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Saco River Focus of Terrestial Invasive Plant Species Study

September 19, 2007 - Fryeburg -- A study that will map 10 invasive plant species along 20,000 acres of the Upper Saco River in Oxford County over the next three years was announced at last week's selectmen's meeting.

Heidi Linscott, executive director of the Oxford County Soil and Water Conservation District, said her organization "partnered with" the Nature Conservancy in obtaining a $25,000 grant from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund for the invasive plant study that will encompass "250 feet upland of the watershed on the Saco River."

The 10 invasive plant species that will be mapped and studied during "The Upper Saco River Invasives Mapping Project, Phase 1" are "terrestial" ones, as opposed to "aquatic" species, Linscott said. She pointed out that anecdotal evidence is mounting that invasive plants have gained a foothold and are spreading in the Upper Saco River watershed.

The study area encompasses approximately 20,000 acres of highly vulnerable river floodplain areas and associated bogs, ponds, wetlands, tributary brooks and the old course of the Saco River, focusing on the floodplain plus an additional 250 feet of adjacent upland.

"The hope is that this grant will help map and survey invasive plant species that are enveloping our agricultural land," said Linscott September 6. She said the national average cost of invasive plants encoaching upon agricultural lands across the United States is $20 billion per year.

"The project will set the stage for future corrective action," Linscott said.

Dan Smith, a Saco River Conservation docent with the Nature Conservancy, gave a detailed explanation as to exactly what invasive plants will be studied and mapped during the three-year process. They are: Japanese barberry, Oriental bittersweet, Common buckthorn, Glossy blackthorn, Japanese knotweed, black locust, purple loosestrife, garlic mustard, Russian olive, and Multiflora Rose.

"These invasive plants are very aggressive, and birds are transporting them everywhere," Linscott stated. "As part of this grant, we can assist individual landowners in identifying what invasive plant species they have on their property. They can contact our office or visit the website." She said over 300 letters were sent out to landowners along the Upper Saco River informing them of the study.

"We had a great response from landowners along the Saco River," said Linscott. "And lot of landowners want to be involved."

Linscott said the Oxford County Soil and Water Conservation District always has a booth in the forestry building at the Fryeburg Fair where information about the invasive plant study will be available, as well.

According to Linscott, the U.S. Forest Service performed a study of invasive plants along the Upper Saco River Corridor in the 1990s. She said the results of this new study will be compared to that previous study, in order to see how the encroachment of invasive plant species has accelerated.

"We want to bring more awareness to the general public, and find out how we can slow the spread of invasive plants," Linscott said "or, if not slow it down, at least to become more aware."

More information is available on the website of the main Association of conservation districts.

This article first appeared in the Bridgton News September 13, 2007.


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