Teams sought for invasive lily removal competition

SEELEY LAKE – Everyone is invited to join the Clearwater Resource Council for its first annual lily removal competition Aug. 15 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Placid and Salmon Lakes. Please register at crcmt.org by 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 14 to ensure they have enough lunches.

Teams of two are encouraged to bring their own watercraft and will be provided with the tools and training to remove as many fragrant waterlilies as possible for the free event. Any type of watercraft is acceptable, but please make sure to follow clean, drain, dry procedures to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species if you are bringing your watercraft from a different water body. Meet at the Day Use areas at either Placid Lake or Salmon Lake – just follow the signs.

The event is designed with social distancing in mind, and the lunches offered post-event will be self-contained for all participants. Prizes will be awarded to the teams that gathered the most lilies including $100 cash and gift certificates to several businesses including Rovero’s, Stageline Pizza and Heritage Outdoors.

The fragrant waterlily is a highly invasive plant that was likely introduced to the region as an ornamental. Its flowers are pretty but the damage they cause is severe. Plants form dense mats and outcompete native plants, create boating and fishing hazards and deplete oxygen for the native animals that call these lakes home.

CRC provided some frequently asked questions regarding invasive lily eradication efforts. Resources used for answers included King Country Noxious Weed Control Program and the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board

Does clipping invasive lilies really reduce their abundance in a waterbody? Yes, but to be most effective: 1. The effort should be undertaken on a large scale so that existing invasive lilies do not serve as a source population. 2. There needs to be a long-term commitment (at least 5 years, but maybe more). 3. Clipping needs to be undertaken carefully, so as to avoid unintentionally increasing the spread of the plant. 4. The clipping needs to take place at least twice annually. They should be clipped the first time shortly after initial leafing (to reduce plant to photosynthesis) and after plants have flowered.

Will clipping eliminate the invasive lily population? Over time, with the proper protocols (see above), the invasive lily population can be significantly reduced. However, to get to full elimination, ongoing maintenance operations will likely be needed for a decade or more.

Why not use herbicides instead? Herbicides can be effective, in some instances, in reducing populations in areas that are treated. However, the use of herbicides also may have unintended, adverse consequences, including: Impacts to aquatic species including reproductive, neurologic and other impacts; impacts to species up the food chain as waterfowl and raptors consume fish with bio-accumulated concentrations of toxins in fatty tissue; impacts to lakebeds as areas are essentially sterilized of life (the presence of native aquatic plants is important to the survival of many fish species); hybridization with native species, which makes future management virtually untenable and may reduce the resiliency of the native species over time (i.e. Sanders County Eurasian water milfoil hybridization post chemical application); and many chemicals, despite testing, are found to have adverse impacts post application (i.e. Roundup example). CRC applies the precautionary principle when supporting on-the-ground management options.

Has this been done successfully elsewhere? An individual in Seeley Lake has been manually treating lilies with some success but has been limited by a lack of broad support and community participation. The Forest Service is also engaging in similar invasive lily reduction efforts elsewhere in Montana. Bottom barriers and deploying divers to hand pull plants has been successful in areas with small infestations and can be used for maintenance operations long term.

What is the benefit of clipping invasive lilies? Numerous benefits, include but are not limited to: Reduces habitat for predaceous, nonnative fish; can assist in restoring native plant species diversity (with benefits to species up the food chain); improve recreational opportunities as boats are not impeded with invasive water lilies; increase in public safety (as water lilies can cause the accidental drowning of swimmers); reduction in mosquito habitat and reduction in algae growth/improved water quality.

Why participate in the lily pull event? To demonstrate local stewardship commitment and to preserve the aquatic integrity of the Clearwater Lakes ecosystem.

Will CRC host this event next year? Our goal is to host this event twice next year, but that will depend in part upon the response from the community and our ability to obtain funding to support the event.

For more information email or call Emily at emily@crcmt.org or 980-229-3855. To register your team, visit crcmt.org.