Protect waterways from harmful chemicals
The decision to put herbicides into our waterways is one to consider carefully. Herbicides applied last month into Lake Pend Oreille waterways are linked to health problems such as endocrine, neurological and reproductive disorders and cancer.
Three salient points were neglected in coverage of the debate, including new regulation, demonstrated negligence in the application process, and the status of milfoil in Pend Oreille waterways.
A federal court ruled this spring that the Environmental Protection Agency is again required to regulate pesticides (including herbicides) as pollutants, but was granted two years to implement the program.
For the last few years only, pesticides have been creatively exempted from regulation because they ostensibly serve a useful purpose. This loophole allowed millions of dollars of taxpayer money to be spent on putting toxic chemicals in the Lake Pend Oreille waterways without adequate oversight.
The use of herbicides including 2,4-D was suspended in areas outside of Idaho to help species protected under the Endangered Species Act. With threatened bull trout in the Pend Oreille system, care should be taken to ensure no harm is done. No studies have proven that 2,4-D is safe for bull trout. Circumstantial evidence suggests that 2, 4-D can kill or disorient them. Research is needed to prove it though, because when it comes to powerful chemical company lobbyists and resulting rules, these toxics are innocent until proven guilty.
The herbicide application process was fraught with negligence this year. A large bag full of empty 2, 4-D bags was found at the boat launch at Trestle Creek, one of the most important tributaries for bull trout in our region. This is not proper disposal, according to the chemical label.
Chemicals were sprayed in the direct vicinity of anglers, who were not advised to leave the area during spraying. Spraying continued while traveling both up and down the river, causing concern about chemical loading reaching dangerous levels at the downstream end of the site. Chemicals were applied in the direct vicinity of Sandpoint’s City Beach, despite assurances that there would be designated “herbicide free swim areas.”
But one thing is certain. There is relatively no milfoil this year in the Lake Pend Oreille system in less than 12 feet of water and it’s not because of herbicides. Last winter the lake level was drawn down that far, and a deep freeze occurred before any insulating snow had fallen. These factors likely significantly reduced milfoil growth. When you consider the vast shallow water at the north end of the lake and in the river, the 12-foot drawdown exposes extensive acreage to the elements.
Due to the reduced milfoil acreage this year and the relatively sparse way the weed is growing,
Bonner County had the perfect opportunity to plan for the future and ask for funds to be re-allocated to long term, non-toxic control measures. If we don’t get it together sooner rather than later at the local level, the federal government surely will tell us what’s best come springtime in 2011.
Jennifer Ekstrom is the executive director of Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper.