Cascade conducted a milfoil survey in June. Based on this survey and information received from residents throughout the year, Cascade is announcing its 2022 planned milfoil treatment.
The areas designated to receive treatment are marked on the attached map. Treatment is tentatively set to begin the week of July 18. Residents in planned treatment areas will be notified regarding time and dates of treatment prior to actual application.
Cascade’s contractor, who is the only contractor licensed to use the most effective herbicide treatment, is working as fast as possible. The planned treatment area is heavily impacted by milfoil and residents may want to limit boating activities in that area until after the treatment is completed.
This year, Cascade will be using the State Department of Ecology approved aquatic herbicide ProcellaCOR®. Cascade used this herbicide to treat the reservoir for the past three years with good results. It is environmentally friendlier than herbicides used in the past, and results have been significantly better. This treatment may affect water that is used for irrigation, but, as a reminder, pumping or drawing Lake Tapps Reservoir water for irrigation is never permitted.
Milfoil is found in most Northwest lakes. It has been in Lake Tapps on and off for years. Milfoil is no longer classified as a noxious weed, and therefore, Cascade has no legal obligation to address milfoil. However, Cascade is as interested as residents and recreation enthusiasts in keeping the reservoir clean and safe. This is why over the past decade, Cascade has treated and addressed milfoil management on a regular basis at its own cost. Cascade does not manage native vegetation.
If property owners plan to remove aquatic plants from the Lake Tapps Reservoir in front of their property, they must follow the rules outlined by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Additional information can be found at WDFW Aquatic Plant Removal or Control: https://wdfw.wa.gov/licenses/environmental/hpa/types/aquatic-plants. The WDFW rules can be found in the Aquatic Plants & Fish Pamphlet: https://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01728.
In addition, Cascade has teamed up with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department to offer residents TappsWise, a natural yard care and septic system maintenance program to keep theLake Tapps Reservoir clean and healthy. Additional information about TappsWise can be found here: https://www.tpchd.org/healthy-homes/tappswise
