NORTH IDAHO--New changes could affect how you fight a big problem plaguing lakes across North Idaho.
The Idaho Department of Agriculture is scaling back funding to battle the Milfoil invasive species on Hayden Lake. Rather than using chemicals to kill the plant across most of the lake, they'll only use it on parts of the water.
Folks will have to use their own money to prevent outbreaks on their property.
Milfoil is a plant that chokes off the oxygen in the water. Usually the Kootenai County noxious weed control will work to kill the invasive species, but after some rule changes the Idaho Department of Agriculture is taking over.
They're losing funding so they will soon look over the lake to find the areas hit by the Milfoil and kill it with pesticides.
If your property isn’t chosen, it will be up to you to take action. You can buy a permit through the Department of Lands for about $50 to use a screen. The screens sit on the ground to stop plant growth. You can pick one up for free at the County Weed Control facility when you buy a permit.
Crews will start spraying in the worst areas in mid-July.
