A new tool is being deployed in the fight against Eurasian watermilfoil in Christina Lake.
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has launched a new floating benthic mat program for waterfront property owners after a three-year pilot program to support the recovery of native aquatic plants.
“Over the course of our pilot, we’ve seen promising results using floating benthic mats to control invasive milfoil and improve ecological conditions in targeted areas of Christina Lake,” says Janine Dougall, the RDKB’s general manager of environmental services.
“This partnership program allows eligible waterfront owners to take an active role in protecting the health of their shoreline while ensuring all work meets provincial requirements.”
Dougal said the mats are a kind of tarp that sit at the bottom of the lake and are held down with rebar. The mats have holes that allow gases from degrading milfoil to escape.
Under the program, property owners buy and store their own benthic mats while partnering with the RDKB, which will manage authorizations, deployment, monitoring, and required reporting to the provincial government.
“This program is focused on ecological restoration — not shoreline beautification,” says Stephen Gaim, the RDKB’s contract and procurement coordinator. “Property assessments will ensure mats are deployed where they can have the greatest impact and where provincial criteria allow.”
RDKB board chair Grace McGregor, who represents Christina Lake, says they have looked at different approaches to managing invasive species in recent years.
“This partnership program is another meaningful step forward, backed by solid results from three years of on-the-water testing,” she said.
Eligibility considerations include areas with more than 75 per cent Eurasian watermilfoil or fragrant water lily, presence of a dock, and whether the area is high-value native fish habitat.
Waterfront owners can learn more here. The deadline to apply for next year is March 1.
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