SE Corner of Cayuga Lake Treatment

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Public Notice

     To control the growth of the invasive aquatic plant Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) in the southeast corner of Cayuga Lake, an application of the aquatic herbicide Sonar H4C will be applied. Application will begin on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 and continue through late-September/early-October. The herbicide will be applied to a 30-acre treatment zone in the southeast corner of Cayuga Lake (adjacent to Stewart Park and the Ithaca Youth Bureau). 

     Sonar H4C will be applied in pellet form to the southeast corner of Cayuga Lake using small boats and application equipment. Following initial application, as the Sonar H4C pellets dilute and disperse, additional “bump” treatments will be conducted in the same 30-acre treatment zone to bring herbicide concentrations back up to target levels. The bump treatment process will continue every 2 – 3 weeks through the end of September/early-October. 

     The following water use restrictions will be in place following the application of Sonar H4C 

• Do not use Sonar H4C treated water for hydroponic farming until concentrations of the active ingredient (fluridone) are less than 1 ppb.
• Do not use Sonar H4C 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 7 days after application. NOTE: Bump applications will occur every 2 – 3 weeks following the initial application of Sonar H4C on July 21, 2015.
• Irrigation or spraying of newly seeded crops or seedbeds is prohibited until concentrations of the active ingredient (fluridone) are below 5 ppb.
• Use of water for human consumption is prohibited when concentrations of the active ingredient (fluridone) is greater than 50 ppb in the treated water. Be advised that consuming water directly from any lake or surface stream is never recommended.

**There are no swimming restrictions while Sonar H4C is in use**

Please refer to www.Stophydrilla.org for a map of the treatment area and additional information on the herbicide. 

CONTACTS

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

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