Public invited to tonight's Ephrata meeting about lake treatment

EPHRATA — The public is invited to a meeting tonight in Ephrata to discuss routine pest control treatment in Grant County lakes.

A meeting is will be held 7-9 p.m. in Ephrata at the state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Region 2 Office, located at 1550 Alder St. N.W. 

The proposal includes the use of rotenone, a natural occurring pesticide commonly used to control undesirable fish populations, according to a statement by the state agency.

The WDFW is proposing to treat several lakes on the east side of the state, including Pillar-Widgeon Lake chains in Grant County (in the Columbia Basin Wildlife Refuge) this fall. The Pillar-Widgeon chain is made up of 10 waters, including: Pillar, Snipe, Cattail, Gadwall, Poacher, Lemna, Shoveler, Sago, Hourglass and the Widgeons.

Rotenone is an organic substance derived from the roots of tropical plants, approved for use in the agricultural industry by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It has been used by WDFW for more than 70 years, and is commonly used by fish and wildlife management agencies nationwide.

WDFW will consider written comments received through Aug. 23, and addressed to Bruce Bolding, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091.

-- Staff report