Green waters run deep

[IDreamofGreen]

I'm pretty sure that a lot of us have gone swimming in an inland lake or stream at some point in our lives, but I'm not sure that these same people are aware that a lot of those lakes and streams have been treated with chemicals such as 2,4-d and floridone to combat invasive weeds. I'm also pretty sure that they aren't aware that there is a little weevil that is capable of managing the weeds in a friendly and natural way.

For years there's been an invasive weed known as Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) that has been growing in hundreds of lakes around the country. In many ways it's been a dream come true for the chemical industry since they've been making millions on its treatment. All you need do is check on how many new aquatic weed management companies have popped up over the past 10 years to see that EWM is big business.

The EPA has ok'd the chemicals, but they base their conclusion on the only tests they have accepted and those tests have been performed by the same chemical companies that produce the product. They declare that the chemicals are safe until proven unsafe. What kind of reasoning is this? There have been countless studies that say otherwise, but they aren't being looked at. Canada and others have stood up to the pressure and have banned the use of 2,4-d.

What is so frustrating is the fact that the weevil and the aquatic moth are both successful treatments, yet they aren't being considered since most of the application companies don't propose their use to the lakes that have consulted them. They're just nowhere as lucrative as chemicals.

There are many native plants that help to balance the ecosystem; unfortunately the chemicals kill them off as well. They also kill the weevils.

Weevils and moths may be slower, but they're natural and nature always takes care of nature. The speed desired to kill weeds so that speed boats don't get a weed in their propeller is not going to save the lake from yearly dousing of tons of chemicals. They aren't eradicated - they come back every year, hence the big business.

I just wish people knew about it. I live on one of the lakes considering weevils or chemicals so I'm just venting, but I think I'm venting to very caring ears.

Thanks

[Vegan]

Glad you mentioned that here. Human nature is really selfish. I mean if nature will get in the way then humans will kill it. Weeds are weeds no matter they come from and just like what you said, nature will take care of itself.