Publication Summary

Chemicals such as herbicides are sometimes used by lakeside property owners to control plants that cause problems for swimmers and boaters, and that may interfere with other lake uses. State standards that govern the use of chemicals to control plants in lakes, rivers, and other waterbodies are found in the Washington State Surface Water Regulations. These regulations help protect public health and the benefits that water provides. Benefits specifically protected include recreational uses like swimming, skin diving, water skiing, and aesthetic enjoyment; public water supply; stock watering; fish and shellfish migration, rearing, spawning, and harvesting; wildlife habitat; and commerce and navigation.

Chemicals such as herbicides are sometimes used by lakeside property owners to control plants that cause problems for swimmers and boaters, and that may interfere with other lake uses. State standards that govern the use of chemicals to control plants in lakes, rivers, and other waterbodies are found in the Washington State Surface Water Regulations. These regulations help protect public health and the benefits that water provides. Benefits specifically protected include recreational uses like swimming, skin diving, water skiing, and aesthetic enjoyment; public water supply; stock watering; fish and shellfish migration, rearing, spawning, and harvesting; wildlife habitat; and commerce and navigation.

Some exceptions to the water quality standards may be permitted by Ecology, but only if the activity is short-term, and will not harm people or cause long-term harm to the environment. To help decide which herbicides should be used and where, Ecology wrote an environmental impact statement (EIS) in 1980. This EIS reviewed several herbicides that were available for use in lakes, streams, or other waterbodies.