The next steps in the eradication of elodea from Nikiski Lakes has begun this week.
We spoke with Janice Chumley of the Cooperative Extension of Alaska.
Chumley: “The eradication efforts now are based on a specific herbicide application to kill the elodea in the lakes, on Beck Lake it has been a whole lake treatment and on Daniels Lake it is spot specific so just the areas that the elodea has been found in are being targeted for herbicide treatment and the first application has started this week.”
She added there will be a second treatment in the fall and another treatment next year.
Chumley also said that the chemistry of the treatments only target the elodea.
Chumley: “The herbicides that are being used are targeted specifically for these plants so the water is still safe to swim in, the fish are fine, the little insects that the birds feed on are ok, this is really specific to the plants so it does not affect the non target organisms.”
Crews are using both pelleted and liquid versions of the herbicide.
