Thompson Falls Meeting to Explain Milfoil Management

HELENA, Mont. -- The Montana Department of Agriculture will hold

a public meeting Tuesday in Thompson Falls to provide information

on a proposed management area to prevent the spread of Eurasian

watermilfoil.

HELENA, Mont. -- The Montana Department of Agriculture will hold a public meeting Tuesday in Thompson Falls to provide information on a proposed management area to prevent the spread of Eurasian watermilfoil.

The informational meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. May 18 in the Sanders County Courthouse, 1111 Main Street, in Thompson Falls, MT 59873.

Eurasian watermilfoil is a state-listed noxious weed that can foul boat motors and crowd out native vegetation in waterways. The weed infests a limited area in Noxon and Cabinet Gorge Reservoirs in Sanders County. It can be inadvertently transported on or in boats and other recreational gear, and sometimes is found among items purchased for tropical fish tanks, says Erik Hanson, state invasive species coordinator.

The Montana departments of Agriculture and Fish, Wildlife and Parks have intensified a campaign to encourage recreationists to inspect, clean and dry equipment before moving between bodies of water, and to be aware of invasive species threats when purchasing pets or plants.

For more information on the Eurasian watermilfoil effort, contact Dave Burch or Erik Hanson at (406) 444-3144 or by e-mail at agr@mt.gov.