PETITION: Emergency action needed to save Hatzic Lake from the overwhelming colossal Invasion of the Lily pad Weeds killing and choking out the Lake, fish habitats & ecosystem.

 

To: Provincial and Federal regulators responsible for lakes and waterways in British Columbia; local governments in the Fraser Valley; and partnering stewardship organizations.

 

From: Residents, property owners (Indigenous community members with interests in Hatzic Lake if they would like to join in this call to action) recreational users, and concerned citizens who care about Hatzic Lake and its failing ecosystem due to the Lily pad invasion.

 

Subject: Critical level Rapid spread of invasive Lily Pad weed (mat - forming species) choking Hatzic Lake; request for urgent, coordinated intervention under existing laws, permits, and programs.

 

·       Summary (Why we’re petitioning)

 

In just the last two years, the aggressive and fast spreading Lily pad weed has exploded across extensive areas of Hatzic Lake at an exponential rate. These Lily pads and in turn, mats, restrict navigation and recreation, severely degrade fish and wildlife habitat by reducing oxygen and light, trap sediments, and accelerate eutrophication as well as elevate the risk of Algea blooms and other toxic byproducts created by the Lily Pad invasion and choke out of the lake. 

 

If we do not act now, large portions of the lake risk becoming unusable for both residents, visitors, wildlife and Habitats. Hatzic Lake is home to many species of fish and wildlife including but not limited to Trout, Salmon, Crappies, Carp, Landlocked Sturgeon and more… it must be protected before its too late and action is need now, it is at a critical point. 

 

We, the undersigned, call for immediate, coordinated action by the responsible authorities to allow, help assess, permit, and implement effective and immediate control and ongoing maintenance to restore open water and urgently protect the ecological health of Hatzic Lake before its too late.

 

·       What we are asking for (Immediate actions)

 

1. Emergency coordination table bringing together provincial ministries, federal agencies, Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD), the City of Mission, local First Nations, and stewardship groups to help assign roles, timelines, and funding sources and options as well as to help create immediate and swift treatment plans.

 

 

2. Address and Organize Seasonal weed control and a management plan starting this season, including:

 

With approval, permit‑based herbicide treatments following Integrated Pest Management (IPM) best practices and environmental windows that specifically target and help eradicate Lily pads.

 

Targeted root/rhizome removal and shading barriers where and if feasible.

 

(If feasible and optimal) Rapid mechanical harvesting/cutting in priority areas/nearshore areas.

 

3. Permits, approvals, and compliance fast‑tracked under the Integrated Pest Management Act and Regulation, the Water Sustainability Act, and federal navigation/fisheries requirements as well as any and all other governing bodies in association with such an undertaking.

 

4. Monitoring and maintenance: multi‑year plan with clear performance indicators (open‑water area, plant regrowth rates, dissolved oxygen, water clarity) and public reporting and accountability in helping maintain and protect Hatzic Lakes health.

 

5. Funding and accountability: designate a lead agency and publish a work plan and budget by a fixed date; commit to annual operations until regrowth is controlled and hopefully eradicated.

 

Why this matters (Impacts of inaction)

 

Ecology: Dense mats reduce dissolved oxygen, shade out native plants, and alter habitat for fish, birds, and amphibians contributing to algae blooms and other toxic die offs associated with a dying water habitat due to extreme weed invasion which if left untreated the end result is death of the Lake and its ecosystems.

 

Public safety & navigation: Thick surface growth blocks sightlines and access for residents, recreational users and emergency response.

 

Community & economy: Loss of swimmable, usable, livable, navigable water reduces livability, property value, visitor enjoyment and last but not least fish habitats and ecosystems.

 

Momentum: The infestation has grown dramatically in just two years; each season without treatment allows exponential spread and higher costs later.

 

It is believed the highly invasive Lily pad weed may have first been introduced to the Lake as an unfortunate result of the Atmospheric river and Floods of Novemeber 2021 which brought tons of overflowing water into and thru the lake.  

 

·       Who must act (Intended recipients)

 

Provincial (BC):

 

Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS): watershed stewardship, authorizations, and coordination.

 

Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy (ENV): Integrated Pest Management Act/Regulation (permits, PMPs, PUPs) and environmental protection.

 

Ministry of Forests (Water Management & Flood Safety interfaces as applicable).

 

Federal (Canada):

 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO – Pacific Region): protection of fish and fish habitat during in‑water works.

 

Transport Canada – Navigation Protection Program: address navigation hazards/obstructions and any works in navigable waters.

 

Local Governments & Partners:

 

Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD): lake management coordination (Hatzic Lake Management Plan), operations support.

 

City of Mission: local coordination and support.

 

Local First Nations with rights and interests on/around Hatzic Lake.

 

Stewardship partners: BC Invasive Species Council (Invasive Species BC), BC Lake Stewardship Society, and local lake groups.

 

Tools and approaches we support (to be selected by the lead agency through permits and best practices)

 

Mechanical harvesting/cutting and removal; strategic dredge‑skimming of biomass where permitted.

 

Diver‑assisted suction removal in limited areas to target rhizomes.

 

Benthic barriers/shading mats in key corridors.

 

Permit‑based herbicide applications, following IPM principles, environmental windows, and public notice.

 

Public education to help prevent the spread and compliance signage.

 

·       Petition statement

 

We, the undersigned, urge the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada—working with FVRD, the City of Mission, local First Nations, and stewardship partners—to immediately authorize, help fund, and implement an emergency aquatic weed control attach program on Hatzic Lake and to establish an accountable, multi‑year maintenance plan.  Delay will lead to further ecological decline, navigation hazards, and loss of community use with catastrophic impacts to fish and habitats. Act now to save Hatzic Lake.

·       This petition was prepared by community members and is intended to prompt urgent, coordinated action under existing provincial and federal authorities. It supports science‑based, permitted methods that protect fish, wildlife, and water quality while restoring safe navigation and community use of Hatzic Lake.