Invasive Species Residents and visitors can take responsibility for protecting the Connecticut River watershed from the spread of invasive plants and animals. With care and attention, you can avoid giving these hitchhikers a ride. Please clean your boat and gear, and avoid purchasing nursery plants that are known to be invasive. (Please note: several will carry you to links outside this site...to return to the CRJC web site, select your browser's back button.) Alert:  Didymo in the Connecticut River This invasive diatom, previously unknown in eastern North America, was discovered in Bloomfield, VT in June, 2007, and in the White River near Bethel. The diatom, which may have come in on the soles of contaminated fishing waders, threatens the region's fine fisheries, especially the wild brook trout. MORE Aquatic Invasive Species on the Connecticut River 2007 survey of aquatic invasive species along the Connecticut River mainstem, from a project sponsored by CRJC's Partnership Program. Milfoil Eurasian milfoil, first found in the Connecticut River in the mid 1990s at the mouth of the Black River, has now spread, and appears as far north as Fairlee. Milfoil forms dense beds that can seriously impair recreational use, reduce fish spawning grounds, and outcompete beneficial native plants. Boaters must check their boats and trailers before and after launching in the river and infested lakes. Purple Loosestrife Pretty but noxious, purple loosestrife is now a serious pest of wetlands, pastures, and disturbed areas throughout much of the region. The plant aggressively displaces native vegetation that has much higher value for wildlife. Beetles are now being used to control loosestrife with some success. Zebra Mussel The highly invasive zebra mussel has not yet appeared in the Connecticut River system, although it has spread through much of Lake Champlain since it appeared there in 1993. The mussel forms large colonies that can clog industrial intakes and other water facilities, and leaves sharp shells on beaches. Hemlock Woolly Adelgid This small insect threatens the watershed's handsome hemlocks, which stabilize streambanks and provide cool shade for trout. Landowners should be vigilant. Invasive plants banned by the states The states have noxious weed quarantines that regulate the importation, movement, sale, possession, cultivation and/or distribution of certain invasive plants. Be sure you don't bring one home. Vermont New Hampshire Vermont's Invasive Exotic Plant Committee site Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers Website sponsored by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Coast Guard. Useful information for recreational users about a variety of aquatic nuisance species and how to avoid giving them a ride. National Invasive Species Information Center USDA web site gateway to invasive species information covering Federal, State, local, and international sources. Laws and regulations, economic impacts, prevention techniques, and more.