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Milfoil Control Efforts

Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) was first identified near the public fishing access in Lake Iroquois around 1990. Various efforts were made to control the infestation including hand pulling, use of weevils, and establishment of the LIA Greeter Program.   However, by 2014, it was clear that the EWM infestation was spreading out of control, seriously impeding boating, swimming, fishing, and causing an alarming decline in native aquatic species. In order to understand what was happening and what our options were, the LIA Board began to study and research options for reducing and controlling EWM, including conducting regular plant surveys.

The result of this work has been the development of an EWM Long-Range Management Plan that involves a multi-faceted approach. The plan includes a careful and judicious use of the herbicide, ProcellaCOR.  This approach is balanced by historic and continued use of other methods such as diver-assisted suction harvesting (DASH), use of benthic (bottom) barriers in certain limited areas, hand pulling, and ongoing work to continue to reduce nutrient levels in the lake. These efforts serve as an integrated approach that when combined with LIA’s Greeter and Boat Wash Program, aim to prevent further introduction of invasives into the lake, to control and reduce the EWM invasive that is already there, and to prevent boats leaving Lake Iroquois from carrying EWM to other waterbodies.

ProcellaCOR was granted Reduced Risk Status by the US EPA in early 2016 because of its promising environmental and toxicological profiles. This product has been widely analyzed by universities, federal and state governments, and health departments. Findings show that professional application of ProcellaCOR in accordance with the label will not cause adverse effects on human health or the environment.  Studies also indicate that chronic exposure did not result in carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, nor genotoxicity effects. In addition, ProcellaCOR breaks down quickly in the environment (hours to days). 

In 2021 the Lake Iroquois Association was granted a permit to use ProcellaCOR to control the EWM infestation. The permit application, supporting documentation,  the permit, permit application, and treatment plans can all be found below. 

In June of 2021 approximately 37% of the littoral zone (near shore’ areas where these aquatic plants grow) was treated with ProcellaCOR. This is slightly less than 15% of the entire lake. The concentration rate used was 3 PDUs (Prescription Dose Units) which is equal to a rate of 1.93 ppb (parts per billion). At this rate on this proportion of the lake it is expected that the concentration level in the entire lake would be no more than 0.47 ppb on the day of application. For reference, imagine 1-2 drops in an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The results of the treatment showed nearly complete eradication of EWM, a light effect on some of the water lily leaves (slight browning), and by the end of summer, native aquatic plants had revegetated the area that had been nearly a monoculture of EWM. 

The second treatment was carried out in July of 2024.  Slightly more than 31% of the littoral zone was treated (about 12% of the total lake area) at the same dosage level previously used (3 PDU). Once again, the results were excellent with no milfoil detected in the treatment areas.  The 2024 plant survey showing detailed results can be found here. 

The EWM control work at Lake Iroquois has been primarily funded by the generosity of Lake Iroquois Association members and supporters. Additional funding supporting the greeter program, plant surveys, and milfoil control came from the towns of Williston, Hinesburg, and Richmond and from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Grant-in-Aid Program.  

 

LIA Response on Milfoil Situation

Posted Saturday, October 31, 2020
— In the MediaNews

A shortened version of this letter appeared in the August 27 edition of the Williston Observer. This is the full version which was shared with the Hinesburg Conservation Commission and that appeared in the Citizen and the Hinesburg Record.

To the Editor:

I am writing in response to Meg Handler’s letter that appeared in your August 20 edition. As the President of the Lake Iroquois Association (LIA), I feel it necessary to provide a more realistic, data-based report on the milfoil infestation in Lake Iroquois. 

Contrary to the position taken in the letter, there continues to be a serious infestation of Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) in Lake Iroquois this year. It certainly does not appear to have decreased. Some individuals have reported observing thick stands of EWM in areas of the lake not previously observed. While milfoil has surfaced in some places, dense surface mats haven’t formed as prominently this year compared to some previous years. This is neither unusual nor something to become complacent about.  There will be some variation from year to year in growth patterns and density of surface matting.  However, the infestation remains quite dense and appears to continue its spread. 

The letter also suggests the milfoil is not pressuring native aquatic plant species. It is difficult at best to understand this without performing an aquatic plant survey. In support of sound science, the LIA has consistently funded aquatic plant surveys conducted by the Darrin Freshwater Institute, an independent scientific organization. We know from these surveys that the milfoil is, in fact, squeezing out native plant populations. All of the survey reports are available on our website: https://www.lakeiroquois.org/water/plant-surveys . Behavioral studies of invasives show there is no reason to think this pattern will not continue. It is a slow process. Native species do not disappear all at once, however, it is often the outcome. Eurasian Watermilfoil has no natural predators or limitations in this environment. This aquatic invasive species will continue to spread and likely will continue to outcompete native species.  Native species loss is far from trivial, and can have a domino effect on the lake ecosystem.  Milfoil provides neither food nor habitat for native animal species. Its continued presence in very dense stands can lead to fewer and fewer areas of the lake supportive of native fish and amphibian species.  As the milfoil continues to spread native flora and fauna become reduced or simply disappear.  This can be gradual, and as stewards of this precious resource, we believe it is our responsibility to do what we can to prevent this from happening.

Beyond milfoil, Lake water quality is improving based on the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s (VT DEC) Lake Scorecard (available at: https://www.lakeiroquois.org/water/lake-data-maps). Due to the hard work of LIA volunteers for over 40 years, the Lake continues to see a highly significant decrease in Lake phosphorus levels and incremental improvements in sediment loading thus improving water clarity.  The LIA is also continuing its work to reduce and control the milfoil infestation. In March, we submitted an application for an Aquatic Nuisance Control permit with the VT DEC to allow a very low dose application of the herbicide ProcellaCOR on 40% of the lake as part of an integrated pest management plan that accompanied the submittal (available at: https://www.lakeiroquois.org/invasives/milfoil-control-efforts).  As of this date, the permit is still under review by the VT DEC. Normally, the LIA would also conduct Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting (DASH) to clear some of the busy boating areas to reduce milfoil fragmentation and spread. However, due to the COVID pandemic, the boat crews are not able to work this summer. We have been able to continue our greeter program and our education and outreach efforts to lake users to encourage best practices to reduce the spread of the milfoil and to prevent other invasive species from entering the lake. 

Overall, the milfoil infestation continues to be a serious problem in Lake Iroquois. It remains a real threat to the lake ecosystem; one that would be folly to ignore. Invasive species do not "balance out". They are opportunistic and will continue to spread and multiply until they overwhelm an environment in which they have no natural predators or limitations. Consider for example the LaPlatte Headwaters Town Forest in Hinesburg, Vermont, where herbicide treatment enters its second year to address infestations of buchthorn, honeysuckle, and Japanese barberry (https://frontporchforum.com/areas/122/issues/4158). Or our sister watershed group, the Lewis Creek Association, which has engaged in a great deal of hard work to control Yellow Iris in Thorp Brook and Lower Lewis Creek using foliar herbicides (https://www.lewiscreek.org/press-releases-and-news/2019/9/3/yellow-iris-control-in-thorp-brook-and-lower-lewis-creek). These and other efforts stand as excellent examples of choosing not to ignore the problem or engaging in wishful thinking. The suggestion that somehow the milfoil has magically stopped spreading or will disappear in the absence of intervention is an ineffective approach. It will not solve the problem, nor will it mitigate against serious, long-term damage to the ecosystem. Only the kind of sustained, consistent evidence-based work the LIA continues to be engaged in will reduce and control this invasive and ensure the continued health and viability of Lake Iroquois.   

Lake Iroquois is lovely and healthy in many respects. We have enjoyed seeing our loon family grow and watching the eagles, osprey, geese, and gulls fish for their prey. Yet, we cannot become complacent and pretend that all is well when we know and can see that below the surface this noxious invasive lurks, continuing to spread and endangering our beautiful lake.

Chris Conant

President, Lake Iroquois Association