Why are aquatic invasive plants like Eurasian watermilfoil a concern to our water bodies?  What are some options to treat and prevent Aquatic Invasive Plants?

Invasive aquatic plants — it doesn’t sound concerning does it? But these invaders have devastating effects on U.S. wildlife and waterways.  Invasive species are one of the leading threats to native wildlife.  Approximately 42% of threatened or endangered plants and wildlife are at risk primarily due to invasive species.  Human health and our economies are also at risk, the impacts of invasive species on our ecosystems and economy cost billions of dollars each year.  Commercial and recreational activities depend on healthy waterways.  If water ways are aesthetically and biologically undesirable, than in the short term, visitors will seek other areas for recreational activities causing other indirect commercial businesses to suffer as well.  In the long term, the cities and towns that host these water bodies will suffer economically.  In most cases, property values decrease and commercial businesses suffer economically.