The Onondaga County Health Department will begin to eradicate water chestnuts in the Seneca River in the Baldwinsville and Three Rivers areas beginning on August 5, 2014. Water chestnuts are an annual plant that is rooted in the sediment. The plant spreads rapidly and seeds can remain dormant for up to 12 years. Due to its dense formation, water chestnuts impede navigation and can have a substantial impact on native species of submerged grasses, as it is capable of blocking all sunlight from reaching the sediment surface.

The herbicide that will be used for this purpose is Clearcast (active ingredient: imazamox). Clearcast is considered safe for the control of vegetation in and around aquatic and non-cropland sites. (However, Clearcast is harmful if absorbed through the skin or inhaled and can cause moderate eye irritation and avoid breathing in the spray mist so we are asking the public to avoid areas when being treated).

For more information about the areas to be treated and the pesticide Clearcast visit:
/health/legalnotice.html
http://www.sepro.com/documents/clearcast_Label.pdf