Group will treat Waneta, Lamoka with herbicides

    WANETA, LAMOKA LAKES—The lakes’ association for Waneta and Lamoka is proposing a partial chemical treatment of two plants, Eurasian watermilfoil and Southern naiad, this May and June.
    Schuyler County Legislative Chairperson Dennis Fagan explained the permit applications just need to be approved by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, which were sent one month ago. He added the county has already approved awarding the work. The lakes association is proposing treating 123.5 acres between both Waneta, Lamoka and Mud Creek Channel. Milfoil is an invasive plant species from Asia and Europe, while the naiad is actually native.
    According to the association, 90.5 acres of Lamoka Lake and Mud Creek Channel, and 10 acres of Waneta Lake will be treated with an aquatic herbicide called Renovate to deal with the milfoil. Fagan said the 90.5 acres will be split between Lamoka and Mud Creek. The application is currently proposed to be conducted during a two-day period in mid-May.
    The naiad will be targeted with the herbicide Aquathol K in a 23 acre application in Waneta Lake. Aquathol will be applied from the northern shoreline to 200 feet into the lake. Fagan said this will be two days during June 11 to 15. Diagrams of the exact treatment locations are located to the right.
    Residents along the lake where the treatments are expected will be notified beforehand. According to the association, drinking the water after treatment of either herbicide is prohibited until safe levels have returned. Other warnings include:
    • Swimming and bathing is prohibited for three hours following the Renovate application.
    • Renovate treated water should not be used for irrigation purposes for 120 days.
    • Swimming is prohibited in the area treated with Aquathol until the following day.
• Do not use Aquathol treated water for animal consumption or for domestic purposes within 14 days after application. There are no restrictions for fishing or use of fish caught where Renovate was used.
    People affected by the water restrictions will be provided with potable water as needed by the Lamoka-Waneta Lakes’ Association. Residents will be able to request water for up to 30 days following treatment.
    This isn’t the first time the two lakes have been treated. According to the DEC, all of Waneta Lake was first treated with fluridone in 2003 to reduce the coverage and density of milfoil. A case study on the treatment said no significant water quality changes or fisheries impacts were reported or attributed to the herbicide treatment. According to the Finger Lakes Institute, a 2008 application of Renovate in Waneta Lake also severely reduced the presence of watermilfoil.