Milfoil is a dense vegetation the has affected rivers and lakes in the United States for more than 100 years. It is largely a surface problem, depriving water of oxygen and trapping sediments. In the Sandpoint area in the Northwest, milpoint has been a debated topic, with some advocating chemical treatment and others geosynthetic barrier solutions that would smother the milfoil infestation. The use of PVC and road fabric has been advised.