The Washington Department of Ecology awarded a $30,000 grant to Cascade Water Alliance to develop a plan for the eradication of Eurasian milfoil on Lake Tapps.

The grant, announced on Wednesday, was one of 12 awarded by DOE for projects that control invasive, non-native plants in Washington lakes.

Cascade has hired an environmental consultant, Tetra Tech, to research the milfoil condition in the lake and to recommend strategies for milfoil eradication.

More than 120 members of the Lake Tapps community came to a March 31 public meeting to hear about the pros and cons of treatment options, ask questions and offer comment. A second milfoil public meeting is set for 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, May 11, at North Tapps Middle School, 20029 12th St. E., Lake Tapps. A third public meeting is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. June 10 at a location to be announced.

Cascade’s Lake Tapps milfoil eradication plan is nearly complete. Tetra Tech also conducted a survey of Lake Tapps to determine the location of milfoil infestations. On May 11, Cascade and Tetra Tech will share details of the milfoil eradication plan and the results of the infestation survey with the community.

“We are very pleased to receive support from the State to help eradicate milfoil from Lake Tapps,” says Jon Shimada, project manager. “The big turnout on March 31 is a good indication of the level of interest and concern about milfoil in Lake Tapps. It’s a real problem and Cascade wants to work with the community to eliminate it.”

Milfoil poses environmental and maintenance challenges for a healthy lake. According to DOE milfoil starts spring growth earlier than native aquatic plants and can out shade these beneficial plants. Because it is widely distributed and difficult to control, milfoil is considered by DOE the most problematic plant in Washington State.

Cascade purchased Lake Tapps from Puget Sound Energy in December, 2009. Puget had operated the lake for hydroelectric power generation for almost a century and stopped power production in 2004.

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For more information on Cascade Water Alliance and the upcoming Lake Tapps milfoil public meetings, visit www.cascadewater.org.