Update: Water Chestnut Treatment in the Seneca River Extended into Next Week

The Onondaga County Health Department announced today that due to weather conditions this week the herbicide application to reduce the number of water chestnuts in the Seneca River will be extended into next week. The application will continue, weather permitting, on Monday, July 30 and may extend through the end of the week.

The primary herbicide that will be used for this purpose is Clearcast (active ingredient: imazamox). Rodeo (active ingredient:  glyphosate) will also be used. Clearcast and Rodeo are considered safe for the control of vegetation in and around natural bodies of water and non-cropland sites. However, Clearcast and Rodeo are harmful if absorbed through the skin or inhaled and can cause moderate eye irritation. As a precautionary measure, we are asking the public to avoid the areas while they are being treated. Signs will be posted to identify the treated areas.

Detailed descriptions and maps of the treatment areas are available at: www.ongov.net/health/waterchestnuts.html.

For more information about the pesticides that will be used, please visit: