The EPA has released a national lakes assessment report based on a study of over 1000 lakes across the US.  This examined the condition of all lakes in similar regions sharing similar ecological characteristics.  The goal is to help identify the primary stressors affecting the quality of lakes and watersheds.  The full report is available on the Lakes Survey page on the EPA website.  A two page summary fact sheet is worth reading. 

A quick summary of BEEP status as of year end 2009.  Suction harvesting removed the majority of plants from 1.7 acres of the north cove of Lake Waccabuc from June 8 to July 10.  In August, September, and October volunteers searched the cove to hand pull any Egeria densa that they saw.  This monitoring has paused because the lake water just got too cold. (and then the ice came!)  We'll start again in spring. 

Meanwhile, if you see any strange plants or other species in the lakes, please contact Jan Andersen.  Thanks to everyone who supported this work in 2009, and to all those who have called with plant samples.