The City of Escanaba is trying to obtain permits from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to use herbicides to kill invasive weed species in the marina.
The Eurasian Watermilfoil and the curly pond weed are problematic because they often get caught on boat propellers. This affects the maneuverability of the boats. And when the boaters travel to other bodies of water, the weeds can be transported there as an invasive plant.
Harbormaster Larry Gravatt says the herbicides are safe for people and fish.
"What we will be doing, and I'm upfront about this, we're going to be taking a lot of the habitat away from the fish in the beginning because we'll be taking away most of the weeds that're in the harbor. Fish need weeds to survive," said Gravatt.
If approved, the herbicide would be put into the harbor next spring.
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