Efforts continue in Sudbury to stop the spread of an invasive species in area lakes.
An information session was held on Tuesday night to update the community on what's known as Eurasian Water Milfoil or the ‘zombie plant.’
Members of the Greater Sudbury Watershed Alliance say the invasive species has been found in 18 area lakes.
Now, a pilot project is underway with help from local environmental groups, the city, Laurentian University, and volunteers to try to stop the spread.
Scott Darling is the chairperson of the Long Lake Stewardship Committee. The group is an active member of the GSWA that participates in the Aquatic Invasive Species committee.
“It’s the applying of a benthic barrier in a number of locations in four different lakes in Sudbury. Ramsey Lake, Long Lake, Richard Lake, and McFarlane Lake are going to have benthic barriers put in over the course of this summer and the students are going to analyse the impact that the benthic barrier has on the growth and the termination of the growth of the milfoil. So, it’s an exciting project. We’re generating some science in and around out of control milfoil here in Sudbury.” said Darling.
Taylor Menard is the lake water quality program coordinator for the City of Greater Sudbury.
“Eurasian Water Milfoil in particular is a very invasive species and it out-competes some of our native species, which is very detrimental to the eco system itself.” said Menard.
Those working on the project say the barriers will be will removed in the fall. The hope is that it might lead to a technique anyone can use to control milfoil in area lakes.
