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Chamber Calls For Milfoil Control

Chamber Calls For Milfoil Control

May 7, 2019 | 1:11 PM

A local business group is calling on senior governments to allow milfoil control in local lakes to continue.

The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce says they appreciate the need to protect the Rocky Mountain Ridged Mussel (RMRM), but questions putting milfoil rototilling on hold due to that.

“The chamber is asking the federal and provincial departments to conduct further research into the potential impact of milfoil derooting on RMRM and to permit the Okanagan Basin Water Board to conduct derooting in areas where milfoil control historically occurs,” says President Diana Wilson.

Wilson says there is no firm evidence the rototilling negatively impacts the mussel, suggesting there’s evidence that allowing milfoil to grow unchecked will disturb conditions for the mussels.

“We believe strongly that the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada must review the latest data, and that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans must conduct public consultations on classifying RMRM as endangered,” says Wilson.

The chamber is concerned two of Vernon’s beaches infested with milfoil are now partially or wholly prohibited from derooting due to the issue, along with the community’s primary marina on Okanagan Lake, with the summer tourism season close at hand.

“Anyone familiar with the Okanagan knows that our lakes are at the very heart of our lifestyle and economy. We depend on them for drinking water, irrigation, recreation and tourism. It is because of our reliance on these lakes that effective milfoil control is essential. Without it, the invasive plant infests public beaches, boating areas and marinas,” adds Wilson.