'Green' approach needed to eliminate county's milfoil

At a recent meeting of the Bonner County commissioners, approval was given for the expenditure of funds to begin the process of "eradication" of milfoil in various bodies of water around our county. To proceed with the application of hundreds of thousands of pounds of chemicals is in the same category as allowing the Rock Creek Mine to dump waste into the Clark Fork River, and thus into our lake. It must not happen.

Our commissioners and representatives must take a "green" approach in the stewardship of our unique resources. To have dismissed holistic and sustainable methods as a first recourse in aquatic weed management in favor of 2,4-D and Sonar chemical applications is wrong. That these chemicals are called "safe" is a misnomer even if one accepts the premise that dioxins are absent from them because the ultimate effect is the eutrophication of our waters due to a gradual buildup of decaying milfoil debris. The tax dollars garnered by state Rep. Eric Anderson for this project would be much more wisely spent on alternative methods that have proven results. The milfoil problem will not go away entirely, but it can be successfully managed without further adding another load of chemicals to our rivers, lakes, soil and, ultimately, to our bodies.

BARNEY BALLARD

Sandpoint