Sign the Petition – Watermilfoil

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The Honorable Members of the Idaho State Legislature, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, and Idaho Department of Agriculture

Subject: Urgent Call for Enhanced Treatment of Eurasian Water Milfoil in Bear Lake and Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge

We, the undersigned residents, property owners, agricultural stakeholders, local business owners, and dedicated admirers of the Bear Lake area, are writing to urgently address the inadequate herbicide treatment of Eurasian Water Milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) in Bear Lake and the Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge. This invasive species poses a significant threat to our vital resources, including irrigation, agriculture, ranching, recreation, tourism, fisheries, local businesses, and wildlife habitats.

In 2024, the Idaho Department of Agriculture conducted surveys that estimated the presence of Eurasian Water Milfoil across over 250 acres at numerous locations in Bear Lake, and approximately 100 acres within the Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge. However, the state plans to treat only 22 acres at three sites in Bear Lake this year, and there are no plans for treatment in the Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

The lack of treatment in 2023 further exacerbates this alarming situation. For comparison, in the southern half of the lake in Utah, treatments in 2024 covered 200 acres. Untreated populations of milfoil will expand, ultimately leading to higher costs and more extensive treatment needs in the future.

Impact and Need for Immediate Action:

Eurasian water milfoil spreads rapidly damaging both our ecosystem and economy. Bear Lake is essential for irrigation and agriculture, vital to many local livelihoods, as well as for recreation and tourism, which significantly contribute to our economy.

• Agriculture and Ranching: Dense mats of milfoil can obstruct water flow, disrupting vital irrigation systems and canals for local agriculture.
• Recreation and Tourism: The presence of milfoil complicates recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and swimming, deterring tourists and adversely affecting local businesses. The presence of invasive species can diminish recreational opportunities, ultimately impacting tourism and local economies.
  
• Fisheries: Invasive species threaten local fish populations, impacting recreational fishing and the ecological balance that supports healthy fisheries.
• Property Values: Shoreline property owners face declining property values due to the negative effects of invasive species on lake quality and recreational opportunities.
• Wildlife Habitat: Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a crucial sanctuary for diverse wildlife. The spread of milfoil endangers native species, disrupts ecological balance, and leads to habitat degradation. Infestations create unsuitable conditions for breeding and feeding, threatening local wildlife populations.
• Ecological Impact: Milfoil reduces biodiversity and negatively affects the food sources for wildlife, potentially leading to declines in native fish and bird population.
• Water Quality: Dense milfoil growth can hinder water circulation and increase nutrient levels, which may result in harmful algal blooms that further degrade water quality.

We respectfully urge the state of Idaho to take immediate action by:

1. Increasing Funding:  Allocate necessary resources for the treatment and management of Eurasian water milfoil in Bear Lake.
2. Comprehensive Treatment:  Treat all identified locations of Eurasian Water Milfoil.
3. Collaborative Efforts:  Work with the state of Utah to: A). Unify surveying methods using a grid pattern, B). Data collection sharing and C). Target all forms of milfoil, including curly-leaf pondweed.
4. Regular Treatments:  Implement treatments at a minimum of twice a year.
5. Monitoring and Assessment:  Develop comprehensive monitoring programs to evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing and future treatment efforts.

The health of Bear Lake and the well-being of our community depend on proactive measures to combat the invasion of Eurasian water milfoil. By taking decisive action, we can safeguard our irrigation systems, agriculture, ranching, recreational opportunities, and local economy for generations to come.

We appreciate your attention to this critical issue and look forward to your swift action to address our concerns.

Idaho State Department of Agriculture treatment areas for invasive Eurasian watermilfoil on Bear Lake – 2024