Courtesy Boat Inspection (CBI) Program
Maine’s lakes are under serious threat from aggressive invasive water plants like Variable Leaf Milfoil, Eurasian Milfoil, and Hydrilla. These fast-growing plants choke out native species, disrupt fish habitats, and make swimming and boating difficult—or impossible.
Invasive plants often spread from lake to lake by hitching rides on boats, trailers, and gear. That’s why the Courtesy Boat Inspection (CBI) Program is our first line of defense—educating boaters and helping keep our waters safe.
Transporting aquatic plants on boats, vehicles, or trailers is illegal in Maine. Violators can be ticketed by the Maine Warden Service.
Milfoil fragment removed from a boat entering Great Pond by volunteer Lea Ramirez.
Recently, volunteer Lila Zanuccoli removed curly leaf pondweed (one of Maine’s "Most Unwanted") from a boat arriving from New Jersey. Her sharp eye helped prevent a potential infestation in Long Pond!
đź“„ View 2023 Courtesy Boat Inspection Report (PDF)
The Belgrade Lakes Association supports the 7 Lakes Alliance–administered CBI Program. Together, we monitor lakes across the watershed for signs of invasive species.
4 Things You Can Do to Protect Maine’s Lakes:
- CHECK and REMOVE all plants from boats, motors, trailers, and gear before and after launching.
- DISPOSE of any plants in trash or on high, dry land—never back in the lake.
- AVOID driving through or swimming in plant patches.
- Learn to identify invasive plants with the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program.
All motorized watercraft on Maine’s inland waters must display a Lake & River Protection Sticker. Stickers must be renewed annually.
Want to make a difference? Join the Courtesy Boat Inspector Program as a paid or volunteer inspector! Contact us at 207-512-5150 or info@blamaine.org.
The Great Pond Hermit on duty — rain or shine!
Courtesy Boat Inspector Cassidy Plaud
✍️ Click Here to Volunteer as a Courtesy Boat Inspector
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