The Quebec government will spend $8 million over five years — funds promised in its last budget — to fight against an exotic species of invasive “zombie” plant that is quickly clogging Quebec’s lakes and waterways.
Environment Minister Isabelle Melançon made the announcement Wednesday, two days after municipal and environmental groups made a public plea for help in stemming the growth of the Eurasian watermilfoil. The species is believed to have thus far invaded between 200 and 500 of Quebec’s 10,000 accessible lakes.
Botanist Dr. Claude Lavoie said the Eurasian watermilfoil is not a plant of the living dead but it does regenerate from fragments, usually tangled in boat propellers.
"Not the most beautiful plant on our lake and the problem with this plant is it creates very dense mats on the water surface," said Lavoie in an interview with CJAD 800.
Those mats can end up suffocating other plants and fish.
Lavoie said property values can go down by as much as 13% if the plant is found by the waterfront near your house or summer cottage.
The Fondation de la faune du Québec will receive the largest share of the funding — $6.25 million — to create and manage a program to stem the growth of the species. The remaining $1.75 million will be used to fund research and awareness programs.
On Monday, the Quebec Union of Municipalities called for a province-wide approach to managing the Eurasian watermilfoil, which has been found in lakes in the Eastern Townships, the Montérégie, the Laurentians, the Lanaudière region, the Mauricie, Chaudière-Appalaches, Outaouais, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, the Bas-Saint-Laurent and on the Côte-Nord.
The program targets not only the Eurasian watermilfoil but other invasive species that have been found in Quebec as well.
The Fondation de la faune intends to finance organizations fighting against invasive species as well as exchange techniques on how to prevent and stop their threat.
The challenge is daunting. Quebec has 887 species of invasive flora that are now considered part of the local environment, 87 of them deemed harmful to the environment, economy or society.
Melançon said she’s confident that the $8 million announced Wednesday will lead to additional funding.