FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For Further Information: _Muriel Ingalls – 642-3156

LAKE HOSTS HELP PROTECT Kingston Lake (Great Pond)

This summer, thanks to the citizens of Kingston who passed a citizen’s petition for $1500 on Election Day and a grant from the New Hampshire Lakes Association, Kingston Lake is being protected from milfoil and other exotic weeds through the diligence of trained Lake Hosts at our public ramps. Lake Hosts distribute literature and conduct courtesy, voluntary boat and trailer inspections – removing and properly disposing of all plant material found. The Kingston Lake (Great Pond) Association, Inc is coordinating the program locally.

“With 66 infested lakes, exotic milfoil is a serious problem in New Hampshire,” said David Ingalls, Lake Host Manager. “Once it’s established, there’s no known way to eradicate it. Milfoil seriously compromises the recreational, ecological, and economic value of a lake, costing tens of thousands of dollars to control annually. It’s better to prevent it in the first place.”

This summer more than 200 Lake Hosts are staffing public access ramps on NH lakes and ponds to educate boaters about exotic plants. They will inspect more than 35,000 boats. Last year KLA Lake Hosts inspected 984 boats and removed 38 specimens none of which were the exotic variety. Kingston Lake is presently free from exotic aquatic weeds. You can help keep it that way by remembering to inspect your boat every time you enter, and leave, a lake or pond. It is illegal to transport exotic milfoil.

Funding for the Lake Host Program is provided in part by a grant from the NH Department of Environmental Services, thanks to legislation passed in 2002 that created a milfoil education and research grants program. Sixteen volunteers from the Kingston Lake Association will be on duty at various times over the summer to greet and educate boaters and do voluntary boat inspections. Craig Eldridge and Kathy Francis are this year’s paid Lake Hosts. Kathy Francis is also the point person.

For more information, contact Dave Ingalls, Lake Host manager for the Grant and a member of the lake association and the Kingston Conservation Commission) at 642-3156 or email at dmingalls@comcast.net...

-end-