A Message from Basin David Pond Association President
Members and Friends of the Basin-David-Tilton Pond Association (BDTPA):\ \ I hope you have had a good winter - I’m looking forward to spring and\ hope to see you all soon. I also want to update you on a development\ related to the bladderwort infestation on Tilton Pond.\ \ I attended a meeting of the Fayette Select Board on Tuesday during which\ the most recent letter from John McPhedran of the Maine DEP to residents\ of the three ponds was discussed. That letter is posted on the Fayette\ Town website at:\ \ https://fayettemaine.org/news/maine-dep-response-to-request-for-action\ \ Here is my summary of the DEP letter and the discussion at the Fayette\ Select Board:\ \ The Maine DEP is monitoring the treatment of Pearce Pond in Saugus,\ Massachusetts that has a bladderwort infestation similar in nature to\ that in Tilton Pond. Herbicide was applied in Pearce Pond in 2025 with\ apparent, short-term success. If 2026 shows that the herbicide treatment\ was effective in Massachusetts, the Maine DEP will consider authorizing\ use of that herbicide on Tilton Pond here in Fayette at some future time\ after 2026, working with the town of Fayette and local pond\ associations. The goal for 2026 related to the infestation in Tilton\ Pond remains preventing its spread downstream while the effort in\ Massachusetts is monitored.\ \ Bottom line for BDTPA: If herbicide is effective in Saugus, we will\ need to raise funds for a potential application on Tilton in 2027.\ \ The BDTPA board will meet to discuss. Text or email me if you want to\ catch up. I’m excited by this development even though action is not as\ immediate as many residents wish it were. On the positive side, at least\ we have a potential path forward.\ \ Thank you.\ -Steve\ \ \ Stephen Smith-Erb, BDTPA President\ \ (207) 383-7917
Here is a link to Massachusetts DCR response to Swollen Bladderwort in Saugus Ma.
https://youtu.be/qwdzRC1C2jI?si=oXHQznTVhFxe_msB
30 Mile River Watershed Association
Tilton Pond Swollen Bladderwort infestation
30 Mile is committed to preventing the spread of swollen bladderwort from Tilton Pond, at the top of our watershed, and to finding solutions that effectively manage and reduce this invasive species’ impact on the pond’s ecology, recreation, and property values.
We work closely with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to implement best management practices. The DEP provides guidance for our work, assists us in the field, and helps to continue and refine the management plan.
Currently, large-scale mechanical removal of swollen bladderwort from Tilton Pond is not feasible. Before such work can be considered, the overall abundance of the plant must be reduced dramatically to a manageable level, potentially through herbicide treatment. Because there is no history of herbicides being used on swollen bladderwort in Maine, the DEP is tracking the effectiveness of an herbicide currently being used on swollen bladderwort in Massachusetts. Once they have seen these results, likely by the end of this coming season (one-year post-treatment), they will decide about approving its use in Maine.
Our Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program takes a comprehensive approach to addressing invasives through prevention, early detection, and control. Under this approach, our work to address Tilton’s infestation includes:
Prevention
- Maintaining four large fragment nets across the outlet stream between Jackman Mills Road and East Road to catch plants washing downstream. These need to be cleaned frequently.
- Installing a wire mesh screen, spanning 50 feet across the pond’s outlet, to reduce risk of swollen bladderwort moving downstream to the culvert at Jackman Mills Road.
- Removing by hand all bladderwort plants found between the screen and culvert to further reduce risk of spread.
Early detection
- Completing full survey of David Pond twice per season to detect any infestations early. This includes kayak surveys by 30 Mile staff covering all areas where the bottom is visible from the surface and reachable by rake to grab samples, and a DEP diver surveying deeper areas where plants can still grow but cannot be seen from the surface.
- Completing high-priority area aquatic plant surveys of Parker Pond, including the inlet from David Pond, west shoreline, coves with prevailing winds, and boat launch access points.
- Providing plant identification workshops and technical expertise for Basin-David-Tilton Ponds Association and Parker Pond Association volunteers.
Management and Control
- Providing swollen bladderwort hand-removal training for property owners on Tilton Pond
- Holding the permit-by-rule (PBR) that allows property owners to remove invasive plants around their dock
- Communicating regularly with the DEP to stay informed on the effectiveness of the herbicide treatment on swollen bladderwort in Massachusetts
- Monitoring swollen bladderwort growth and flowering tendencies
Lastly, we provide ongoing outreach and education to foster long-term community engagement in prevention, early detection, and control of this invasive. Managing infestations requires consistent vigilance and community collaboration. Any questions about the work described above can be directed to 30 Mile’s Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator, Silas Mohlar, at silas@30mileriver.org or (207) 860-4043.
Lidie Whittier Robbins (she/her)\ Executive Director\ 30 Mile River Watershed Association
(207) 860-4043 ext. 101
Office location: 6 Seavey Corner Rd, Mount Vernon
Mailing address: P.O. Box 132, Mount Vernon, Maine 04352