If you live on or near the shores of any of the Great Lakes, the subject of invasive species is one you very likely pay close attention to.

In recent times, the issue of Asian carp has been in the forefront. The federal government, assisted by several states – principally in the Great Lakes Basin – have spent millions of dollars to keep the species out of the Great Lakes.

Other aquatic invasive species include the Eurasian watermilfoil and the zebra mussel. A fair amount of money has been spent by various governments and other entities over the years to beat them back, too.

It might be argued, however, that the granddaddy of all invasive species is the sea lamprey, which has been creating problems in the Great Lakes and elsewhere for many decades.

The parasites hit indigenous fish populations – especially white fish, lake trout and herring – particularly hard. All of the above has had a very real economic impact, which is why the war against the lamprey continues.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service technicians are scheduled to treat Lake Superior waters off the mouth of the Dead River later this month in an effort to kill lamprey larvae burrowed in the lake bottom. The lampricide treatment is expected to be completed in about a day and is scheduled to be conducted from June 16-25.

We’ve heard people argue that the war against the sea lamprey, and perhaps by extension, other invasives, is unwinnable so why spend the money?

Even in tight budget times with results that aren’t 100 percent effective, we believe it’s a war worth fighting. That’s because the lakes, and the economy they help support, are essential and central to life in this area.