By Paul Bean

Residents in Eden have recently expressed concern after last month (8/26) the town used a herbicide in Lake Eden to combat the invasive species Eurasian Milfoil, aka seaweed. Critics have claimed the herbicide is dangerous and the public needed more notice. 

“The state gave a $98,400 grant to Lake Eden Association for ProcellaCor herbicide application, beginning tomorrow, 8/26,” wrote Maria Javanainen by email to VDC. She opposes the use of herbicide to stop milfoil at Lake Eden, which is a popular boating, swimming and Boy Scout Camp lake in northern Lamoille County. 

“Most of the town doesn’t even know about it because they have been hiding the information,” continued Javanaien. “Last year, at a town meeting, they floated the idea and people didn’t like it. So, they went ahead without the townspeople’s approval. Very sad but water will be dangerous so public notices should be made, at least.”

Supporters of the use of the herbicide argue the use of this herbicide is necessary because this decision was made over three years and is a final resort to stop the spread of this invasive Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM).

Vinnie Brennan, resident on Lake Eden and hand harvester of Eurasian Water Milfoil, explained  in the Friends of Lake Eden Facebook group that the use of the herbicide was not their first choice and that other options had been exercised. 

“Let me just clarify a few things without getting too detailed for the sake of those folks that have been paying attention to this for the past 3 years+,” writes Brennan. “This is an invasive species that will overtake the entire lake and make it un swimmable, un-boatable and unfishable within a few years. We didn’t wake up and decided to use herbicides – we hired divers to harvest it, we laid blankets to control it and we hand harvested it for the past 3 years. None of these techniques were able to contain it.”

“We worked through the state of VT permitting process and will be using a small amount of highly diluted herbicides that have no impact on other species and are virtually undetectable within a few hours but we avoid them for 24 hours just to be overly cautious,” continued Brennan. We have posted SO much information on this including hosting town forums, panel discussions, public notices, email, and flyers to homes. I’m sorry some folks are just hearing about this now but I assure you much thought went into this. I will be swimming, kayaking and fishing tomorrow afternoon. This is the most effective treatment that is used throughout the US and VT.”

Officials are using the herbicide, ProcellarCOR, which has been used in lakes and ponds such as Lake Fairlee, Lake Morey, and Sunset Lake, to battle the invasive milfoil. 

Despite claims that there was very little or almost no public notice, Olin Reed, an Aquatic Biologist & Permit Specialist with the Department of Environmental Conservation informed VDC  “the Vermont Department of Health and Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets outlined in the ANC Internal Review Procedure, a draft approval was provided on 5/15/2025.  A public comment period was open from 5/15/2025 to 6/16/2025 where we received 13 public comments, all in favor of approving the application. In compliance with their permit, on 7/14/2025 the LEA (Lake Eden Association) requested approval to treat Lake Eden with ProcellaCOR on 8/26/2025, which the Agency approved.”

Reed also provided VDC with environmental reviews conducted Vermont scientists of the used herbicide, ProcellaCOR:

• Vermont Department of Health Review
• DEC Ecotoxicity Review

The Lake Eden Association is a group of local individuals who share a common passion for the beauty, health and care of Lake Eden. Currently, LEA is spearheading efforts to address the aquatic invasive water milfoil which was identified in the lake July, 2022.  To read the recent Milfoil Report click here .

If you are interested in learning more or joining the LEA, please reach out to LEA President Art Curcillo at (802) 635-9716. Learn more at www.lakeeden.org.