Fall Creek herbicide treatment 24hr notification

[Sharon K. Anderson]

 Tuesday, August 25 two herbicides will be applied in Fall Creek, weather permitting.

 

The aquatic herbicides Aquathol-K (active ingredient endothall) and Sonar One (active ingredient fluridone in a pellet form) will be used to control the growth of the invasive aquatic plant hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata). In the event of inclement weather/water conditions, treatment will be postponed until the next suitable day.

1)      Aquathol-K will be applied using airboat, johnboat, and backpack application equipment in the shallow backwater areas (Stewart Park Pond and its feeder stream, golf course lagoon, Fall Creek cove, and the wetland area NW of the golf course lagoon. An automatic injection unit will apply Aquathol-K to the main channel of Fall Creek (from Rt. 13 north to the mouth) over a 36-hour period. 

The area will remain open for boating during the herbicide application.  There are the following water use restrictions associated with Aquathol-K:

·         Swimming and bathing are prohibited in the treated areas for 24 hours after application. Swimming outside of the actual treatment area is not prohibited due to herbicide use.

·         Animal and Livestock watering is prohibited for 14 days after application.

·         Use of water for human consumption is prohibited when concentrations of the active ingredient (endothall) are greater than 50 ppb (parts per billion) in the treated water. Be advised that consuming water directly from any lake or surface stream is never recommended*

2)      Sonar One (pellet) will be applied using airboat/johnboat and pellet broadcasting equipment in the shallow backwater areas of Fall Creek (Stewart Park Pond and its feeder stream, golf course lagoon, Fall Creek cove, and the wetland area NW of the golf course lagoon). The pellets slowly release fluridone and will be effective after the endothall treatment.

The water use restrictions associated with use of Sonar One are:

·         Do not use Sonar One treated water for hydroponic farming until concentrations of the active ingredient (fluridone) are less than 1 ppb.

·         Do not use or Sonar One treated water for irrigating greenhouse or nursery plants until concentrations of the active ingredient (fluridone) are less than 1 ppb.

·         Irrigation or spraying of established tree crops and established row crops, turf, or plants is prohibited for 14 days after application.

·         Irrigation or spraying of newly seeded crops or seedbeds is prohibited until concentrations of the active ingredient (fluridone) are below10 ppb.

·         Use of water for human consumption is prohibited when concentrations of the active ingredient (fluridone) are greater than 50 ppb (parts per billion) in the treated water. Be advised that consuming water directly from any lake or surface stream is never recommended.

Visit stophydrilla.org for a map of the treatment area, water monitoring of herbicide levels (as they become available) and additional information on the herbicide.

 

Tompkins County Department of Health Contact: Liz Cameron or Anne Wildman: (607) 274-6688

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Contact: Don Nelson: (607) 753-3095 ext. 232

 

James Balyszak and Sharon Anderson

On Behalf of the Hydrilla Task Force of the Cayuga Lake Watershed