Letter to the Editor: Roundup was approved for Echo Lake

To the Editor:

A recent Shoreline Area News carried a letter from a concerned reader.  It's been making the rounds, and I would like to respond to it. Here is the letter: Green lawns and algae blooms.

The letter concluded: "To the condominiums on Echo Lake: Stop using Weed and Feed and you won’t need Roundup!"

Permit me to reply. We at Echo Cove Condominium were equally appalled. We had sought permission to get rid of the weeds in the lake, which are invasively clogging the swimming areas and hindering even boats. When we got the written Permit from the Department of Ecology, THEY are the ones who indicated the work was approved for using Roundup!  (I was astounded that the DOE says it's OK!)

The Board (I am a member, but writing this as an individual homeowner) and several residents were among those who protested. We know this is a designated wetland, and we had intended to hand-pull the weeds. We knew that the City of Shoreline has already prohibited use of Roundup in Echo Lake Park; it is not something we requested. The City requires lake work to get a City permit, in addition to the State. We now have found someone who will hand-pull the weeds, as was originally intended.

There is so much water on our property -- a pond, recirculated stream, etc.  We do water the lawn. I appreciate Mr. Merriam's concern, and we are quite aware of the issues. I'll follow up and see if perhaps the gardeners have been using some sort of fertilizer. I was told they do not, but I may ask them directly if I see them. 

Again, we appreciate your concern. Many of us feel the same way.

Vicki Michels
Shoreline