Native milfoil discovered in Moose Pond

OTISFIELD — Conservation Committee member Pixie Williams says she and others have discovered a large patch of native milfoil in Moose Pond, a type no committee member recognizes.

Williams explained the situation to the board of selectmen at its September 19 meeting.

"It's significant," Williams said of the plant, identified as myriophyllum humile. 

"It's a small, delicate milfoil," she explained.

"This is a native one [we've] never heard about before," she told selectmen. 

According to Williams, the Department of Environmental Protection is aware of the recent discovery.

This milfoil is different from the invasive plant, myriophyllum heterophyllum, that has invaded Maine lakes and ponds after spreading from the south and mid-west for decades, said Williams.

In conducting a recent survey of the pond, Williams said she and others discovered a patch of myriophyllum humile covering an area of more than 30-by-30 feet. 

"We took samples and took it over to MLMP [Maine Lake's Monitoring Program] and saw Roberta Hill and she said interestingly enough, this has happened twice before." 

Williams reported the native milfoil was located in a pond near Windham in 2009 and in a pond near Ellsworth in 2011.

Williams said even Hill is unclear as to what explains the infestation. "There's insufficient scientific knowledge behind this." 

About two years ago, a small two-by-two foot patch of myriophyllum heterophyllum was discovered in Moose Pond and just last year, a three-by-three foot patch was discovered in the pond, said Williams. 

Williams said the conservation committee is putting together a rapid-response team of people from Casco and Otisfield to respond to situations like these and help survey small ponds. 

Next summer, the first job will be to return to Moose Pond and determine what's driving the infestation. "We just don't understand," said Williams. 

"I don't think the scientific reason is understood," she said. 

In other news, the board: 

• Approved the conservation committee's mission statement that was recently amended. The statement is on the town's website. 

• Heard from Conservation Committee Chair Jeff Stern that he and Dave Hyer, vice chair of the road study review committee, surveyed about half of the town's gravel and paved roads to determine the "potentially sensitive areas." 

• Approved a paving contractor Rampart Bituminous LLC for fiscal year 2012-2013. The scope of work is Bell Hill, Andrews Hill and Powhatan roads.