Valley County aquatic treatment postponed until spring after contractor and state pullbacks

Rector Anderson reported that plans for this years aquatic chemical treatment and associated diver work were halted after the state and a local contractor withdrew, leaving the county to postpone treatment until spring.

Anderson told the Valley County Board of Commissioners that he and Jeremy Varley had surveyed lake vegetation and had recommended aquatic chemical treatment. "The director decided, 'no. Let's not do any chemical,'" Anderson said, and county staff found that a diver contractor previously lined up could not complete the work this year. He said the county currently has funds remaining to hire divers for only about 50 hours.

The discussion matters because commissioners and staff described recurring and growing aquatic vegetation problems that affect navigation and recreation, and because potential remedies carry large costs and cross-jurisdictional coordination. Anderson said McCall Parks and Recreation supplied a bid from a barge harvester firm that estimated initial seed money of $450,000 plus roughly $200,000 annually; he noted such harvesters are not effective on the countys lake and said the county would not likely pursue a half-million-dollar harvester purchase.

County staff described two parallel logistical problems: (1) the state Department of Agriculture had previously planned a pilot chemical plot and broader five-year plan but delayed chemical application until spring, citing a late season and the maturity of vegetation; and (2) a local diver contractor who had offered lower hourly rates later told staff he could not do the job this year. Anderson said the county had a higher-priced state contractor option of $250 per hour while the local diver had quoted about $150 per hour plus use of his boat and equipment.

Anderson said the county will spend the coming winter seeking alternate contractors and funding sources, including coordination with the state crew. He said the county must also clear old bottom barriers left from prior projects and obtain an updated permit before installing temporary barriers; volunteers have offered to assist with that work, but the county will need to coordinate barrier type and movement schedules with the Department of Agriculture.

County staff described the immediate operational effect: no chemical application or contractor diver work will occur this season, and the earliest target date discussed for treatment is after the Fourth of July weekend next year if staffing, permits and funding align.

Assistant county staff and commissioners asked staff to continue outreach to the state and to seek written bids and to provide updates to the board as procurement or funding options develop.

Ending: The commission took no formal action during the discussion and instructed staff to continue contractor and funding searches over the winter; no new permits or chemical treatments were approved at the meeting.