DRAFT - To address BSP Mgt Plan Action Item , p.87. (text replacement)

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1 Non-Native Invasive Plants and Animals As human observers who measure change in days and years, it is difficult for us to grasp that the landscapes we know in our lifetimes are not only ephemeral, but also often radically different from those that preceded them. 1 Invasive, exotic, non-native or alien are common terms heard today in natural resource management. These terms are usually applied when an alien or non-native species arrives in an environment and causes a noticeable and often long-lasting change in the environment, usually through crowding native plants or animals out by aggressive and effective competition for resources, by killing or affecting other flora or fauna in the system, or by disrupting key processes in certain natural communities. Non-native invasive species includes all ranges of life including both land and waterbased plants and vertebrate and invertebrate animals and fungi. The following definitions are excerpted from statute adopted by the Maine Department of Agriculture titled Criteria for Listing Invasive Terrestrial Plants. Although these definitions were developed for plants, they could also be applied to vertebrate and invertebrate animals. Invasive plant a non-native species that has spread into native or minimally managed plant communities (habitats) in Maine. They cause economic or environmental harm by developing self-sustaining populations and becoming dominant and/or disruptive to native species. As defined here species includes all synonyms, subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of that species unless proven otherwise by a process of scientific evaluation. Non-native plant a species that is not native or naturally occurring (based on its biology, phylogeny, distribution and current knowledge of the species) within Maine. A species may be native to North America, but non-native to Maine. Synonymous with non-indigenous, exotic or alien. 2 Naturalized plant refers to the ability of a plant to reproduce and colonize on its own without human assistance. 3 As resource managers, the primary concern is not the former habitat of a species, but the invasive nature the ability a species may have to significantly alter an existing environment and the social and economic effects the alterations may have on humans. 1 Tom Wessels, Reading the Forested Landscape; The Countryman Press, Reference: 7 M.R.S.A. Chapter 405-A Section 2211, December 25, 2011 filing Don Cameron, personal communication.

2 The effects of invasive organisms on the forest ecosystems of Maine is not new, but the propensity of humans to travel widely over the landscape has clearly increased the speed and opportunities for organisms to travel around the globe and pioneer new environments. Over the last 350 years, a wide variety of plants and insects native to other continents, have migrated to North American and naturalized across the landscape, including portions of Baxter State Park. Examples include plants such as dandelion, yarrow, pearly everlasting and insects such as the Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar). Beginning in the 1930 s, beech bark disease, a complex association of scale insects and fungal disease, spread through northeastern states and killed and degraded American beech (Fagus grandifolia). No known practical control for this disease has been found. In the early 1900 s, the Chestnut Blight (Cryphonectria parasitica) spread through the wide range of the American Chestnut in the U.S. and effectively removed this species from forest stands. The Chestnut Blight was followed closely by Dutch Elm Disease, which effectively eliminated mature American Elm trees from forests throughout its range and the streets of hundreds of cities and towns. More recently a new wave of aggressively invasive non-native plants and animals have arrived in North America, including, but certainly not limited to species such as Eurasian Milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), Hydrilla (Esthwaite Waterweed), the Asian Long-horned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis), the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennisi), and the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae). These species are rapidly establishing themselves and have the potential to change the ecosystems and natural communities people know and love and in some cases depend upon for economic security. In most cases these non-native species do not have any known effective natural control in their new setting. The changes that have been seen in the mid Atlantic and southern New England states, where certain invasive plants and organisms have already become established, have imparted a sense of urgency to managers of areas not yet affected. Species Watch Lists Once criteria for defining non-native invasive organisms has been developed, the next step for most natural resource managers concerned about non-native invasive plants and animals is to develop a list of plants and animals that currently exist on the landscape or exhibit trends of movement that suggest they are likely to arrive on the landscape in the future. This Park utilizes a list developed by the Park Naturalist, Working List of Invasive and Potentially Invasive Species in Baxter State Park (link to appendix location). In addition to the working list for Baxter State Park, several additional publications contain watch lists for invasive non-natives in Maine including: Maine Natural Areas Program List of Invasive Plants Species in Maine

3 Management Plans for Invasive Plant Species of Acadia National Park: asivemanagement.htm Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program Best Management Practice: The Maine Forest Service includes a comprehensive section on invasive insects on their website: These lists, management and response plans provide a comprehensive information resource regarding the non-native invasive land and water-based organisms that most likely pose immediate, imminent or possible threats to Baxter State Park. These lists are likely to change as existing non-natives make progress toward Maine and as climate change alters the relationships between organisms in ecosystems across the natural landscape. Non-native and Invasive Fish The introduction and spread of competing fish species has had a substantial impact on the quantity and quality of Maine s brook trout resource. The chain pickerel was indigenous to only a few southern Maine waters but by 1850 had been introduced to other parts of the state and was well established in many trout waters. More recently, northern pike and muskellunge which are related to pickerel but grow much larger have been illegally introduced into several drainages where they continue to expand their range. The smallmouth bass had become established in many coastal drainages by the early 1900 s, but continues to be illegally introduced into new drainages, including the upper Kennebec and Androscoggin River drainages in the 1980 s; and the St. John River drainage in the 2000 s. White perch and yellow perch, both severe competitors with brook trout, became widespread during the late 1800 s. These species remain an active threat, as exemplified by the introduction of yellow perch into the Moosehead Lake drainage, the Rangeley Lakes, and the Fish River Chain of Lakes in the 1950 s and 1960 s. 4 Fishing in the Park is governed by the rules of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (BSP Rule 3.2). MEIF&W rules have prohibited the use of live fish as bait in all fully-inclusive Park waters since the 1960 s. There is no doubt this rule has played a critical role in protecting the species integrity of Park waters and should remain in place into the future. Despite the prohibition of live bait, a small number of non-native species exist in some Park ponds. For example, golden shiner and rainbow smelt have been detected in Kidney Pond surveys). 4 Forrest R. Bonney, Regional Fishery Biologist; Brook Trout Management Plan; Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Divisions of Fisheries and Planning, June 2009, P 7.

4 In 2008, the Park removed the deteriorating wooden dam at the outlet of Abol Pond. The Park replaced the dam with a substantial stone spillway constructed from local boulders. This structure was the result of a cooperative discussion with IF&W and in part, addressed the long-term concern regarding non-native species in the West Branch of the Penobscot River. The existence of non-native species in the 4-Error! No text of specified style in Penobscot drainage does suggest the document.-1 Rock Structure at Abol Pond outlet possibility, if not the likelihood, that nonnatives may at some point travel into the Park via Katahdin Brook, Nesowadnehunk Stream, Katahdin Stream, Trout Brook or Wassataquoik Stream, although some of these streams have significant natural barriers to upstream fish migration. Monitoring for Invasive Species in BSP The I&E Division of Baxter State Park organizes staff and volunteers for monitoring efforts for non-native invasive species within the Park. These efforts include annual shoreline surveys of several roadside ponds and lakes in the Park (roadside ponds, particularly with trailered boating access are more likely as establishment points for nonnative invasives). When available. the Park works to provide training opportunities for staff and Park volunteers in the identification of non-native invasive land and waterbased plant and insect species that currently exist or could arrive in the Park. The I&E Division also uses opportunities to provide Park visitors with information on non-native invasive species including both the potential threat to the Park ecosystem as well as identification information and response guidelines. The Park is currently engaged in a multi-year effort to develop a complete flora of the Park. This database will provide a record of existing plants in the Park, including both native and non-native naturalized species. The Park works closely with the Maine Forest Service in survey efforts for potential non-native invasive insects threats such as the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis), the Asian Long-horned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis), Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar dispar) and the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae). In addition, the Park maintains over 100 continuous forest inventory plots in the Scientific Forest Management Area and more the Maine Forest Service measures data on more than 30 Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA)

5 plots in the Park as a whole. These plots are regularly visited for the collection of specific forest measurement and survey data and provide an excellent unbiased sample set to check for the existence of non-native invasive species on the forest landscape of the Park. The Park works closely with fisheries biologists from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W) in the management of the fisheries in Park ponds and lakes. Almost all Park ponds holding significant fish populations have been surveyed by IF&W biologists at least once and many have been surveyed several times. In addition to checking the existing species structure in each pond for non-native fish, the biologists also have an eye out for possible invasive aquatic plants and other non-fish fauna. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has recently worked on a more indepth survey of the Wassataquoik watershed within the Park, including sampling of aquatic invertebrate and other non-fish populations and water chemistry. Lastly, the Park has hosted research directed at the small number of naturally fishless ponds within the Park. This research developed a basic dataset of existing aquatic insect populations in these remote mountain ponds. Internally, the Park is currently working on building a database of mapped vernal pools located in the Park. Purple Loosestrife in Baxter State Park

6 Response and Control Protocols for Non-Native Invasive Species in BSP Rapid response and control actions are an important consideration in any discussion of non-native invasive organisms. Non-native invasive threats include organisms that cover the breadth of ecosystem niches including land-based plants and animals and water-based plants and animals. Response and control protocols consider a wide range of variables including the general risk of spread the plant or organism poses to natural systems and the risks that control measures may pose to other elements of the ecosystem, including other plants and animals, soil and water resources, and humans. Many resource management and protection organizations have developed response and control plans and protocols for non-native invasive species. While these various plans have some differences in approach, they are notable primarily for their similarity. Each protocol includes: A protocol ensuring a valid identification of the species. An estimate of size and extent of the established population. A determination of the practical options for response in combination with a consideration of the importance and urgency of the response A determination of the selected control strategy (which may include no action). Post control action monitoring. The Response and Control Protocol for non-native invasive species in Baxter State Park will engage these five steps with the following guidance: 1. Identification of non-native invasives: The Park Naturalist shall implement training as available and applicable to educate staff in the identification and management of non-native invasive species listed on the Working List of Maine Invasive and Potentially Invasive Species in BSP (link to appendix location). The Park Naturalist shall be notified immediately regarding any invasive species tentatively identified by staff or visitors within Baxter State Park. The Park Naturalist will confirm or deny the potential identification, using other experts as necessary and needed. 2. Estimate of the established population Upon the confirmation of an invasive species identification with the Park, the Park Naturalist will visit the site and assess the spatial extent of the population as well as additional attributes. All data collected will utilize the standardized BSP data forms or appropriate State or IF&W/DEP forms. Information on the location and estimated population will be provided to the Park Resource Manager for inclusion in the Park resource database.

7 3. Determination of the practical options for response The Administrative staff will meet to determine appropriate response options. The development of response options may include the counsel of other agencies and experts. Several comprehensive response and management plans have been developed by others and will likely provide sound guidance to Baxter State Park: Rapid Response Plan for Invasive Aquatic Plants, Fish and other Fauna State of Maine Action Plan for Managing Invasive Aquatic Species Management Plans for Invasive Plant Species of Acadia National Park D_invasivemanagement.htm Rapid Response to Insect, Disease and Abiotic Impacts NPS Plan_final pdf 4. Determination of the selected control strategy The Administrative staff will convene to determine the most appropriate control strategy for Baxter State Park and plan the implementation of the control strategy in the manner that best meets the mission elements of Baxter State Park. 5. Post control action monitoring With the involvement and participation of other experts and plans, the Administrative staff will determine a comprehensive plan for post-control action monitoring. The Park Naturalist will assume responsibility for the implementation of the monitoring plan.

8 Management of Vectors Typically, more than 60,000 people and 23,000 vehicles enter the Park each summer season. Visitors include individuals from across the United States and around the world. Access to the Park is managed at two control points, Togue Pond and Matagamon Gates. The Park recognizes that the varied and extensive movement of people has provided an important and effective vector for invasive organisms. The controlled access to the Park has provides an opportunity to screen, educate and monitor visitors and vehicles for invasive plants and animals in order to protect the natural resources of the Park. Currently, the Park does not allow visitors to enter the Park with firewood from a source outside the Park as a measure of protection against the Asian Long-horned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) and the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) which can be transported within firewood. In addition, gatehouse staff will casually inspect canoes, kayaks and other watercraft for pieces of vegetation that may be invasive aquatic plants from another location. In 2012, the Park implemented boot cleaning stations at popular fishing campgrounds to provide a measure of protection against Didymo or Rock-Snot (Didymosphenia geminata), an invasive aquatic organism that can be transported on the waders and gear of fishermen. The Park also recognizes the potential for the significant number of hikers in the Park to act as unwitting vectors of invasive plants by bringing seed or viable plant parts picked up in other hiking locations into the Park on their boots or gear. Consideration of effective screens and monitoring procedures to implement at Park control points will continue to be a management consideration into the future. Adaptation to Established Non-Native Invasive Species The very real, if not likely potential exists for the eventual establishment of non-native invasive species within the Park. The Park Administrative staff will work with available resources to determine appropriate steps in adapting to the established invasive species. To sum up, chance and change are ubiquitous; habitats are heterogenous, selection drives parents to produce a great excess of young; death (disturbance) is necessary for life; and movements of individuals are pervasive. That s the way the world is made and works. I think,

9 in fact, that these, not order and integration, are what allow species to ride out the tribulations of this imperfect world. 5 5 Bill Drury, Chance and Change, Ecology for Conservationists.

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