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+--- Thread: Delaware Ponds to be Treated for Nuisance Weeds (/showthread.php?tid=823703)
Delaware Ponds to be Treated for Nuisance Weeds - FishNews - 06-01-2013
DOVER - During the next three weeks, weather permitting, DNREC's Division of Fish and Wildlife will be treating six downstate ponds for aquatic nuisance weeds that, left unchecked, can choke the waters, crowd out beneficial plant species, and prevent fishing and boating access. The ponds to be treated are: Abbotts Pond and Tub Mill Pond near Milford; Millsboro Pond; Horseys Pond and Tussock Pond near Laurel; and Concord Pond near Seaford.
In most of the ponds, the primary target aquatic species is hydrilla, a non-native plant that likely entered the state through the aquarium trade. The Division's Fisheries Section will apply Sonar, an EPA-registered and approved aquatic herbicide containing fluridone. In compliance with new guidelines issued by the EPA, Fisheries has filed a notice of intent to use Sonar and has submitted a pesticide discharge management plan.
Sonar has been used in Delaware since the 1980s and proven safe and effective for controlling hydrilla. Sonar does not pose any threat to wildlife, including fish. "There are no restrictions on fishing or consumption of fish as a result of these planned treatments," said Fisheries Administrator John Clark.
Signs will be posted in the boat ramp area of each pond on the day of treatment. The only special precaution for residents is a 30-day restriction from the day of treatment on the use of water from the ponds. "Residents who live beside the ponds and those directly downstream should not use pond water to irrigate their gardens, yards, or agricultural lands for 30 days following treatment to avoid possible damage to their plantings," Clark said.
Clark also noted the Division of Fish and Wildlife would like to remind residents that in order to use any water from Delaware's freshwater ponds, a permit from the DNREC Division of Water is required. Residents who have these permits will receive individual notice of the treatments.
To prevent the spread of invasive aquatic vegetation to other ponds and waterways, anglers and boaters are encouraged to remove all hydrilla and other aquatic plants from their boats, trailers and gear before leaving the boat ramp area, Clark added.
For more information on the treatment of the ponds, please call the Fisheries Section of the Division of Fish and Wildlife at 302-739-9914.
For information on obtaining an irrigation permit from the Division of Water, please call Patty Murray, Water Allocation Section, at 302-739-9945. For more information, visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov/wr/Services/OtherServices/Pages/WaterSupplyWaterAllocationBranch.aspx. For the permit application, scroll down and click the link to "Short Form."