During the next three weeks, weather permitting, the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife will be treating six downstate ponds for aquatic nuisance weeds that, left unchecked, can choke the waters, crowd out other, more beneficial plant species and prevent fishing and boating access.
The target aquatic species is hydrilla, a non-native plant that likely entered the state through the aquarium trade. The Division 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.
The ponds to be treated are, in Kent County: Garrisons Lake near Smyrna and Tub Mill Pond near Houston; and in Sussex County: Millsboro Pond; and Chipmans Pond, Tussock Pond and Horseys Pond near Laurel.
Residents along the shoreline of each pond will receive hand-delivered notice of the treatments. In addition, 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 to irrigate crops, grass, flowers or gardens.
“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,” cautioned Craig Shirey, Fisheries biologist and environmental program manager.
Shirey also noted the Division 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 Resources is required. Next year, under a new notification system, only those residents who have these permits will receive individual notice of the treatments, he added.
Use of 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,” Shirey said.
For more information on the treatment of the ponds, please call the Division of Fish and Wildlife, Fisheries Section, at 739-9914.
For information on obtaining an irrigation permit from the Division of Water Resources, please call Patty E. Murray at 739-9945.
More information and the permit application is available online at http://www.wr.dnrec.delaware.gov/Services/OtherServices/Pages/WaterSupplyWaterAllocationBranch.aspx . Click on the link to “short form.”
Milford, Del. —
