species
Many AIS can't be seen and are microscopic. It's important to clean your gear even if it doesn't appear to have anything on it. Do not transport any plants, fish or other aquatic life from one body of water to another. Do not release unused bait into the waters you are fishing. Dump unused bait in a trash can.
- Check every inch of your boat, trailer and fishing gear. Remove and leave behind plants, mud and aquatic life.
- Drain water from all equipment before leaving the area you are visiting. This includes shoes, boots, waders, bait buckets, life jackets, swimming floats, water skis, wakeboards and tubes. Some species may live for months in water that has not been removed.
- Clean! Clean! Clean! Use hot (140° F) water to clean your equipment. Spray equipment with a high-pressure washer. If hot water is not available, a commercial hot water car wash also makes an ideal location to wash your boat, motor and trailer.
- Dry everything before entering new waters. Allow equipment to dry to the touch, and then allow it to dry another 48 hours. Thick and dense material like life jackets and felt-soled wading gear will hold moisture longer, take longer to dry and can be more difficult to clean.
STOP THE SPREAD OF EURASIAN WATER-MILFOIL!
- DO NOT pull out the actively growing plants as these plants do multiply by fragmentation.
- REMOVE the DEAD vegetation (milfoil, etc.) that has floated to the edge of the water.
- DO NOT leave the dead vegetation along the shoreline because heavy rains or human/animal activity could return fragments to the lake.
- TRANSPORT the material away from the lake above the ordinary high water mark, preferably in a flat, vegetated area so the fragments cannot wash back.
- DO NOT toss it back into the lake. If you are in you kayak, canoe, rowboat, etc. and you bring up vegetation with your oars or electric motor, bring the vegetation back to shore and dispose of it as stated above.
- USE CAUTION when using electric trolling motors!! AVOID dense pockets of milfoil. Your prop will chop and spread this invasive plant.
Below is a link to contact the PA Fish and Boat Commission to report the presence of invasive species. You can also attach pictures so please make
sure to do so!!
