| Aquatic invasive species present serious issues that can impact both the ecological and economic benefits that lakes can provide. The Chautauqua-Conewango Consortium recognizes the importance of identifying and eradicating aquatic invasive plant species, and we support aggressive action, including herbicide use, to prevent newly-arrived species from becoming established within an ecosystem. However, Eurasian watermilfoil and curly-leaf pondweed populations have been established in Chautauqua Lake for decades and these species are providing services to the lake’s ecosystem, such as fish habitat and sediment stabilization. Widespread herbicide treatments will never be able to eradicate these species from the lake, and these chemicals also impact native species and drift to unintended locations, causing harm to the broader ecosystem. What’s more, these herbicide treatments cost a substantial amount of money every year – money that could be better spent on watershed conservation measures that reduce nutrient loading. Excess nutrients are the underlying cause of excessive plant growth. In fact, herbicide treatments can counter-productively contribute to nutrient loading. As dead vegetation decays following herbicide treatments, nutrients are released into the lake. These newly available nutrients are likely to fuel Harmful Algal Blooms. In addition, widespread herbicide use damages fish habitat endangering the world-class fishery in Chautauqua lake and the economic boost that fishing brings to the region. Please read our Economics of Herbicide Treatment of Long-Established Aquatic Invasive Species Position Statement and the References to Support the Aquatic Invasive Species Position Statement. |
Are Annual Herbicide Treatments in Chautauqua Lake a Good Investment?
