Toxic algae

After decades of being called “Moses Hole,” Moses Lake saw a dramatic turnaround in 2007. The MLIRD implemented an Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan, with interlocal agency agreements, that was considered a model for the state of Washington.

During the next five years our lake and shorelines were the cleanest they had been in many years. Tourism, according to the Chamber of Commerce, had increased even in an economic downturn due to the improved water quality of Moses Lake and the recreational opportunities that the lake brings to our area.

So what is happening? Our lake has recently been posted with warnings of microcystin toxin poisoning which will cripple our tourist industry and cause our expanding housing market to falter. Just as damaging, with an increasing number of companies considering relocation to Grant County and with more and more homes being built, if the lake is unusable for any length of time, this will have a negative impact on our tax base as fewer businesses, and fewer people, decide to relocate here.

There appear to be two problems. First, the Bureau of Reclamation seems to consider Moses Lake as only an irrigation holding facility. Their priorities do not consider our tourism dollars, our housing and business tax base, our recreational opportunities or our health. Second, even though we get detailed explanations from many agencies, about why the cyanobacteria are taking over the lake, what we really need now are answers on how to fix the problem.

Apparently there is grant money available for a lake management plan. There is also a candidates’ forum on Oct. 8, from 6-8 p.m. at the Civic Center. Maybe we should let our representatives know that it’s no longer acceptable to live, and recreate, in and around an unhealthy lake.

Jennifer Powell

Moses Lake