To the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board (EPA Region 9):

We the undersigned oppose the use of herbicides for aquatic invasive weed management in the Upper Truckee Marsh or any part of Lake Tahoe. We support the use of non-chemical management options such as bottom barriers, diver assisted suction, dredging, rototilling, and nutrient loading management.

Tahoe local organizations are recognized internationally for solving environmental problems in a sustainable and innovative manner. The use of herbicides is counterproductive to the preservation of Lake Tahoe and native species. Being an Outstanding National Resource Water (Tier 3), the lake requires the highest level of protection in management decisions.

The Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association Integrated Weed Management Plan pushes for herbicide use as a management strategy while ignoring other key non-chemical weed control options. Setting a precedent for aquatic chemical weed management in Lake Tahoe and direct inlets to Lake Tahoe is not a sustainable plan. Pouring herbicides into the Tahoe Keys Lagoons would directly violate the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which are in place to protect the environment on a federal and state level.

Furthermore, approval of the Amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region to Replace the Regionwide Pesticide Water Quality Objective with a Regionwide Waste Discharge Prohibition on Pesticides with Exemption Criteria For Aquatic Pesticide Applications and Certification of Substitute Environmental Documentation (Resolution R6T-2011-0102) is in direct violation of numerous water and environmental regulations. We demand that Resolution R6-2011-0102 be revoked, and the use of herbicides or any toxic chemical in the Tahoe Keys Lagoons or any part of Lake Tahoe be prohibited.