Training For Invasive Investigators

NEW FAIRFIELD — Candlewood Lake Authority Executive Director Larry Marsicano is seeking volunteers help to prevent the spread of zebra mussels. A 2½-hour Volunteer Invasive Investigator Program training session will be offered on Saturday, June 18, from 9:30 am to noon, at New Fairfield Community Center. The program is designed to help prevent the spread of zebra mussels already found in Lakes Zoar and Lillinonah. The program is to help educate people on ways to keep our waters clean and prevent the spread of aquatic hitchhikers into the lakes and rivers of Connecticut.

Training will be conducted by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and will instruct participants on aquatic invasive species, including zebra mussels, and how to conduct voluntary inspections of boats, trailers, and other marine equipment. 

Following the training, volunteers will schedule times to staff boat launch ramps on Candlewood Lake at hours of their choosing to inspect boats for invasive species and educate boat owners on proper decontamination procedures.  They will also collect data concerning the discovery of any invasive species, which bodies of water the boats were in most recently, and whether cleansing steps were performed prior to launching the boat.

“It is important to curb the spread of this species because it is detrimental to the ecosystem and can adversely impact recreational activities,” said Mr Marsicano

Public awareness and education are key tools to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by recreational boaters and other users, according to the state DEP.

New Fairfield Community Center is at 33 Route 37. For more information call 860-354-6928 or e-mail CLAinfo@earthlink.net.

To request a schedule of the next volunteer training workshop, contact Gwendolynn Flynn of the DEP at 860-447-4339 or gwendolynn.flynn@ct.gov.