Sign the Petition – Watermilfoil

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 Watermilfoil (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.

We are calling for Enhanced Treatment of invasive Eurasian Watermilfoil in Bear Lake and Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge

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 Watermilfoil 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 Watermilfoil (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 Watermilfoil 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 only treat 22 acres at three sites in Bear Lake this year, and there are no plans for treatment in the Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge. That is only 6% of the identified locations in Idaho!

The passive approach and 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 rapidly expand, ultimately leading to higher costs and more extensive treatment needs in the future.

Impact on our Community and Need for Immediate Aggressive Action:

Eurasian Watermilfoil 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 Watermilfoil can obstruct water flow, disrupting vital irrigation systems and canals for local agriculture.
• Recreation and Tourism: The presence of invasive Watermilfoil can diminish and complicate recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and swimming, deterring tourists and adversely affecting the local economy.
  
• 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 rapid spread of invasive Watermilfoil 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: Watermilfoil reduces biodiversity and negatively affects the food sources for wildlife, potentially leading to declines in native fish and bird population.
• Water Quality: Dense Watermilfoil 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 ongoing resources for the treatment and management of Eurasian Watermilfoil in Bear Lake.
2. Comprehensive Treatment:  Treat all identified locations of Eurasian Watermilfoil.
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 Watermilfoil, 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 Watermilfoil. 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