The Onondaga County Health Department will begin to reduce the number of water chestnuts in the Seneca River in the Baldwinsville and Three Rivers areas beginning Monday, August 10, 2020. Water chestnuts are plants that are rooted in the river bottom. Water chestnuts spread quickly and their seeds can remain dormant for several years making elimination of water chestnuts a multi-year effort. Due to its thick formation, water chestnuts hinder navigation, crowd native plants, and reduce fish habitat.

The only herbicide that will be used for this purpose is Clearcast (active ingredient: imazamox). Clearcast is considered safe for the control of vegetation in and natural bodies of water and non‐cropland sites. However, Clearcast is 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: http://www.ongov.net/health/env/waterchestnuts.html.

For more information about the Clearcast pesticide that will be used, please visit: http://www.sepro.com/documents/clearcast_Label.pdf

For more information about water chestnuts, please visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation fact sheet: https://on.ny.gov/32nBVZn