The Threat Posed by Eurasian Milfoil

Eurasian Milfoil is classified by the Federal Government as a “harmful non-indigenous species” and by states such as Idaho as an invasive noxious weed. Our government agencies have recognized the threat these invasive species pose to the environment and to human use of our water resources.

Eurasian Milfoil is a threat to the aquatic ecosystem. The plant aggressively replaces native vegetation and the organisms that have evolved to live on and around them. Dense milfoil beds degrade water quality (dissolved oxygen, water temperature, pH) to the point that many fish species can not survive in areas colonized by this plant. Studies performed at the University of Washington suspended fish gages in Eurasian Milfoil infested areas of the lake and other areas where native aquatic plant growth occurs. They noted between 75 and 100 percent mortality of fish in the milfoil infested waters from 24 hours of exposure. Recent studies have also found that Eurasian Milfoil excretes a toxin that kills invertebrates and repels many fish species. It’s presence in a waterbody has a severe negative impact on the environment.

Eurasian Milfoil is also dangerous to humans. Each year there are a number of drowning deaths attributed to swimmers becoming tangled in the dense weed beds. In one case in 2005, not only did a 19 old male drown in milfoil beds attempting to retrieve a soccer ball, it took police divers over three days to locate his body in the dense plant growth. In another case last year, a small child fell into a plant bed on Duck Lake, WA and although his parents knew at once of the problems, they could not locate him in time to save him in the dense growth.

The two news links presented here discuss these events. You can go to each of these stories and read their report, you can also click to view the video that accompanies these stories.

http://wcco.com/local/local_story_178141749.html

http://wcco.com/local/local_story_175204045.html

In the discussion about control measures such as aquatic herbicides, these facts tend to get overlooked. The threat and impact of this plant are real and documented.

Eurasian Milfoil is the threat here. The two products proposed to control is are fully cleared and approved by federal and state agencies charged with protecting us to perform that work without impact on the environment or human health.

Related Attachments

Harvestingpaper.pdf