Cascade to host public meeting to discuss milfoil plan

The third and final public meeting on Cascade Water Alliance’s Lake Tapps milfoil eradication plan is scheduled for June 10.

The third and final public meeting on Cascade Water Alliance’s Lake Tapps milfoil eradication plan is scheduled for June 10.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. at North Tapps Middle School, 20029 12th St. E.

The informational meeting is an opportunity for residents to review and ask questions about the water purveyor’s strategy for eliminating the invasive species that is choking coves and inlets of Lake Tapps.

Cascade previously hosted meetings on March 31 and May 11.

At the May 11 meeting, Cascade announced its plans to use both chemical and mechanical means as part of a five-year effort to eliminate the plant.

Plans presently call for the use of Fluridone, a “slow-acting systemic herbicide,” according to consultant Harry Gibbons of Tetra Tech. The chemical was chosen because it is not dangerous to humans and pets and no restrictions on swimming, fishing, drinking or pets will be placed on residents.

After an initial dosing with the chemical, designed to slowly root out and destroy the milfoil, cascade will continue to monitor the lake and re-dose if necessary. Additional, targeted chemical treatments are planned for next year, but the primary focus will switch to pulling out remaining plants by hand.

Also in May, Cascade was awarded a $30,000 grant from the State Department of Ecology to develop a plan for the eradication of milfoil. The grant was one of 12 awarded for projects that control invasive, non-native plants in Washington lakes.

This summer’s efforts are to begin in late July, but company officials said the chemicals will probably not have a big effect on this year’s batch of milfoil, though some results could be seen by Labor Day.

Residents will be notified 30 days in advance of any herbicide application.

For more information see www.cascadewater.org/news/eradicating-milfoil-on-lake-tapps.