The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) is accepting public comment for recently proposed Agency guidance for the use of the aquatic herbicides Renovate® and Renovate® OTF to manage the aquatic invasive plant Eurasian watermilfoil.
The comment period will run through November 7, 2013.
The purpose of the guidance is to provide clear direction to involved parties on the use of these herbicides.
It would be required that non-chemical treatments, such as hand harvesting and use of benthic barriers, be employed before resorting to chemical herbicides.
Chemical treatment would also be limited to large dense beds.
Also required would be long-term strategies involving non-chemical options to prevent recolonization.
The guidance is intended to help achieve long-term control of the target species and avoid or limit impacts to freshwater wetlands and non-target organisms.
Eurasian watermilfoil can outcompete native plants, including New York State rare, threatened and endangered species.
This results in decreased plant diversity and diminished habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms.
Renovate® and Renovate® OTF, are preferred aquatic herbicides for the management of Eurasian watermilfoil, according to the APA.
They have been approved for use in New York State because they have low toxicity, are highly selective and fast acting.
They primarily target dicot classified plants such as Eurasian watermilfoil, while keeping safe native plants including pondweed, elodea, coontail, sedges and grasses.
The Agency-proposed guidance is intended to help direct management of aquatic invasive species in Adirondack water bodies in a manner that avoids or minimizes impacts to freshwater wetlands, non-target native plants and animals.
The proposed Guidelines for Appropriate Use of the Aquatic Herbicides Renovate® and Renovate® OTF to Manage Eurasian Watermilfoil, an Aquatic Invasive Plant, can be reviewed at apa.ny.gov.
Public comments can be sent to: Leigh Walrath, Adirondack Park Agency, P.O. Box 99, Ray Brook, NY 12977.