2014 FX BROWNE REPORT

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Why DEC Conducted This Survey

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are non‑native plants and animals that can harm lake ecology, recreational use, and water quality.
The NYSDEC Region 9 AIS Monitoring Program, launched in 2022, focuses on early detection, tracking spread, and guiding management decisions in high‑priority inland lakes, including Silver Lake 

DEC Management Guidance for Silver Lake

What DEC Recommends

• Prevention is the top priority due to Silver Lake’s heavy recreational use
  • Boat  inspection and cleaning
  • “Clean,Drain, Dry” messaging at launches
  • AIS  disposal stations and signage
• European frog‑bit:
  • Continued manual removal is recommended
  • Specie may still be locally eradicated with sustained effortt
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What DEC Does Not Recommend (At This Time)

• Mechanical  weed harvesting alone 
  • High  risk of fragmenting watermilfoil and spreading it further
  • Should only be considered as part of an integrated management plan and not  as a stand‑alone solution

Conditional Options

• Chemical treatment may be considered if recreational access is significantly impaired
• Genetic testing is recommended before treatment to confirm whether hybrid watermilfoil is present, as this can affect treatment effectiveness.