MILFOIL: Lakes have bigger foe

Many of our lakes (including Fernan) have had record algae blooms. Algae wrecks spawning habitat, poisons to humans and animals, and carries the ATCV-1 virus that lowers cognition. It is especially dangerous for our children and pets. Milfoil, on the other hand, is a weed that can make navigation difficult.

When the Department of Agriculture poisons the milfoil during the growing season, it increases decaying nutrients in the lake exponentially when it is most vulnerable to algae blooms. The sun then penetrates, unabated, to the bottom of the lake causing increased water temperatures. Perfect conditions for algae cultivation.

When poisoning milfoil is done in conjunction with poor sewage systems, lack of green buffer zones, and unabated fertilization next to our lakes we get massive, poisonous algae blooms that ruin our recreation.

We should at least put a stop to the milfoil poisoning. I’d rather live with the inconvenience of milfoil than risk my health with more algae blooms. It may be all we can do to limit algae blooms; especially, if our county and the EPA refuse to address property use issues. After all, what good is it living in the “Lake City” if we can no longer enjoy our lakes?

BRAD SONNTAG

Hayden