In Our View: Act now to save Vancouver Lake from milfoil

In scientific terms, it is known as myriophyllum spicatum, and it is about as hazardous as it sounds. The submerged aquatic plant, better known as Eurasian milfoil, can wreak havoc with a body of water’s ecology, quickly creating a mat of vegetation and interfering with recreational activities such as swimming, boating and fishing.

Now, milfoil is infesting Vancouver Lake, which has led to the formation of an advocacy group — Friends of Vancouver Lake — to sound the alarm. “It’s strangling the lake, and if we don’t address it, the lake is going to die,” Larry Cassidy, former chairman of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, said in a meeting with an editor and reporters from The Columbian. “The loss of economic benefits could happen as soon as this summer.”

Cassidy makes a compelling argument, one that calls for cooperation and quick action from leaders at the city of Vancouver, Clark County, the Port of Vancouver, and the state of Washington. According to the state Department of Ecology: “Eurasian milfoil, an invasive non-native plant, is one of the worst aquatic plant pests in North America. … Every effort should be made to prevent the spread of this plant.”

Department officials warn: “Milfoil also starts spring growth sooner than native aquatic plants and can shade out these beneficial plants. When milfoil invades new territory, typically the species diversity of aquatic plants declines. …Milfoil reproduces extremely rapidly and can infest an entire lake within two years of introduction to the system.”

That infestation is taking place at Vancouver Lake. Predictions are that swimming, rowing and sailing will be restricted later this year and that the entire lake will be infested by 2022, turning the 2,300-acre area into a swamp. Once milfoil becomes established, it is nearly impossible to remove. “Right now, we have a full-blown crisis on our hands,” said Ted Gathe, a former city attorney for Vancouver.

Vancouver Lake is nestled near northwest Vancouver, close to the Columbia River and Frenchman’s Bar Regional Park. A park at the lake provides access for swimming, kayaking, windsurfing and canoeing. The area also hosts various rowing competitions, and the milfoil infestation led to the cancellation of the Komen Row for the Cure last year and is threatening this spring’s Master and Juniors District High School Rowing Championships. Events such as those draw competitors to the region and boost the local economy. Alan Stewart, executive director of Vancouver Lake Crew, said, “People love this city. They love the lake. They love the venue.”

Vancouver Lake has had persistent problems in recent years with algae blooms. As a shallow, still-water lake, it is especially susceptible to ecological problems. While various efforts to study and improve the area have been undertaken, the milfoil infestation raises the stakes. From 2004-14, the Vancouver Lake Watershed Partnership made up of a variety of government agencies made strides, but efforts have fallen off.

Now, Friends of Vancouver Lake has submitted an application to the Department of Ecology to use an approved, benign herbicide to eradicate the milfoil. Cassidy said private donations will be sought for the $120,000 cost and adds, “We want to see the former Vancouver Lake Watershed Partnership reactivated at once and all the members sharing in the cost of the milfoil eradication.”

Local governments should get involved. Vancouver Lake is a gem for the area that attracts recreation and commerce, and it is worth saving.