The R/V David Folger’s route home takes it north along the
Hudson River and then through the Champlain Canal to Lake
Champlain. On July 30, Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy asked the
State of New York to close the Champlain Canal immediately, to
prevent the spiny water flea from reaching Lake Champlain.
However, the State of New York has declined to close it, and it
remains open while alternatives are under discussion. The spiny
water flea is a serious threat to the lake’s ecosystem. We have
been working with New York officials to determine what we need
to do before we can pass through the Canal. Thanks to its
design, the Folger does not carry ballast water, which is a
common way that the invasive pest is transmitted to new areas.
Today we learned that we are required to wash the decks and
bilges thoroughly before we can come through the lock system
into Lake Champlain. Given the timing, it has taken more than a
week for this issue to be resolved. Sadly, the Canal is not the
only conduit for invasive species. Th