May 10, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 154

For more information, contact Craig Shirey, Fisheries Section, Division of Fish and Wildlife, 302-739-9914, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Six downstate ponds to be treated for aquatic weeds

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 and crowd out other, more beneficial plant species, and prevent fishing and boating access.

The ponds to be treated are: Abbots Pond, Blairs Pond, Tub Mill Pond and Griffiths Lake, all near Milford; Millsboro Pond and Concord Pond in Seaford.

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. 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,” said Fisheries Administrator Craig Shirey.

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 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. 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 and Wildlife at 302-739-9914.

For information on obtaining an irrigation permit from the Division of Water Resources, please call Patty Murray, Water Allocation Section, at 302-739-9945. More information is available at http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/wr/Services/OtherServices/Pages/WaterSupplyWaterAllocationBranch.aspx. For the permit application, scroll down and click the link to “Short Form.”