Brad –
Thank you for the quick response and I appreciate the concern.
It would be interesting to understand the parks definition of recreational user and how the zebra mussel would spell disaster for the lake that is designated for recreational use.
Calhoun and Harriet are literally choked with Eurasian milfoil. Making the lake, from 0-5 feet almost useless. The corresponding growth, decay and algae bloom that occurs is not beautiful and does not make the lake very “user friendly” for the recreational user. Cutting and treating the lake with chemicals is not very safe for the people that swim, the fish that live there. Yet, this has been acceptable practice for years. Just a simple orange sign – stating that the water has been treated with a herbicide. Frankly – scary.
The bloom also corresponds with the heavy run-off that finds its way into the lakes. Fertilizers, oils, metals, etc. are also found with higher that healthy levels in these lakes.
There is also an over population of carp. Another exotic that is harmful to the recreational use of the lake. No action has been taken to remove them.
Now, we are talking about a zebra mussel – whose eggs are likely microscopic. They are probably moved from body of water by both vessel and bird. I am not confident that we can stop this infestation from our waterfowls migration patterns.
Lastly, have you been in a lake that has been infested with zebra mussels? The water is crystal clear – something that is likely highly desirable for most or our City’s recreational user. I guess that depends how we ultimately define recreational user.
I welcome more science and less scare through uninformed and poorly assembled strategies.
Thanks
