Milfoil notoriously clogs waterways and blocks boating and swimming opportunities. It grows rapidly and spreads by fragmentation. That means any boat, swimmer, fish, or wind that breaks off a piece contributes to its advancement. Lake users noticed milfoil two years ago. This year it began encroaching into boating lanes. It is predicted to fill the lake completely in three years, strongly harming the recreational potential of the lake.
We want to save Vancouver Lake for its recreational purposes and economic potential. Milfoil is a notorious noxious weed that has devastated many boating communities. Control needs to be aggressive and happen early to have a chance to save economic and recreational opportunities. We have labor, we need money.
Local groups are monitoring the invasive milfoil and have applied for a grant to study milfoil in the lake and to find a long term solution (WDFW, Country Parks, Ecology). A weed board permit has been applied for and community support is being rallied. We estimate that control now will cost $120,ooo. Next year that number rises to $240,000. Local groups can input labor and contribute some funding, but can not carry the cost.
