NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 739-9902
Five downstate ponds to be treated against the spread of aquatic weeds
DOVER (May 17, 2011) – Over the next few weeks and weather permitting, DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife will treat five downstate ponds for aquatic nuisance weeds that can choke the waters and crowd out more beneficial plant species, and also impede fishing and boating access.
The ponds to be treated are: Abbotts Pond near Milford; Horseys Pond, Records Pond and Tussock Pond near Laurel; and Millsboro Pond in Seaford.
The target aquatic species is hydrilla, a non-native plant that likely entered the state through the aquarium trade. The Division of Fish & Wildlife will apply Sonar, an EPA-registered and approved aquatic herbicide containing fluridone. Sonar has been used in Delaware since the 1980s and has been proven safe and effective for controlling hydrilla. Use of the herbicide 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 Craig Shirey, Fish & Wildlife fsheries administrator.
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,” Shirey said.
Shirey also noted the Division of Fish & Wildlife reminds residents that in order to use any water from Delaware’s freshwater ponds, a permit from DNREC’s Division of Water is required. Residents who have these permits will receive individual notice of the treatments, he added.
For more information on the treatment of the ponds, please call the Fisheries Section of the Division of Fish & 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. More information is available at http://www.wr.dnrec.delaware.g…aterAllocationBranch.aspx. For the permit application, scroll down and click the link to “Short Form.”
Vol. 41, No. 192
Michael Globetti
Public Affairs-Office of the Secretary
Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Control