Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper
  • Our Work
    • Priority Issues >
      • BNSF Bridge Expansion
      • Transport of Hazardous Materials by Rail
      • Stormwater >
        • Stormwater Monitoring Program
      • Wastewater
      • Invasive Species and Herbicides
      • Water Resources
      • PacWest Silicon Smelter >
        • PacWest Silicon Smelter - Scoping Comments
    • Programs and Campaigns >
      • Water Quality Monitoring Program
      • WQMP Data and Resource Hub >
        • Lake Pend Oreille WQM Interactive Map
        • WQM Parameters
    • Outreach and Education
  • Kid's Corner
    • Science For Schools
    • Watershed Discovery Camp
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Membership
    • Sentinels Club
    • Volunteer
    • Report Pollution
  • Recent News
  • Events
  • Quarterly Newsletter
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Stay Informed

City rejects herbicides as milfoil treatment

8/8/2013

 
By CAMERON RASMUSSON Staff writer

SANDPOINT — Strengthening a decision made last May, council members said thanks but no thanks Wednesday to state-managed herbicide treatments in recreational waters.

Members arrived at the conclusion after much public discussion, which included testimony from individuals both in favor and against the use of herbicides to combat weed infestations.

“I feel its important to continue our momentum in exploring alternative methods (of weed control),” said Councilman Aaron Qualls.  

The decision followed an informal request from Thomas Woolf, aquatic program manager for the Idaho Department of Agriculture, for clarification whether or not last year’s decision affected all local recreational waters or simply the areas near Sand Creek and Windbag Marina under discussion at the time.

Council members determined that a new decision would be necessary for other recreational waters — specifically a proposed treatment area stretching from the Long Bridge to Memorial Field.

Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper executive director Shannon Williamson and program director Kelsey Brasseur supported the council decision to oppose herbicide treatments. They reported that the Waterkeeper office receives several calls and comments each week from individuals concerned over herbicide use.  

“It’s important to emphasize that the city takes a stand for its people and waters and that it’s not just a sometimes-occurrence,” Williamson said.

Proponents also argued that herbicides might not be entirely effective or even necessary in areas with sparse milfoil infestation. According to Brasseur, contracted company Ace Diving reported that plant life was only about 25 percent weeds in the Windbag treatment area.

“Exposing recreationalists to herbicide residue is a high price to pay for a non-effective treatment,” Brasseur said.

Property owners in the proposed treatment region also attended to express concern over herbicide use. They also pointed out that many individuals used wells which drew from affected waters.

On the other side of the issue, resident and diver Christian Schwab indicated that while he hated chemicals, hand-pulling by divers was not particularly effective in his experience. That was backed by a letter read into the record, which stated that between diving, bottom barrier and herbicide treatments on private property, it was herbicides that were most effective.


Comments are closed.
    Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper is a non-profit organization located in Sandpoint, Idaho.  

    Mission
    Our mission is to protect water quality in the Clark Fork/Pend Oreille Watershed so our magnificent waterways remain drinkable, fishable and swimmable for future generations. 

    ​Learn more

    Categories

    All
    Best Management Practices
    Citizen Science
    Coal
    Community Donations
    Herbicides
    Lessons Learned
    Lpo Fishery
    Oil By Rail
    Recreational Boating
    Stormwater
    Volunteering
    Waterkeeper Alliance Magazine
    Watermilfoil
    Water Quality Monitoring Program
    Water Resource Management

    RSS Feed

About

​Our Mission
Our Work
Priority Issues

Water Quality Monitoring Program
News



Get Involved

​Donate
Volunteer
Become a Member
Become a Citizen Scientist
Events
Report Pollution
Contact Us

334 N. First
Suite 209
Sandpoint, ID 83864
(208) 597-7188
Picture
Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper is a proud member of the WATERKEEPER® Alliance, which is a global movement of on-the-water advocates that protect their local waterways.  Founded by environmental attorney Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as a culmination of decades of citizen-based enforcement, the WATERKEEPER® Alliance is a unifying body for nearly 300 local Waterkeeper organizations worldwide.  Waterkeepers combine firsthand knowledge of their waterbodies with an unwavering commitment to the rights of their communities and to the rule of law. Waterkeepers defend their communities against anyone who threatens our fundamental right to clean water.
© 2019 Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper
Website by NewPickle Pro CMS