TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Shawnee County officials estimate it will cost about $50,000 to rid an area lake of a troublesome invasive plant.
John Knight, Shawnee County parks and recreation director, says the plant, called Eurasian Watermilfoil, has been spreading at Lake Shawnee and can cause a dense surface canopy that interferes with swimming, fishing and boating at the lake.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the Shawnee County Commission on Thursday will consider Knight’s recent request for the county to solicit bids to treat the lake for the plant species. He says the department’s budget has the necessary funds.
Knight says the plant was first reported at Lake Shawnee in 2011, and has since spread in the lake. He says early treatment will likely succeed in ridding the lake of the problem plant.
