Flowering Rush should be…

Flowering Rush should be designated as a "prohibited" species under the Regulations.

In our region, particularly Clearwater Bay (at Lake of the Woods, ON) this aggressive invasive species has and is spreading rapidly. Key impacts of concern:
• altering and destroying fish habitat by displacing native aquatic macrophytes (“weeds”)
• dominating wetlands with monocultures, reducing biodiversity
• displacement / eradication of native wild rice stands, of cultural and economic importance to Indigenous peoples in our region
• increasing near-shore sedimentation, filling in the nearshore shallow areas and bays (aka littoral zone)
Socio economic impacts – access to shoreline properties, potential loss of tourism, fisheries etc.

We strongly request/advise that the misdesignation (currently shown in the proposed text as "restricted") be corrected before the Regulations are finalized and passed.