I’m writing in response to the July 2 editorial titled “Milfoil madness.”

I have had a camp on Messalonskee Lake for many years. I agree that the ramp on Route 27 should be closed and the ramp in Oakland, which is one of the best ramps in Maine and is owned by the town of Oakland, should have limited access for lake residents only. I would venture that on a good weekend, the Oakland ramp is used by at least 100 to 200 non-resident boaters. All of these boaters are excellent candidates to spread milfoil to other area lakes.

As to the statement that the state should hire people to pull up all the milfoil, that would be a waste of money. It would be like trying to hold back the ocean’s tide. Messalonskee Lake and Belgrade Stream are so infested with milfoil that all the king’s men could not remove it all.

Milfoil is not limited to the southern portion of the lake, but has found its way throughout the length and breadth of the lake’s 11 miles and has fully infested two or three more miles of Belgrade Stream. It’s sad to say, but I think we should quarantine the lake and let it have a slow death.

Stuart Dexter

Orono